Question 1

The 44th Amendment to the Indian Constitution is notable for:

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) was passed after the Emergency ended and is considered a corrective amendment. Its key provisions include: (1) Removed the Right to Property from Fundamental Rights (Part III) and made it a Constitutional Right under Article 300A; (2) Reduced the Lok Sabha term from 6 years back to 5 years (reversing the 42nd Amendment); (3) Removed the power of the President to declare Emergency on grounds of 'internal disturbances' — now only 'armed rebellion' qualifies; (4) Added Article 51A(k) regarding Fundamental Duties (later expanded by 86th Amendment).

Question 2

Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution are enshrined in which Part?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental Rights are contained in Part III of the Indian Constitution, covering Articles 12 to 35. Part I deals with the Union and its territory, Part II deals with Citizenship, and Part IV deals with Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT included in the Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental Rights are guaranteed under Articles 12–35 of Part III. These include right to equality, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, right to constitutional remedies, and cultural and educational rights. The Right to Work is a Directive Principle of State Policy (Article 41), not a Fundamental Right.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Right under Part III of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental Rights are guaranteed under Articles 12–35 of Part III. They include: Right to Equality (Articles 14–18), Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22), Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24), Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28), and Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32). The Right to Education became a Fundamental Right under Article 21A (added by the 86th Amendment, 2002). The Right to Work is NOT a Fundamental Right; it is a Directive Principle of State Policy under Article 41.

Question 5

The Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens were added to the Constitution through which Amendment?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental Duties were added to the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Amendment in 1976 as Part IVA (Article 51A). These duties include respecting the Constitution, cherishing its ideals, defending the country, promoting harmony, and protecting the environment. Unlike Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties are not directly enforceable in courts but serve as moral and civic obligations.

Question 6

Which article of the Indian Constitution defines the term 'State' for the purpose of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 12 defines 'State' in the context of Part III (Fundamental Rights). It includes the Government of India, state governments, and all local authorities and other authorities within the territory of India. This definition is crucial because Fundamental Rights are enforceable against the State.

Question 7

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1976, is historically significant because it:

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) was passed during the Emergency declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of PM Indira Gandhi. It made major changes including: (1) adding 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) reducing the power of courts to question constitutional amendments, (3) adding Fundamental Duties (Part IVA), and (4) extending the term of Parliament from 5 to 6 years (later reversed by 44th Amendment).

Question 8

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution provides:

Accepted Answer

Article 32 is titled 'Right to Constitutional Remedies' and is considered the heart of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It grants citizens the right to move the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights through writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto. This article is itself a Fundamental Right and cannot be suspended except during a declared Emergency.

Question 9

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution is historically significant because it:

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) was passed during the Emergency declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of PM Indira Gandhi. It made sweeping changes: added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, reduced the President's discretionary powers, and added Fundamental Duties (Article 51A). It is often called the 'Mini Constitution' due to its extensive scope.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT listed as a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A lists 11 Fundamental Duties including: respecting the Constitution, defending the nation, promoting harmony, protecting monuments, protecting environment, developing scientific temper, and safeguarding public property. The right to vote is NOT a Fundamental Duty; it is a constitutional right under Article 326 (for Lok Sabha elections).

Question 11

The 44th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1978, made which significant change to Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) removed the right to property from the list of Fundamental Rights (Article 19 and 31) and made it a Constitutional Right under Article 300A instead. This amendment also restricted the President's emergency powers and made other modifications to strengthen democratic safeguards after the Emergency period.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty as listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A (added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976) lists 11 Fundamental Duties of citizens, including respecting the Constitution, defending the nation, promoting harmony, protecting environment, and developing scientific temper. However, it does NOT include duties related to economic performance or wealth accumulation.

Question 13

Under Article 12 of the Indian Constitution, the term 'State' includes all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Article 12 defines 'State' to include the Government and Parliament of India, State Governments and Legislatures, and all local authorities and other bodies exercising statutory functions. However, it does NOT include purely private entities or individuals acting in a private capacity.

Question 14

The 44th Amendment to the Indian Constitution (1978) is primarily known for:

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) reverted several changes made by the 42nd Amendment: it restored the Lok Sabha term from 4 years back to 5 years, removed the Right to Property from Fundamental Rights (Article 31), and made it a Constitutional Right instead. It also restricted the President's emergency powers.

Question 15

Which of the following Fundamental Rights is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. It states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' This is one of the most important and widely invoked articles, protecting citizens' basic rights to life and freedom. The Supreme Court has expansively interpreted this article to include rights like right to education, right to health, right to privacy, etc.

Question 16

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, enacted in 1976, is historically significant for which major change?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) during the Emergency period made several critical changes: it inserted 'Socialist' and 'Secular' into the Preamble, added Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), reduced the President's discretionary powers, and amended the amendment procedure. It is often called the 'Mini Constitution' due to its sweeping nature.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Article 51A, containing the list of Fundamental Duties of citizens, was inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. These duties include respecting the Constitution, defending the nation, promoting harmony, and protecting the environment.

Question 18

Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following writs can be issued by the Supreme Court to compel a public official to perform a statutory duty?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 grants the right to constitutional remedies. Among the five writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto), Mandamus is used to compel performance of a legal duty.

Question 19

Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following writs can be issued by the Supreme Court to compel a public official to perform a mandatory duty?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 grants the right to constitutional remedies and empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs. A Mandamus (or Mandamuscertiorari) is the writ used to compel performance of a mandatory public duty. This is distinct from Prohibition (stops illegal action) and Certiorari (quashes an order).

Question 20

Which article of the Indian Constitution was amended by the 42nd Amendment to include the word 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) during the Emergency modified the Preamble by inserting 'socialist' and 'secular' before 'democratic' and after 'sovereign' respectively. This was a landmark constitutional amendment that fundamentally altered the ideological character of the Constitution.

SSC CHSL Indian Constitution — Basics

Indian Constitution — Basics— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

Indian Constitution — Basics — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Indian Constitution — Basics