Here are 25 Multiple Choice Questions on Indian Polity, designed for JKSSB and similar competitive exams, with answers and explanations:
Indian Polity – Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. The concept of ‘Fundamental Duties’ in the Indian Constitution is borrowed from which country’s constitution?
(a) USA
(b) Ireland
(c) Russia (erstwhile USSR)
(d) Canada
Answer: (c) Russia (erstwhile USSR)
Explanation: The Fundamental Duties were added to the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. This concept was inspired by the Constitution of the erstwhile USSR.
Q2. Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with the ‘Fundamental Rights’?
(a) Part I
(b) Part II
(c) Part III
(d) Part IV
Answer: (c) Part III
Explanation: Part III of the Indian Constitution (Articles 12-35) enshrines the Fundamental Rights, which are essential for the overall development of an individual.
Q3. Who is known as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Answer: (c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and played a pivotal role in the framing of the Indian Constitution.
Q4. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution declares India as a:
(a) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
(b) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Republic
(c) Sovereign, Democratic, Republic
(d) Sovereign, Secular, Democratic Union
Answer: (a) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
Explanation: The Preamble outlines the nature of the Indian State. The terms ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Q5. Which article of the Indian Constitution abolished ‘Untouchability’?
(a) Article 14
(b) Article 17
(c) Article 18
(d) Article 19
Answer: (b) Article 17
Explanation: Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolishes ‘Untouchability’ and forbids its practice in any form. The enforcement of any disability arising out of ‘Untouchability’ shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.
Q6. The minimum age required to become the President of India is:
(a) 25 years
(b) 30 years
(c) 35 years
(d) 40 years
Answer: (c) 35 years
Explanation: As per Article 58 of the Indian Constitution, a person to be eligible for election as President must complete 35 years of age.
Q7. The concept of ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’ is borrowed from which country’s constitution?
(a) USA
(b) Ireland
(c) Canada
(d) Australia
Answer: (b) Ireland
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), contained in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, have been borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland.
Q8. How many schedules are there in the Indian Constitution?
(a) 8
(b) 10
(c) 12
(d) 14
Answer: (c) 12
Explanation: Originally, the Indian Constitution had 8 schedules. Four more schedules were added through constitutional amendments, bringing the total to 12.
Q9. Who administers the oath of office to the President of India?
(a) The Vice-President
(b) The Prime Minister
(c) The Chief Justice of India
(d) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Answer: (c) The Chief Justice of India
Explanation: As per Article 60 of the Indian Constitution, the President takes an oath or affirmation in the presence of the Chief Justice of India, or in his absence, the seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court.
Q10. The power to issue Writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights rests with:
(a) The Parliament
(b) The Supreme Court only
(c) The High Courts only
(d) Both the Supreme Court and the High Courts
Answer: (d) Both the Supreme Court and the High Courts
Explanation: The Supreme Court (under Article 32) and the High Courts (under Article 226) have the power to issue various writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo-Warranto) for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Q11. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the:
(a) President of India
(b) Vice-President of India
(c) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) Prime Minister of India
Answer: (b) Vice-President of India
Explanation: Article 64 of the Indian Constitution states that the Vice-President shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).
Q12. What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as stipulated in the Constitution?
(a) 545
(b) 550
(c) 552
(d) 530
Answer: (c) 552
Explanation: The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is fixed at 552 members – 530 members from states, 20 members from Union Territories, and 2 members (Anglo-Indians) nominated by the President (this nomination provision is now effectively revoked by the 104th Amendment Act, 2019, though the constitutional maximum remains).
Q13. Which Constitutional Amendment Act lowered the voting age from 21 years to 18 years?
(a) 42nd Amendment Act
(b) 44th Amendment Act
(c) 61st Amendment Act
(d) 73rd Amendment Act
Answer: (c) 61st Amendment Act
Explanation: The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1989, amended Article 326 of the Constitution to reduce the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for both Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections.
Q14. The concept of ‘Judicial Review’ in the Indian Constitution is inspired by which country’s constitution?
(a) United Kingdom
(b) USA
(c) Canada
(d) France
Answer: (b) USA
Explanation: The concept of Judicial Review, which allows the judiciary to interpret the constitution and declare a law or action unconstitutional, is largely borrowed from the United States Constitution.
Q15. Who appoints the Chief Minister of a state in India?
(a) The President
(b) The Governor
(c) The Chief Justice of the High Court
(d) The Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly
Answer: (b) The Governor
Explanation: According to Article 164 of the Indian Constitution, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor of the state.
Q16. The final interpreter of the Indian Constitution is the:
(a) Parliament
(b) President
(c) Supreme Court
(d) Attorney General
Answer: (c) Supreme Court
Explanation: The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial authority and the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.
Q17. Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Right in the Indian Constitution?
(a) Right to Equality
(b) Right to Freedom
(c) Right to Property
(d) Right to Constitutional Remedies
Answer: (c) Right to Property
Explanation: The Right to Property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, and made a legal right under Article 300A.
Q18. The idea of a ‘Concurrent List’ in the Indian Constitution is borrowed from which country?
(a) Canada
(b) Australia
(c) South Africa
(d) Germany
Answer: (b) Australia
Explanation: The concept of the Concurrent List, on which both the Union and State governments can make laws, is adapted from the Australian Constitution.
Q19. Who presides over the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament?
(a) The President of India
(b) The Vice-President of India
(c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) The Prime Minister of India
Answer: (c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Explanation: As per Article 108(4) of the Indian Constitution, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
Q20. The concept of ‘Single Citizenship’ in India is adopted from which country’s constitution?
(a) USA
(b) Canada
(c) United Kingdom
(d) Australia
Answer: (c) United Kingdom
Explanation: India follows the system of single citizenship, meaning a person is a citizen of India and not of any state. This concept is inspired by the Constitution of the United Kingdom.
Q21. The President of India can be removed from office by a process of impeachment for violation of the Constitution. This process is mentioned in which article?
(a) Article 56
(b) Article 61
(c) Article 72
(d) Article 74
Answer: (b) Article 61
Explanation: Article 61 of the Indian Constitution outlines the procedure for the impeachment of the President of India.
Q22. Panchayati Raj System was introduced in India by the:
(a) 42nd Amendment Act
(b) 44th Amendment Act
(c) 73rd Amendment Act
(d) 74th Amendment Act
Answer: (c) 73rd Amendment Act
Explanation: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions and added a new Part IX and Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution.
Q23. The term ‘Budget’ is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution. What is the constitutional term used for it?
(a) Annual Financial Statement
(b) Annual Revenue Statement
(c) Financial Allocation Bill
(d) Expenditure Statement
Answer: (a) Annual Financial Statement
Explanation: Article 112 of the Indian Constitution refers to the Union Budget as the ‘Annual Financial Statement’.
Q24. Who among the following holds office during the pleasure of the President of India?
(a) Chief Justice of India
(b) Comptroller and Auditor General of India
(c) Governor of a State
(d) Chief Election Commissioner
Answer: (c) Governor of a State
Explanation: Governors are appointed by the President and hold office during the pleasure of the President, as stated in Article 156 of the Constitution.
Q25. Which amendment is often referred to as a ‘Mini Constitution’?
(a) 24th Amendment Act
(b) 42nd Amendment Act
(c) 44th Amendment Act
(d) 52nd Amendment Act
Answer: (b) 42nd Amendment Act
Explanation: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, introduced extensive changes to the Constitution, including the Preamble, Fundamental Duties, and various administrative provisions, leading to it being called a ‘Mini Constitution’.
