Indian Polity · MCQs

Preamble of the Constitution MCQs

67questions in the set

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From the 67 in PrepShark’s Preamble of the Constitution set (Indian Polity). Pick an answer, then open the explanation.

Question 01
Which Directive Principle requires the State to protect the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections 'from social injustice and all forms of exploitation'?
1. Option A: Article 45
2. Option B: Article 46
3. Option C: Article 38(2)
4. Option D: Article 43B
Answer and explanation
Answer: B. Article 46
**Why B is correct.** **Article 46** asks the State to promote with special care their **educational and economic interests** and protect them from **social injustice and all forms of exploitation**. **Why A is incorrect.** **Article 45** concerns **early childhood care and education** below six years. **Why C is incorrect.** **Article 38(2)** asks the State to **minimise inequalities in income** and in status, facilities and opportunities. **Why D is incorrect.** **Article 43B** concerns the promotion of **co-operative societies**.
Question 02
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The abolition of titles under Article 18 promotes the Preamble's ideal of equality of status. Statement-II: Equality, as an ideal of the Preamble, implies the absence of special privileges for any section of society. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
1. Option A: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Option B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Option C: Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Option D: Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Answer and explanation
Answer: A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
**Statement-I is correct.** **Article 18** bars the State from conferring titles other than **military or academic distinctions**, removing artificial ranks among citizens. **Statement-II is correct.** Equality means the **absence of special privileges** to any section and **adequate opportunities** for all without discrimination. Titles create a privileged class; because equality means no special privileges, abolishing titles advances it — Statement-II explains Statement-I.
Question 03
Consider the following statements regarding the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963: 1. It empowered the State to impose reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression in the interests of 'the sovereignty and integrity of India'. 2. It inserted the word 'integrity' into the Preamble. 3. It also added an undertaking to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India to the oaths and affirmations in the Third Schedule. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Option A: 1 and 2 only
2. Option B: 2 and 3 only
3. Option C: 1 and 3 only
4. Option D: 1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Answer: C. 1 and 3 only
**Statement 1 is correct.** The words '**the sovereignty and integrity of India**' were inserted in **Article 19(2), (3) and (4)** by the **16th Amendment** (w.e.f. 5 October 1963). **Statement 2 is incorrect.** '**Integrity**' entered the Preamble with the **42nd Amendment, 1976**, which replaced 'unity of the Nation' with '**unity and integrity of the Nation**'. **Statement 3 is correct.** Candidates and legislators must now swear to **uphold the sovereignty and integrity** of India — a response to secessionist demands of the time.
Question 04
With reference to Dr Balram Singh v. Union of India (2024), which dismissed challenges to the insertion of 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble, consider the following statements: 1. The petitioners argued that inserting the words in 1976 was retrospective, since the Preamble records adoption on 26 November 1949. 2. The Court held that the date of adoption does not curtail the amending power under Article 368. 3. The matter was decided by a five-judge Constitution Bench. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Option A: 1 and 2 only
2. Option B: 2 and 3 only
3. Option C: 1 and 3 only
4. Option D: 1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
**Statement 1 is correct.** **Retrospectivity** leading to '**falsity**' was the first ground urged, since the Constitution was adopted on **26 November 1949**. **Statement 2 is correct.** The Court said the **date of adoption** will not **curtail or restrict** the power under **Article 368**, which extends to the Preamble. **Statement 3 is incorrect.** The order was passed by **two judges** — **CJI Sanjiv Khanna** and **Justice Sanjay Kumar** — who dismissed the petitions without issuing notice.
Question 05
Consider the following statements regarding Article 31C of the Constitution: 1. It was inserted by the Constitution (Twenty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1971 to protect laws giving effect to Article 39(b) and (c). 2. The Forty-second Amendment extended its protection to laws giving effect to any of the Directive Principles. 3. In Minerva Mills (1980), the Supreme Court upheld that extension. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Option A: 1 and 2 only
2. Option B: 2 and 3 only
3. Option C: 1 and 3 only
4. Option D: 1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
**Statement 1 is correct.** **Article 31C** (25th Amendment, **1971**) shielded laws implementing **Article 39(b) and (c)** from challenge under Articles 14 and 19 (originally also Article 31). **Statement 2 is correct.** Section 4 of the **42nd Amendment** substituted '**all or any of the principles laid down in Part IV**'. **Statement 3 is incorrect.** Section 4 of the 42nd Amendment was **declared invalid** in **Minerva Mills**; the Court treated the **balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles** as a basic feature.

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