Constitutions and Law

The Basic Structure doctrine was propounded by the Supreme Court in the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). This doctrine holds that Parliament's amendment power under Article 368 is limited - it cannot alter the 'basic structure' of the Constitution. Golaknath case (1967) had earlier held that fundamental rights cannot be amended, but this was overruled by Kesavananda Bharati. Minerva Mills (1980) further developed this doctrine.

Article 17 of the Indian Constitution explicitly abolishes 'untouchability' and declares that enforcing any disability arising out of untouchability is an offence punishable by law. This is a fundamental right under Part III (Right to Equality). Article 32 provides for right to constitutional remedies, Article 19 deals with six freedoms, and Article 31(c) was a provision relating to property laws (now omitted).

Correct Answer: the Government of India Act, 1935

As of the data source cutoff, the Indian Constitution has 448 articles (originally 395) and 12 schedules (originally 8). Multiple amendments over 70+ years have added new articles and schedules. Option D (442 articles & 12 schedules) reflects the post-amendment structure at the time this question was framed.

The Preamble is called the 'key to the Constitution' because it contains the essence of the Constitution and reveals its basic philosophy. The Supreme Court has held that the Preamble is part of the Constitution and helps in interpreting ambiguous provisions. While the 42nd Amendment was important, it's not the 'key'. Fundamental Rights and DPSPs are parts of the Constitution, not the key to understanding it.

The United Kingdom has an uncodified (unwritten) constitution, meaning it's not contained in a single document but consists of statutes, court judgments, treaties, and constitutional conventions accumulated over centuries. In contrast, the USA, India, and Pakistan all have written constitutions that establish the framework of government.

Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, under Directive Principles of State Policy, explicitly states that the State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government. This is the constitutional provision for Panchayati Raj.

Article 1 of the Indian Constitution explicitly states that India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. Although the Indian federal system possesses certain unitary features, the constitutional terminology used is a Union of States.

Freedom of the press is not included in Article 19 of the constitution.

Fundamental duties were added to the Indian Constitution by the 42^nd amendment of the constitution in 1976. The fundamental duties are contained in Article 51A.

Constitution is the basic structure defining the powers of the state and the rights and duties of the citizens.

In federal constitution, there is a division of powers between the federal and the state governments. Both are independent in their own sphere.  

The first article of the Constitution of India states that India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states, implicitly codifying India and Bharat as equally official short names for the Republic of India.

The Indian Constitution closely follows the Constitutional system of the United Kingdom.

K.M. Munshi termed Preamble as ‘the Political Horoscope.