Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Fundamental Duties MCQs for UPSC Prelims

This UPSC Prelims practice paper on Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties has 15 questions on one of the most important parts of the Constitution. Questions from Part III, Part IV and Part IVA are asked almost every year in the Prelims, and the same ideas are the core of many Mains answers. Each question has a short explanation, and the sections after the key give tables, writs, landmark judgments and tricks.

Why This Topic Is Important for UPSC

Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties are the conscience of the Constitution. The UPSC asks direct questions on Article numbers, amendments and the nature of rights, and also statement-based questions on the difference between rights and principles. The topic also connects with the Preamble, judiciary, social justice and governance. A student who knows the six rights, the main Articles and five or six landmark cases can score full marks from this chapter.

Instructions

• Total questions: 15. Suggested time: 15 minutes.
• Each correct answer gives 2 marks and each wrong answer deducts 0.66 marks, as in the real Prelims.
• Attempt all the questions first and check the answer key only after you finish.

Practice Questions

Q1. Fundamental Rights are contained in which part of the Indian Constitution?
(a) Part II
(b) Part III
(c) Part IV
(d) Part IVA

Q2. The Right to Property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by which amendment?
(a) 42nd Amendment
(b) 44th Amendment
(c) 61st Amendment
(d) 86th Amendment

Q3. The Right to Education for children aged 6 to 14 years is a Fundamental Right under
(a) Article 21A
(b) Article 24
(c) Article 45
(d) Article 51A

Q4. Untouchability is abolished by
(a) Article 15
(b) Article 16
(c) Article 17
(d) Article 18

Q5. Dr B. R. Ambedkar called which Article the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution?
(a) Article 14
(b) Article 19
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 32

Q6. Which of the following is NOT a freedom guaranteed under Article 19(1)?
(a) Freedom of speech and expression
(b) Freedom to form associations or unions
(c) Freedom to move freely throughout India
(d) Right to strike

Q7. The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in
(a) Part III
(b) Part IV
(c) Part V
(d) Part IVA

Q8. The idea of the Directive Principles of State Policy was borrowed from the Constitution of
(a) Ireland
(b) USA
(c) Canada
(d) Australia

Q9. Which Article of the Constitution directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens?
(a) Article 40
(b) Article 44
(c) Article 48
(d) Article 50

Q10. The number of Fundamental Duties listed in Article 51A at present is
(a) Eight
(b) Ten
(c) Eleven
(d) Twelve

Q11. The Supreme Court held that harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is part of the basic structure in
(a) Golaknath case
(b) Minerva Mills case
(c) Shah Bano case
(d) A. K. Gopalan case

Q12. The doctrine of the 'basic structure' of the Constitution was laid down in
(a) Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
(b) Golaknath case (1967)
(c) Maneka Gandhi case (1978)
(d) S. R. Bommai case (1994)

Q13. Protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination is provided under
(a) Article 19
(b) Article 20
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 22

Q14. Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention is provided under
(a) Article 20
(b) Article 21
(c) Article 22
(d) Article 23

Q15. Cultural and educational rights of minorities are protected under
(a) Articles 25 to 28
(b) Articles 29 and 30
(c) Articles 31 and 32
(d) Articles 23 and 24

