99 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Directive Principles of State Policy and the Fundamental Duties cover the nature of the Directives, individual Articles, the amendments that added to them and the duties in Part IVA. Questions ask for the Article number, the subject and the amendment, and the explanations show how Directives differ from Fundamental Rights.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 81–90 of 99 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q81. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): Fundamental Rights are generally considered negative in character, whereas Directive Principles are positive in character. Reason (R): Fundamental Rights prohibit the State from doing certain things, while Directive Principles require the State to do certain things. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Fundamental rights are often called negative rights because they place restrictions on the state, preventing it from violating individual liberties. In contrast, Directive Principles are positive in nature as they require the state to take specific actions and implement policies for social welfare. This distinction highlights the dual role of the state in both protecting freedom and actively promoting social justice.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q82. The idea of dividing rights into justiciable and non-justiciable categories in the Indian Constitution was initially suggested by:
Explanation
The idea to divide the rights of citizens into justiciable and non-justiciable categories was first suggested by Sir B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly. This suggestion was eventually adopted, leading to the creation of Part three for enforceable fundamental rights and Part four for non-enforceable Directive Principles, which were deemed fundamental to the nation’s governance nonetheless.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q83. Which of the following points highlights a primary difference between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties in the Constitution of India?
Explanation
A major difference between fundamental rights and duties is their scope of application. Most fundamental rights are available to all persons, including foreigners, while some are reserved for citizens. However, fundamental duties are exclusively applicable to the citizens of India. Foreigners residing in or visiting the country are not constitutionally bound by the duties enumerated in Article fifty-one-A of the Indian Constitution.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q84. Read the following lists and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Commentator/Personality
Observation on DPSP
A. B.R. Ambedkar
i. Pious superfluities
B. K.T. Shah
ii. A cheque on a bank, payable only when the resources of the bank permit
C. T.T. Krishnamachari
iii. Novel features of the Constitution
D. Ivor Jennings
iv. Veritable dustbin of sentiment
Explanation
Various scholars have commented on the Directive Principles. B.R. Ambedkar called them "novel features," while K.T. Shah likened them to a cheque payable only when resources permit. T.T. Krishnamachari described them as a "dustbin of sentiment," and Ivor Jennings famously called them "pious superfluities." These diverse opinions reflect the debate over the practical effectiveness and legal status of non-justiciable principles.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q85. Which of the following is an accurate description of the scope of Part IV of the Constitution of India?
Explanation
Part four of the Constitution of India is entirely dedicated to the Directive Principles of State Policy. This part begins with Article thirty-six, which provides the definition of the state, and ends with Article fifty-one, which deals with international peace and security. Collectively, these articles outline the socio-economic vision and the fundamental principles that should guide the country’s various levels of governance.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q86. Under Article 36 of the Constitution of India, the term "State" has the same meaning as in which Part of the Constitution?
Explanation
Article thirty-six specifies that the term "state" used in the Directive Principles has the same meaning as it does in Part three, which covers fundamental rights. According to Article twelve in Part three, the state includes the government and parliament of India, state governments and legislatures, and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under its control.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q87. Consider the following provisions of Article 37 of the Constitution of India: I. The provisions contained in Part IV shall not be enforceable by any court. II. The principles laid down in Part IV are fundamental in the governance of the country. III. It shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Article thirty-seven is the cornerstone of Part four. It explicitly states that the Directive Principles are not enforceable by any court. However, it also declares that these principles are fundamental in the governance of the country. Consequently, the state has a constitutional duty to apply these principles whenever it is engaged in the process of making laws for the nation’s citizens.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q88. The Directive Principles of State Policy have been described as a "manifesto of aims and aspirations" because they:
Explanation
The Directive Principles are often described as a manifesto of aims and aspirations because they provide a roadmap for achieving social and economic democracy. They outline the long-term goals that the Indian state should strive toward, such as reducing poverty and ensuring health. Although they lack legal teeth, they provide a moral and political framework for the development of a welfare state.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q89. Arrange the following Articles related to Directive Principles of State Policy in the order they appear in the Constitution of India: I. Separation of judiciary from executive II. Uniform Civil Code III. Free legal aid IV. Participation of workers in management of industries Select the correct answer using the codes below:
Explanation
The articles follow a precise order in the Constitution. Free legal aid is in Article thirty-nine-A, and the participation of workers in management is Article forty-three-A. The Uniform Civil Code is specified in Article forty-four, while the separation of the judiciary from the executive is mandated by Article fifty. This numerical sequence organizes the different socialistic, Gandhian, and liberal directives systematically.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · DPSP and Fundamental Duties
Q90. Article 38(2) of the Constitution of India, which requires the State to minimize inequalities in income and eliminate inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities, was added by the:
Explanation
The forty-fourth amendment act of nineteen seventy-eight added clause (two) to Article thirty-eight. This clause requires the state to minimize inequalities in income and eliminate inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities among both individuals and groups. This addition was part of the post-emergency efforts to strengthen the socio-economic objectives of the Constitution and ensure a more equitable distribution of the nation’s growth.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
81
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
82
(c) B.N. Rau
83
(d) Rights apply to citizens and foreigners, while Duties apply only to citizens.
84
(c) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i
85
(b) It contains Articles 36 to 51
86
(c) Part III
87
(d) I, II and III
88
(b) Outline socio-economic goals the State should strive to achieve
89
(a) III, IV, II, I
90
(b) 44th Amendment Act
Key facts from DPSP and Fundamental Duties
The Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in the governance of the country; they are in Part IV, and Fundamental Duties are in Part IVA.
The Constitution does not classify the Directives, though they are grouped as socialist, Gandhian and liberal-intellectual.
Article 38 asks the State to secure a social order based on social, economic and political justice.
Article 39 deals with the equitable distribution of resources, and Article 39A, added by the 42nd Amendment, provides for equal justice and free legal aid.
Article 41 covers the right to work, education and public assistance in unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
Article 42 provides for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on DPSP and Fundamental Duties?
This page has 99 practice MCQs on DPSP and Fundamental Duties (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Are the Directive Principles enforceable in court?
No. They are non-justiciable, which means a court cannot enforce them, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country. The State is expected to apply them in making laws and policies.
Which Amendment added Article 39A?
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. Article 39A directs the State to promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid so that opportunities for justice are not denied by economic or other disabilities.
In which Parts are the DPSP and the Fundamental Duties?
The Directive Principles are in Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) and the Fundamental Duties in Part IVA (Article 51A). The duties were added by the 42nd Amendment on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.
