Fundamental Rights MCQ: Article 19 Freedoms, Preventive Detention & Minority Rights

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

1. Q1.Which of the following is NOT a freedom guaranteed under Article 19?

   • A.Freedom of speech and expression
   • B.Freedom to assemble peacefully without arms
   • C.Freedom to acquire, hold and dispose of property✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India

   Explanation: The freedom to acquire, hold and dispose of property (Article 19(1)(f)) was deleted by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978.

2. Q2.Which writ is known as the 'bulwark of individual liberty'?

   • A.Habeas Corpus✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Mandamus
   • C.Quo-Warranto
   • D.Certiorari

   Explanation: Habeas Corpus (meaning 'to have the body of') is a check on arbitrary detention and is known as the bulwark of individual liberty.

3. Q3.The Fundamental Rights are described as:

   • A.Absolute
   • B.Justiciable✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Permanent
   • D.Non-amendable

   Explanation: Fundamental Rights are justiciable, meaning persons can move the courts for their enforcement if violated. They are not absolute but qualified.

4. Q4.Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of ___ years in factories.

   • A.10
   • B.12
   • C.14✓ Correct Answer
   • D.18

   Explanation: Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory, mine or other hazardous activities.

5. Q5.Which Article provides freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion?

   • A.Article 25✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 26
   • C.Article 27
   • D.Article 28

   Explanation: Article 25 guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion to all persons.

6. Q6.Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides protection against 'Ex-post facto law'?

   • A.Article 20(1)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 20(2)
   • C.Article 20(3)
   • D.Article 21

   Explanation: Article 20(1) states that no person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of the law in force at the time of the commission of the act.

7. Q7.Under Article 22, what is the maximum period a person can be detained under preventive detention without the opinion of an Advisory Board?

   • A.1 month
   • B.2 months
   • C.3 months✓ Correct Answer
   • D.6 months

   Explanation: According to Article 22, the maximum period of preventive detention without the confirmation of an Advisory Board is 3 months.

8. Q8.Which writ can be issued against both public authorities and private individuals?

   • A.Habeas Corpus✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Mandamus
   • C.Prohibition
   • D.Certiorari

   Explanation: The writ of Habeas Corpus is the only writ that can be issued against both public authorities and private individuals.

9. Q9.The right to wear and carry 'Kirpans' is deemed to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion under which Article?

   • A.Article 25✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 26
   • C.Article 27
   • D.Article 28

   Explanation: Article 25 Explanation I states that the wearing and carrying of kirpans shall be deemed to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion.

10. Q10.Which Article protects the 'Cultural and Educational Rights' of minorities?

    • A.Article 23-24
    • B.Article 25-28
    • C.Article 29-30✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 32

    Explanation: Articles 29 and 30 deal with Cultural and Educational Rights. Article 29 protects the interests of minorities, and Article 30 gives them the right to establish educational institutions.

11. Q11.The power to make laws to give effect to certain specified Fundamental Rights (Article 35) rests with:

    • A.State Legislatures
    • B.Parliament✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Both Parliament and State Legislatures
    • D.President

    Explanation: Article 35 lays down that the power to make laws, to give effect to certain specified fundamental rights shall vest only in the Parliament and not in the state legislatures.

12. Q12.Which Article was inserted by the 1st Amendment Act, 1951 to save laws providing for acquisition of estates?

    • A.Article 31A✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 31B
    • C.Article 31C
    • D.Article 300A

    Explanation: Article 31A was inserted by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951 to protect laws related to the acquisition of estates from being challenged on the ground of contravention of Fundamental Rights.

13. Q13.Which of the following writs is issued by a higher court to a lower court to transfer a case pending with the latter to itself?

    • A.Mandamus
    • B.Prohibition
    • C.Certiorari✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Quo-Warranto

    Explanation: Certiorari is issued by a higher court to a lower court either to transfer a case pending with the latter to itself or to squash the order of the latter in a case.

14. Q14.Article 27 prohibits the State from:

    • A.Levying any tax
    • B.Levying fees
    • C.Compelling to pay taxes for promotion of any particular religion✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Providing religious instruction

    Explanation: Article 27 prohibits the State from compelling any person to pay any tax, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion.

15. Q15.In which case did the Supreme Court hold that the 'harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles' is a basic feature of the Constitution?

    • A.Kesavananda Bharati case
    • B.Minerva Mills case✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Golaknath case
    • D.Champakam Dorairajan case

    Explanation: In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles.

16. Q16.Which Article contains the 'Ninth Schedule' protection (saving of certain acts and regulations)?

    • A.Article 31A
    • B.Article 31B✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 31C
    • D.Article 31D

    Explanation: Article 31B saves the acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule from being challenged and invalidated on the ground of contravention of any of the fundamental rights.

17. Q17.Which Fundamental Right ensures 'Protection against Self-Incrimination'?

    • A.Article 20(1)
    • B.Article 20(2)
    • C.Article 20(3)✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 21

    Explanation: Article 20(3) states that no person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

18. Q18.The writ of 'Prohibition' is issued:

    • A.By a higher court to a lower court to prevent excess of jurisdiction✓ Correct Answer
    • B.To a public official to perform duty
    • C.To an individual to produce a detained person
    • D.To inquire into the legality of a public office

    Explanation: Prohibition is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to prevent it from exceeding its jurisdiction or usurping a jurisdiction that it does not possess.

19. Q19.Under Article 29, any section of citizens residing in India having a distinct ___ has the right to conserve the same.

    • A.Religion
    • B.Language, Script or Culture✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Caste
    • D.Race

    Explanation: Article 29 provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same.

20. Q20.Which Article deals with 'Martial Law'?

    • A.Article 32
    • B.Article 33
    • C.Article 34✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 35

    Explanation: Article 34 provides for the restrictions on fundamental rights while martial law is in force in any area within the territory of India.