Fundamental Rights MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Fundamental Rights - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is 2 only.

Key Points

• Statement 1 is incorrect: While the President and Governors are elected, they are not directly elected by the people; they are elected indirectly through electoral colleges or nominated.
• Statement 2 is correct: A Republic is characterized by elected leadership and absence of a hereditary monarchy, ensuring that political power is based on merit and equal eligibility.
• India’s head of state — the President — is elected, not hereditary, which clearly reflects its republican character.
• Political equality, as ensured by the republican framework, allows every citizen the right to run for public office, irrespective of birth or lineage.

Additional Information

• Republic: One of the core values in the Preamble, it implies the absence of a monarch and the existence of an elected head of state.
• Indirect Elections: The President is elected by an electoral college (Article 54), and Governors are appointed by the President (Article 155). Hence, not all executive posts are filled through direct elections.
• Political Equality: Enshrined in Article 14, it ensures that every citizen, regardless of caste, religion, or status, can contest elections or hold public office.
• Democracy vs. Republic: Democracy emphasizes popular participation in governance, while a Republic emphasizes an elected head of state — both are complementary in the Indian context.

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Key Points

• Statement 1 is correct: Indian secularism is based on the idea of "principled distance" which allows the state to intervene in religious practices to uphold constitutional values.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Indian Constitution empowers the state to regulate religious practices that are discriminatory or violative of fundamental rights (e.g., untouchability, triple talaq, Supreme Court rulings such as in Shayara Bano v. Union of India (2017) on triple talaq).
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Article 25–28 grant religious freedoms but also allow the state to regulate secular aspects of religious institutions, such as financial matters and social reforms.
• The Indian model is accommodative and reformist, unlike the rigid separation seen in Western secularism (e.g., U.S. First Amendment).

Additional Information

• Secularism (Indian model): Ensures that the state does not favor or discriminate against any religion, but allows state regulation of religious practices in the public interest.
• Article 25: Guarantees freedom of conscience and right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.
• Article 26–28: Provide rights to manage religious affairs, own property, and prohibit forced religious instruction in state institutions, but allow state regulation of secular activities.
• Principled Distance: Coined by Rajeev Bhargava, this idea advocates a flexible relationship between religion and state, allowing interventions to ensure equality and reform.

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Key Points

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution does not specify that sovereignty lies with the Parliament. It begins with “We, the people of India,” indicating popular sovereignty.
• Statement 2 is correct: Popular sovereignty ensures that ultimate authority rests with the people, from whom the Constitution and government derive legitimacy.
• Statement 3 is correct: As a sovereign state, India can enter international treaties independently. However, internal implementation may require legislation (as seen in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan). This understanding is vital to interpreting provisions on fundamental rights, constitutional supremacy, and democratic accountability. There is no constitutional requirement that treaties be ratified before they enter into force.

Additional Information

• Sovereignty: Refers to the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without interference. It includes both internal and external sovereignty.
• Popular Sovereignty: A Fundamental democratic concept where the legitimacy of the state is created and sustained by the consent of its people, as reflected in the Preamble.
• Article 253: Allows Parliament to make laws for implementing international agreements, reinforcing India's sovereign treaty-making power under Article 51(c).
• Vishaka Case (1997): The Supreme Court used provisions from the CEDAW treaty to frame guidelines on sexual harassment at workplaces in the absence of domestic law, showcasing how sovereignty operates under international and domestic law interface.

The correct answer is Article 39A – Free Legal Aid.

Key Points

• Article 39A mandates the provision of free legal aid to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
• This article falls under the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution.
• Article 39A is not directly related to education, unlike Articles 21A, 45, and 51A(k).
• The main aim of Article 39A is to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity.

Additional Information

• Article 21A – Right to Education:
  • Inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
  • Provides free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years.
• Article 45 – Early Childhood Care and Education:
  • Part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
  • Ensures provision for early childhood care and education for children below the age of six years.
• Article 51A(k) – Duty of Parents to Provide Education:
  • Part of the Fundamental Duties.
  • Obligates parents or guardians to provide opportunities for education to their children between the ages of 6 and 14 years.
• Directive Principles of State Policy:
  • Non-justiciable in nature.
  • Aim to create social and economic conditions under which citizens can lead a good life.

The correct answer is Both 1 and 2.

Key Points

• Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India guarantees certain fundamental freedoms to citizens, including freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession.
• These freedoms are not absolute and can be restricted under certain circumstances.
• The Constitution allows for reasonable restrictions to be imposed on these freedoms in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency, morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offense.
• The term "reasonable restrictions" implies that the restrictions should not be arbitrary, excessive, or disproportionate to the objective they seek to achieve.

