Question 1

Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty?

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 is a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) introduced major changes including: (1) Addition of 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) Reduction of President's discretionary powers, (3) Strengthening of Parliament's authority, (4) Addition of Fundamental Duties (Article 51A). However, it did NOT introduce the Right to Information Act, which came much later in 2005.

Question 3

Which Constitutional Amendment introduced Fundamental Duties for Indian citizens?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) introduced Part IVA of the Constitution, which contains Fundamental Duties listed in Article 51A. These duties include respecting the Constitution, defending the country, promoting harmony, and protecting the environment.

Question 4

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution is significant because it provides:

Accepted Answer

Article 32 grants the right to move the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. It is often called the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar because without it, Fundamental Rights would be meaningless.

Question 5

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) abolished which Fundamental Right?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Constitutional Amendment removed the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights (Article 19 and 31). It was converted to a Constitutional Right under Article 300A, which provides that no person shall be deprived of property except by authority of law.

Question 6

Which Constitutional Amendment is known as the 'Mini Constitution' because it made the most extensive changes to the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) is referred to as the 'Mini Constitution' because it introduced the most comprehensive and far-reaching changes to the Constitution. It added the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, changed 'subjects' to 'citizens', reduced the voting age from 21 to 18, and curtailed the powers of the judiciary. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Question 7

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 (Articles 51A–51K). This amendment was passed during the Emergency period and fundamentally altered the constitutional structure by adding duties alongside rights.

Question 8

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. Which Supreme Court judgment expanded the scope of Article 21 to include the right to live with human dignity?

Accepted Answer

The landmark case Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) significantly expanded Article 21 beyond mere survival to include the right to live with human dignity. This judgment established that 'procedure established by law' must be reasonable, just, and fair—not merely procedurally correct.

Question 9

The 44th Constitutional Amendment removed which Fundamental Right from Part III of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) removed the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights (originally Article 31) and converted it into a Constitutional Right under Article 300A. This was a significant change that reduced the justiciability of property rights.

Question 10

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution provides the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Under which circumstance can Article 32 itself be suspended?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 can be suspended only during a National Emergency declared under Article 352. However, even during an emergency, the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of other rights (non-fundamental) cannot be completely suspended. The 44th Amendment clarified that certain basic rights cannot be suspended even during an emergency.

Question 11

Which of the following Fundamental Rights is NOT listed under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 19 guarantees six freedoms: (1) freedom of speech and expression, (2) freedom to assemble peacefully, (3) freedom to form associations, (4) freedom to move freely, (5) freedom to reside and settle, and (6) freedom to practice any profession. The right to life and personal liberty is guaranteed under Article 21, not Article 19.

Question 12

Which Constitutional Amendment introduced the concept of 'Socialism' and 'Secularism' into the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), also known as the 'Mini Constitution', added the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Question 13

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution deals with the amendment procedure. Which of the following requires a special majority (2/3 of members present and voting) but NOT a ratification by state legislatures?

Accepted Answer

Article 368 outlines two types of amendments: (1) Those requiring simple majority in both Houses, and (2) Those requiring special majority (2/3 of members present and voting) in both Houses. Amendments affecting federal structure, representation in Parliament, or powers of the President require both special majority AND ratification by at least half of state legislatures. However, amendments to most other provisions require only special majority without state ratification.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The 101st Constitutional Amendment inserted Article 246A, which grants concurrent power to both Parliament and state legislatures to make laws on GST. This amendment also inserted Article 269A to define the scope of GST and Article 279A to establish the GST Council.

Question 15

Which Constitutional Amendment removed 'Right to Property' from the list of Fundamental Rights and made it a Constitutional Right under Article 300A?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) removed the Right to Property from Part III (Fundamental Rights) and inserted it as Article 300A in Part XII, making it a Constitutional Right rather than a Fundamental Right. This amendment was passed after the Emergency to restore democratic principles.

Question 16

Article 16(4) of the Indian Constitution, which provides for reservation in public employment, was expanded by which amendment to include reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)?

Accepted Answer

The 77th Constitutional Amendment (1995) inserted Article 16(4-A) to provide for reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State. This specifically enabled OBC reservations in public employment.

Question 17

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, often called the 'Mini Constitution', introduced several significant changes to the Indian Constitution. Which of the following was NOT a direct consequence of the 42nd Amendment (1976)?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made sweeping changes during the Emergency period. It added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, inserted Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), reduced the power of judicial review, and changed the term 'State' in Article 12. However, it did NOT introduce the Right to Information as a fundamental right—that came later through judicial interpretation and the Right to Information Act, 2005.

SSC GD Constable Constitutional Amendments

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Constitutional Amendments — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — Constitutional Amendments