Question 1

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?

Accepted Answer

Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51, Part IV) are non-justiciable guidelines for state policy. They are not enforceable in courts but serve as moral and political obligations for the government. They aim at establishing a welfare state and social justice. Unlike Fundamental Rights, citizens cannot go to court to enforce DPSPs, but courts can consider them while interpreting laws.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Article 51A, which enumerates the Fundamental Duties of citizens, was introduced by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. It lists 10 duties (originally), later expanded to 11 by the 86th Amendment (2002), which added the duty to protect the environment. These duties are non-enforceable but serve as moral and civic obligations for citizens.

Question 3

The Directive Principles of State Policy are listed in which Part of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are enumerated in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, spanning Articles 36 to 51. These are non-justiciable principles that guide the state in framing laws and policies, though they cannot be directly enforced in courts.

Question 4

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 while framing laws and policies, though they are not enforceable in courts. Article 36 provides the definition of 'State' for the purposes of DPSP.

Question 5

Under which Schedule of the Indian Constitution are the languages recognized by the Constitution listed?

Accepted Answer

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the official languages recognized by the Constitution. As of 2024, it includes 22 languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. The 21st Amendment (1967) added Hindi to the list, and subsequent amendments added more languages.

Question 6

Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the powers, procedures, and allocation of business between the Union and States?

Accepted Answer

The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains three lists: the Union List (97 subjects), the State List (66 subjects), and the Concurrent List (47 subjects). It delineates the legislative powers of the Union and State governments. This schedule was amended by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, which transferred several subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List.

Question 7

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Right to Life and Personal Liberty?

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 article has been interpreted expansively by the Supreme Court to include rights like right to health, education, and dignity.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Directive Principles of State Policy are listed in Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Indian 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 question tests understanding of what constitutes a DPSP versus a Fundamental Right.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the official languages recognized by the Constitution. As per the original Constitution, 14 languages were listed. The 21st Amendment (1967) added Sindhi, making it 15 languages. Currently, 22 languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule (as of 2024, with Meitei, Dogri, Maithili, and Santali added in 2003-2004).

Question 10

Which amendment to the Indian Constitution added Fundamental Duties to the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added Part IVA to the Indian Constitution, introducing Fundamental Duties in Articles 51A–51K. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period (1975–1977) and is often called the 'Mini Constitution' due to its extensive changes. Fundamental Duties are non-enforceable moral obligations for citizens.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The Directive Principles of State Policy are listed in Articles 36–51 of Part IV of the Indian Constitution. They are non-justiciable guidelines for the state. Right to Free and Compulsory Education (now a fundamental right under Article 21A after the 86th Amendment, 2002) was originally a DPSP under Article 45. However, the Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21) is a Fundamental Right, not a DPSP.

Question 12

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Right to Life and Personal Liberty?

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 a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution.

Question 13

The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 is historically significant because it:

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, often called the 'Mini Constitution,' made sweeping changes to the Indian Constitution. Key changes include: (1) Adding 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) Reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 years, (3) Shifting subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule, (4) Reducing the power of courts to question amendments, and (5) Adding Fundamental Duties in Part IVA. This amendment was passed during the Emergency period (1975–1977).

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Article 36 defines DPSP as principles that guide the state in making laws and policies. Articles 36–51 contain the full list of DPSPs, covering social, economic, and political directives.

Question 15

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution added which of the following to the Preamble?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) added the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, and also added Part IVA (Fundamental Duties) to the Constitution.

Question 16

Article 48A of the Indian Constitution, which was added by the 42nd Amendment, relates to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Article 48A was inserted into Part IV (DPSP) by the 42nd Amendment and mandates the state to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife.

Question 17

Which of the following Directive Principles of State Policy is specifically related to the organization of agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines?

Accepted Answer

Article 48 of the Indian Constitution, which falls under Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), mandates that the State shall endeavor to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines. This article was added to promote agricultural development and improve rural livelihoods through scientific methods.

Question 18

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, which added Fundamental Duties, was passed in which year?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment was passed in 1976 during the Emergency period declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This amendment added Part IVA (Articles 51A–51C) containing Fundamental Duties.

Question 19

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, often called the 'Mini Constitution,' introduced which of the following changes?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made several significant changes including: (1) adding 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) inserting Article 48A (environmental protection) as a DPSP, (3) adding Article 51A (Fundamental Duties), and (4) reducing the President's discretionary powers. It is called the 'Mini Constitution' due to its extensive nature.

Question 20

Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the powers, duties, and procedures of Panchayats and Municipalities?

Accepted Answer

The 11th Schedule (added by the 73rd Amendment, 1992) lists 29 functional areas of Panchayats, and the 12th Schedule (added by the 74th Amendment, 1992) lists 18 functional areas of Municipalities. These schedules define the scope of local self-governance in rural and urban areas respectively.

SSC Stenographer DPSP & Schedules

DPSP & Schedules— Rules & Concept

Key Points to Remember

Exam-Specific Tips

DPSP & Schedules — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — DPSP & Schedules