Fundamental Rights MCQ: Right to Livelihood, EWS Reservation & the Right to Information

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

1. Q1.The 'Right to Livelihood' was declared as part of the 'Right to Life' (Article 21) in which famous case?

   • A.Maneka Gandhi case
   • B.Olga Tellis case✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Unnikrishnan case
   • D.Francis Coralie case

   Explanation: In the Olga Tellis vs. Bombay Municipal Corporation case (1985), the Supreme Court declared that the Right to Livelihood is an integral part of the Right to Life.

2. Q2.Which Article forbids religious instruction in any educational institution wholly maintained out of State funds?

   • A.Article 28(1)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 28(2)
   • C.Article 28(3)
   • D.Article 27

   Explanation: Article 28(1) states that no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of State funds.

3. Q3.Which Constitutional Amendment empowers the State to make special provisions for 'Economically Weaker Sections' (EWS)?

   • A.101st Amendment
   • B.102nd Amendment
   • C.103rd Amendment✓ Correct Answer
   • D.104th Amendment

   Explanation: The 103rd Amendment Act (2019) added Articles 15(6) and 16(6) to provide 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

4. Q4.The Supreme Court can issue writs under Article 32 only for the enforcement of:

   • A.Fundamental Rights✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Legal Rights
   • C.Constitutional Rights
   • D.All of the above

   Explanation: Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs ONLY for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. High Courts (Article 226) can issue writs for other purposes as well.

5. Q5.Who described the Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights as the 'Conscience of the Constitution'?

   • A.B.R. Ambedkar
   • B.Granville Austin✓ Correct Answer
   • C.K.M. Munshi
   • D.Jawaharlal Nehru

   Explanation: Granville Austin described the Directive Principles and the Fundamental Rights as the 'Conscience of the Constitution'.

6. Q6.Which of the following rights is NOT available to the 'enemy aliens'?

   • A.Article 14
   • B.Article 21
   • C.Article 22✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 25

   Explanation: Article 22 (Protection against arrest and detention) is not available to enemy aliens.

7. Q7.The right to form co-operative societies was made a Fundamental Right by which Amendment?

   • A.91st Amendment
   • B.97th Amendment✓ Correct Answer
   • C.86th Amendment
   • D.73rd Amendment

   Explanation: The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 gave constitutional status to co-operative societies and made forming them a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(c).

8. Q8.Which Article ensures that the State cannot discriminate against any citizen on grounds ONLY of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?

   • A.Article 14
   • B.Article 15✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 16
   • D.Article 17

   Explanation: Article 15 provides that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds ONLY of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.

9. Q9.Which case ruled that the 'Creamy Layer' must be excluded from the reservations for OBCs?

   • A.Mandal Case (Indra Sawhney)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Balaji Case
   • C.Devadasan Case
   • D.Nagaraj Case

   Explanation: In the Indra Sawhney case (1992), the Supreme Court upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs but ruled that the 'creamy layer' (advanced sections) among them should be excluded.

10. Q10.Under Article 352 (National Emergency), rights under Article 19 are suspended only when the emergency is declared on the grounds of:

    • A.War or External Aggression✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Armed Rebellion
    • C.Internal Disturbance
    • D.Financial Instability

    Explanation: Article 19 is suspended (under Article 358) only when the National Emergency is declared on the grounds of war or external aggression, not armed rebellion.

11. Q11.Which Article of the Constitution declares that laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights shall be void?

    • A.Article 12
    • B.Article 13✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 14
    • D.Article 21

    Explanation: Article 13 declares that all laws that are inconsistent with or in derogation of any of the fundamental rights shall be void. It provides for the doctrine of judicial review.

12. Q12.The 'Right to Information' (RTI) is considered an implied fundamental right under which Article?

    • A.Article 19(1)(a)✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 19(1)(c)
    • C.Article 20
    • D.Article 21

    Explanation: The Supreme Court has held that the Right to Information is intrinsic to the Freedom of Speech and Expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a).

13. Q13.Which writ can be issued to direct a public official to perform a duty that he has failed or refused to perform?

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

    Explanation: Mandamus is a command issued by the court to a public official asking him to perform his official duties that he has failed or refused to perform.

14. Q14.The 'Right to Travel Abroad' was recognized as a Fundamental Right under Article 21 in which case?

    • A.Satwant Singh Sawhney case
    • B.Maneka Gandhi case✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kharak Singh case
    • D.A.K. Gopalan case

    Explanation: In the Maneka Gandhi case (1978), the Supreme Court held that the right to travel abroad is part of 'personal liberty' under Article 21.

15. Q15.Which Fundamental Rights are available against both the State and private individuals?

    • A.Article 14, 21
    • B.Article 15(2), 17, 23, 24✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 16, 19
    • D.Article 29, 30

    Explanation: Articles 15(2), 17, 23, and 24 are enforceable not only against the State but also against private individuals.

16. Q16.Which Article empowers the Parliament to restrict or abrogate the Fundamental Rights of members of police forces and intelligence agencies?

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

    Explanation: Article 33 empowers Parliament to restrict or abrogate the fundamental rights of the members of armed forces, paramilitary forces, police forces, intelligence agencies, etc.

17. Q17.The 'Doctrine of Eclipse' is related to which Article?

    • A.Article 13✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 14
    • C.Article 21
    • D.Article 32

    Explanation: The Doctrine of Eclipse, related to Article 13, states that pre-constitutional laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights are not null and void but remain unenforceable (eclipsed) until the inconsistency is removed.

18. Q18.Under Article 16(4), the State can make provisions for reservation in appointments for:

    • A.Any backward class of citizens not adequately represented✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Women and Children
    • C.Religious Minorities
    • D.Disabled Persons only

    Explanation: Article 16(4) empowers the State to make provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.

19. Q19.Which of the following is an exception to the 'Equality before Law' (Article 14)?

    • A.Prime Minister
    • B.President and Governors✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chief Justice of India
    • D.Speaker of Lok Sabha

    Explanation: The President of India and the Governors of States enjoy certain immunities under Article 361, serving as exceptions to Article 14.

20. Q20.Which Article guarantees the right to assemble peaceably and without arms?

    • A.Article 19(1)(a)
    • B.Article 19(1)(b)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 19(1)(c)
    • D.Article 19(1)(d)

    Explanation: Article 19(1)(b) guarantees to all citizens the right to assemble peaceably and without arms.