UPSC IAS / IPS — MCQ Practice Questions & Answers

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT explicitly mentioned in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: D. Federal — The Preamble mentions: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic, Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. 'Federal' is not explicitly stated in the Preamble, though federalism is incorporated through Articles 1-7 and other constitutional provisions. 'Socialist' and 'Secular' were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.

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A. Sovereign Democratic Republic

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B. Secular

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C. Socialist

Question 2

Which of the following statements regarding the composition of Parliament is correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members — Article 80 specifies that Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members (238 elected + 12 nominated by President). Lok Sabha has 545 members including 2 Anglo-Indians nominated by President (not 545 including nominated members separately). Lok Sabha members serve 5-year terms, not 6. Rajya Sabha members are elected by state legislatures, not directly elected by universal adult suffrage.

Answer

A. Lok Sabha has 545 members including nominated Anglo-Indians

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C. Both houses are directly elected by universal adult suffrage

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D. Lok Sabha members serve a tenure of 6 years

Question 3

Under Article 356 of the Constitution, the President can declare President's Rule in a state when:

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. The President is satisfied that the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution — Article 356 (Emergency Provisions) allows the President to declare President's Rule (National Emergency at state level) when satisfied that the constitutional machinery has broken down and the state cannot be governed according to the Constitution. This typically follows dismissal of the state government. The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers but the constitutional ground is the failure of constitutional governance in the state.

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A. The state government fails to comply with any directions given by the Union

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C. The Prime Minister recommends dissolution of state assembly

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D. The state legislature fails to pass the annual budget

Question 4

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment introduced provisions for Panchayati Raj. Which of the following is a key feature mandated by this amendment?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Three-tier panchayat structure in states with population above 20 lakh — The 73rd Amendment (1992) made Articles 243 et seq. mandatory for panchayats. Key features include: three-tier system (village, block, district) for states with population above 20 lakh; five-year tenure; regular elections; and reservation provisions. Women's reservation was set at 33% (not 50%). The amendment makes these provisions constitutionally binding on all states.

Answer

A. Reservation of 50% seats for women in all panchayat bodies across India

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C. Direct election of all panchayat members with 5-year tenure

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D. Mandatory implementation of proportional representation system

Question 5

Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between Fundamental Rights and DPSP?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Fundamental Rights are enforceable while DPSP are not, but courts can consider DPSP as interpretive aids — Articles 12-35 establish justiciable Fundamental Rights (Part III), while Articles 36-51 provide non-justiciable DPSP (Part IV). Landmark cases like Kesavananda Bharati (1973) established that courts can use DPSP for constitutional interpretation and as guidelines for judicial review. The distinction is crucial: Rights are enforceable, DPSP are aspirational but legally significant for governance and judicial reasoning.

Answer

A. DPSP are more important and override Fundamental Rights

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C. Both are equally enforceable through court proceedings

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D. DPSP cannot be considered by courts in any circumstance

Question 6

Which Fundamental Right can be suspended during a National Emergency except in respect of Articles 20 and 21?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Right to Freedom — Article 19 (Right to Freedom) can be suspended during a National Emergency under Article 359. However, Articles 20 (protection against conviction for offences) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) cannot be suspended even during emergency. This ensures protection against arbitrary arrest and punishment.

Answer

A. Right to Equality

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C. Right to Constitutional Remedies

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D. Right Against Exploitation

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) is correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. They are non-justiciable but guide the state in policy-making — Articles 36-51 contain DPSP which are non-justiciable (cannot be enforced in courts). However, they are fundamental in governance and obligate the state to apply them while making laws and policies. The Minerva Mills case (1980) established that DPSP cannot override Fundamental Rights, but both must be harmoniously interpreted.

Answer

A. They are enforceable in courts of law like Fundamental Rights

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C. They supersede Fundamental Rights in case of conflict

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D. They can be suspended during a National Emergency

Question 8

The power to issue ordinances granted to the President under Article 123 is subject to which of the following limitations?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Ordinances must be laid before Parliament and cease to operate if not approved within 6 weeks — Article 123 allows the President to issue ordinances when Parliament is not in session. These ordinances must be laid before Parliament when it reassembles. An ordinance ceases to operate if not approved by both houses within 6 weeks from reassembly or earlier dissolution. The 43rd Amendment limited ordinance-making power by restricting repeated re-promulgation.

Answer

A. Ordinances can only be issued when Parliament is in session

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C. Ordinances cannot be issued on matters of taxation

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D. Ordinances have permanent legal status once issued

UPSC IAS / IPS - MCQ Practice Questions