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Topics / Polity

Constitutional Features

Asked 15 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2025

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Consider the following pairs: Provision in the Constitution of India - Stated under: I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State - The Directive Principles of the State Policy II. Valuing and preserving of the rich heritage of our composite culture - The Fundamental Duties III. Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories - The Fundamental Rights. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

2025Polity
AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll the three
D

Explanation

The pairs provided in the question are correctly matched. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State is a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP), valuing and preserving the rich heritage of our composite culture is a Fundamental Duty, and the prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories is a Fundamental Right guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country?

2023Polity
AIt determines the objective for the making of necessary laws.
BIt enables the creation of political offices and a government.
CIt defines and limits the powers of government.
DIt secures social justice social equality and social security.

Explanation

The primary purpose of a country's Constitution is to define and limit the powers of the government. It establishes the framework within which the government operates, delineating the authority and responsibilities of different branches of government to prevent any abuse of power.

Constitutional government means

2021Polity
Aa representative government of a nation with federal structure
Ba government whose Head enjoys nominal powers
Ca government whose Head enjoys real powers
Da government limited by the terms of the Constitution

Explanation

Constitutional government refers to a system where the powers of the government are clearly defined and limited by the terms of the Constitution. This ensures that the government operates within the framework established by the Constitution, preventing any arbitrary exercise of power. The limitations imposed by the Constitution help in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens.

Which one of the following best defines the term 'State'?

2021Polity
AA community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government
BA politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them maintain law and order protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance
CA number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture tradition and government
DA society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary

Explanation

The term 'State' is best defined as a community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government. This definition encapsulates the essential elements of a State, including a defined population, territory, sovereignty, and government structure.

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile. 2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. 3. A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2021Polity
A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3
D2 and 3

Explanation

In India, there is only one citizenship and one domicile. This means that every individual in India is a citizen of the country and has a single domicile. This is in contrast to some countries where multiple citizenships or domiciles are allowed.

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

2021Polity
AA committed judiciary
BCentralization of powers
CElected government
DSeparation of powers

Explanation

Separation of powers is a fundamental principle in a liberal democracy that divides the government into three branches - the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This division ensures a system of checks and balances, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful and thus safeguarding individual liberties.

Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India defines its 'basic structure' in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy. 2. The Constitution of India provides for 'judicial review' to safeguard the 'citizens' liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the constitution is based. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2020Polity
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The Constitution of India does not explicitly outline the concept of 'basic structure'. This notion was introduced by the Supreme Court in the Keshavananda Bharti case as a judicial mechanism. Statement 2 regarding judicial review is accurate, as it serves to protect citizens' freedoms and uphold the foundational principles of the constitution.

A constitutional government by definition is a

2020Polity
Agovernment by legislature
Bpopular government
CMulti party government
DLimited government

Explanation

In India, the constitutional government is a limited one. This means that the government's authority is restricted by the Fundamental Rights outlined in Part-III of the Indian Constitution.

Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the 'Rule of Law'? 1. Limitation of powers 2. Equality before law 3. People's responsibility to the Government 4. Liberty and civil rights Select the correct answer using the code given below:

2018Polity
A1 and 3 only
B2 and 4 only
C1, 2 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

In the concept of the 'Rule of Law', key features include the limitation of powers, equality before the law, and the protection of liberty and civil rights. The correct answer is option (c), which includes all these features. The judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that everyone is subject to the same legal standards. Statement 3, regarding people's responsibility to the government, is not directly related to the main features of the Rule of Law.

Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which 1. places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority 2. places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2014Polity
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

A Constitutional Government must balance individual liberty and State Authority. It places restrictions on the Authority of the State to protect individual liberty.

What does the 104th Constitution Amendment Bill related to?

2006Polity
AAbolition of Legislative Councils in certain states
BIntroduction of dual citizenship for persons of Indian origin living outside India
CProviding quota to socially and educationally backward classes in private educational institutions
DProviding quota for religious minorities in the services under the central Government

Explanation

The 104th Constitution Amendment Bill passed by the Indian Parliament aims to provide reservations for socially and educationally backward classes, in addition to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, in both private aided and unaided educational institutions.

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

2006Polity
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1 and 3 only

Explanation

The correct pairs are matched as follows: The Hovercraft, invented by Christopher Cockerell and officially launched in Southampton, is correctly paired. Similarly, the submarine, credited to David Bushnell and first used to launch explosives against British ships during the American Revolution, is also correctly matched. Lastly, the steam ship, invented by J.C Perrier in 1775, completes the trio of correctly matched inventions.

Which one of the following schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection Act?

1998Polity
ASecond Schedule
BFifth Schedule
CEighth Schedule
DTenth Schedule

Explanation

The Tenth Schedule was introduced into the Constitution of India through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1985. This schedule includes provisions related to the anti-defection law, which aims to prevent elected representatives from changing their party allegiance.

Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The word minority is not defined in the Constitution of India. Reason (R): The Minorities Commission is not a constitutional body. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

1996Polity
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

In the given scenario, the assertion that the term "minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution and the reason that the Minorities Commission is not a constitutional body are both true. However, the reason does not directly explain the assertion. It is important to note that currently, the Minorities Commission holds a statutory status.

Which of the following are correctly matched?

1995Polity
A1 and 2
B1 and 3
C1, 2 and 3
D2 and 3

Explanation

All three pairs, 1, 2, and 3, are accurately matched in the given options.