Fundamental Rights: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Polity)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Fundamental Rights (Polity). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 1996Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q1. Of the four forms of political protests mentioned below, which one is derived from the name of the person who used it as a political weapon for the first time?
Explanation
The term "boycott" originates from the name of Captain Charles Boycott, a British land agent in Ireland. In 1880, Irish tenants protested against his harsh treatment by refusing to cooperate with him or work on his land. This form of non-cooperation was later adopted globally as a political tool of protest. The other terms: Gherao, Bandh, and Hartal are not derived from personal names.
UPSC 1996Polity · Fundamental Rights
Q2. Consider the following statements: No one can be compelled to sing the National Anthem since: 1. it will be violative of the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression 2. it will be violative of the Right to the Freedom of Conscience and practise and propagation of religion 3. there is no legal provision obliging anyone to sing the National Anthem
Explanation
The Supreme Court of India, in the Bijoe Emmanuel case (1986), ruled that no one can be compelled to sing the National Anthem as it violates Fundamental Rights.
Statement 1 is correct: The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression. It ruled that the right to freedom of speech and expression is not limited to spoken words but also includes silence.
Statement 2 is correct: If someone refuses to sing due to religious beliefs, forcing them violates their right to freedom of conscience and religion.
Statement 3 is correct: There is no legal provision in Indian law that mandates individuals to sing the National Anthem. Respect for the anthem is required, but singing it is not obligatory.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1996
(a) Boycott
2
1996
(c) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Fundamental Rights?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Fundamental Rights (Polity), asked from 1996 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Fundamental Rights?
Questions on Fundamental Rights (Polity) are available for 14 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
