Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) made several important changes: (1) reduced the Lok Sabha term back to 5 years (from 6 years set by 42nd Amendment), (2) restored the right to property as a fundamental right (though later modified), and (3) restored the power of judicial review. These changes were made to correct the excesses of the Emergency period.

Question 2

The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 removed which right from the list of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 removed the Right to Property (Article 19(1)(f) and Article 31) from the list of Fundamental Rights and made it a legal right under Article 300A. This was done to facilitate land reforms.

Question 3

Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, which lists Fundamental Duties, was added by which amendment?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A, which enumerates the Fundamental Duties of citizens, was inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. Before this amendment, the Constitution did not explicitly list the duties of citizens. The article lists 11 duties (later expanded to 12 by the 86th Amendment in 2002).

Question 4

The 44th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1978, made which of the following changes?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) made several important changes: (1) Restored the right to property as a constitutional right (moved from Part III to Part XII as Article 300A), (2) Removed the right to property from the list of fundamental rights, (3) Modified emergency provisions by restricting the President's power to declare national emergency, (4) Reduced the term of Lok Sabha from 5 years to 6 years (later restored to 5 years by the 61st Amendment in 1989).

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) introduced Article 51A, which lists the Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens. This was a significant addition during the Emergency period. Prior to this amendment, the Constitution had only Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.

Question 6

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before law and equal protection of laws. Which of the following is NOT covered under Article 14?

Accepted Answer

Article 14 guarantees that the State shall not deny any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. This applies to all persons, not just citizens. However, Article 14 does not specifically guarantee freedom of speech — that is covered under Article 19.

Question 7

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, passed in 1976, is often called the 'Mini Constitution' because it made sweeping changes. Which of the following was NOT a change introduced by the 42nd Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made major changes including: (1) adding 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) reducing the President's discretionary powers, (3) adding Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), and (4) reducing the term of Lok Sabha from 5 to 6 years (later reversed by 44th Amendment). However, it did NOT introduce the concept of Fundamental Rights — those were part of the original 1950 Constitution.

Question 8

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1976, is often called the 'Mini Constitution' because it made major structural changes. Which of the following was NOT a change introduced by the 42nd Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) introduced several significant changes: (1) Changed 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' to 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' in the Preamble, (2) Added Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), (3) Reduced the President's discretionary powers, (4) Made constitutional amendments easier to pass. However, it did NOT reduce the number of Lok Sabha seats — that was done by the 31st Amendment (1973).

Question 9

Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty of citizens as listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens. These include: (1) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, (2) To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom, (3) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, (4) To defend the country and render national service when called upon, (5) To promote harmony and brotherhood among all people, (6) To preserve the rich heritage of the country, (7) To protect and improve the natural environment, (8) To develop scientific temper and spirit of inquiry, (9) To safeguard public property, (10) To strive towards excellence in all spheres of activity. The 86th Amendment (2002) added duty to provide education to children.

Question 10

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following is NOT explicitly mentioned as a restriction on this right?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' The article allows deprivation only through a procedure established by law. Restrictions based on caste, religion, or gender are not valid restrictions under Article 21; they would violate Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination).

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), also known as the 'Mini Constitution', added Part IVA to the Indian Constitution, which introduced Fundamental Duties listed in Article 51A. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period and significantly expanded the duties of citizens.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Article 32 grants the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. The Supreme Court can issue writs including Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto. This article is considered the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Question 13

Which article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to constitutional remedies for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. This is considered the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It is a Fundamental Right itself and cannot be suspended even during Emergency (except in case of armed rebellion).

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) added Part IVA to the Constitution, introducing Fundamental Duties of citizens. This was a landmark amendment during the Emergency period that also reduced the term of Lok Sabha from 5 to 6 years (later reverted by 44th Amendment in 1978).

Question 15

The 44th Constitutional Amendment made several significant changes to the Constitution. Which of the following was NOT a change introduced by the 44th Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) was passed after the Emergency to restrict government powers. It: (1) reduced the scope of Emergency powers, (2) reverted Lok Sabha term from 6 to 5 years, (3) removed right to property from Fundamental Rights, and (4) made it harder to amend certain constitutional provisions. However, it did NOT introduce Fundamental Duties — that was done by the 42nd Amendment (1976).

Question 16

The 101st Constitutional Amendment introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Which article was amended to provide constitutional validity to GST?

Accepted Answer

The 101st Constitutional Amendment (2016) inserted Article 246A to grant concurrent powers to both Parliament and State Legislatures to levy GST. It also amended Article 269A and Article 279A to provide for the GST Council. This amendment fundamentally changed the indirect tax structure in India.

Question 17

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. Which of the following is NOT explicitly covered under the scope of 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.' While the Supreme Court has expansively interpreted this to include right to health, education, clean environment, and dignity, the right to property is NOT covered under Article 21 (it was removed from Fundamental Rights by 44th Amendment and placed in Part XII as a Constitutional Right).

Question 18

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) is historically significant for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Constitutional Amendment, passed after the Emergency ended, removed the right to property from the list of Fundamental Rights (Article 19 was amended) and converted it into a Constitutional Right under Article 300A. It also restored the right to freedom of movement and residence, which had been curtailed during the Emergency.

Question 19

Which of the following Fundamental Rights is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 19 guarantees six freedoms: (1) freedom of speech and expression, (2) freedom to assemble peaceably, (3) freedom to form associations, (4) freedom to move freely, (5) freedom to reside and settle, and (6) freedom to practice any profession or trade. However, these freedoms are subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by the State.

Question 20

Article 31C of the Indian Constitution, inserted by the 42nd Amendment, allows the State to restrict Fundamental Rights in order to implement which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Article 31C, introduced by the 42nd Amendment (1976), permits the State to restrict Fundamental Rights (specifically Articles 19 and 26) when implementing Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). This article essentially created a hierarchy where DPSP could override certain fundamental rights, a controversial provision that was partially modified by the 44th Amendment (1978), which limited its scope to Articles 39(b) and 39(c) only (relating to economic justice and prevention of concentration of wealth).

SSC CHSL Constitutional Amendments

Constitutional Amendments— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Constitutional Amendments — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Constitutional Amendments