Constitution & Fundamental Rights

What you'll learn

Learn the six Fundamental Rights, their key articles, the five writs, and the facts UPSC Prelims tests most.

This chapter has

Constitution & Fundamental Rights — solved practice questions

8 UPSC Indian Polity & Governance questions with step-by-step solutions. Attempt each, then reveal the answer.

1. Q1medium

   The idea of Fundamental Duties incorporated in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from the Constitution of which country?

   • AErstwhile USSR (Soviet Union)
   • BUnited States of America
   • CIreland
   • DCanada
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) Erstwhile USSR (Soviet Union)

   Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 (Part IVA, Article 51A) on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee, inspired by the Constitution of the erstwhile USSR.

2. Q2medium

   Which writ is issued by a higher court to quash an order already passed by an inferior court or tribunal?

   • AMandamus
   • BProhibition
   • CQuo Warranto
   • DCertiorari
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) Certiorari

   Certiorari means 'to be certified' and is issued to quash an order already passed by a lower court/tribunal, whereas Prohibition is preventive and is issued while proceedings are still pending.

3. Q3medium

   Consider the following statements about the Preamble to the Constitution: 1. The Preamble has been amended only once so far. 2. The words 'Socialist', 'Secular' and 'Integrity' were added to it by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976. Which of the statements is/are correct?

   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

   The Preamble has been amended only once, by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, which inserted the words 'Socialist', 'Secular' and 'Integrity'. Both statements are correct.

4. Q4easy

   The Right to Constitutional Remedies, described by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution, is guaranteed by which Article?

   • AArticle 19
   • BArticle 21
   • CArticle 32
   • DArticle 226
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Article 32

   Article 32 guarantees the Right to Constitutional Remedies and is itself a Fundamental Right. Article 226 empowers the High Courts to issue writs but is not part of the Fundamental Rights chapter.

5. Q5medium

   Which of the following Fundamental Rights is available only to citizens of India and not to foreigners?

   • ARight to equality before law (Article 14)
   • BProtection of life and personal liberty (Article 21)
   • CFreedom of speech and expression (Article 19)
   • DRight against exploitation (Article 23)
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Freedom of speech and expression (Article 19)

   The six freedoms under Article 19 are available only to citizens. In contrast, Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) are available to all persons, including foreigners.

6. Q6medium

   The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution has been borrowed from the Constitution of which country?

   • AUnited States of America
   • BIreland
   • CCanada
   • DAustralia
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Ireland

   The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) were borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland, which had itself adopted the idea from the Spanish Constitution.

7. Q7hard

   Assertion (A): The Directive Principles of State Policy are not enforceable by any court of law. Reason (R): The Directive Principles are fundamental in the governance of the country. Select the correct answer:

   • ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
   • BBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
   • CA is true but R is false
   • DA is false but R is true
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

   Article 37 states that the Directive Principles shall not be enforceable by any court, yet are fundamental in the governance of the country. Both statements are true, but their fundamental nature is not the reason for their non-enforceability, so R is not the correct explanation of A.

8. Q8medium

   Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Right under the present Constitution of India?

   • ARight to Equality
   • BRight to Freedom of Religion
   • CRight to Property
   • DRight against Exploitation
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Right to Property

   The Right to Property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, and made a legal (constitutional) right under Article 300A.

Want the full set? Practise all 15 Constitution & Fundamental Rights questions →