Q51. Article 18 abolishes titles. Which of the following is NOT prohibited under this Article?
Fundamental Rights: RAS Prelims MCQs
96 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Fundamental Rights in Part III test article numbers, exceptions and the limits on each right. Equality under Articles 14 to 18, the six freedoms of Article 19, the protections in Articles 20 to 22, religious and cultural rights and the doctrine of eclipse are asked as facts, statements and sequences.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 51–60 of 96 questions
Q52. The State enacts a law prohibiting citizens from holding a public demonstration on a major highway to prevent massive traffic disruptions. Under which provision can the State justify this law?
Explanation
Article 19(3) lets the State impose reasonable restrictions on the right to assemble peacefully in the interest of public order. A ban on demonstrations on a highway can be justified under it.
Q53. Match the case laws in List I with the fundamental rights in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
| Case Law | Fundamental Right |
|---|---|
| A. Indira Sawhney Case | i. Right to pollution-free environment (Article 21) |
| B. Vishaka Case | ii. Secularism and freedom of religion |
| C. M.C. Mehta Case | iii. Reservation in public employment (Article 16) |
| D. S.R. Bommai Case | iv. Protection against sexual harassment (Articles 14, 15, 21) |
Explanation
These landmark cases defined fundamental rights: Indira Sawhney clarified reservations under Article 16. Vishaka established guidelines against sexual harassment under Articles 14, 15, and 21. M.C. Mehta expanded the right to a clean environment under Article 21. S.R. Bommai emphasized secularism as part of the basic structure, protecting religious freedom and preventing the misuse of Article 356 by central authorities.
Q54. The definition of traffic in human beings under Article 23 includes:
Explanation
Traffic in human beings under Article 23 is a comprehensive term. It includes the commercial buying and selling of men, women, and children as if they were goods. It also encompasses immoral trafficking in women and children and archaic exploitative systems like the devadasi system. These practices are prohibited to protect human dignity and prevent the commodification of individuals.
Q55. Consider the following statements about freedom of movement and residence (Article 19(1)(d) and (e)):
I. Both these rights are complementary to each other.
II. They can be restricted to protect the interests of any Scheduled Tribe.
III. The Supreme Court has ruled that the freedom of movement of prostitutes can be restricted on grounds of public health.
IV. They grant an absolute right to travel abroad.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Both these rights are complementary to each other.
II. They can be restricted to protect the interests of any Scheduled Tribe.
III. The Supreme Court has ruled that the freedom of movement of prostitutes can be restricted on grounds of public health.
IV. They grant an absolute right to travel abroad.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Freedom of movement and residence are closely linked. They can be restricted for the general public interest or to protect Scheduled Tribes. The Supreme Court has upheld restrictions on prostitutes’ movement for public health. One statement is incorrect because Article 19 only covers movement within the territory of India; the right to travel abroad is protected under Article 21, not Article 19.
Q56. Under Article 33, Parliament is empowered to restrict or abrogate the Fundamental Rights of:
Explanation
Article 33 allows Parliament to modify the application of Fundamental Rights for members of the Armed Forces, paramilitary forces, police forces, intelligence agencies, and telecommunication systems set up for these forces. This is done to ensure the proper discharge of their duties and the maintenance of discipline, which is essential for national security and the maintenance of public order.
Q57. Find the odd one out from the following grounds of reasonable restrictions on Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19(2):
Explanation
Contempt of court, friendly relations with foreign states and decency or morality are grounds in Article 19(2). Protection of the interests of Scheduled Tribes is a ground in Article 19(5) for the freedom of movement and residence, so it is the odd one out.
Q58. Arrange the following protections in the sequence they are mentioned in clauses (1), (2), and (3) of Article 20 of the Constitution:
I. Protection against double jeopardy
II. Protection against self-incrimination
III. Protection against ex-post-facto law
Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
I. Protection against double jeopardy
II. Protection against self-incrimination
III. Protection against ex-post-facto law
Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
Explanation
Article 20 protects against ex post facto laws in clause (1), double jeopardy in clause (2) and self-incrimination in clause (3). The order is III, I, II.
Q59. Which of the following is the best description of "equal protection of laws" under Article 14?
Explanation
Equal protection of the laws, derived from the American Constitution, is a positive concept. It implies that among equals, the law should be equal and equally administered. It permits the State to classify persons for legitimate purposes, provided the classification is not arbitrary. This ensures that people in similar situations are treated similarly by the Indian legal system.
Q60. Consider the following rights:
I. Right to clean environment
II. Right to free legal aid
III. Right to travel abroad
IV. Right to primary education
V. Right to strike
Which of the above rights have been included under Article 21 by the Supreme Court?
I. Right to clean environment
II. Right to free legal aid
III. Right to travel abroad
IV. Right to primary education
V. Right to strike
Which of the above rights have been included under Article 21 by the Supreme Court?
Explanation
Through judicial activism, the Supreme Court has included the rights to a clean environment, free legal aid, travel abroad, and primary education under the umbrella of Article 21. However, the right to strike is not considered a fundamental right under Article 21 or Article 19; it is generally viewed as a statutory or legal right subject to industrial regulations.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (d) Academic distinctions like PhD or military ranks like General |
| 52 | (b) Article 19(3) regarding the regulation of peaceful assembly. |
| 53 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 54 | (d) All of the above |
| 55 | (a) I, II and III only |
| 56 | (c) Personnel in Armed Forces, police, and intelligence agencies. |
| 57 | (c) Protection of interests of Scheduled Tribes |
| 58 | (a) III, I, II |
| 59 | (a) Equal treatment under equal circumstances regarding privileges and liabilities. |
| 60 | (a) I, II, III, and IV only |
Key facts from Fundamental Rights
- Part III of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights, and the concept was inspired by the United States.
- Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth; Article 17 abolishes untouchability.
- Article 20 gives protection against ex post facto laws, double jeopardy and self-incrimination, in that order.
- Article 22 requires production before a magistrate within 24 hours, but not for enemy aliens or preventive detention.
- Article 23 prohibits human trafficking and forced labour; Article 30 protects the right of minorities to run educational institutions.
- The doctrine of eclipse is linked with Article 13.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Fundamental Rights?
This page has 96 practice MCQs on Fundamental Rights (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Article prohibits human trafficking and forced labour?
Article 23. It prohibits traffic in human beings, begar and other forced labour, and makes any contravention an offence punishable by law, while allowing the State to impose compulsory service for public purposes.
What does Article 20 protect against?
Three things: conviction under an ex post facto law (clause 1), double jeopardy (clause 2) and compulsion to be a witness against oneself (clause 3). The right against self-incrimination applies to criminal proceedings only.
Who is not covered by the 24-hour rule of Article 22?
Enemy aliens and persons arrested under preventive detention laws. Article 22 requires an arrested person to be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours, but these two groups are excluded from that safeguard.