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 61–70 of 96 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q61. Consider the following statements regarding Article 15: Statement I: Article 15(1) strictly prohibits any form of discrimination on the ground of sex. Statement II: Article 15(3) allows the State to make special provisions for women and children, superseding the strict prohibition of Article 15(1). Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Article 15(1) prohibits discrimination on the ground of sex, so Statement I is correct. Article 15(3) lets the State make special provisions for women and children, so Statement II is correct as well.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q62. The writ of Mandamus cannot be issued against which of the following?
Explanation
Mandamus is a writ issued to command a public authority to perform a legal duty. However, it cannot be issued against the President of India or State Governors for the exercise of their official powers. It is also not available against private individuals, the Chief Justice of a High Court acting in a judicial capacity, or to enforce departmental instructions.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q63. Match the categories in List I with the specific fundamental rights in List II and select the correct answer using the options given below:
Overarching Category
Specific Fundamental Right
A. Right to Equality
i. Prohibition of employment of children in factories
B. Right to Freedom
ii. Abolition of untouchability
C. Right against Exploitation
iii. Freedom to manage religious affairs
D. Right to Freedom of Religion
iv. Protection in respect of conviction for offences
Explanation
Fundamental Rights are grouped into categories. The Right to Equality includes the abolition of untouchability (Article 17). The Right to Freedom includes protection in respect of conviction for offences (Article 20). The Right against Exploitation covers the prohibition of child labor in factories (Article 24). Finally, the Right to Freedom of Religion includes the freedom to manage religious affairs (Article 26).
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q64. Which of the following statements about Article 16(4A) is correct?
Explanation
Article 16(4A) was added by the 77th Amendment Act, 1995, and further modified by the 85th Amendment. It empowers the State to provide for reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favor of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes which are not adequately represented in state services.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q65. Consider the following statements about Article 30: I. It limits the right to establish educational institutions only to religious minorities. II. The right includes the right to administer the institution. III. The State cannot acquire the property of a minority educational institution under any circumstance. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Article 30 applies to both religious and linguistic minorities. The right includes both establishment and administration. One statement is incorrect because the State can acquire the property of a minority educational institution, provided it pays an amount that does not abridge or abrogate the right guaranteed under the article. Thus, minority property is not completely immune from state acquisition.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q66. The writ of Habeas Corpus can be issued in all of the following cases EXCEPT:
Explanation
Habeas Corpus is a remedy for unlawful detention. However, it cannot be issued if the detention is lawful, or if the proceeding is for contempt of a legislature or a court. It is also not applicable when detention is by a competent court or when the detention is outside the territorial jurisdiction of the High Court or Supreme Court concerned.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q67. The principle of double jeopardy under Article 20(2) means:
Explanation
The principle of double jeopardy, found in Article 20(2), protects a person from being prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once. This protection is available only in proceedings before a court of law or a judicial tribunal. It does not prevent departmental or administrative inquiries from taking place in addition to criminal prosecution for the same act.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q68. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the grounds on which discrimination is explicitly prohibited by the respective Articles:
Explanation
Article 15 lists religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, Article 16 adds descent and residence and Article 29(2) lists religion, race, caste and language. Article 25 does not mention caste or wealth in this way, so D is the incorrect pair.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q69. A group of citizens wants to form an association but the State passes a law banning the formation of all associations that discuss government policies. Under which fundamental right can the citizens challenge this law?
Explanation
Article 19(1)(c) guarantees all citizens the right to form associations or unions or co-operative societies. A law that bans associations simply for discussing government policies would be a significant infringement on this right. While the State can impose reasonable restrictions on grounds like public order or morality, a blanket ban on political discussion within associations would likely be unconstitutional.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Fundamental Rights
Q70. The following question consists of two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer using the options given below: Assertion (A): Article 14 forbids class legislation but permits reasonable classification of persons, objects, and transactions by the law. Reason (R): For a classification to be reasonable, it must be based on intelligible differentia which has a rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved by the statute.
Explanation
Article 14 prohibits arbitrary class legislation but allows for reasonable classification. For a classification to be valid, it must satisfy two conditions: it must be based on an intelligible differentia and there must be a rational nexus between the differentia and the object of the law. Reason R correctly explains the legal test used to determine if a classification is constitutional.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
61
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
62
(a) The President of India
63
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
64
(d) It allows reservation in promotions for SC and ST categories.
65
(a) II only
66
(b) When the detention is for contempt of a legislature or a court
67
(b) No person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once.
68
(d) Article 25 - Religion, race, caste, wealth
69
(b) Article 19(1)(c)
70
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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.
