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Generate QuizPolity – Easy Level – GK Questions
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The right to assemble peacefully and without arms under Article 19(1)(b) is available only to citizens of India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Six freedoms under Article 19(1) - speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession - are available only to citizens, not foreigners. However, reasonable restrictions can be imposed in the interest of public order and sovereignty & integrity of India under Article 19(3).
The practice of untouchability is punishable by law under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (originally Untouchability Offences Act, 1955) prescribes punishments for enforcing disabilities arising from untouchability. It is an absolute right with no exceptions.
Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or ______.
- place of birth
- education
- occupation
- income
Answer: place of birth
Article 15(1) prohibits discrimination on five grounds: religion, race, caste, sex, and place of birth. However, Article 15(3) allows the State to make special provisions for women and children, and Article 15(4) & (5) for socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs.
Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before law and equal protection of laws to all persons within Indian territory.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 14 ensures two principles: (1) Equality before law - no one is above law, and (2) Equal protection of laws - like should be treated alike. It applies to all persons, citizens and foreigners alike, within Indian territory.
Article 32, described by Dr. Ambedkar as the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution, empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights, making the right to constitutional remedies itself a ______ Right.
- Legal
- Constitutional
- Fundamental
- Natural
Answer: Fundamental
Article 32 as Fundamental Right: (a) Text: Article 32(1) guarantees right to move Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights; Dr. Ambedkar called it 'heart and soul' because without remedies, rights are meaningless, (b) Writs: SC can issue Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto for FR enforcement, (c) Evolution: PIL relaxed locus standi; continuing mandamus ensures implementation; proportionality test calibrates restrictions, (d) Balance: Article 32 not absolute; courts may refuse writ if adequate alternative remedy exists, petition frivolous, or delay prejudicial. Illustrates enforcement architecture: rights recognized in text become meaningful through accessible, effective remedies. Foundation of Indian constitutionalism: justiciable rights protected by independent judiciary.
The right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years was made a Fundamental Right by inserting Article ______ through the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
- 21A
- 21B
- 45
- 46
Answer: 21A
Right to Education evolution: (a) Unnikrishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993): SC held right to education up to age 14 is fundamental right implicit in Article 21, (b) 86th Amendment (2002): Inserted Article 21A making education for 6-14 years a Fundamental Right; modified Article 45 for early childhood care; added Fundamental Duty (Article 51A(k)) for parents, (c) RTE Act, 2009: Operationalizes Article 21A with norms for infrastructure, teacher qualifications, 25% reservation in private schools. Illustrates judicial legislation prompting constitutional amendment.
Under Article 280, the Finance Commission is constituted by the President every ______ years to recommend distribution of tax revenues between Union and States and grants-in-aid principles.
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 10
Answer: 5
Finance Commission institutional design: (a) Constitutional mandate: Article 280 requires President to constitute FC every 5 years (or earlier), (b) Composition: Chairman + 4 members with expertise in public affairs, finance, economics, administration, law, (c) Functions: (i) Recommend vertical devolution (Union-State tax share), (ii) Horizontal distribution (among States using criteria like population, area, income distance), (iii) Grants-in-aid to States in need, (iv) Augment State Panchayat/Municipality funds, (d) Impact: FC recommendations shape fiscal federalism; 15th FC (2020-25) recommended 41% devolution, new criteria (demographic performance, tax effort). Illustrates institutionalized fiscal federalism: regular, technical mediation of Centre-State financial claims to balance equity and efficiency.
The minimum age to contest the election for the office of President of India is ______ years.
- 25
- 30
- 35
- 40
Answer: 35
Article 58: Qualifications for President include: (a) citizen of India, (b) 35+ years age, (c) qualified for election as Lok Sabha member, (d) not holding office of profit. Similar to PM eligibility.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution was amended by the ______ Amendment Act, 1976.
- 24th
- 42nd
- 44th
- 73rd
Answer: 42nd
The 42nd Amendment added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble. The Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended under Article 368, but basic structure cannot be altered (Kesavananda Bharati case).
The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 64 states that the Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. They vote only in case of a tie (casting vote), unlike the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Which schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the list of States and Union Territories?
