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 civics role of the state government legislature at the state level the legislature vidhan sabha and vidhan parishad

Who enjoys a role with regard to the amendment of the Indian Constitution?

  1. State Legislative Assembly

  2. Legislative Council

  3. Supreme Court

  4. All above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The state legislative assembly enjoys a role with regard to the amendment of the Indian Constitution. Some part of the Constitution can be amended by Union Parliament only when half of the state legislative ratify the amendment.

Multiple choice civics role of the state government legislature at the state level the legislature vidhan sabha and vidhan parishad

Which Article of Constitution provides for Legislature?

  1. 168

  2. 162

  3. 178

  4. 196
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 168 of the constitution of India provides for a Legislature in every state of the country. The same article mentions that there are some states where there is a legislative council as well. Thus, Indian Constitution does not adhere to the principle of bicameralism in case of every legislature.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

In the Constitution of India, judiciary is ______________.

  1. Independent

  2. Under the control of the Parliament

  3. Under the control of the President

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

Independence of the judiciary means that it is not under the control of the legislature or the executive. The judges do not act on the direction of the government or according to the wishes of the party in power. That is why all modern democracies have courts that are independent of the legislature and the executive. India has achieved this. 

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

In a federal form of government, authority to interpret the constitution lies with the ________________.

  1. Judiciary

  2. Parliament

  3. President

  4. Central government
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Judiciary interprets the Constitution as its final arbiter. It is its duty as mandated by the Constitution, to be its watchdog, by calling for scrutiny any act of the legislature or the executive, who otherwise, are free to enact or implement these, from overstepping bounds set for them by the Constitution. It acts like a guardian in protecting the fundamental rights of the people, as enshrined in the Constitution, from infringement by any organ of the state. It also balances the conflicting exercise of power between the centre and a state or among states, as assigned to them by the Constitution.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

The Supreme Court was set up ________________.

  1. By an act of Parliament

  2. By the Constitution

  3. Under the Government of India Act, 1935

  4. By a Presidential order
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Supreme Court of India came into being on 28 January 1950. It replaced both the Federal Court of India and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which were then at the apex of the Indian court system.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

The Supreme Court in India has to work according to _________________.

  1. The wishes of President

  2. The instructions of the Prime Minister

  3. The Provisions of the Constitution

  4. The guidelines laid down by Parliment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Supreme Court in India has to work according to The Provisions of the Constitution. Article 137 of the Constitution of India lays down provision for power of the Supreme Court to review its own judgments. As per this Article, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament or any rules made under Article 145, the Supreme Court shall have power to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India says that the executive power of every State shall be exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union? 

  1. Article 257

  2. Article 258

  3. Article 355

  4. Article 356
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 257 of the Constitution of India says that the executive power of every State shall be exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union. It also states that the executive power of the Union shall also extend to the giving of directions to a State as to the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared in the direction to be of national or military importance.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

Which is the highest and final judicial tribunal in respect of the Constitution of India?

  1. Parliament

  2. President

  3. Supreme Court

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

The Supreme Court is the Apex court of the Nation. The Constitution has made the supreme court the guardian and enforcer of the Fundamental Rights. The Supreme court is primarily a court of appeal and hears appeals against the judgment of High Court in Constitutional, Civil and Criminal Cases. 

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

The Constitution of India has ensured independence of judiciary by:
(i) protecting salaries and service conditions of judges.
(ii) prohibiting the judges from carrying on practice in courts of law after retirement.
(iii) providing Single judiciary.
(iv) ensuring security of tenure of judges. 

  1. ii, iii, iv

  2. i, ii, iv

  3. i, ii, iii, iv

  4. i, iii
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
The Indian Constitution has adopted single and Integrated judiciary but has also made several provisions to ensure the independence of the judiciary. 
Fixed Service Conditions - The salaries, allowances, privileges, pension of the Judges are determined by Parliament and cannot be changed to their disadvantage except under the circumstances expressly provided in by the Constitution.
Security of Tenure - Judges are appointed by the President and they can be removed following the strict grounds. They don't hold office during the pleasure of the president.
Ban on Practice after retirement - The judges are prohibited to plead or act in any court within India after their retirement. This ensures that they don't have to favour anyone during their job for future benefit.
Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

The main sources of law in India are:
1. The Constitution
2. Statutes
3. Customary law
4. Judicial decisions of superior courts.

  1. I and II

  2. I, II and IV

  3. II and IV

  4. I, II, III and IV
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The legal system is the skeleton of any Country. The sources of laws in India are numerous. Foremostly, the constitution which is the supreme law of the land and which paves way for other laws to be made. Parliament enacts legislation on a particular subject matter and so do State legislature which prevails in form of law. Customary practices which are old and accepted by people and is in force since time immemorial become usage which is recognized by law. The case decided by courts (superior courts) mostly on the points when there is the absence of any express law acquires the form of law as precedents in the country. 

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

The Constitution makes provisions to ensure the independence of judges. Which one of the provisions given below is wrong in this context?

  1. Though appointed by the President their removal is a difficult process

  2. Their salaries are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India (or the State)

  3. A retired judge can be appointed to any office under the Government

  4. The conduct of a judge cannot be discussed in Parliament, except upon a motion regarding his removal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Judiciary in India is single, integrated and independent. Article 50 of the Constitution of India provides for the separation of judiciary from the executive. To maintain the independence of the Supreme Court article constitution prohibits the retired judges to plead or act in any court or before any authority within the territory of India.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

Which of the following statements with respect to the judiciary in India is/are correct?
1. Unlike in the United States, India has provided for a double system of courts.
2. Under the Constitution of India, there is a single integrated system of courts for the Union as well as the states.
3. The organisation of the subordinate judiciary varies slightly from the state to state.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 1, 2 and 3

  4. 2 and 3 only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Under the Constitution of India, there is a single integrated and independent judicial system. The Apex court of the Nation is the Supreme Court. There are however different courts in states. High Court is the highest court in the state judicial system. Below it is subordinate courts of civil and criminal matters.  The higher courts in the hierarchy have the power of hearing an appeal from the lower court and it can go until it reaches the Supreme Court whose decision will be final and binding. Unlike in the United States, India has NOT provided for a double system of courts.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

Under which law it is prescribed that all proceedings in the Supreme Court of India shall be in English language?

  1. The Supreme Court Rules, 1966

  2. A Legislative made by the Parliament

  3. Article 145 of the Constitution of India

  4. Article 348 of the Constitution of India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Regarding the language used in the Supreme Court and the High Court and for the Acts and Bills the provision is given under Article 348 wherein it prescribes English language.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

In which of the following cases, it was held that the judical review under Article 32 and 226 of Constitution is a basic feature of the Constitution beyond the pale of emandability ________________.

  1. Kharak Singh v. State of Madras

  2. Kihota v. Zachithy

  3. Kihota Simla v. State of Bihar

  4. Himmat Lal v. State of M.P.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In Kihota Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992), the Supreme Court held that judicial review is a basic feature of the Constitution.

Multiple choice political science understanding laws rural administration evolution and structure of indian judiciary importance of laws

The Constitution of India has ensured independence of judiciary by
(i)  Protecting salaries and service conditions of                 judges
(ii)  Prohibiting the judges from carrying on practice       in courts of law after retirement
(iii) Providing single judiciary
(iv)ensuring security of tenure of judges 
Codes:

  1. ii, iii, iv

  2. i, iii, iv

  3. i, ii, iii, iv

  4. i, iii
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The independence of the judiciary is ensured by security of tenure, fixed service conditions, and the prohibition of practice after retirement. A single judiciary is a structural feature, not a primary method of ensuring independence.