Answer Key with Explanations

1. Q1: (b) Part III (Articles 12 to 35) contains the Fundamental Rights. Part IV has the Directive Principles and Part IVA has the Fundamental Duties.
2. Q2: (b) The 44th Amendment (1978) removed it from Part III. It is now a legal right under Article 300A.
3. Q3: (a) Article 21A was added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002. Article 45 (a Directive Principle) now deals with early childhood care.
4. Q4: (c) Article 17 abolishes untouchability, and its practice in any form is a punishable offence.
5. Q5: (d) Article 32, the right to constitutional remedies, allows a person to approach the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
6. Q6: (d) The Supreme Court has held that the right to strike is not a Fundamental Right. The other three are listed in Article 19(1).
7. Q7: (b) Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) contains the Directive Principles. They are non-justiciable, as stated in Article 37.
8. Q8: (a) The Irish Constitution inspired the Directive Principles.
9. Q9: (b) Article 44 is a Directive Principle that asks the State to endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.
10. Q10: (c) Ten duties were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976). The 86th Amendment (2002) added the eleventh, the duty of parents to provide education to children aged 6 to 14.
11. Q11: (b) In Minerva Mills (1980), the Court said that the Constitution is founded on the balance between Part III and Part IV.
12. Q12: (a) In Kesavananda Bharati, the Supreme Court held that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot change its basic structure.
13. Q13: (b) Article 20 protects against ex post facto laws, double jeopardy and self-incrimination.
14. Q14: (c) Article 22 gives the right to be informed of the grounds of arrest, to consult a lawyer and to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.
15. Q15: (b) Article 29 protects the interests of minorities, and Article 30 gives them the right to establish and administer educational institutions.

The Six Fundamental Rights at a Glance

Five Writs and Their Meaning

The Supreme Court issues writs under Article 32, and the High Courts issue them under Article 226, which has a wider scope because High Courts can issue writs for other legal rights as well.

Fundamental Rights vs Directive Principles

Directive Principles are grouped as socialistic, Gandhian and liberal-intellectual. For example, Article 39 (equal pay for equal work) is socialistic, Article 40 (village panchayats) is Gandhian, and Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code) is liberal-intellectual.

Landmark Judgments to Remember

• Golaknath (1967): Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights (later overruled).
• Kesavananda Bharati (1973): Basic structure doctrine.
• Maneka Gandhi (1978): Wide meaning of Article 21; law must be fair, just and reasonable.
• Minerva Mills (1980): Balance between Part III and Part IV is basic structure.
• Puttaswamy (2017): Right to privacy is a Fundamental Right under Article 21.

Tricks for Solving Questions on This Topic

Use Article ranges to eliminate options: equality is in the teens (14 to 18), freedom starts at 19, and remedies are in 32. Remember Part numbers by the order Rights, Principles, Duties: III, IV, IVA. In statement questions, "Directive Principles are enforceable by courts" is always wrong. When a question mentions an amendment, link it with the topic: 42nd for duties, 44th for property, 86th for education. For more help, read the Fundamental Rights notes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing rights available to citizens and to all persons: Article 14 and Article 21 are for all persons, while Article 19 is for citizens only.
• Believing that rights are absolute: They have reasonable restrictions.
• Forgetting the Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable like the Directive Principles.
• Learning only the Article numbers and not the context of the amendments.

After this test, try the Indian polity MCQs for mixed practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which part of the Constitution contains the Fundamental Rights?

Part III (Articles 12 to 35) contains the Fundamental Rights.

How many Fundamental Rights are there in India?

There are six Fundamental Rights: equality, freedom, against exploitation, freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and constitutional remedies.

Is the right to property a Fundamental Right?

No. The 44th Amendment (1978) removed it from the Fundamental Rights and made it a legal right under Article 300A.

What is Article 21A?

Article 21A makes free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6 to 14 years.

What is the difference between Article 32 and Article 226?

Article 32 lets a person approach the Supreme Court for Fundamental Rights, while Article 226 lets a person approach the High Court, and its scope is wider.

Are Directive Principles enforceable in court?

No. Directive Principles are non-justiciable, but they guide the State in making laws and policies.

Which amendment added the Fundamental Duties?

The 42nd Amendment (1976) added the Fundamental Duties in Part IVA, Article 51A.

How many Fundamental Duties are there?

There are eleven Fundamental Duties after the 86th Amendment added one in 2002.

What is the basic structure doctrine?

It states that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot alter its basic structure. It was laid down in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).

Which Article abolishes untouchability?

Article 17 abolishes untouchability.

Which Fundamental Rights are available only to citizens?

Rights under Articles 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30 are available only to citizens.

How can I remember Fundamental Rights for the Prelims?

Learn the six rights with their Article ranges, practise with a table and solve topic-wise MCQs regularly.