Civics Polity

Constitutional Amendments

599 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

It was a long fight to write the constitution of Nepal because

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question. 

The long fight of Nepalis to have a constitution written by representatives of the people is over. The fight that lasted 65 years, saw a civil war and multiple major revolutions - along with a century old monarchy toppled in the process. The new constitution, which took more than seven years to draft, was overwhelmingly endorsed in the constitutional assembly - a constitution-making body comprised of 601 elected lawmakers. The three prominent parties - Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) - collaborated for the majority while few other smaller opposing parties either voted against, or boycotted the process. The civil war, instigated by Maoist rebels, lasted for 10 years, from 1996 to 2006 and claimed more than 15,000 lives. With the signing of the Constitution, it is also now officially over. More than 80% of the country's population is Hindu - the largest Hindu majority in the world- will remain secular as per the new constitution. But not everyone is celebrating. A handful of groups representing a number of ethnic minorities have denounced the new constitution. The smaller opposition parties representing the Madhesi and Tharu indigenous groups have been the most vocal opponents of the new constitution. Lawmakers from the parties boycotted the final voting process.

  1. it took seven years to draft

  2. the lawmakers could not come to a consensus on the final draft

  3. the structure of the Nepali society changed before the constitution could be drafted

  4. Cannot be determined
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as the first sentence of the passage describes how the structure of the Nepali society changed during the 65 years old fight to write a constitution. It mentions 'a civil war and multiple major revolutions along with a century-old monarchy toppled in the process'. All these indicate how the whole society changed before the constitution could be written.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements in regad to the 74th Constitution Amendment Act of 1992: (a) It granted statutory status to local govt. (b) It granted constitutional status to local govt. (c) Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) became third tier of government. (d) Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) became autonomous bodies.

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c) and (d)

  4. Only (b), (c) and (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Prior to 1992, local bodies had only a statutory status and did not enjoy any constitutional status. The governance of urban areas was directly under sate governments. But after the 74th Amendment Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) achieved Constitutional status.

Multiple choice

The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution of India brought about a paradigm shift in the governance of the country. Consider the following: (a) A new tier was introduced called the Local Self Govt. (b) Autonomy at grass root (foundation) level. (c) Decentralisation of finance and functions. (d) Ensuring social justice and local economic development.

Which of the above you do not agree to?

  1. Only (b)

  2. Only (c)

  3. Only (d)

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

The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution accorded Constitutional status to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Consequently, certain principles were laid down for their functioning and some objectives were set.

Multiple choice

Constitutional Amendment Act and its efficacy only conjured up a mixed feeling. (a) It led to the empowerment of weaker sections of the society. (b) It rationalised the transfer system. (c) It contributed to emancipation of women. (d) It contributed to institutional capacity development of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Which of the above is/are correct?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b) and (c)

  3. (a), (b) and (c)

  4. Only (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) for institution building, it failed to put it in place and also it has not yet contributed to institutional capacity development of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Multiple choice

Following are the salient features of the amendments: (a) Panchayat in rural areas and municipalities in towns (Urban). (b) A three-tier system for states with a population over 2.5 million. (c) 1/3 of seats for women. (d) The term of office for elected members of these bodies is 3 years. (e) The local governments to generate resources from various taxes tolls, rent, etc.

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. Only (b) and (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

According to the provisions laid down in the amendments, three-tier system will be effected in states with a population of 2 millions/20 lakhs and that the term of office of elected representatives of the local bodies will be 5 years.

Multiple choice

Arrange the introduction of amendments in the constitution in chronological order:

Codes: i. Words ‘Socialist and Secular’ were added to preamble ii. Provision for reservation in promotion in favour of SC/ST community iii. Right to education of children of the age of six to fourteen years as a separate fundamental right iv. For proclamation of emergency, the decision of the Union Cabinet should be communicated to the President in writing

  1. i, ii, iii, iv

  2. i, iv, iii, ii

  3. ii, iv, iii, i

  4. i, iv, ii, iii
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Words, ‘Socialist and Secular’ were added to preamble in 42nd amendment. For proclamation of emergency, the decision of the Union Cabinet should be communicated to the President in writing was introduced in 44th amendment. Provisions for reservation in promotion in favour of SC/ST community were added in 77th amendment in the constitution. Right to education of children of the age of six to fourteen years as a separate fundamental right was added in 86th amendment.

Multiple choice

The 86th Amendment Act deals with

  1. education

  2. reservation

  3. official language

  4. decentralization
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

With a view to making right to free and compulsory education a fundamental right, the Act inserts a new article, namely, Article 21A conferring on all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years the right to free and compulsory education. The Act amends in Part-III, Part -IV and Part-IV(A) of the constitution.

Multiple choice

By which amendment was the voting age reduced to 18 from 21?

  1. 52nd amendment

  2. 58th amendment

  3. 61st amendment

  4. 70th amendment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Constitution (61st Amendment) Act, 1989: It lowers the voting age from 21 to 18 to give wider representation and involve the present day literate youth, in the mainstream of political life of the nation.

Multiple choice

The Constitution's 76th Amendment Act placed the Tamil Nadu Bill of Reservation under the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution. In this bill, how much reservation was introduced by Tamil Nadu government in education and public services?

  1. 34%

  2. 51%

  3. 63%

  4. 69%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Constitution (76th Amendment) Act, 1994: This amendment places the Tamil Nadu Bill of Reservation within the preview of the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution. The government of Tamil Nadu reserved18% to Scheduled Castes, 1% to Scheduled Tribes and 50% to Other Backward Castes (total 69%) in education institutions and public employments.

Multiple choice

Which Constitution Amendment Act(s) is/are also sometimes referred to as a ‘Mini Constitution’?

  1. 40th Amendment Act

  2. 42nd Amendment Act

  3. 86th Amendment Act

  4. 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) is called the 'Mini Constitution' because it made sweeping changes to the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and constitutional structure. It added 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble and expanded fundamental duties.

Multiple choice

The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988 was for

  1. the transformation of election commission from single to multi-member body

  2. lowering of voting age from 21 years to 18 years

  3. prescribing qualifications for the Chief Election Commissioner

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

The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988 came into force in 1989 and the voting age was lowered from 21 years to 18 years.