Directive Principles MCQ: Minerva Mills Case, Cottage Industries & Article 40

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which Constitutional Amendment attempted to give primacy to ALL Directive Principles over Articles 14 and 19?

   • A.25th Amendment
   • B.42nd Amendment✓ Correct Answer
   • C.44th Amendment
   • D.52nd Amendment

   Explanation: The 42nd Amendment (1976) sought to give precedence to all Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights conferred by Articles 14, 19, and 31.

2. Q2.Article 39(d) ensures:

   • A.Right to adequate means of livelihood
   • B.Equal pay for equal work for both men and women✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Prevention of concentration of wealth
   • D.Protection of worker's health

   Explanation: Article 39(d) mandates that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

3. Q3.The Supreme Court declared the primacy of all DPSP over Fundamental Rights as unconstitutional in which case?

   • A.Kesavananda Bharati Case
   • B.Minerva Mills Case✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Waman Rao Case
   • D.Indra Sawhney Case

   Explanation: In Minerva Mills (1980), the SC declared the extension of Article 31C (by 42nd Amendment) unconstitutional, restoring the balance.

4. Q4.Which of the following Articles promotes the 'Cottage Industries' on an individual or co-operative basis?

   • A.Article 41
   • B.Article 42
   • C.Article 43✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 43B

   Explanation: Article 43 directs the State to promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas (Gandhian Principle).

5. Q5.Article 47 imposes a primary duty on the State to:

   • A.Improve public health and raise the level of nutrition✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Protect monuments
   • C.Separate judiciary from executive
   • D.Organize agriculture

   Explanation: Article 47 considers raising the level of nutrition, standard of living, and improving public health as a primary duty of the State.

6. Q6.Who compared the Directive Principles to 'a veritable dustbin of sentiments'?

   • A.T.T. Krishnamachari✓ Correct Answer
   • B.K.C. Wheare
   • C.Ivor Jennings
   • D.Nasiruddin

   Explanation: T.T. Krishnamachari criticized the DPSP as 'a veritable dustbin of sentiments'.

7. Q7.The Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) was established to implement the Directive Principles aimed at:

   • A.Social and Economic Justice✓ Correct Answer
   • B.International Peace
   • C.Separation of Judiciary
   • D.Uniform Civil Code

   Explanation: The Planning Commission was established in 1950 to take up the development of the country for achieving social and economic justice (Article 38, 39).

8. Q8.Which of the following DPSP is considered a 'Liberal-Intellectual' principle regarding Agriculture?

   • A.Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines (Article 48)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Prohibition of cow slaughter (Article 48)
   • C.Promotion of cottage industries (Article 43)
   • D.Land reforms

   Explanation: Organizing agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines (Article 48) is a Liberal-Intellectual principle.

9. Q9.According to the Supreme Court, what constitutes the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution regarding Part III and Part IV?

   • A.Supremacy of Part III
   • B.Supremacy of Part IV
   • C.Harmony and balance between Part III and Part IV✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Absolute power of Parliament to amend both

   Explanation: The harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is an essential feature of the basic structure of the Constitution.

10. Q10.Which Act was enacted to implement Article 40 of the Constitution?

    • A.73rd Constitutional Amendment Act✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Minimum Wages Act
    • C.Wildlife Protection Act
    • D.Maternity Benefit Act

    Explanation: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, implementing Article 40.

11. Q11.Which of the following Directive Principles is NOT contained in Part IV of the Constitution?

    • A.Organization of Village Panchayats
    • B.Promotion of Hindi Language✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Uniform Civil Code
    • D.Separation of Judiciary from Executive

    Explanation: The directive to promote the spread of the Hindi language is contained in Article 351 (Part XVII), outside Part IV.

12. Q12.Article 335 of the Constitution, which is considered a Directive Principle outside Part IV, deals with:

    • A.Instruction in mother tongue
    • B.Claims of SCs and STs to services✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Development of Hindi Language
    • D.Protection of Minorities

    Explanation: Article 335 directs that the claims of SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration regarding appointments to public services.

13. Q13.Who described the Directive Principles as 'pious aspirations'?

    • A.Sir Ivor Jennings✓ Correct Answer
    • B.K.T. Shah
    • C.K.C. Wheare
    • D.Srinivasan

    Explanation: Sir Ivor Jennings criticized the Directive Principles as 'pious aspirations' and lacking legal force.

14. Q14.Which Constitutional Amendment Act added four new Directive Principles (Articles 39, 39A, 43A, 48A)?

    • A.24th Amendment Act
    • B.42nd Amendment Act✓ Correct Answer
    • C.44th Amendment Act
    • D.86th Amendment Act

    Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added four new directives: 39(f), 39A, 43A, and 48A.

15. Q15.Which Article directs the state to provide instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education?

    • A.Article 45
    • B.Article 350A✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 351
    • D.Article 21A

    Explanation: Article 350A (Part XVII) directs the State to provide facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage.

16. Q16.In which case did the Supreme Court rule that in case of a conflict between Fundamental Rights and DPSP, the former would prevail?

    • A.Champakam Dorairajan Case (1951)✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Golaknath Case (1967)
    • C.Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
    • D.Minerva Mills Case (1980)

    Explanation: In the Champakam Dorairajan case (1951), the SC ruled that DPSP are subsidiary to Fundamental Rights, and FRs prevail in conflict.

17. Q17.Article 38(1) directs the State to promote the welfare of the people by securing a:

    • A.Uniform Civil Code
    • B.Social Order permeated by justice✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Living Wage
    • D.Clean Environment

    Explanation: Article 38(1) directs the State to secure a social order permeated by justice—social, economic, and political.

18. Q18.Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?

    • A.Article 40: Village Panchayats
    • B.Article 44: Uniform Civil Code
    • C.Article 41: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 39A: Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid

    Explanation: Article 41 deals with the Right to work and public assistance. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry are under Article 48.

19. Q19.Who remarked that the DPSP are 'resolutions made on New Year's Day which are broken on the second of January'?

    • A.Nasiruddin✓ Correct Answer
    • B.T.T. Krishnamachari
    • C.K.C. Wheare
    • D.Ivor Jennings

    Explanation: Nasiruddin made this sarcastic remark regarding the non-binding nature of the Directive Principles.

20. Q20.The Legal Services Authorities Act (1987) was enacted to implement which Directive Principle?

    • A.Article 38
    • B.Article 39A✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 41
    • D.Article 44

    Explanation: The Legal Services Authorities Act (1987) implements Article 39A by establishing Lok Adalats and providing free legal aid.