Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) as per the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Directive Principles of State Policy are listed in Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Constitution. They include provisions like free legal aid (Article 39A), right to work, education, and social security. However, Fundamental Rights (Part III, Articles 12–35) are NOT DPSPs. The Right to Equality (Article 14) is a Fundamental Right, not a DPSP.

Question 2

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, also known as the 'Mini Constitution,' made which of the following changes?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made significant changes including: (1) Adding Fundamental Duties (Part IVA); (2) Changing 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' to 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic'; (3) Reducing the President's discretionary powers; (4) Making constitutional amendments easier. It is called the 'Mini Constitution' because of its extensive nature.

Question 3

Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the languages recognized by the Union?

Accepted Answer

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the official languages recognized by the Union. As per the original Constitution, it listed 14 languages. Currently (2024), it includes 22 languages after the addition of Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali in 1992, and Maithili, Santali, Dogri, and Bodo in 2003.

Question 4

Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty as per Article 51A of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A (added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976) lists Fundamental Duties of citizens. These include respecting the Constitution, defending the nation, promoting harmony, protecting public property, and developing scientific temper. These duties are non-enforceable but moral obligations.

Question 5

Which article of the Indian Constitution lists the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?

Accepted Answer

Article 36 to Article 51 of the Indian Constitution contain the Directive Principles of State Policy. These are guidelines for the State to follow in framing laws and policies, though they are not enforceable in courts. Article 36 provides the definition of 'State' for the purpose of DPSP, while Articles 37–51 enumerate the specific principles.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) as listed in Part IV of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Part IV of the Indian Constitution (Articles 36–51) contains Directive Principles of State Policy. These include principles like securing a social order promoting welfare, providing free legal aid, protecting monuments, and ensuring right to work. However, Fundamental Rights (Part III) are NOT DPSPs—they are justiciable and enforceable in courts.

Question 7

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1976, is historically significant for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) during the Emergency is known as the 'Mini Constitution' because it made extensive changes: it added Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), changed 'sovereign democratic republic' to 'sovereign socialist secular democratic republic', reduced the power of courts to question laws, and extended the term of Parliament from 5 to 6 years (later reverted by 44th Amendment in 1978).

Question 8

Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the list of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes?

Accepted Answer

The Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. The Sixth Schedule deals with tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. However, the actual lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are maintained under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and are notified by the President under Articles 341 and 342.

Question 9

Which article of the Indian Constitution specifically guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty as a Fundamental Right?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' This article has been interpreted expansively by the Supreme Court to include rights like right to health, education, and dignity.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Article 51A, containing the list of Fundamental Duties of citizens, was introduced by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 during the Emergency. It originally contained 10 duties; an 11th duty (to protect the environment) was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002. These duties are non-justiciable but serve as moral and civic obligations.

Question 11

Which of the following Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) is specifically aimed at promoting the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections of society?

Accepted Answer

Article 46 of the Indian Constitution, which falls under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), specifically mandates that the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. This article was a key provision aimed at social upliftment and was reinforced through various constitutional amendments and legislative measures.

Question 12

The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, removed the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights and placed it under which article as a Constitutional Right?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, was a landmark amendment that removed the Right to Property (originally Article 31) from Part III (Fundamental Rights) and reconstituted it as Article 300-A under Part XII (Right to Property). This change reflected the government's intent to prioritize DPSP over individual property rights and facilitate land reforms and nationalization policies.

Question 13

Which of the following Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) explicitly mandates the State to endeavor to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people?

Accepted Answer

Article 38 of the Indian Constitution, which is part of the DPSP (Part IV), explicitly states that the State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice—social, economic, and political—shall inform all the institutions of the national life. This is a foundational DPSP that guides all other principles.

Question 14

The 101st Amendment Act, 2016, inserted a new article into the Constitution to make the Right to Education a Fundamental Right. Which article was this, and under which Part of the Constitution does it appear?

Accepted Answer

The 101st Amendment Act, 2016, inserted Article 21-A into Part III (Fundamental Rights) of the Indian Constitution. Article 21-A states: 'The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may by law determine.' This amendment also inserted corresponding provisions in the DPSP (Article 45) and Fundamental Duties (Article 51-A(k)).

Question 15

Article 37 of the Indian Constitution states that the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) shall NOT be enforceable in any court of law. However, which article explicitly allows courts to interpret DPSP in matters related to constitutional validity?

Accepted Answer

Article 37 clearly states that DPSP are not enforceable by courts. However, Article 31-C (inserted by the 25th Amendment and modified by the 42nd Amendment) creates an exception by stating that laws made to implement DPSP cannot be challenged on the ground that they violate Articles 14, 19, or 31 of the Constitution. This gives DPSP indirect enforceability through constitutional protection of laws implementing them.

SSC CPO DPSP & Schedules

DPSP & Schedules— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

DPSP & Schedules — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — DPSP & Schedules