Preamble and Features of the Constitution MCQ: Cooperative Federalism, Single Citizenship & the Rule of Law

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

1. Q1.Which part of the Constitution mentions the 'Fundamental Duties'?

   • A.Part III
   • B.Part IV
   • C.Part IV-A✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Part V

   Explanation: Part IV-A, which consists of only one Article (51-A), specifies the eleven Fundamental Duties.

2. Q2.The concept of 'Rule of Law' is a feature borrowed from:

   • A.British Constitution✓ Correct Answer
   • B.US Constitution
   • C.French Constitution
   • D.Canadian Constitution

   Explanation: Rule of Law is a feature borrowed from the British Constitution (UK).

3. Q3.The Directive Principles of State Policy are meant for promoting the ideal of:

   • A.Political Democracy
   • B.Social and Economic Democracy✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Religious Freedom
   • D.Cultural Supremacy

   Explanation: The Directive Principles are meant for promoting the ideal of social and economic democracy. They seek to establish a 'welfare state'.

4. Q4.Which of the following is an 'Independent Body' provided by the Constitution?

   • A.Comptroller and Auditor-General of India✓ Correct Answer
   • B.NITI Aayog
   • C.National Human Rights Commission
   • D.Central Information Commission

   Explanation: The Constitution envisages certain independent bodies like the Election Commission, CAG, and UPSC/SPSC. NITI Aayog and NHRC are statutory/executive bodies, not constitutional.

5. Q5.The term 'Socialist' in the Preamble refers to which brand of socialism?

   • A.Marxist Socialism
   • B.Communistic Socialism
   • C.Democratic Socialism✓ Correct Answer
   • D.State Socialism

   Explanation: Indian socialism is 'Democratic Socialism' and not a 'Communistic Socialism' (also known as State Socialism). It involves a mixed economy.

6. Q6.Which schedule was added by the 74th Amendment Act to the Constitution?

   • A.11th Schedule
   • B.12th Schedule✓ Correct Answer
   • C.10th Schedule
   • D.9th Schedule

   Explanation: The 74th Amendment Act (1992) gave constitutional recognition to municipalities (Urban Local Governments) and added the 12th Schedule.

7. Q7.The source of the 'Advisory Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court' is:

   • A.US Constitution
   • B.Australian Constitution
   • C.Canadian Constitution✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Irish Constitution

   Explanation: Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and appointment of state governors by the Centre are features borrowed from the Canadian Constitution.

8. Q8.The phrase 'Union of States' has been preferred to 'Federation of States' because:

   • A.The Indian Federation is the result of an agreement among the states
   • B.The states have no right to secede from the federation✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The states are more powerful than the centre
   • D.The judiciary is supreme

   Explanation: Dr. Ambedkar stated two reasons: Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement among the states, and states have no right to secede from the federation.

9. Q9.Which Constitutional Amendment made the right to form 'Cooperative Societies' a Fundamental Right?

   • A.86th Amendment Act
   • B.97th Amendment Act✓ Correct Answer
   • C.92nd Amendment Act
   • D.44th Amendment Act

   Explanation: The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 made the right to form cooperative societies a fundamental right under Article 19.

10. Q10.Fundamental Rights are:

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

    Explanation: Fundamental Rights are justiciable in nature, meaning they are enforceable by the courts for their violation.

11. Q11.The Indian Constitution is described as 'Co-operative Federalism' by:

    • A.Granville Austin✓ Correct Answer
    • B.K.C. Wheare
    • C.Morris Jones
    • D.Ivor Jennings

    Explanation: Granville Austin described the Indian federation as 'Co-operative Federalism'.

12. Q12.The feature of 'Single Citizenship' in India means:

    • A.Citizens owe allegiance only to the Union✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Citizens owe allegiance to both Union and State
    • C.Dual citizenship like USA
    • D.Citizenship of State only

    Explanation: In India, all citizens enjoy the same political and civil rights of citizenship all over the country and owe allegiance only to the Union. There is no separate state citizenship.

13. Q13.Which of the following writs can be issued by the Supreme Court?

    • A.Habeas Corpus
    • B.Mandamus
    • C.Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo-Warranto
    • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Supreme Court (Article 32) and High Courts (Article 226) can issue writs of Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo-Warranto.

14. Q14.The 'Freedom of Trade, Commerce and Intercourse' is a provision borrowed from:

    • A.Australian Constitution✓ Correct Answer
    • B.South African Constitution
    • C.US Constitution
    • D.Irish Constitution

    Explanation: Freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse between states is borrowed from the Australian Constitution.

15. Q15.Which Amendment Act provided for the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more states?

    • A.1st Amendment Act, 1951
    • B.7th Amendment Act, 1956✓ Correct Answer
    • C.42nd Amendment Act, 1976
    • D.44th Amendment Act, 1978

    Explanation: The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 facilitated the appointment of the same person as a governor for two or more states.

16. Q16.Who called the Preamble the 'Key-note' to the Constitution?

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

    Explanation: Sir Ernest Barker, a distinguished English political scientist, described the Preamble as the 'Key-note' to the Constitution.

17. Q17.The feature of 'Amendment of the Constitution' was borrowed from which country?

    • A.USA
    • B.South Africa✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Germany
    • D.Canada

    Explanation: The procedure for amendment of the Constitution and the election of members of Rajya Sabha were borrowed from the South African Constitution.

18. Q18.Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with 'Oaths and Affirmations'?

    • A.First Schedule
    • B.Second Schedule
    • C.Third Schedule✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Fourth Schedule

    Explanation: The Third Schedule contains the forms of Oaths and Affirmations for various constitutional offices.

19. Q19.The Indian Constitution is described as a 'Synthesis of Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial Supremacy'. The 'Judicial Supremacy' part is derived from:

    • A.British Constitution
    • B.American Constitution✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Irish Constitution
    • D.French Constitution

    Explanation: The doctrine of sovereignty of Parliament is associated with the British Parliament, while the principle of judicial supremacy is associated with the American Supreme Court.

20. Q20.Which of the following is a device of 'Direct Democracy'?

    • A.Referendum
    • B.Initiative
    • C.Recall
    • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Direct democracy has four devices: Referendum, Initiative, Recall, and Plebiscite.