Law Legal Studies · Civics Polity

Fundamental and Human Rights

1,430 Questions

This set of questions covers fundamental rights, human rights, and constitutional provisions like the Right against Exploitation. It also explores international declarations and individual liberties. These topics are frequently tested in UPSC and state PSC examinations.

Constitutional provisionsInternational human rightsRight to privacyMinority rightsRight against exploitation

Fundamental and Human Rights Questions

Multiple choice

Reasonable restrictions on Fundamental Rights can be imposed by

  1. the Supreme Court

  2. the Parliament

  3. the President

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Parliament has the authority to impose reasonable restrictions on Fundamental Rights under various clauses of Article 19. These restrictions must be reasonable and relate to public order, decency, morality, sovereignty, or security. The Supreme Court can review if restrictions are reasonable, but only Parliament can impose them through legislation. The President has no such power.

Multiple choice

Writ can be issued for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights by

  1. the Parliament

  2. the President

  3. the Supreme Court

  4. all of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Supreme Court has the constitutional authority to issue various writs including Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto for enforcing Fundamental Rights under Article 32. This is a fundamental protection mechanism for citizens.

Multiple choice

The right against exploitation prohibits

  1. traffic in human beings

  2. beggars

  3. employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, etc.

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Article 23 of the Constitution prohibits traffic in human beings, beggars (forced labor), and similar forms of forced labor. Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, and other hazardous occupations. 'All of the above' correctly encompasses these prohibitions.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is a bulwark of personal freedom?

  1. Mandamus

  2. Habeas Corpus

  3. Quo Warranto

  4. Certiorari
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Habeas Corpus (meaning 'you may have the body') is the primary writ protecting individual liberty against unlawful detention. It directly safeguards personal freedom by requiring authorities to justify detention. While other writs serve important purposes, Habeas Corpus is the most direct protection of personal freedom.

Multiple choice

Who enjoys the right to impose reasonable restrictions on this Fundamental Rights of Indian citizen?

  1. The Supreme Court

  2. The Parliament

  3. The President

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

Article 12-35 of the Constitution grant Fundamental Rights, while Articles themselves specify that Parliament can impose reasonable restrictions on these rights in public interest. The balance between rights and restrictions is maintained, with Parliament having the legislative authority to define reasonable limitations.

Multiple choice

The Fundamental Rights of Indian citizens have been criticised on the grounds that

  1. they are hemmed in by too many restrictions

  2. they are couched in language beyond the comprehension of ordinary citizens

  3. they are absolute

  4. both 1 and 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 The Fundamental Rights of Indian citizens have been criticised on the grounds that they are hemmed in by too many restrictions and they are couched in language beyond the comprehension of ordinary citizens

Multiple choice

The Directive Principles of State Policy are

  1. tusticiable

  2. non-justiciable

  3. not all justiciable - only some are

  4. justiciable insofar as they do not conflict with the Fundamental Rights
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are explicitly made non-justiciable by Article 37 of the Constitution. This means citizens cannot approach courts for their enforcement, unlike Fundamental Rights which are justiciable. The government cannot be sued for not implementing DPSPs.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following amendments accorded precedence to the Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights?

  1. The 24th Amendment

  2. The 39th Amendment

  3. The 42nd Amendment

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

The 42nd Amendment (1976) accorded precedence to Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights. This was highly controversial as it weakened Fundamental Rights. The 44th Amendment (1978) later restored the supremacy of Fundamental Rights over Directive Principles, reverting this change.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. Fundamental Rights are superior to the Directive Principles.

  2. Directive Principles are superior to Fundamental Rights.

  3. There is no relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.

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

Currently, Fundamental Rights are superior to Directive Principles. The 44th Amendment restored this position. However, between 1976-1978 (during 42nd Amendment), Directive Principles had precedence. The question likely refers to the present constitutional position where FR enjoys primacy over DP in case of conflict.

Multiple choice

Which of the following Directive Principles of State Policy were added by 42nd Amendment?

  1. Participation of workers in the management of industry.

  2. Minimising inequality of income and status.

  3. Protection of environment.

  4. Free legal aid to poor.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The 42nd Amendment (1976) added several new Directive Principles including Article 43A which specifically promotes workers' participation in the management of industry. This was part of the amendment's emphasis on socialist principles. Other options like environmental protection and legal aid were added later through different amendments.

Multiple choice

Which of the following Fundamental Rights is restrained by the Preventive Detention Act?

  1. Right to religion

  2. Right to constitutional remedies

  3. Right to freedom

  4. Right to equality
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Preventive detention laws primarily restrain the Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22). Specifically, Article 22 provides for preventive detention while laying down certain safeguards. Personal liberty can be curtailed through preventive detention, which is why it's considered an exception to fundamental rights rather than a violation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a ground on which reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and expression can be imposed?

  1. Security of the state

  2. Public policy

  3. Morality

  4. Public order

  5. Friendly relations with foreign States
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) is incorrect: Security of the state is a ground on which reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and expression can be imposed. Option (2) is correct: Public order is a ground on which reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and expression can be imposed. Option (3) is incorrect: Morality is a ground on which reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and expression can be imposed. Option (4) is incorrect: Public policy is not a ground on which reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and expression can be imposed.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a Directive Principle of State Policy?

  1. Right to Education

  2. Right to Die

  3. Right to move the Supreme Court

  4. To organise Village Panchayats
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) is incorrect: Fundamental right under the Constitution of India. Option (2) is incorrect: It is not a right under the Constitution of India.| Option (3) is incorrect: Right to move the Supreme Court is a fundamental right under the Constitution of India. Option (4) is correct: To organise Village Panchayats is a Directive Principle of State Policy.

Multiple choice

Which fundamental right is available to all persons?

  1. Right to form union

  2. Protection of life and personal liberty

  3. Right to assemble peaceably

  4. Right to move freely throughout the territory of India

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) is incorrect: Right to form union is available to all citizens of India. Option (2) is correct: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty, except according to procedure established by law". Protection of life and personal liberty is available to citizens as well as non-citizens. Option (3) is incorrect: Right to assemble peaceably is available to all citizens of India. Option (4) is incorrect: Article 19(1)(4) guarantees to all citizens of India the right to move freely throughout the territory of India.