Question 1

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, also known as the 'Mini Constitution,' made significant changes. Which of the following was NOT introduced by the 42nd Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made major changes including adding 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, reducing the President's discretionary powers, and adding Fundamental Duties (Article 51A). However, the concept of Fundamental Rights itself was part of the original 1950 Constitution (Part III, Articles 12–35), not introduced by the 42nd Amendment.

Question 2

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 directly enforceable in courts.

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 introduced for the first time by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. This amendment is often called the 'Mini Constitution' because of its far-reaching changes. The Fundamental Duties include duties such as respecting the Constitution, defending the country, and promoting harmony among citizens.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Article 51A and the entire Part IVA (Fundamental Duties) were introduced by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. This amendment added 10 fundamental duties (later expanded to 11 by the 86th Amendment in 2002, which added the duty to provide education to children). The fundamental duties are non-justiciable but serve as moral and civic obligations for citizens.

Question 5

Which of the following Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) explicitly directs the State to promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order in which justice—social, economic, and political—shall inform all institutions of national life?

Accepted Answer

Article 38 of the Indian Constitution, which falls under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), mandates that the State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order in which justice—social, economic, and political—shall inform all institutions of national life. This is a foundational DPSP that guides state policy-making toward equitable development.

Question 6

Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the powers, duties, and procedures of the Parliament and State Legislatures?

Accepted Answer

The Indian Constitution has 12 Schedules. Schedule 1 lists states and union territories; Schedule 2 lists salaries and allowances; Schedule 3 lists forms of oaths; Schedule 4 lists allocation of Rajya Sabha seats; Schedule 5 lists provisions for administration of Scheduled Areas; Schedule 6 lists provisions for Tribal Areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram; Schedule 7 lists the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists (division of legislative powers); Schedule 8 lists official languages; Schedule 9 lists laws exempt from judicial review (added by 1st Amendment); Schedule 10 lists provisions for disqualification of MPs/MLAs (added by 52nd Amendment); Schedule 11 lists powers of Panchayats (added by 73rd Amendment); Schedule 12 lists powers of Municipalities (added by 74th Amendment).

Question 7

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, and has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to privacy?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty. The Supreme Court has progressively expanded its scope through landmark judgments (Menaka Gandhi v. Union of India, 1978; Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, 2017) to include rights to privacy, dignity, and freedom from torture.

Question 8

Article 51-A of the Indian Constitution, inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens. Which of the following is NOT listed as a Fundamental Duty under Article 51-A?

Accepted Answer

Article 51-A lists 11 Fundamental Duties of citizens (originally 10, with the 86th Amendment adding one more in 2002). The duties include: respecting the Constitution, following its ideals, defending the country, promoting harmony, protecting public property, abjuring violence, striving for excellence in education and work, protecting the environment, and safeguarding forests and wildlife. The 86th Amendment added the duty of parents/guardians to provide education to children aged 6-14. The question tests knowledge of what IS and what IS NOT included in this list.

Question 9

Which article of the Indian Constitution was inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, to include the concept of 'Secular' and 'Socialist' in the Preamble?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, made significant changes to the Constitution. It inserted the words 'Secular' and 'Socialist' into the Preamble, fundamentally altering India's constitutional identity. This amendment also added Part IV-A (Fundamental Duties) through Article 51-A. The amendment was passed during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Question 10

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 of the following articles within DPSP has been given quasi-enforceable status through judicial interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Article 37 explicitly states that DPSP are not enforceable by courts. However, through landmark judgments, particularly in cases like Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1986) and subsequent rulings, courts have interpreted Article 21 (Right to Life) to include socio-economic rights that overlap with DPSP. Additionally, Article 31-C (inserted by 25th Amendment) provides some protection to laws made to implement DPSP. The question tests understanding of the paradox between Article 37's non-enforceability and judicial activism.

SSC MTS DPSP & Schedules

DPSP & Schedules— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

DPSP & Schedules — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — DPSP & Schedules