Additional Information

• Fundamental Rights in India
  • Part III of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights.
  • These rights are considered essential for the development of every individual and the society at large.
  • Fundamental Rights include Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.
• Reasonable Restrictions
  • Reasonable restrictions are provided under Article 19(2) to 19(6) of the Constitution of India.
  • These restrictions are subject to judicial review to ensure that they do not violate the fundamental essence of the rights.
  • The term "reasonable" signifies that the nature of the restriction must be proportionate to the need for such restriction.
• Judicial Interpretation
  • The judiciary in India has played a crucial role in interpreting the scope and limitations of Fundamental Rights.
  • Landmark cases such as Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala, Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India, and Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India have defined the contours of these rights.
• Amendments and Articles
  • The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, added reasonable restrictions to Article 19(2).
  • Articles 19(3) to 19(6) also provide specific grounds on which restrictions can be imposed on the freedoms guaranteed by Article 19(1).

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 the Right to freedom of speech and expression.

• Article 19 of the Indian Constitution includes the Right to freedom of speech and expression.

Key Points

• Article 19 deals with the six Fundamental Rights. They are:
  • Right to freedom of speech and expression.
  • Right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
  • Right to form association or unions or co-operatives.
  • Right to move freely throughout the territory of India.
  • Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.
  • Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
• Fundamental Rights:
  • The Fundamental Rights have been described in Articles 12-35, Part III of the Indian Constitution.
  • The Right to Property (Article 31) was deleted from the list of Fundamental Rights.
    • By the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, it is made a normal constitutional right under Act 300A in Part XII of the Constitution

Additional Information

• Right to Constitutional Remedies is enumerated in Articles 32-35.
• Right against exploitation is enumerated in Articles 23 and 24.
• The right to freedom of Religion is enumerated in Articles 25-28.
• Fundamental Rights that are available to citizens only and not to foreigners: Article 15,16, 19, 29 and 30.

The correct answer is U.S. Constitution.

Important Points

The correct answer is Article 13.Key Points

• Article 13 deals with Laws Inconsistent with Fundamental Rights.
• Article 13 declares that all laws that are inconsistent with or in derogation of any of the fundamental rights shall be void.
• It expressively provides for the doctrine of judicial review.
• This power has been conferred on the Supreme Court (Article 32) and the high courts (Article 226) that can declare a law unconstitutional and invalid on the ground of contravention of any of the Fundamental Rights.

Additional Information

• There are six Fundamental Rights

The correct answer is Article 21.Key Points

• According to Article 21: “Protection of Life and Personal Liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.”
• This fundamental right is available to every person, citizens and foreigners alike.
• Article 21 provides two rights:
  • Right to life
  • Right to personal liberty
• The fundamental right provided by Article 21 is one of the most important rights that the Constitution guarantees.
• The Supreme Court of India has described this right as the ‘heart of fundamental rights’. 
• The right specifically mentions that no person shall be deprived of life and liberty except as per the procedure established by law. This implies that this right has been provided against the State only. State here includes not just the government, but also, government departments, local bodies, the Legislatures, etc.

Additional Information

The correct answer is JS Khehar.

Important Points

• JS Khehar headed the nine-judge constitutional bench that declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right.
• Protected under the constitution of India on 24 August 2017, the Supreme Court of India made a historic judgment and declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right.
• Jagdish Singh Khehar was the former and 44th Chief Justice of India. He was appointed as the CJI in the year 2017.

Additional Information

• Justice Dipak Misra was the former and 45th Chief Justice of India. He played an important role in legalizing gay sex and in the removal of section 377.

The correct answer is Australia.

• Australia was the earliest to give women the right to vote.
• On September 19, 1893, the governor Lord Glasgow, signed a new Electoral Act into law. New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
• Nine years later, Australia followed suit and also passed a suffrage act for women, after independence from Great Britain.
• This act took effect in 1902, and though it did apply to all women in the new country, aboriginal women were left out.
• Aborigines, male and female, did not have the right to vote until 1962.

Important Points 

• New Zealand: It was the first country to give women the right to vote. 
• Australia: It was the second country to give women the right to vote.
• Finland: It was the first European country to give women the right to vote.

New Zealand is not given in the options so our correct answer will be Australia.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• Fundamental rights available to citizens not to foreigners:
• Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (article 15).
• Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment (article 16).
• Protection of six rights regarding freedom of (speech and expression, (ii) assembly (iii) association, (iv) movement (v) residence and profession (article 19).
• Protection of language, script and culture of minorities (article 29).
• Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions (article 30).

Additional Information 

• Fundamental rights are enshrined in part III of the constitution from article 12 to 35. 
• These rights are taken from the constitution of USA.
• These rights are provided to all the citizens of the country without any discrimination. 
• These rights made the part III of the Indian constitution as the Magna-Carta of India.

The correct answer is Article 19.

• There are six Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution and they are as follows:
  • Right to equality
  • Right to freedom
  • Right against exploitation
  • Right to freedom of religion
  • Cultural and educational rights
  • Right to constitutional remedies
• Articles 19 to 22 comes under the Right to freedom of the Fundamental Right of the Indian Constitution