Question 1

Which Constitutional Amendment introduced the concept of 'Fundamental Duties' in the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, passed in 1976 during the Emergency period, added Part IVA to the Constitution and introduced Fundamental Duties (Articles 51A). These duties are listed for all citizens and include respecting the Constitution, abiding by laws, and promoting harmony. This was a major structural change to the Constitution.

Question 2

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. Which of the following is NOT a restriction on this right as per the constitutional text?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' This means the only restriction is that deprivation must follow a procedure established by law. Deprivation for national security, public order, or morality are NOT explicit restrictions mentioned in Article 21 itself (though they may apply to other rights under Article 19). Therefore, the answer is D.

Question 3

The 44th Constitutional Amendment of 1978 made significant changes to the Indian Constitution. Which of the following was a key provision of this amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) removed the right to property from the list of Fundamental Rights (Article 19) and made it a Constitutional Right under Article 300A instead. It also restored the writ jurisdiction of courts under Article 32 and modified Article 20 and 21. Therefore, the answer is C.

Question 4

Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following is the correct statement regarding the right to constitutional remedies?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 guarantees the right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. This right itself is a Fundamental Right and cannot be suspended except during a national emergency declared under Article 352. The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction to issue writs (habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, quo warranto) for enforcement of fundamental rights. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 5

Which Constitutional Amendment introduced the concept of 'Secular' and 'Socialist' in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) added the words 'Secular' and 'Socialist' to the Preamble of the Constitution. Before this amendment, the Preamble described India as a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic.' The amendment changed it to 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.' Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 6

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. Which of the following is NOT explicitly protected under Article 21 as interpreted by the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' The Supreme Court has expansively interpreted this to include rights to health, education, shelter, and dignity. However, the right to property is NOT protected under Article 21; it is addressed separately under Article 300A (which was inserted by the 44th Amendment in 1978 to replace the earlier Article 31). Property rights are not considered part of 'life or personal liberty' in the constitutional sense.

Question 7

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) made several significant changes to the Indian Constitution. Which of the following was NOT a provision of the 44th Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Constitutional Amendment of 1978 made several key changes: (1) removed the right to property from Fundamental Rights and placed it under Article 300A as a constitutional right, (2) restricted the President's emergency powers, (3) made it mandatory for the President to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, and (4) reduced the term of Lok Sabha from 5 years to 4 years (later restored to 5 years by 52nd Amendment). However, the 44th Amendment did NOT introduce the concept of Fundamental Duties; that was done by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.

Question 8

Which Constitutional Amendment abolished the practice of 'untouchability' and made its practice punishable by law?

Accepted Answer

Article 17 of the Indian Constitution states: 'Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden.' This article was part of the original Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly. However, to make the practice of untouchability punishable by law with specific penalties, the Untouchability (Offences) Act was passed in 1955 (later renamed the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955). The constitutional abolition came through Article 17 in the original Constitution (1950), not through any amendment. However, the 1st Amendment (1951) made certain modifications to Fundamental Rights, though it did not directly address untouchability. The question tests whether students understand that Article 17's abolition of untouchability was original to the Constitution, not added later.

Question 9

Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following is a remedy available to a citizen for enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the right to constitutional remedies. It empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto) for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. These writs are the primary mechanism through which citizens can approach the Supreme Court directly for violation of their fundamental rights. Article 32 itself is considered a Fundamental Right (Article 32 is part of Part III), making it one of the most important provisions for protecting other fundamental rights.

Question 10

Which Constitutional Amendment introduced the concept of 'Fundamental Duties' as a new chapter in the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, passed in 1976 during the Emergency, added Part IVA to the Constitution, which introduced Fundamental Duties. These duties are listed in Article 51A and include duties such as respecting the Constitution, defending the nation, and promoting harmony. Therefore, the answer is B.

Question 11

The 101st Constitutional Amendment (2016) introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and made significant changes to the Constitution. Which article was inserted to provide the legislative framework for GST implementation?

Accepted Answer

The 101st Amendment (2016) inserted Article 246A into the Constitution, which grants concurrent power to both the Union and States to levy GST. This article was a new addition and represents a unique federal arrangement where both levels of government can tax the same transaction. The amendment also inserted Article 269A and modified Article 279A to establish the GST Council.

Question 12

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, often called the 'Mini Constitution', introduced significant changes to the Indian Constitution. Which of the following was NOT a direct consequence of this amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made several landmark changes: it added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, reduced the President's discretionary powers, made constitutional amendments easier by reducing the majority requirement, and inserted the Fundamental Duty clause (Article 51A). However, it did NOT reduce the number of Lok Sabha seats or introduce the concept of 'Reasonable Restrictions' — the latter already existed in Articles 19(2)-(6) before 1976.

