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

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.

Multiple choice

In which one of the following cases, the supreme court had held 'Bandh' to be unconstitutional

  1. L. Chandra Vs. Union of India

  2. Prabhat Kumar Vs. State of Kerala

  3. Raudher Kumar Vs. Union of India

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

The Supreme Court of India held 'bandh' (general strike) unconstitutional in the landmark case 'Communist Party of India (M) vs. Bharat Kumar & Others' (1998). The Court ruled that bandhs involve coercion and infringe on fundamental rights. Since none of the cases listed in options A, B, or C are the correct case name (they appear to be fabricated or incorrect), option D 'None of the above' is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

In which case the Supreme Court of India held that the voters have a right to know the antecedents of contesting candidates?

  1. Shakila Abdul Gaffor Vs. Vasant R. Dhoble

  2. Shyarn Narain ('howksey Vs. Union of India

  3. Union of India Vs. Association for Democratic Retirm

  4. Sauiabh Chowdhery Vs. Union of India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Union of India vs. Association for Democratic Reforms (2002), the Supreme Court held that voters have a fundamental right to know the antecedents (background, criminal record, assets, etc.) of contesting candidates under Article 19(1)(a) (right to information) which is essential for free and fair elections. The ruling established that disclosure of candidate information is crucial for informed voting. Option C correctly identifies this case (with a minor typo 'Retirm' instead of 'Reforms').

Multiple choice

In which case the Supreme Court held that secularism is part of the basic structure of the constitution of India.

  1. Minerva Mills Case

  2. S.R. Bommai's Case

  3. S.P. Gupta's' Case

  4. M.C. Mehta's Case
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court held that secularism is a basic feature of the Constitution. This landmark case established that secularism cannot be destroyed through constitutional amendment.

Multiple choice

Right against 'Double Jeopardy's is guaranteed tinder:

  1. Article 21

  2. Article 20 (1)

  3. Article 20 (2)

  4. Article 22 (1)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Article 20(2) of the Constitution guarantees protection against double jeopardy - no person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offense more than once. This is a fundamental right in the Right to Equality cluster.

Multiple choice

In which list of the Constitution is ‘forest’ mentioned?

  1. Union

  2. State

  3. Concurrent

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

The legislative section is divided into three lists: Union List, State List and Concurrent List. The Concurrent List or List-III (Seventh Schedule) is a list of 52 items given in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Forests were added through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. It was transferred from State to Concurrent List.