Basics of Constitution MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Basics of Constitution - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is 1935.

Key Points

•  The structural part of the Indian Constitution is, to a large extent, derived from the Government of India Act, 1935.
• Government of India Act, 1935:
  • There was a growing demand for constitutional reforms in India by Indian leaders.
  • India’s support to Britain in the First World War also aided in British acknowledgment of the need for the inclusion of more Indians in the administration of their own country.
  • The Act was based on
    • Simon Commission Report
    • The recommendations of the Round Table Conferences
    • The White Paper published by the British government in 1933 (based on the Third Round Table Conference)
    • Report of the Joint Select Committees.
  • Features of the Government of India Act 1935: 
    • It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states as units.
    • The Act divided the powers between the Centre and units in terms of three lists - Federal List (for Centre, with 59 items), Provincial List (for provinces, with 54 items) and the Concurrent List (for both, with 36 items).
    • Residuary powers were given to the Viceroy. However, the federation never came into being as the princely states did not join it.
    • It abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced ‘provincial autonomy’ in its place.
    • It provided for the establishment of a Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and credit of the country.
    • It provided for the establishment of not only a Federal Public Service Commission but also a Provincial Public Service Commission and Joint Public Service Commission for two or more provinces.
    • It provided for the establishment of a Federal Court.

Additional Information

• Government of India Act, 1919:
  • It is also known as Montagu-Chelmsford reform or Montford reform.
  • The matters, which were of National importance or related to more than one province were governed at the central level, such as Foreign Affairs, Defence, Political Relations, Communication, Public Debt, Civil and Criminal Laws, Wire services, etc.
  • The Central Legislature was made more powerful and more representative by this Act.
  • The Act introduced a bicameral legislature; the Lower House or Central Legislative Assembly and the Upper House or Council of State.
  • The legislators, under the new reforms, could now ask questions and supplementary, pass adjournment motions, and vote a part of the budget, but 75% of the budget was still not votable.
  • The legislature had virtually no control over the Governor-General and his Executive Council.

• Indian Councils Act of 1909:
  • It is also called the Morley-Minto Reforms.
  • Important reform measures enacted under it are:
    • The legislative councils at the Centre and the provinces increased in size.
    • Central Legislative Council – from 16 to 60 members.
    • Legislative Councils of Bengal, Madras, Bombay, and United Provinces – 50 members each.
    • Legislative Councils of Punjab, Burma, and Assam – 30 members each.
    • The legislative councils at the Centre and the provinces were to have four categories of members as follows:
      • Ex officio members: Governor-General and members of the executive council.
      • Nominated official members: Government officials who were nominated by the Governor-General.
      • Nominated non-official members: nominated by the Governor-General but were not government officials.
      • Elected members: elected by different categories of Indians.​ 
• Indian Independence Act, 1947:
  • India was proclaimed an independent and sovereign state by the Act.
  • On the basis of religious disagreements, it also included provisions for the division of the Indian state into the independent dominions of India and Pakistan.
  • The Secretary of States for India post was eliminated.
  • Along with the elimination of the Viceroy's position, the Act provided for the appointment of two distinct Governors-General—one for each of the dominions of India and Pakistan—on the recommendation of the British Cabinet.
  • Both the dominions' Constituent Assemblies had the authority to draft their own constitutions and to override any British Parliament legislation created for the Indian state, including the Independence Act itself.
  • The Constituent Assemblies were empowered to act as legislative bodies for their respective dominions till the time they could formulate a constitution for their state.
  • It granted authority to the princely states to join either of the dominions or remain independent.
  • The British Monarch no longer had the authority to veto or ask for the bills of the Indian state.

The correct answer is "Elections to the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage"

Key Points

• Elections for the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha of each state are held using adult suffrage, as per Article 326 of the Indian Constitution.
• The Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act of 1988, however, only made voting in state and Lok Sabha assemblies possible for those who are 18 years old (earlier it was 21 years).
• Voter equality is guaranteed by this provision, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, caste, or religion.

Additional Information

• Indian Constitution is drafted by B.R Ambedkar.
• Indian constitution was adopted on 26 November, 1949.
• The original text of the Constitution contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules.
• Dr Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly.

The correct answer is Article 3.

Key Points

 Mistake Points

• Article 2 empowers parliament to Admit or establish of new States from foreign territories. Hence it is not correct.
• Article 3 mentions about Formation of new States and the alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing States. 