Question 13

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution defines the amendment procedure. According to the original Constitution (before amendments), which part of the Constitution could be amended by simple majority of Parliament without requiring a 2/3 majority?

Accepted Answer

Article 368 originally provided that most constitutional amendments require a 2/3 majority of both Houses present and voting. However, certain provisions could be amended by simple majority under Article 368(2) — specifically those relating to the admission or establishment of new states, alteration of boundaries, and changes to the Constitution's name. The 42nd Amendment (1976) further restricted this by making even these provisions subject to the 2/3 majority requirement in most cases.

Question 14

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) is historically significant for restoring several rights and protections. Which of the following was a key restoration made by the 44th Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) was passed after the Emergency (1975–1977) to undo some of the most controversial changes made by the 42nd Amendment. Key restorations included: (1) Restoring the right to property as a constitutional right (though not a Fundamental Right), converting it from Article 31 to Article 300A; (2) Restoring the President's discretionary powers in certain matters; (3) Removing 'Proclamation of Emergency' from the definition of 'law' under Article 21 (so citizens could challenge emergency laws); (4) Reducing the term of emergency from indefinite to 6 months. The restoration of property rights as a constitutional (but not fundamental) right is the most significant and frequently tested aspect.

Question 15

The 101st Constitutional Amendment (2016) introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. Which article was inserted to provide the constitutional basis for GST legislation?

Accepted Answer

The 101st Constitutional Amendment (2016) inserted Article 246A into the Constitution, which grants concurrent power to both the Union and States to make laws regarding GST. This was a landmark amendment because it created a new category of concurrent taxation power, distinct from the existing Article 246 (Union List) and Article 247 (State List) provisions. Article 246A specifically states that both Parliament and State Legislatures have the power to make laws with respect to the supply of goods or services or both.

Question 16

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty. The Supreme Court has expanded this article through landmark judgments. Which of the following was NOT recognized as part of the right under Article 21 by the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' Through judicial interpretation, the Supreme Court has recognized numerous rights as part of Article 21, including: right to health, right to education, right to clean environment, right to privacy, right to dignity, right to speedy trial, right to shelter, and right to information. However, the right to vote in elections has NOT been derived from Article 21; instead, it is governed by Article 326 (for Lok Sabha) and Article 172 (for State Assemblies), which are separate constitutional provisions dealing with electoral rights, not personal liberty.

Question 17

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, often called the 'Mini Constitution', introduced several significant changes. Which of the following was NOT a direct consequence of this amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made three major changes: (1) reduced the term of Lok Sabha from 5 to 6 years (later reverted by 44th Amendment), (2) added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, and (3) inserted Fundamental Duties as Part IVA. The amendment did NOT change the voting age from 21 to 18 years — that change was made by the 61st Amendment in 1989.

Question 18

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution prescribes the procedure for constitutional amendments. Under this article, which category of amendments requires ratification by the legislatures of at least half of the States?

Accepted Answer

Article 368 divides constitutional amendments into three categories based on the amendment procedure required. Amendments affecting the federal structure, representation in Parliament, or powers of the States require ratification by the legislatures of at least half (50%) of the States. This is the most stringent procedure, designed to protect federalism. Simple majority amendments and those requiring special majority do not need State ratification.

Question 19

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) reversed a key provision of the 42nd Amendment. Which of the following was restored to its original position by the 44th Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) was enacted to correct what many considered excesses of the 42nd Amendment. It restored the Lok Sabha term from 6 years back to 5 years, removed 'Socialist' and 'Secular' from the Preamble (these were later restored by the 42nd Amendment itself — this is a common confusion point), and made other restorative changes. The primary reversal was the Lok Sabha term reduction from 6 to 5 years.

Question 20

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution provides the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Which landmark Supreme Court case established that Article 32 itself is a Fundamental Right and cannot be suspended even during a national emergency?

Accepted Answer

In the case of Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967), the Supreme Court held that Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right and cannot be abrogated or suspended. Later, the 42nd Amendment attempted to restrict this by allowing suspension of Article 32 during national emergency, but the 44th Amendment (1978) restored the inviolability of Article 32. The case established the principle that the right to constitutional remedies is essential to the Constitution's basic structure.

NDA Constitutional Amendments

NDA Constitutional Amendments — Past Exam Questions

Constitutional Amendments— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Constitutional Amendments — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Constitutional Amendments