Question 1

Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which court has the power to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 grants the Supreme Court of India the power to issue writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto) for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Additionally, Article 226 grants High Courts similar powers within their territorial jurisdiction. Article 32 is considered the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Article 51A, introduced by the 42nd Amendment (1976), lists 10 Fundamental Duties of citizens. These include: respecting the Constitution, defending the country, promoting harmony, protecting public property, developing scientific temper, protecting environment, and safeguarding wildlife. These are duties owed by citizens to the nation, not rights.

Question 3

Article 12 of the Indian Constitution defines 'State' for the purpose of Fundamental Rights. Which of the following is NOT included in this definition?

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, private individuals, private companies, and non-statutory organizations are NOT included in the definition of 'State' under Article 12.

Question 4

The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, passed in 1976, is historically significant because it introduced which major change?

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) during the Emergency period made several constitutional changes, most notably: (1) added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) introduced Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), and (3) reduced the power of courts to review constitutional amendments. It is often called the 'Mini Constitution' due to its extensive nature.

Question 5

Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides the Right to Constitutional Remedies, allowing citizens to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the Right to Constitutional Remedies. It empowers citizens to move the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights through writs of Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo Warranto, and Certiorari. Article 32 itself is considered a Fundamental Right and cannot be suspended even during a national emergency (as per the 44th Amendment, 1978).

Question 6

The Indian Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as per the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 81 of the Indian Constitution specifies that the Lok Sabha shall consist of not more than 552 members. Currently, the Lok Sabha has 543 elected members (from States and Union Territories) plus 2 nominated members from the Anglo-Indian community, totaling 545 members. The maximum limit of 552 includes provisions for future expansion.

Question 7

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 inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 during the Emergency. These duties include respecting the Constitution, promoting harmony, protecting public property, and developing scientific temper. There are currently 11 Fundamental Duties (the 86th Amendment added one more in 2002 regarding environmental protection).

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978), passed after the Emergency, reversed several changes made by the 42nd Amendment. It restored the 5-year term for the Lok Sabha (from 4 years), removed 'Right to Property' from Fundamental Rights and placed it as a Constitutional Right under Article 300A, and restricted the President's emergency powers. It also added Article 20(3) protections.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Article 12 defines 'State' for the purpose of Fundamental Rights (Part III). It includes the Union Government, State Governments, local authorities (municipalities, panchayats), and any other authority exercising governmental functions. However, it does NOT include private individuals, private companies, or purely private institutions acting in a private capacity.

Question 10

Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all persons within the territory of India?

Accepted Answer

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which forms part of the Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35), explicitly guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. This article is foundational to the principle of non-discrimination and applies to all persons, not just citizens.

Question 11

The 44th Amendment to the Indian Constitution (1978) made several important changes. Which of the following was a key provision of the 44th Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978) was passed to reverse some of the most controversial provisions of the 42nd Amendment. Key changes included: (1) Reduced Lok Sabha term back to 5 years from 6 years, (2) Removed 'internal disturbances' from Article 352 (Emergency clause), (3) Made it mandatory for the President to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, (4) Removed the right to property from Fundamental Rights (converted to Constitutional Right under Article 300A).

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Article 12 defines 'State' to include: (1) the Government of India, (2) Parliament, (3) State Governments, (4) State Legislatures, and (5) all local authorities and other bodies exercising statutory functions. However, purely private entities or non-governmental organizations that do not exercise state power are NOT included in the definition of 'State' for purposes of Fundamental Rights enforcement.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) made several significant changes: (1) Added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' to the Preamble, (2) Reduced the President's discretionary powers, (3) Added Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), (4) Extended the term of Lok Sabha from 5 to 6 years (later reverted by 44th Amendment). However, it did NOT introduce the concept of Fundamental Rights—those were part of the original 1950 Constitution.

Question 14

Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty as per Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, added by the 42nd Amendment?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment (1976), lists 10 Fundamental Duties. These were later expanded to 11 by the 86th Amendment (2002), which added the duty to protect the environment. The duties include: respecting the Constitution, cherishing secular values, defending the country, promoting harmony, protecting public property, striving for excellence, and protecting the environment.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Article 12 defines 'State' for the purpose of Fundamental Rights to include: (1) the Government of India, (2) State Governments, (3) all local authorities, and (4) all other authorities under the control of the Government. However, purely private entities and non-governmental organizations operating independently are NOT included in the definition of 'State' under Article 12.

Question 16

The 44th Amendment to the Indian Constitution (1978) is primarily remembered for which constitutional change?

Accepted Answer

The 44th Amendment (1978), enacted after the Emergency, made several reversals and reforms: (1) removed the Right to Property from Fundamental Rights (Article 19) and made it a Constitutional Right under Article 300A, (2) restored the 5-year term for Lok Sabha (reversed from 4 years set by 42nd Amendment), and (3) restricted the President's emergency powers. It is seen as a corrective amendment to the 42nd Amendment.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The 42nd Amendment (1976) during the Emergency is the most extensive amendment to the Constitution. It added Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), changed 'sovereign democratic republic' to 'sovereign socialist secular democratic republic,' reduced the term of Lok Sabha from 5 to 4 years (later restored by 44th Amendment in 1978), and made constitutional amendments easier by removing judicial review of amendments.

Question 18

Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Constitutional Remedies, described by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the 'Heart and Soul' of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 guarantees the Right to Constitutional Remedies, which allows citizens to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called it the 'Heart and Soul' of the Constitution. It is itself a Fundamental Right under Part III (Articles 12–35).

Question 19

Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, introduced by the 42nd Amendment, lists Fundamental Duties. Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty?

Accepted Answer

Article 51A enumerates 11 Fundamental Duties (originally 10, expanded to 11 by the 86th Amendment in 2002). These include: respecting the Constitution, defending the nation, promoting harmony, protecting environment, and developing scientific temper. The duty to 'vote in elections' is NOT listed as a Fundamental Duty in Article 51A.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Article 51A (added by 42nd Amendment, 1976) lists 11 Fundamental Duties. These include: respecting the Constitution, following its ideals, protecting sovereignty, defending the nation, promoting harmony, preserving heritage, protecting environment, developing scientific temper, safeguarding public property, and striving for excellence. The duty to vote is NOT a Fundamental Duty but a civic responsibility.

UGC NET 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