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

According to Constitution 83rd Amendment Act, the reservations of seats for Scheduled Castes provided under article 243D shall not apply to which state?

  1. Goa

  2. Mizoram

  3. Arunachal Pradesh

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

The 83rd Constitutional Amendment Act (2000) extended reservations for Scheduled Castes in Panchayati Raj institutions (Article 243D). However, Arunachal Pradesh was exempted because it has a predominantly tribal population (over 60% Scheduled Tribes) and virtually no Scheduled Caste population. The exemption recognizes unique demographic realities where SC reservations serve no purpose.

Multiple choice

What does the 104th Constitution Amendment Bill relate to?

  1. Abolition of Legislative Councils in certain States

  2. Introduction of dual citizenship for persons of Indian origin living outside India

  3. Providing quota to socially and educationally backward classes in private educational institutions

  4. Providing quota to religious minorities in the services under the Central Government
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The 104th Constitutional Amendment (2019) introduced a 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) in general category. This effectively provided reservation to socially and educationally backward classes in private educational institutions (and government jobs). Options A, B, and D are incorrect - the amendment did not abolish Legislative Councils, introduce dual citizenship, or provide quotas to religious minorities in central services.

Multiple choice

The Constitution of India was recently amended to provide for:

  1. Making elementary education a fundamental Right

  2. Punishment for children if they do not go to school

  3. Allowing opening of private schools for children

  4. Making school education compulsory for girls only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act (2002) made elementary education a fundamental right under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. This led to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009), ensuring free education for children aged 6-14. The other options are incorrect - there is no punishment for non-attendance, and education is compulsory for all children, not just girls.

Multiple choice

How many times has the Preamble of the Indian Constitution been amended so far?

  1. Once

  2. Twice

  3. Never

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

The Preamble has been amended only once by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment of 1976, which added the words 'socialist,' 'secular,' and 'integrity.' The words 'Unity of the Nation' were changed to 'Unity and integrity of the Nation.' No other amendments have been made to the Preamble since.

Multiple choice

Sikkim was made a full-fledged state of India vide the

  1. 34th Amendment

  2. 44th Amendment

  3. 36th Amendment

  4. 24th amendment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975 through the 36th Constitutional Amendment. This amendment integrated Sikkim as a full-fledged state after it abolished its monarchy and voted to join India. The 34th, 44th, and 24th amendments relate to other constitutional matters.

Multiple choice

In the following quotation:

‘WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity: and to promote among them all; FRATERN1IY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and the integrity of the Nation. In our Constituent Assembly this ‘X’ do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution.”, ‘X’ stands for

  1. twenty-sixth day of January, 1950

  2. twenty-sixth day of November, 1949

  3. twenty-sixth day of January, 1949

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

The Constitution of India was enacted on Nov 26, 1949 but it was commenced on Jan 26, 1950.

Multiple choice

Which of the following amendments to the Indian Constitution empowers the President to send back any matter for reconsideration to the Council of Ministers?

  1. 39th

  2. 40th

  3. 42nd

  4. 44th
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Earlier, the 42nd amendment, Article 74(1) stated that, ‘there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions’. However, there was a slight ambiguity whether the advice of the Council of Ministers is binding on the President. Forty-second Amendment of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) made it explicit that the President shall, ‘act in accordance with such advice’. The amendment went into effect from 3 January 1977. The 44th Amendment (1978) however added that the President can send the advice back for reconsideration once. But, if the Council of Ministers sends the same advice again to the President, then the President must accept it. The amendment went into effect from 20 June, 1979.

Multiple choice

The 73rd Constitution Amendment Act, 1992 refers to the

  1. generation of gainful employment for the unemployed and the under employed men and women in rural areas

  2. generation of employment for the able bodied adults who are in need and desirous of work during the lean agricultural season

  3. laying the foundation for strong and vibrant Panchayati Raj institutions in the country

  4. guarantee of right to life, liberty and security of person, equality before law and equal protection without discrimination
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

73rd Amendment Act added Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution and Part IX, which provides for the Panchayati Raj System.

Multiple choice

In which article of the Indian Constitution has the amendment process been described?

  1. Article 355

  2. Article 370

  3. Article 368

  4. Article 395
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Article 368 of the Indian Constitution prescribes the procedure for constitutional amendments. It specifies that amendments can be initiated by Parliament and require special majorities in both Houses plus ratification by half the states for certain provisions. Article 355 deals with Centre's duty to protect states, Article 370 (now abrogated) gave special status to Jammu & Kashmir, and Article 395 repealed the Indian Independence Act.

Multiple choice

The Preamble of the constitution of India was based on 'Objectives Resolution', introduced in the constituent Assembly in its first session in December, 1946 and was adopted in January, 1947. Who among the following moved the 'Objective Resolution'?

  1. B.N.Rau

  2. B.R.Ambedkar

  3. Jawaharlal Nehru

  4. Rajendra Prasad

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Objectives Resolution, which laid the foundation for the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, was indeed moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly. It was introduced on December 13, 1946, and adopted on January 22, 1947. The resolution proclaimed India's commitment to democracy, justice, equality, and freedom, which later became the core values reflected in the Preamble. B.N. Roy was a constitutional advisor, B.R. Ambedkar was the Drafting Committee Chairman, and Rajendra Prasad was President of the Constituent Assembly.

Multiple choice

The Constitution of India was passed on

  1. November 26,1949

  2. January 26,1950

  3. January 26,1949

  4. November 26,1948
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Constitution of India was adopted and passed by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. It came into effect on January 26, 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day. November 26 is now observed as Constitution Day.