Additional Information

• The original provision of Article 3 was amended by (fifth amendment) Act, 1955 on 24 December 1955.

The correct answer is 52th Constitutional Amendment Act.

Key Points

•  Anti-defection Law was passed in 52^th Constitutional Amendment Act.
• A new schedule, the 10^th Schedule was added to the Indian Constitution.
• According to this law, the legislators may be disqualified on account of defection.
• The Anti-defection law was passed by Parliament in 1985 and reinforced in 2002.
• The 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution popularly referred to as the ‘Anti-Defection Law’ was inserted by the 52nd Amendment (1985) to the Constitution.
• ‘Defection’ has been defined as, “To abandon a position or association, often to join an opposing group”. 
• The anti-defection law was enacted to ensure that a party member does not violate the mandate of the party and in case he does so, he will lose his membership in the House.  The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.
• The Anti-Defection Law aims to prevent MPs from switching political parties for any personal motive.

Additional Information The Tenth Schedule includes the following provisions with regard to the disqualification of MPs and MLAs on the grounds of defection:

Grounds for disqualification:

• If an elected member gives up his membership in a political party voluntarily. 
• If he votes or abstains from voting in the House, contrary to any direction issued by his political party. 
• If any member who is independently elected joins any party. 
• If any nominated member joins any political party after the end of 6 months.
• The decision on disqualification questions on the ground of defection is referred to the Speaker or the Chairman of the House, and his/her decision is final. 
• All proceedings in relation to disqualification under this Schedule are considered to be proceedings in Parliament or the Legislature of a state as is the case.

The correct answer is Article 20 and 21.

Key Points 

• The only two fundamental rights that cannot be rescinded are articles 20 and 21.
  • Article 20: This Article prohibits self-incrimination.
  • Article 21: This Article guards an individual's right to life and personal liberty.
• Fundamental rights during National Emergency:
  • Articles 358 and 359 describe the effect of a National Emergency on Fundamental Rights.
  • These two provisions are explained below:
• Suspension of Fundamental Rights under Article 19:
  • According to Article 358, when a proclamation of National Emergency is made, the six fundamental rights under Article 19 are automatically suspended.
  • Article 19 is automatically revived after the expiry of the emergency.
  • The 44th Amendment Act laid out that Article 19 can only be suspended when the National Emergency is laid on the grounds of war or external aggression and not in the case of armed rebellion.

Additional Information

• Suspension of other Fundamental Rights:
  • Under Article 359, the President is authorized to suspend, by order, the right to move any court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency.
  • Thus, remedial measures are suspended and not Fundamental Rights.
  • The suspension of enforcement relates to only those Fundamental Rights that are specified in the Presidential Order.
  • The suspension could be for the period during the operation of an emergency or for a shorter period.
  • The Order should be laid before each House of Parliament for approval.
  • The 44 Amendment Act mandates that the President cannot suspend the right to move to the court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21. 

The correct answer is Part III.

Key Points

• Article 32 of the Indian Constitution gives the right to individuals to move to the Supreme Court to seek justice.
• Under Article 32, the parliament can also entrust any other court to exercise the power of the Supreme Court, provided that it is within its Jurisdiction.
• Article 32 is for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
• The nature of the Writ Jurisdiction provided under this Article is discretionary.

• There are five types of Writs as provided under Article 32 of the Constitution:
  • Habeas Corpus.
  • Quo Warranto.
  • Mandamus.
  • Certiorari.
  • Prohibition.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Nomination of Members to Rajya Sabha.

• The procedure for the nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha is borrowed from Ireland.

Key Points

• Canadian Constitution: 
  • Advisory Jurisdiction of Supreme Court.
  • A federal system with a strong center.
  • Residual powers vest at the center.
  • Appointment of State Governors.

Additional Information

Sources of Indian Constitution

The correct answer is the 86^th amendment.

Key Points

• The 86^th amendment to the Constitution of India in 2002, provided the Right to Education as a Fundamental Right in Part-III of the Constitution.
• The amendment inserted Article 21A which made the Right to Education a fundamental right for children between 6-14 years.
• The 86^th amendment provided for follow-up legislation for Right to Education Bill 2008 and finally Right to Education Act, 2009.

The correct answer is Australia.

Key Points

The following things have been borrowed from the Constitution of Australia:

1. Concurrent List.
2. Freedom of trade.
3. Commerce and intercourse.
4. The joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.

Additional Information

• The other borrowed provisions from different countries and details of those are given in below:

The correct answer is Education.

