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
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a union subject
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a state subject
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both 1 and 2
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none of these
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Before the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), education was a State subject under Entry 11 of the State List. The 42nd Amendment moved education to the Concurrent List (Entry 25), allowing both central and state governments to make laws on education. This was a significant shift in India's federal structure for educational governance.
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a state subject
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a union subject
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both a union and a state subject
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none of these
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Before the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976, education was a State subject under the Constitution. The amendment moved it to the Concurrent List, giving both central and state governments jurisdiction over educational policy. This was a significant shift in India's federal structure.
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1, 2 and 3
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1, 3 and 4
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1, 2 and 4
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2, 3 and 4
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Bills that have to be passed by Special Majority and ratified by not less than one-half of the state legislatures:
a. The Election of the President
b. The extent of the Executive Power of the Union and the states
c. The Supreme Court and the High Courts
d. Any of the lists in the Seventh Schedule
e. The representation of states in the Parliament
f. The provisions of Article 368 itself
Option 1 is correct.
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It lists the distribution of powers between the Union and the states.
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It contains the languages listed in the Constitution.
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It contains the provision regarding the administration of tribal areas.
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It allocates seats in the Council of States.
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Fourth schedule allocates seats in the Council of States, i.e. the Rajya Sabha.
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Article 215
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Article 275
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Article 325
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Article 355
D
Correct answer
Explanation
According Article 355, it shall be the duty of the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of Constitution.
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Article 349
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Article 350
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Article 350-A
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Article 351
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Article 350A was inserted by 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956. It says, it shall be the endeavour of every state and of every local authority within the state to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups; and the President may issue such directions to any state as he considers necessary or proper for securing the provision of such facilities.
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Federal
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Socialist
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Sovereign
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Republic
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The 42nd Amendment (1976) added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble. 'Sovereign', 'Democratic', and 'Republic' were already present in the original Preamble. 'Federal' was deliberately not included - India is 'Union of States', not a federal structure.
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The UK
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The USSR
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The USA
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Japan
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The Indian Constitution borrowed the concept of Five Year Plans from the USSR (Soviet Union). India adopted this centralized planning approach to achieve rapid economic development and industrialization after independence.
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German pattern
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American pattern
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South African pattern
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British pattern
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The Indian Constitution's emergency provisions (Articles 352-360) were primarily inspired by the Weimar Constitution of Germany, which granted extensive powers to the central government during emergencies. The German model provided a framework for federal breakdown, external aggression, and financial emergency situations. Other countries like USA and UK have different approaches to emergency powers.
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Right to life and liberty
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Right to speech and expression
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Right to form unions
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Right to constitutional remedies
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Article 32 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Constitutional Remedies, which allows citizens to directly approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called this article the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution. It empowers citizens to seek writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, and quo warranto.
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44th Amendment
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42nd Amendment
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53rd Amendment
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None of these
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) explicitly added Article 74(1) which states that 'the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers'. This removed any ambiguity about the President's discretionary powers and firmly established that the President is bound by ministerial advice in a parliamentary system.
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Part—2
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Part—3
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Part—4
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Part—5
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Part IV of the Indian Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy, which embody the philosophy of socio-economic justice. These principles, inspired by the Irish Constitution, provide guidelines for governance aimed at establishing a welfare state. They address fundamental issues like equitable wealth distribution, free legal aid, living wages, and promotion of educational and economic interests of weaker sections.
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Cripps Mission
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Uddeshya Prastava
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Mountbatten Plan
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Cabinet Mission Plan
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The Preamble's foundation is based on the Objectives Resolution (Uddeshya Prastava) moved by Nehru in 1946. It outlines the philosophy and fundamental values that guided the Constitution's framing.
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Finance Commission
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Election Commission
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Planning Commission
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Union Public Service Commission
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Planning Commission is not mentioned in the Indian Constitution. It was established by a Cabinet resolution in 1950 and functioned until 2014 when it was replaced by NITI Aayog. In contrast, the Finance Commission (Article 280), Election Commission (Article 324), and Union Public Service Commission (Article 315-323) are all Constitutional bodies explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
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annual statement of income and expenditure
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annual receipts and disinvestment statement
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annual financial statement
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annual economic statement
C
Correct answer
Explanation
In the Indian Constitution, the Budget is formally referred to as the Annual Financial Statement under Article 112. This terminology is used consistently in constitutional and parliamentary documents. The Budget is presented by the Finance Minister and outlines the government's estimated receipts and expenditures for a financial year (April 1 to March 31).