The Indian Constitution has hundreds of articles, but only some of them appear again and again in exams. This article gives you 20 original MCQs on the key articles of Indian polity. The questions cover Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, the President and Parliament, the Supreme Court, and emergency and amendment provisions. Each question includes a clear answer and a short Extra Information note with useful facts. Railway, SSC and UPSC aspirants can use this set to revise article numbers quickly and to understand what each article actually does. First, attempt each question without looking at the answer. Then, read the Extra Information and note the points you missed. Moreover, you can repeat the set after a few days to test your memory. Keep reading and strengthen your Indian polity preparation.
Fundamental Rights Articles of the Indian Constitution: Polity MCQs
Q1
Which article guarantees equality before the law to every person in India?
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Answer: B) Article 14
Article 14 applies to every person on Indian soil, not only to citizens. It also promises equal protection of the laws. For example, courts use it to strike down arbitrary government action. Moreover, the idea of equal protection comes from the American Constitution, while equality before the law follows British thought.
Q2
Article 17 abolishes which social practice?
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Answer: D) Untouchability
Article 17 ends untouchability and makes its practice in any form a punishable offence. Parliament passed the Untouchability (Offences) Act in 1955 and renamed it the Protection of Civil Rights Act in 1976. Moreover, Article 17 applies against private persons as well as the State.
Q3
Which right does Article 21 protect?
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Answer: A) Right to life and personal liberty
Article 21 says the State cannot take away life or personal liberty except by procedure established by law. In Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978), the Supreme Court held that this procedure must be fair, just and reasonable.
Q4
Which article lets a person approach the Supreme Court directly to enforce a Fundamental Right?
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Answer: C) Article 32
Dr B. R. Ambedkar called Article 32 the heart and soul of the Constitution. The Supreme Court can issue writs such as habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo warranto.
Q5
Which article provides free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14?
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Answer: B) Article 21A
The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added Article 21A. Parliament later passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties and Union Articles: Indian Polity MCQs
Q6
Which article directs the State to organise village panchayats?
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Answer: A) Article 40
Article 40 is a Directive Principle that asks the State to organise village panchayats and give them powers to work as units of self-government.
Q7
Which article asks the State to try to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens?
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Answer: D) Article 44
Article 44 is a Directive Principle, so courts cannot enforce it. The State only has a duty to try. Goa follows a common civil code inherited from Portuguese rule.
Q8
What does Article 51A list?
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Answer: C) Fundamental Duties
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added Article 51A. Later, the 86th Amendment added an eleventh duty related to education.
Q9
Article 1 describes India, that is Bharat, as what?
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Answer: B) A Union of States
Article 1 says India shall be a Union of States. Dr B. R. Ambedkar clarified that no state has a right to secede from the Union.
Q10
Which article asks the State to separate the judiciary from the executive in public services?
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Answer: A) Article 50
Article 50 is a Directive Principle that seeks to maintain judicial independence by separating the judiciary from the executive.
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President, Parliament and Supreme Court Articles: Indian Polity MCQs
Q11
Under which article does the Council of Ministers aid and advise the President?
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Answer: D) Article 74
Article 74 provides for a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President.
Q12
Which article gives the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves and remissions?
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Answer: C) Article 72
Article 72 empowers the President to pardon, reprieve, remit or commute sentences.
Q13
Which article provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament when they disagree on an ordinary bill?
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Answer: A) Article 108
Article 108 allows a joint sitting when the two Houses stay in disagreement on an ordinary bill. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the sitting. However, a joint sitting cannot take place for a Money Bill or a Constitutional Amendment Bill. Moreover, Parliament has held only three joint sittings, in 1961, 1978 and 2002.
Q14
Which article defines a Money Bill?
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Answer: B) Article 110
Article 110 defines a Money Bill as a bill that deals only with matters such as taxes, borrowing and spending from the Consolidated Fund of India. A Money Bill starts only in the Lok Sabha. Furthermore, the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes within 14 days, and the Lok Sabha may reject them. Thus, the Speaker’s decision on whether a bill is a Money Bill stays final.
Q15
Which article establishes the Supreme Court of India?
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Answer: D) Article 124
Article 124 establishes the Supreme Court and provides for its judges. A Supreme Court judge holds office until the age of 65. In practice, the collegium system recommends the names of judges. Moreover, the Supreme Court struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission in 2015.
Constitutional Bodies, Emergency and Amendment Articles: Indian Polity MCQs
Q16
Which article provides for the Finance Commission?
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Answer: C) Article 280
Article 280 requires the President to set up a Finance Commission every five years, or earlier if needed. It recommends how the Union and the states should share tax revenue. Moreover, it suggests principles for grants-in-aid to the states. Furthermore, the Commission has a chairperson and four other members.
Q17
Which article gives the Election Commission the power to direct and control elections?
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Answer: A) Article 324
Article 324 gives the Election Commission the superintendence, direction and control of elections. The Commission conducts elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of the President and Vice-President. However, it does not conduct panchayat and municipal elections, which State Election Commissions run. Moreover, Article 326 gives every citizen aged 18 or above the right to vote.
Q18
Which article allows the President to proclaim a National Emergency?
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Answer: B) Article 352
The President can proclaim a National Emergency under Article 352 on grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. The 44th Amendment replaced the term internal disturbance with armed rebellion. Furthermore, the Cabinet must advise the President in writing before the proclamation. India has faced three National Emergencies, in 1962, 1971 and 1975.
Q19
Which article deals with the imposition of President’s Rule in a state?
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Answer: D) Article 356
Article 356 allows the President to take over a state’s government when its constitutional machinery fails. Parliament must approve the proclamation within two months. In S. R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court limited misuse of this power and allowed judicial review. As a result, the Union government now faces stricter checks.
Q20
Which article gives Parliament the power to amend the Constitution?
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Answer: C) Article 368
Article 368 lays down how Parliament amends the Constitution. Moreover, a bill needs a special majority in each House, and some changes also need approval from half of the state legislatures. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot change the basic structure. Therefore, the amending power has limits.