Civics Polity

Constitutional Amendments

529 Questions

Constitutional amendments questions evaluate knowledge of the historical adoption of the Indian Constitution and its subsequent modifications. Key themes include specific amendment acts, the insertion of new articles, and changes to the Preamble. Mastery of this topic is essential for general awareness sections in UPSC and state civil services exams.

Major amendment actsFundamental rights amendmentsConstitution adoptionPreamble amendmentsNew article insertions

Constitutional Amendments Questions

Multiple choice

Which Constitutional Amendment fixes 40 years for reservation of seats for SC and ST in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly?

  1. 55th Amendment Act, 1986

  2. 56th Amendment Act, 1987

  3. 52nd Amendment Act, 1985

  4. 45th Amendment Act, 1980
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The 45th Amendment Act (1980) extended SC/ST reservation for 40 years. This amendment was one in a series that progressively extended the reservation period for scheduled castes and tribes.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following Amendments of the Constitution of India deals with the issue of strengthening of the Panchayati Raj?

  1. 42nd

  2. 44th

  3. 73rd

  4. 86th
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) deal with strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions by constitutionalizing them, mandating regular elections, and providing reservation for SC/ST and women. The 42nd and 44th Amendments dealt with fundamental rights and executive powers respectively, while the 86th dealt with education.

Multiple choice

Under which Constitutional Amendment Act, Article 368 of the Constitution was amended for the first time?

  1. 25th Amendment Act

  2. 26th Amendment Act

  3. 24th Amendment Act

  4. 27th Amendment Act
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The 24th Amendment Act (1971) amended Article 368 for the first time to explicitly state that Parliament has the power to amend any part of the Constitution and that a Constitutional Amendment is not a 'law' under Article 13. This was done in response to the Golaknath case judgment.

Multiple choice

In which House, the Janta Government failed to secure two-third majority for new clause under Article 368 for introducing referendum for effecting changes in certain basic features of the Constitution?

  1. Legislative Council

  2. State Legislature

  3. State Assembly

  4. Rajya Sabha
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Janata Government (1977-1979) introduced the 45th Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking to introduce referendum for changes to basic features. While it passed in Lok Sabha, it failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in Rajya Sabha. This demonstrates how the upper house acts as a check on constitutional amendments. State Legislatures and Legislative Councils are not directly involved in this process.

Multiple choice

When was the Constitution of India adopted by the Constituent Assembly?

  1. 25th Nov. 1949

  2. 29th Nov. 1949

  3. 26th Nov. 1949

  4. 27th Nov. 1949
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. This date is celebrated as Constitution Day. However, it came into effect on January 26, 1950, chosen to commemorate Purna Swaraj Day. November 25, 27, and 29 are incorrect dates surrounding this event.

Multiple choice

Which Article of the India Constitution deals with the amendment procedure?

  1. Article 368

  2. Article 358

  3. Article 367

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution deals with the procedure for constitutional amendments. It specifies that amendments can be initiated by Parliament and require special majorities in both Houses, plus ratification by at least half of the states for certain provisions. This article forms the basis for the flexible yet carefully controlled amendment process.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following shall not be considered an adequate ground for the issue of proclamation of national emergency?

  1. War

  2. External aggression

  3. Armed rebellion

  4. Internal disturbance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Internal disturbance alone is NOT adequate for national emergency proclamation. After the 44th Amendment (1978), only three grounds remain: war (Article 352), external aggression, and armed rebellion. The term 'internal disturbance' was removed to prevent misuse of emergency powers for political purposes.

Multiple choice

What was passed by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26th November 1949, and came into effect from 26th January 1950?

  1. Declaration of Independence

  2. The Constitution

  3. Bill of Rights

  4. Human Rights Commission
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950. November 26 is now celebrated as Constitution Day. January 26 was chosen as Republic Day to commemorate the Purna Swaraj declaration of 1930.

Multiple choice

In which list the entry of education figured in the Constitution of India prior to 42nd Amendment?

  1. Concurrent list

  2. Centre list

  3. State list

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Prior to the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), education was listed in the State List of the Constitution, meaning state governments had exclusive legislative authority over education. The 42nd Amendment moved education to the Concurrent List, allowing both central and state governments to make laws on educational matters. This was a significant shift in India's federal educational governance.

Multiple choice

Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution have been taken from the

  1. Russian Constitution

  2. U.S. Constitution

  3. British Constitution

  4. Act of 1935
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution are primarily inspired by the US Constitution's Bill of Rights. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, acknowledged this influence while adapting these rights to Indian conditions.

Multiple choice

What are the Directive Principle of developing India as a Welfare State?

  1. Fair distribution of Wealth.

  2. Equal pay for equal work to men and women.

  3. Free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years.

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The welfare state Directive Principles include: equitable distribution of wealth (Article 39), equal pay for equal work for men and women (Article 39(d)), and free and compulsory education for children until age 14 (originally Article 45, now a fundamental right under Article 21A). Option D correctly lists all these provisions.