Microtheme: Fundamental Rights and Duties —
21 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2026] X’ was addressing a seminar on the meaning of the term ‘law’ as provided under Article 13, Part III of the Constitution of India. ‘X’ explained that the meaning of the term ‘law’ in the Constitution of India was very comprehensive. It included ordinances, orders and even rules and regulations. ‘Y’ pointed out that the term ‘law’ in Article 13 also included custom or usage having in the territory of India the force of law, to which ‘X’ was not convinced. Based on the above, select the correct conclusion from the options given below:
   • (a) X is correct in the interpretation of law, including the view on non-inclusion of custom
   • (b) The view of Y that 'law' included custom is not correct
   • (c) The views of both X and Y are correct
   • (d) The view of only Y is correct
   Correct Answer: (D) The view of only Y is correct
2. [2025] Consider the following pairs:
   Provision in the Constitution of India: Stated under
   I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State The Directive Principles of the State Policy
   II. Valuing and preserving of the rich heritage of our composite culture The Fundamental Duties
   III. Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories The Fundamental Rights
   How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All the three
   • (d) None
   Correct Answer: (C) All the three
3. [2024] Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, has the Supreme Court of India placed the Right to Privacy?
   • (a) Article 15
   • (b) Article 16
   • (c) Article 19
   • (d) Article 21*
   Correct Answer: (D) Article 21*
4. [2023] Consider the following statements:
   1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances.
   2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to person being held for preventive detention
   3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence.
   How many of the above statements are correct?
   • (a) Only one
   • (b) Only two
   • (c) All three
   • (d) None
   Correct Answer: (A) Only one
5. [2023] Consider the following statements :
   Statement-I:
   The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration.
   Statement-II :
   Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
   • (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   • (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
   Correct Answer: (C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
6. [2021] What is the position of the Right to Property in India?
   • (a) Legal right available to citizens only
   • (b) Legal right available to any person
   • (c) Fundamental Right available to citizens only
   • (d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right
   Correct Answer: (B) Legal right available to any person
7. [2021] ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India?
   • (a) Article 15
   • (b) Article 19
   • (c) Article 21
   • (d) Article 29
   Correct Answer: (C) Article 21
8. [2021] A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?
   • (a) Article 14
   • (b) Article 28
   • (c) Article 32
   • (d) Article 44
   Correct Answer: (A) Article 14
9. [2020] Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of
   India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human
   Rights (1948)?
   1. Preamble
   2. Directive Principles of State Policy
   3. Fundamental Duties
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
10. [2020] Which one of the following categories of ‘Fundamental Rights incorporates against untouchability as a form of discrimination?
    • (a) Right against Exploitation
    • (b) Right to Freedom
    • (c) Right to Constitutional Remedies
    • (d) Right to Equality
    Correct Answer: (D) Right to Equality
11. [2019] Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice?
    • (a) Article 19
    • (b) Article 21
    • (c) Article 25
    • (d) Article 29
    Correct Answer: (B) Article 21
12. [2018] Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement?
    • (a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution
    • (b) Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV
    • (c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III
    • (d) Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment to the Constitution
    Correct Answer: (C) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III
13. [2017] Right to vote and to be elected in India is a
    • (a) Fundamental Right
    • (b) Natural Right
    • (c) Constitutional Right
    • (d) Legal Right
    Correct Answer: (C) Constitutional Right
14. [2017] In the context of India, which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties?
    • (a) Rights are correlative with Duties.
    • (b) Rights are personal and hence independent of society and Duties.
    • (c) Rights, not Duties, are important for the advancement of the personality of the citizen.
    • (d) Duties, not Rights, are important for the stability of the State.
    Correct Answer: (A) Rights are correlative with Duties.
15. [2017] Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of
    an Indian citizen?
    1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these duties.
    2. They are, correlative to legal duties.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
16. [2017] Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation in the Constitution of India?
    1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour
    2. Abolition of untouchability
    3. Protection of the interests of minorities
    4. Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    • (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
    • (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
    • (c) 1 and 4 only
    • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 4 only
17. [2015] To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India is a provision made in the
    • (a) Preamble of the Constitution
    • (b) Directive Principles of State Policy
    • (c) Fundamental Rights
    • (d) Fundamental Duties
    Correct Answer: (D) Fundamental Duties
18. [2012] Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution?
    1. To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture
    2. To protect the weaker sections from social injustice
    3. To develop the scientific temper and spirit of inquiry
    4. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) 1, 3 and 4
    • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
    Correct Answer: (C) 1, 3 and 4
19. [2011] In India, if a religious sect/community is given “the status of a national minority, what special advantages is it entitled to?
    1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.
    2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha.
    3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
20. [2011] Consider the following: 1. Right to education 2. Right to equal access to public service 3. Right to food Which of the above is/are Human Right/Human Rights under “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 1 and 2 only
    • (c) 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
21. [2011] Under the Constitution of India, which one of the following is not a Fundamental Duty?
    • (a) To vote in public elections
    • (b) To develop the scientific temper
    • (c) To safeguard public property
    • (d) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals
    Correct Answer: (A) To vote in public elections