Indian Polity & Governance – Indian Constitution: Features & Amendments
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) – Preliminary Examination
General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: Indian Polity & Governance
Sub-Topic: Indian Constitution – Features & Amendments
Indian Constitution – Features & Amendments – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. The Constitution of India was adopted on:
A. 26 January 1950
B. 15 August 1947
C. 26 November 1949
D. 2 October 1949
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949, while it came into force on 26 January 1950.
Q2. The Constitution of India is described as:
A. Rigid
B. Flexible
C. Neither rigid nor flexible
D. Completely rigid
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Indian Constitution is partly rigid and partly flexible, as some provisions can be amended by a simple majority, while others require special procedures.
Q3. Which feature of the Indian Constitution is borrowed from the British Constitution?
A. Fundamental Rights
B. Judicial Review
C. Parliamentary System
D. Federal System
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
India adopted the Parliamentary form of government from the British constitutional system.
Q4. The concept of Fundamental Rights in India is borrowed from:
A. Britain
B. USA
C. Canada
D. Ireland
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Bill of Rights in the US Constitution inspired the inclusion of Fundamental Rights in India.
Q5. Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights?
A. Part II
B. Part III
C. Part IV
D. Part V
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Part III (Articles 12–35) of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights.
Q6. Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Right?
A. Right to Equality
B. Right to Freedom
C. Right to Property
D. Right against Exploitation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Right to Property was removed as a Fundamental Right by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978.
Q7. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India as:
A. Sovereign only
B. Sovereign, Democratic Republic
C. Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
D. Socialist Republic
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The words Socialist and Secular were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Q8. Which amendment is known as the “Mini Constitution”?
A. 24th Amendment
B. 42nd Amendment
C. 44th Amendment
D. 52nd Amendment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 made extensive changes to the Constitution and is called the Mini Constitution.
Q9. Which feature ensures supremacy of the Constitution?
A. Federal system
B. Judicial Review
C. Parliamentary democracy
D. Bicameral legislature
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Judicial Review empowers courts to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution.
Q10. The Indian Constitution establishes:
A. Unitary State
B. Federal State with strong centre
C. Confederation
D. Loose federation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
India has a federal system with a strong central government, especially during emergencies.
Q11. Which amendment curtailed the power of Parliament to amend Fundamental Rights?
A. 24th Amendment
B. 42nd Amendment
C. 44th Amendment
D. 1st Amendment
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 restored certain democratic safeguards and limited parliamentary powers.
Q12. The procedure for amendment of the Constitution is provided under:
A. Article 352
B. Article 368
C. Article 370
D. Article 395
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Article 368 lays down the procedure for constitutional amendments.
Q13. Which amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years?
A. 61st Amendment
B. 44th Amendment
C. 52nd Amendment
D. 73rd Amendment
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988 reduced the voting age to 18 years.
Q14. The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy is borrowed from:
A. USA
B. Britain
C. Ireland
D. Canada
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
India borrowed the Directive Principles from the Irish Constitution.
Q15. Directive Principles are:
A. Justiciable
B. Enforceable by courts
C. Non-justiciable
D. Legally binding
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Directive Principles are non-justiciable, but they guide the State in policy-making.
Q16. Which amendment added Fundamental Duties?
A. 42nd Amendment
B. 44th Amendment
C. 52nd Amendment
D. 61st Amendment
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 inserted Part IVA – Fundamental Duties.
Q17. How many Fundamental Duties are there currently?
A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 9
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Initially 10 duties were added; the 86th Amendment Act, 2002 added the 11th duty.
Q18. The anti-defection law was introduced by:
A. 42nd Amendment
B. 44th Amendment
C. 52nd Amendment
D. 61st Amendment
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 added the Tenth Schedule, dealing with defection.
Q19. Which amendment strengthened Panchayati Raj institutions?
A. 73rd Amendment
B. 74th Amendment
C. 42nd Amendment
D. 44th Amendment
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Q20. The Indian Constitution derives its authority from:
A. British Parliament
B. Constituent Assembly
C. Indian Parliament
D. People of India
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Preamble begins with “We, the People of India”, signifying popular sovereignty.
Q21. Which feature reflects the democratic nature of the Constitution?
A. Nominated members
B. Universal adult franchise
C. Emergency provisions
D. Single citizenship
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Universal adult franchise ensures democratic participation of citizens.
Q22. The number of schedules in the Indian Constitution is:
A. 8
B. 10
C. 12
D. 14
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Currently, the Constitution has 12 Schedules.
Q23. Which amendment removed the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right?
A. 42nd
B. 44th
C. 52nd
D. 61st
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 shifted the Right to Property to Article 300A.
Q24. Single citizenship in India means:
A. Separate state citizenship
B. Dual citizenship
C. Only national citizenship
D. Citizenship based on region
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
India follows single citizenship, unlike countries like the USA.
Q25. Which amendment introduced GST?
A. 99th Amendment
B. 101st Amendment
C. 102nd Amendment
D. 103rd Amendment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Q26. Secularism in the Indian Constitution means:
A. State religion
B. Equal treatment of all religions
C. Promotion of one religion
D. Religion-based governance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Indian secularism ensures equal respect and protection to all religions.
Q27. Which amendment deals with cooperative societies?
A. 97th Amendment
B. 101st Amendment
C. 86th Amendment
D. 73rd Amendment
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The 97th Amendment Act, 2011 gave constitutional status to cooperative societies.
Q28. Which feature ensures unity and integrity of India?
A. Federalism
B. Single citizenship
C. Judicial review
D. Bicameralism
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Single citizenship promotes national unity and integration.
Q29. The lengthiest written constitution in the world is:
A. US Constitution
B. UK Constitution
C. Indian Constitution
D. French Constitution
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution, due to detailed provisions.
Q30. Constitutional amendments in India aim to:
A. Change the basic structure
B. Destroy federalism
C. Adapt the Constitution to changing needs
D. Limit democracy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Amendments allow the Constitution to remain dynamic and relevant while preserving its core values.
✅ APSC Prelims Smart Tip
For Indian Constitution – Features & Amendments, focus on:
- Borrowed features
- Important amendment Acts
- Articles & Parts
- Difference between FRs, DPSPs & Duties
-
Indian Constitution features MCQs APSC
-
Constitutional amendments MCQs for APSC
-
APSC polity MCQs with explanations
-
Indian Constitution objective questions
-
APSC GS Paper I polity practice
-
Fundamental Rights amendments MCQs
-
Constitution of India prelims questions
