Civics Polity · General Awareness

Constitutions and Law

2,792 Questions

Constitutions and Law questions cover fundamental rights, the preamble, critical articles, and amendments from the Indian and United States constitutions. This topic is indispensable for UPSC, state PSC, and SSC exams. Practicing these questions ensures a solid understanding of political frameworks and legal provisions.

Indian Constitution articlesFundamental rights and dutiesConstitutional amendmentsPreamble featuresUS Constitution principles

Constitutions and Law Questions

Multiple choice

Amendment in our Constitution can be effected

  1. by the President

  2. by the Prime Minister

  3. through referendum

  4. according to the provisions laid down in the Constitution
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Constitutional amendments in India follow the procedure laid down in Article 368, requiring special majorities in Parliament and sometimes ratification by states. The President cannot amend the Constitution unilaterally, and referendums are not part of the Indian amendment process. The Prime Minister must follow parliamentary procedure. This ensures amendments are neither too rigid nor too flexible.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

  1. The Finance Commission is a constitutional body.
  2. The Finance Commission came into force by the enactment of the Finance Commission Act of 1951.
  3. The requisite qualifications for appointing Finance commission members are not provided by the Constitution.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Only 2 and 3

  4. All 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. It was established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution by the President of India. Therefore, it is a constitutional body.

Statement 2 is wrong. The Finance Commission Act, 1951 lays down rules regarding qualification and disqualification of members of the Commission, their appointment, term, eligibility and powers. Statement 3 is correct. The Finance Commission Act of 1951 states the terms of qualification, appointment and disqualification, the term, eligibility and powers of the Finance Commission. The Parliament may by law determine the requisite qualifications for appointment as members of the Commission and the procedure of selection.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

  1. The Constitution of India has not prescribed the educational qualifications of the members of the Election Commission.
  2. The Constitution of India authorises the Parliament to determine the qualifications required by the members of the Finance Commission.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. The constitution has not prescribed any legal, educational or administrative qualifications required by the members of the Election Commission. Statement 2 is correct. The Constitution authorises the Parliament to determine the qualification of members of the commission and the manner in which they should be elected. 

Multiple choice

Under which article does the Governor of a state withhold his assent to a Bill and reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President?

  1. Article 200

  2. Article 201

  3. Article 220

  4. Article 240
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 200 of the Constitution explicitly grants the Governor the power to withhold assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature and reserve it for the President's consideration. The President may then either give assent or direct the Governor to return the Bill to the legislature. Article 201 deals with bills reserved for President's consideration, while Articles 220 and 240 cover different constitutional provisions.

Multiple choice

Which article empowers the High Courts to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

  1. Article 226

  2. Article 214

  3. Article 256

  4. Article 318
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 226 empowers every High Court to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights as well as for 'any other purpose' within their territorial jurisdiction. This gives High Courts wider writ jurisdiction than the Supreme Court under Article 32, which is limited only to Fundamental Rights enforcement.

Multiple choice

According to the Indian Constitution, which majority is required if switchover from the present federal structure to the unitary one is to be made?

  1. A simple majority of the members of the Parliament

  2. A special procedure in Parliament and ratification by a majority of States in the Indian Union

  3. A two-third majority of the total membership of the Parliament

  4. A two-third majority of members present and voting, provided it is not less than majority of the total members
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The federal structure is a basic feature of the Indian Constitution. To alter it substantially (such as switching from federal to unitary), the special procedure under Article 368 would be required - a two-thirds majority in Parliament PLUS ratification by at least half of the state legislatures. This double majority requirement ensures that states cannot be stripped of their powers without their consent.

Multiple choice

The Supreme Court of India was created by

  1. an Act of Parliament

  2. the Constitution

  3. a Presidential order

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

The Supreme Court of India was created by the constitution. On the 28th of January, 1950, two days after India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic, the Supreme Court came into being.

Multiple choice

Which Constitutional Article authorizes the President to consult the Supreme Court?

  1. Article 145

  2. Article 143

  3. Article 144

  4. Article 146
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Article 143 of the Constitution authorizes the President to consult the Supreme Court on any question of law or fact of public importance. Article 145 deals with Supreme Court rules, Article 144 with civil/judicial authorities acting in cooperation, and Article 146 with CAG appointment.

Multiple choice

The Indian constitution is ‘Republican’ because it provides for

  1. an elected parliament

  2. a federal form of government

  3. an elected Prime Minister

  4. an elected President
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct Answer: an elected President In a republic form of government, the head of the state is an elected person and not a heredity monarch. This word denotes a government where no one holds a public power as proprietary right. As opposed to a monarchy, in which the head of state is appointed on hereditary basis for a lifetime or until he abdicates from the throne, a democratic republic is an entity in which the head of state is elected, directly or indirectly, for a fixed tenure. The President of India is elected by an electoral college for a term of five years. The post of the President of India is not hereditary. Every citizen of India is eligible to become the President of the country. The leader of the state is elected by the people.

Multiple choice

How many Fundamental Duties are mentioned in the Indian Constitution?

  1. 12

  2. 10

  3. 11

  4. 14
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian Constitution originally had 10 Fundamental Duties under Article 51A, added by the 42nd Amendment (1976). Later, the 86th Amendment (2002) added an 11th duty regarding education of children aged 6-14. Therefore, there are currently 11 Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution, making Option C correct.

Multiple choice

Which of the following has been borrowed from Ireland by the framers of the Indian Constitution?

  1. Preamble

  2. Nomination of the members of Rajya Sabha

  3. Directive principles of states policy

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

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution were borrowed from the Irish Constitution. The framers were inspired by Ireland's approach to incorporating social and economic guidelines into the constitutional framework. Ireland itself had borrowed this concept from the Spanish Constitution of 1931. Therefore, Option C is correct.