Preamble and Features of the Constitution MCQ: Constitutional Schedules, the Right to Education & Cabinet Government

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

1. Q1.The 'Second Schedule' of the Constitution deals with:

   • A.Allocation of seats in Rajya Sabha
   • B.Emoluments, allowances and privileges✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Administration of Tribal Areas
   • D.Languages

   Explanation: The Second Schedule deals with the provisions relating to the emoluments, allowances, privileges, etc., of the President, Governors, Judges, etc.

2. Q2.Who called the Preamble the 'Soul of the Constitution'?

   • A.Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
   • C.Jawaharlal Nehru
   • D.K.C. Wheare

   Explanation: Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava, a member of the Constituent Assembly, called the Preamble the 'Soul of the Constitution'. (Note: Ambedkar called Article 32 the soul).

3. Q3.The Constitution of India is:

   • A.Rigid
   • B.Flexible
   • C.Neither rigid nor flexible
   • D.Partly rigid and partly flexible✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Indian Constitution is a unique blend of rigidity and flexibility. Some provisions require a special majority (rigid), while others can be amended by a simple majority (flexible).

4. Q4.Which Amendment Act made elementary education a Fundamental Right (Article 21A)?

   • A.86th Amendment Act, 2002✓ Correct Answer
   • B.88th Amendment Act, 2003
   • C.92nd Amendment Act, 2003
   • D.96th Amendment Act, 2011

   Explanation: The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 made free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years a Fundamental Right.

5. Q5.The 'Fourth Schedule' of the Constitution deals with:

   • A.Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to States and Union Territories✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Anti-Defection Law
   • C.Languages
   • D.Powers of Municipalities

   Explanation: The Fourth Schedule deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and union territories.

6. Q6.The criticism that the Indian Constitution is a 'Paradise of the Lawyers' was given by:

   • A.Sir Ivor Jennings✓ Correct Answer
   • B.H.K. Maheswari
   • C.P.R. Deshmukh
   • D.K. Hanumanthaiya

   Explanation: Sir Ivor Jennings called the Indian Constitution a 'Paradise of the Lawyers' due to its legalistic language and complexity.

7. Q7.The term 'Liberty' in the Preamble is qualified by which of the following?

   • A.It is absolute
   • B.It is subject to reasonable restrictions✓ Correct Answer
   • C.It is only for the rich
   • D.It is only for political activities

   Explanation: Liberty conceived by the Preamble or Fundamental Rights is not absolute but qualified. It is subject to reasonable restrictions.

8. Q8.Who said that the trinity of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity forms a 'Union of Trinity'?

   • A.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Jawaharlal Nehru
   • C.Mahatma Gandhi
   • D.Subhash Chandra Bose

   Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said that these principles of liberty, equality and fraternity are not to be treated as separate items but form a union of trinity.

9. Q9.Which feature of the Indian Constitution is derived from the French Constitution?

   • A.Republic and the ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Fundamental Rights
   • C.Directive Principles
   • D.Parliamentary System

   Explanation: The ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and the concept of Republic are borrowed from the French Constitution.

10. Q10.The 11th Schedule of the Constitution places how many matters within the purview of Panchayats?

    • A.18
    • B.29✓ Correct Answer
    • C.12
    • D.21

    Explanation: The 11th Schedule contains 29 functional items placed within the purview of Panchayats.

11. Q11.Which of the following is NOT a classical language listed in the Eighth Schedule?

    • A.Tamil
    • B.Sanskrit
    • C.Kannada
    • D.Hindi✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Hindi is a scheduled language but not classified as a 'Classical Language'. Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia have been declared classical languages.

12. Q12.The concept of 'Cabinet Government' is a feature borrowed from:

    • A.British Constitution✓ Correct Answer
    • B.US Constitution
    • C.Japanese Constitution
    • D.Australian Constitution

    Explanation: Cabinet system, Rule of Law, Legislative procedure, and Prerogative writs are borrowed from the British Constitution.

13. Q13.Part IV of the Constitution (Directive Principles) includes Articles from:

    • A.Article 12 to 35
    • B.Article 36 to 51✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 51A
    • D.Article 52 to 78

    Explanation: Part IV of the Constitution deals with Directive Principles of State Policy and covers Articles 36 to 51.

14. Q14.The term 'Economic Justice' in the Preamble involves:

    • A.Elimination of glaring inequalities in wealth, income and property✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Equal political rights only
    • C.Absence of religious discrimination
    • D.Right to vote

    Explanation: Economic justice denotes the non-discrimination between people on the basis of economic factors and involves the elimination of glaring inequalities in wealth, income, and property.

15. Q15.Which Amendment Act is known for reducing the power of Judicial Review, which was later restored?

    • A.42nd Amendment✓ Correct Answer
    • B.44th Amendment
    • C.43rd Amendment
    • D.38th Amendment

    Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) curbed the power of judicial review of the Supreme Court and High Courts. The 43rd and 44th Amendments (1977, 1978) restored it.

16. Q16.The 'Removal of High Court Judges' is a procedure borrowed from:

    • A.USA✓ Correct Answer
    • B.UK
    • C.Canada
    • D.France

    Explanation: The removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges is borrowed from the US Constitution.

17. Q17.At the time of its commencement, the Indian Constitution consisted of:

    • A.395 Articles and 8 Schedules✓ Correct Answer
    • B.395 Articles and 12 Schedules
    • C.448 Articles and 10 Schedules
    • D.448 Articles and 12 Schedules

    Explanation: Originally (1949), the Constitution contained a Preamble, 395 Articles divided into 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules.

18. Q18.Which part of the Constitution deals with 'Relations between the Union and the States'?

    • A.Part XI✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Part XII
    • C.Part XIII
    • D.Part XIV

    Explanation: Part XI of the Constitution deals with the Relations between the Union and the States (Legislative and Administrative relations).

19. Q19.The feature of 'Bicameralism' at the Centre was introduced by:

    • A.Government of India Act, 1919✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Government of India Act, 1935
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1909
    • D.Indian Independence Act, 1947

    Explanation: The Government of India Act of 1919 introduced, for the first time, bicameralism and direct elections in the country.

20. Q20.The date of 'Commencement' of the Constitution is:

    • A.26th January, 1950✓ Correct Answer
    • B.26th November, 1949
    • C.15th August, 1947
    • D.24th January, 1950

    Explanation: The Constitution came into force on 26th January, 1950, which is referred to as the date of its 'commencement'. (26 Nov 1949 is the date of adoption).