Key Points

• There are six fundamental rights enshrined in Part III (Articles 12 to 35) of the constitution of India.
• Fundamental rights apply universally to all citizens, irrespective of race, birthplace, religion, caste or gender.
• Article 21A of the Constitution of India provides the Right to Education.
• The RTE Act of the Parliament of India was enacted on 4 August 2009 and came into force on 1 April 2010.
• The Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A in the Constitution of India to provide free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right.

Additional Information

• The Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution are-

The correct answer is 5.

Important Points

The Right to Equality provides:

• For the equal treatment of everyone before the law
• Prevent discrimination on various grounds
• Treats everybody as equals in matters of public employment  
• Abolish untouchability and titles

The article mentioned under the right to equality

The correct answer is option 4 i.e UK.

• In the Indian constitution, the section on Citizenship draws inspiration from the UK.
• The United Kingdom is the common name of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• India borrowed many features from different countries while preparing the country's constitution.
  • The constitution of India was adopted by the constituent assembly on 26^th November 1949.
  • The constitution of India came into force on 26^th January 1950.
  • The constituent assembly took 2 years 11 months and 18 days to frame the constitution of India.
• Major features borrowed from the UK are:
  1. Writs.
  2. Single Citizenship.
  3. Office of Comptroller and Auditor General.
  4. Rule of Law.
  5. Parliamentary form of Government.
• Major features borrowed from the USA are:
  1. Preamble.
  2. Judicial Review.
  3. Fundamental Rights.
  4. Impeachment.
  5. Functions of Vice President.
• Major features borrowed from Australia are:
  1. Joint sitting.
  2. Trade and Commerce.
  3. Concurrent list.
• Major features borrowed from France are.
  1. Republic.
  2. Ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

The correct answer is Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi.

• Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi described the preamble of the Indian Constitution as the 'Political horoscope of the Indian Constitution'.

Additional Information

• The Preamble of the Indian constitution is based on "Objectives Resolution".
• It was drafted and moved by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and adopted by the constituent assembly.
• In the historic case of Kesavananda Bharati (1973), Supreme Court held that Preamble is a part of the constitution and can be amended under article 368, subject to the condition that no amendment is done to the "Basic structure".
• The Preamble has been amended only once so far, in 1976 by the 42nd Constitutional amendment Act.
• The term ‘Socialist’, ‘Secular’, and ‘Integrity’ were added to the preamble through 42nd Amendment Act, 1976. 
• ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added between ‘Sovereign’ and ‘Democratic’.
• ‘Unity of the Nation’ was changed to ‘Unity and Integrity of the Nation’.
• By the 42nd Constitutional amendment act 1976, three new words - Socialist, Secular and Integrity are added to the preamble.

The correct answer is 22.

Important Points

• The eighth schedule of the Indian constitution deals with official languages recognized by the Indian Constitution.
• Currently, 22 languages have been recognized by the Indian constitution.
• They are:

Key Points

How to remember all the schedules: Code for 12 schedules is - TEARS OF OLD PM

1st Schedule: T- Territory,

2nd Schedule: E- Emoluments/salary,

3rd Schedule: A- Affirmation/Oath,

4th Schedule: R- Rajya Sabha,

5th Schedule: S- Scheduled Tribes,

6th Schedule: O- Other Tribes,

7th Schedule: F- Federal (Division Of Powers),

8th Schedule: O- Official Regional Languages,

9th Schedule: L- Land Reform,

10th Schedule: D- Defection (Anti-Defection Law),

11th Schedule: P- Panchayati Raj,

12th Schedule: M- Municipal Corporation

The correct answer is option 3, i.e Directive Principle of State Policy.

Key Points

• Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP):
  • The DPSP is taken from the Irish Constitution.
  • The DPSP is very essential for the social, economical and political development of the country.
  • There are 16 DPSP in our constitution, i.e from articles 36 to 51.
  • The DPSP are non-justiciable in nature.
  • The Directive principle of state policy under article 40, gives details about the formation of Village Panchayat as a unit of self-government.
• Fundamental Rights:
  • The concept of a fundamental right is taken from the American constitution.
  • There are 6 fundamental rights in our constitution.
  • These are justiciable in nature, so one can approach the supreme court in case of violation of their fundamental rights directly.
• Fundamental Duties:
  • The fundamental duties are taken from the USSR constitution.
  • These are recommended after the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee.
  • There are 11 duties provided in the constitution, which citizens must follow as being responsible for the country.