Practice <strong>UPSC IAS Civil Services</strong> MCQ questions covering Indian History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, and Current Affairs. Aligned with the latest UPSC Prelims syllabus — perfect for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Civil Services aspirants.
Which of the following terms was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution through amendment?
Answer: A
The terms 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were added to the Preamble through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 during the Emergency period. 'Sovereign', 'Democratic', 'Republican', and 'Federal' were part of the original Preamble drafted by Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar.
Q.62Easy
Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which provides the right to constitutional remedies, has been described by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as:
Answer: B
Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar called Article 32, which grants the right to move Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights, as 'the soul of the Constitution'.
This article is crucial for protecting fundamental rights through writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari.
Q.63Medium
Which Fundamental Right can be suspended during a National Emergency except in respect of Articles 20 and 21?
Answer: B
Article 19 (Right to Freedom) can be suspended during a National Emergency under Article 359.
However, Articles 20 (protection against conviction for offences) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) cannot be suspended even during emergency.
This ensures protection against arbitrary arrest and punishment.
Q.64Medium
Which of the following statements regarding Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) is correct?
Answer: B
Articles 36-51 contain DPSP which are non-justiciable (cannot be enforced in courts).
However, they are fundamental in governance and obligate the state to apply them while making laws and policies.
The Minerva Mills case (1980) established that DPSP cannot override Fundamental Rights, but both must be harmoniously interpreted.
Q.65Easy
Which article of the Constitution deals with the composition of the Council of Ministers and their appointment?
Answer: C
Article 75 provides for the appointment and composition of the Council of Ministers.
It states that the Prime Minister is appointed by the President, and other ministers are appointed by the President on advice of the PM.
The Council of Ministers holds office during the pleasure of the President and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
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Q.66Medium
The power to issue ordinances granted to the President under Article 123 is subject to which of the following limitations?
Answer: B
Article 123 allows the President to issue ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
These ordinances must be laid before Parliament when it reassembles.
An ordinance ceases to operate if not approved by both houses within 6 weeks from reassembly or earlier dissolution.
The 43rd Amendment limited ordinance-making power by restricting repeated re-promulgation.
Q.67Medium
Which of the following writs can be issued to prevent an illegal appointment or to remove an office holder not entitled to hold office?
Answer: C
Quo Warranto (Latin: 'by what authority') is a writ issued to inquire into the authority by which a person claims to hold a public office.
It is used to prevent illegal appointments and to remove persons not entitled to hold office.
For example, it was used in cases questioning the validity of ministerial appointments when constitutional procedures were not followed.
Q.68Medium
The 73rd Amendment Act introduced Panchayati Raj at the grassroots level. Which of the following is NOT a feature of this amendment?
Answer: C
The 73rd Amendment (1992) created a three-tier Panchayati Raj system (village, block, district) with reservation of seats for SCs/STs, but Mukhya Mantris (State Chief Ministers) are NOT elected directly by people.
They are elected by the state legislature.
Panchayat Chairpersons/Pradhans are elected, and State Election Commissions were constituted to conduct Panchayat elections.
Q.69Hard
Under Article 368, which amendments require ratification by state legislatures?
Answer: A
Article 368(3) requires that amendments affecting the division of powers between Union and states, and amendments altering the provisions regarding representation of states in Parliament, must be ratified by at least half of the state legislatures in addition to parliamentary approval.
This protects federalism.
For example, amendments to Article 1 (territory of India) and Articles 245-255 (distribution of legislative powers) require state ratification.
Q.70Hard
Which of the following statements about the President's power of pardon under Article 72 is incorrect?
Answer: D
Article 72 grants the President power to pardon, reprieve, respite, and remit sentences in three categories: (1) offences against Union law, (2) sentences imposed by court-martial, and (3) sentences of death.
However, the President can only exercise this on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
The President cannot pardon offences against state laws or grant pardon in impeachment cases.
The power applies to cases where conviction is under Union law specifically.
Q.71Medium
Which of the following objectives is NOT explicitly mentioned in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: C
The Preamble mentions justice (social, economic, political), liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The right to property is a legal right but was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment (1978).
It is now only a constitutional right under Article 300-A, not explicitly in the Preamble.
Q.72Medium
Article 12 of the Indian Constitution defines 'State' for the purpose of enforcing Fundamental Rights. Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of 'State'?
Answer: D
Article 12 defines State to include the Government and Parliament of India, State Governments, State Legislatures, and all local authorities.
Private companies and voluntary organizations are NOT considered part of the State, though they may be bound by constitutional principles in certain contexts (doctrine of vertical effect).
Fundamental Rights primarily bind the State, not private entities.
Q.73Easy
The Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32 is available only before which court?
Answer: C
Article 32 grants the right to move the Supreme Court of India directly for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
This is a exclusive remedy available before the Supreme Court.
High Courts have similar powers under Article 226 for enforcement of constitutional rights, but Article 32 specifically vests exclusive jurisdiction in the Supreme Court.
Q.74Easy
Which Directive Principle of State Policy requires the State to endeavor to provide free and compulsory education to children?
Answer: A
Article 45 of the DPSP directs the State to provide free and compulsory education to all children until they attain 14 years of age.
This was later enforced through the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Article 46 deals with advancement of SCs/STs, Article 47 with health, and Article 48 with agriculture.
Q.75Medium
Which amendment to the Indian Constitution reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years?
Answer: B
The 61st Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years, amending Article 326 of the Constitution.
This made India one of the countries with the lowest voting age.
The 42nd Amendment was the 'Mini Constitution,' the 73rd was on Panchayats, and the 86th was on Right to Education.
Q.76Easy
Under the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, what is the maximum tenure of a Panchayat before it stands automatically dissolved?
Answer: C
The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 (which inserted Article 243E) provides that every Panchayat shall continue for five years from the date of its constitution and shall stand dissolved after the expiry of this period.
Provisions are made for elections to the new Panchayat to be conducted before the dissolution of the old one.
Q.77Medium
Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners?
Answer: A
Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction, and conduct of elections in the Election Commission.
It provides that the Chief Election Commissioner shall be appointed by the President, and the President shall also appoint other Election Commissioners.
Articles 325-329 deal with other aspects of elections (qualifications, electoral rolls, etc.).
Q.78Hard
In case of a conflict between a Fundamental Right and a Directive Principle of State Policy, which takes precedence according to the Constitution?
Answer: A
Article 37 states that nothing in the DPSP shall be enforceable by any court, while Article 13 makes laws violating Fundamental Rights void.
However, the Supreme Court has evolved the doctrine of 'harmonious construction,' attempting to balance both.
In landmark cases like Kesavananda Bharati (1973), the Court established that Fundamental Rights cannot be completely overridden, but DPSP can limit their scope.
Each case is examined individually for constitutional validity.
Q.79Hard
The President's power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions under Article 72 is subject to which limitation?
Answer: B
Article 72 grants the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions.
However, the article specifically provides that this power 'shall not extend to the punishment prescribed for an offense by the law of, or made by authority under, a law of, a State.' More importantly, Article 72(1)(c) states that the power shall not extend to cases where the punishment is by way of impeachment by Parliament.
The President exercises this power on the advice of the Cabinet/Prime Minister.
Q.80Medium
Which of the following statements regarding the 44th Amendment Act, 1978 is correct?
Answer: B
The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 removed the Right to Property (Article 31) from the list of Fundamental Rights and converted it into a constitutional right under Article 300-A.
The term 'socialist' was added by the 42nd Amendment (1976), not the 44th. DPSP was part of the original Constitution (Part IV).
The 61st Amendment (1988), not the 44th, reduced voting age to 18.