- First Schedule
- Second Schedule
- Third Schedule
- Fourth Schedule
Answer: First Schedule
First Schedule (Articles 1 & 4) lists States, their territories, and Union Territories. It has been amended multiple times due to state reorganization (e.g., J&K reorganization, 2019).
Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Indian Constitution?
- Federal with Unitary bias
- Parliamentary form of government
- Presidential form of government
- Independent Judiciary
Answer: Presidential form of government
India follows a Parliamentary system (Westminster model), not Presidential. Key features include federalism with unitary bias, fundamental rights, DPSP, and judicial independence.
Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) added Part IVA (Article 51A) containing 10 Fundamental Duties, based on the Swaran Singh Committee recommendations. One more duty was added by the 86th Amendment (2002).
The minimum age required to become a member of the Rajya Sabha is ______ years.
- 25
- 30
- 35
- 40
Answer: 30
As per Article 84(b), a person must be at least 30 years old to be elected to Rajya Sabha, while 25 years for Lok Sabha. This ensures maturity for upper house responsibilities.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the abolition of untouchability?
- Article 16
- Article 17
- Article 18
- Article 23
Answer: Article 17
Article 17 abolishes 'untouchability' and forbids its practice in any form. It is part of Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35) and is enforceable by law.
The Preamble was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on ______, along with the rest of the Constitution, though most provisions came into force on January 26, 1950.
- August 15, 1947
- November 26, 1949
- January 26, 1950
- December 11, 1946
Answer: November 26, 1949
Constitution adoption timeline: (a) November 26, 1949: Constituent Assembly adopted Constitution including Preamble; this date celebrated as Constitution Day, (b) January 26, 1950: Constitution came into force (chosen to honor 1930 Purna Swaraj declaration), (c) Some provisions (citizenship, elections, provisional Parliament) came into force November 26, 1949 for transitional arrangements. Preamble's adoption date symbolizes completion of constitution-making; enforcement date symbolizes democratic sovereignty.
The Preamble begins with the words 'We, the people of India', indicating that the Constitution derives its authority from ______.
- the British Parliament
- the Constituent Assembly
- the people of India
- the President
Answer: the people of India
Preamble opening phrase: 'We, the people of India' signifies popular sovereignty - Constitution's authority flows from citizens, not from any external power or elite body. Constituent Assembly was elected indirectly but represented people's will. This democratic foundation distinguishes Indian Constitution from colonial-era laws and emphasizes that governance is by, for, and of the people.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution has been amended only once, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, which added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'.
- True
- False
Answer: True
42nd Amendment (1976): Added three words to Preamble: (a) 'Socialist' - reflecting commitment to mixed economy and welfare state, (b) 'Secular' - State has no religion, equal respect for all faiths, (c) 'Integrity' - national unity beyond sovereignty. Original Preamble (1950) had 'Sovereign Democratic Republic'; now 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic'. Preamble amendment subject to basic structure limitation (Kesavananda).
The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) is an online platform launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances to enable citizens to lodge grievances against ______.
- private companies
- any ministry/department/organization of Government of India
- foreign governments
- international organizations
Answer: any ministry/department/organization of Government of India
CPGRAMS (launched 2007): Features: (a) Online grievance submission with unique registration number, (b) Time-bound redressal (typically 30 days), (c) Appeal mechanism if unsatisfied, (d) Analytics for systemic improvements, (e) Integration with state portals. Part of broader public grievance reforms to make administration responsive. Complements RTI, Citizen's Charter, social audit mechanisms. Challenges: Awareness, quality of responses, follow-up on systemic issues.
India follows a system of ______ citizenship, whereas the United States follows dual citizenship (federal and state).
- single
- dual
- multiple
- regional
Answer: single
Citizenship comparison: (a) India: Single citizenship for entire country (Article 5-11), promoting national unity and equal rights across States, (b) USA: Dual citizenship - US citizenship + State citizenship, with States having powers over certain rights (e.g., voting in State elections, property ownership rules). India's single citizenship reflects Constituent Assembly's priority for national integration post-Partition; USA's dual citizenship reflects federal autonomy tradition.