Civics Polity · General Awareness

Constitutions and Law

2,587 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

Which of the following statements is incorrect in relation to the Finance Commission of India?

  1. The Finance Commission of India came into existence in 1950.

  2. It is established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.

  3. It is established by the President of India.

  4. As per the Constitution, the commission is appointed every five years and consists of a chairman and four other members.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Finance Commission of India came into existence in 1951.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  1. The Directive Principles are non-justiciable in nature.

  2. They act as a check on the government.

  3. Article 31-C, inserted by the 25th Amendment Act of 1971, seeks to upgrade the Directive Principles.

  4. All of these statements are correct.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All three statements about Directive Principles are correct: they are non-justiciable, they act as a check on government, and Article 31-C did seek to upgrade DPSPs (though this was partially struck down by the Supreme Court). Therefore, 'All of these statements are correct' is the right answer.

Multiple choice

What is the source of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution?

  1. The US Constitution

  2. The Russian Constitution

  3. The Weimar Constitution of Germany

  4. The Constitution of Ireland
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Fundamental Duties were added to the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976, drawing inspiration from the Russian Constitution (then USSR). They are enumerated in Article 51A. The US Constitution influenced the Fundamental Rights, not duties. The Weimar Constitution influenced emergency provisions, and Ireland influenced the Directive Principles.

Multiple choice

Amendments in Directive Principles require a

  1. simple majority

  2. absolute majority

  3. special majority

  4. special majority along with approval by one-third of the states
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Changes in Directive Principles require a Constitutional amendment, which has to be passed by a special majority of both houses of the Parliament. This means that an amendment requires the approval of two-thirds of the members present and voting.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

  1. Articles 2, 3 and 4 demonstrate the flexibility of the Indian Constitution.
  2. The Indian Parliament may form a new State or alter the boundaries of the existing States by a simple majority and by ordinary legislative process.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament can alter the boundaries of any State or change its name. For this process, the Parliament does not require consent of the State. Besides, Article 2, 3 and 4 of Part I of the Indian Constitution deal with the relation between the Union and its territory. This relation is very flexible and biased towards the Union.

Multiple choice

In what manner does the Indian Federation vary from the American Federation?

  1. In contrast to the American Federation, the Indian Federation is the result of agreement of independent and sovereign states.
  2. In India, the states do not have the right to secede from the Union. In America, the states enjoy this right.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both the options 1 and 2

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is wrong. Statement 2 is correct: The Indian federation is not the result of agreement of independent and sovereign states, and hence the states do not have the right to secede from the Union.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. As per the Indian Constitution, India is a federation of states.
  2. India opted for the federal form of Government due to its large size and socio-cultural diversities.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is wrong: Article 1 of the Indian Constitution says, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”. The word 'federation' does not find any mention in the Indian Constitution. Statement 2 is correct: India opted for the federal form of Government due to its large size and socio-cultural diversities.

Multiple choice

Which of the following Amendments of the Constitution made it mandatory for the President to accept the advice given by Council of Ministers?

  1. 39th Amendment

  2. 42nd Amendment

  3. 49th Amendment

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

Before 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 Constitution of India (1976) made it explicit that the President shall, "act in accordance with such advice".

Multiple choice

Recently the Supreme Court of India, while holding right to marriage, a right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution, directed the police and administrations not to harass or subject to act of threat or violence, those who marry outside their caste or religion. It was so held in:

  1. Lata Singh Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh

  2. Ashok Kurnar Vs. West Bengal State

  3. P.U.C.L. Vs. Union of India

  4. Priyanka Vs. State of M.P.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Lata Singh v. State of U.P. (2006), the Supreme Court held that right to marriage is part of right to life under Article 21. The Court directed protection for couples marrying outside caste/religion from harassment and violence. This landmark case established that adults have the right to choose their partners.

Multiple choice

The president shall revoke a proclamation of emergency if the house of people passes a resolution disapproving the proclamation of emergency by a:

  1. Majority -of total membership of the house

  2. Majority of not less than two third of the house present and voting

  3. Simple Majority

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

Under Article 352(3) as introduced by the 44th Amendment, a proclamation of emergency must be approved by both Houses of Parliament by special majority - not less than two-thirds of members present and voting. If the Lok Sabha passes a resolution disapproving the emergency by this majority, the President must revoke it.

Multiple choice

A five judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in October 2006 has held that the exclusion of 'Creamy Layer' among the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is:

  1. Subject to Judicial review

  2. Unconstitutional

  3. Constitutional directive

  4. A matter of policy decision of the government
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Ashoka Kumar Thakur vs. Union of India (October 2006), a 5-judge Constitution bench upheld the 'creamy layer' exclusion for SC/STs as constitutionally valid. The Court viewed it as part of the constitutional directive to ensure equitable distribution of benefits (Article 16(1)), not unconstitutional or merely a policy decision.