Fundamental Rights and Duties MCQs with Answers | Important Questions with Detailed Explanations for UPSC, SSC & PSC
Fundamental Rights and Duties MCQs with Answers
These 30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are designed for UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL/CHSL, Banking, Railways, State PSC, CDS, NDA, CAPF, CUET, and other competitive examinations in India. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation to strengthen conceptual understanding of Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties under the Constitution of India.
1. Fundamental Rights in the Constitution of India are contained in:
A. Part II
B. Part III
C. Part IV
D. Part IVA
✅ Answer: B. Part III
Explanation:
Fundamental Rights are enshrined in Part III (Articles 12–35) of the Constitution.
- A. Part II deals with Citizenship.
- B. Correct.
- C. Part IV contains Directive Principles of State Policy.
- D. Part IVA contains Fundamental Duties.
2. Which Article defines the term “State” for the purpose of Fundamental Rights?
A. Article 11
B. Article 12
C. Article 13
D. Article 14
✅ Answer: B. Article 12
Explanation:
Article 12 defines “State” to include the Government, Parliament, State Legislatures, local authorities, and other authorities within the territory of India.
3. Which Article declares laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights as void?
A. Article 12
B. Article 13
C. Article 14
D. Article 15
✅ Answer: B. Article 13
Explanation:
Article 13 ensures that any law violating Fundamental Rights is void to the extent of the inconsistency.
4. Equality before Law is guaranteed under:
A. Article 13
B. Article 14
C. Article 15
D. Article 16
✅ Answer: B. Article 14
Explanation:
Article 14 guarantees Equality before Law and Equal Protection of Laws.
5. Which Article prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?
A. Article 14
B. Article 15
C. Article 16
D. Article 17
✅ Answer: B. Article 15
Explanation:
Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds while allowing special provisions for women, children, and socially and educationally backward classes.
6. Equality of opportunity in public employment is guaranteed under:
A. Article 15
B. Article 16
C. Article 17
D. Article 18
✅ Answer: B. Article 16
Explanation:
Article 16 ensures equal opportunity in matters of public employment.
7. Untouchability is abolished under:
A. Article 15
B. Article 16
C. Article 17
D. Article 18
✅ Answer: C. Article 17
Explanation:
Article 17 abolishes untouchability and prohibits its practice in any form.
8. Which Article abolishes titles except military and academic distinctions?
A. Article 17
B. Article 18
C. Article 19
D. Article 20
✅ Answer: B. Article 18
Explanation:
Article 18 abolishes titles that create social distinctions, while permitting military and academic honors.
9. Freedom of Speech and Expression is guaranteed under:
A. Article 18
B. Article 19(1)(a)
C. Article 20
D. Article 21
✅ Answer: B. Article 19(1)(a)
Explanation:
Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression, subject to reasonable restrictions.
10. Which of the following is not one of the six freedoms under Article 19?
A. Freedom of Speech
B. Freedom of Religion
C. Freedom to Assemble
D. Freedom to Form Associations
✅ Answer: B. Freedom of Religion
Explanation:
Freedom of Religion is covered under Articles 25–28, not Article 19.
11. Protection against ex post facto laws is provided under:
A. Article 19
B. Article 20
C. Article 21
D. Article 22
✅ Answer: B. Article 20
Explanation:
Article 20 protects individuals against ex post facto laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.
12. Right to Life and Personal Liberty is guaranteed under:
A. Article 20
B. Article 21
C. Article 22
D. Article 23
✅ Answer: B. Article 21
Explanation:
Article 21 has been broadly interpreted to include rights such as privacy, dignity, clean environment, and legal aid.
13. Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention is provided under:
A. Article 21
B. Article 22
C. Article 23
D. Article 24
✅ Answer: B. Article 22
Explanation:
Article 22 provides safeguards relating to arrest and detention, including the right to be informed of the grounds of arrest and to consult a lawyer.
14. Which Article prohibits human trafficking and forced labour?
A. Article 22
B. Article 23
C. Article 24
D. Article 25
✅ Answer: B. Article 23
Explanation:
Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings, begar, and other forms of forced labour.
15. Employment of children below 14 years in hazardous occupations is prohibited under:
A. Article 23
B. Article 24
C. Article 25
D. Article 26
✅ Answer: B. Article 24
Explanation:
Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, and hazardous occupations.
16. Freedom of Religion is guaranteed under Articles:
A. 19–22
B. 23–24
C. 25–28
D. 29–30
✅ Answer: C. Articles 25–28
Explanation:
These Articles ensure freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
17. Cultural and Educational Rights are contained in:
A. Articles 25–28
B. Articles 29–30
C. Articles 31–32
D. Articles 33–35
✅ Answer: B. Articles 29–30
Explanation:
Articles 29 and 30 protect the interests of minorities by safeguarding their language, script, culture, and educational institutions.
18. Which Article is known as the “Heart and Soul of the Constitution”?
A. Article 21
B. Article 25
C. Article 32
D. Article 226
✅ Answer: C. Article 32
Explanation:
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar described Article 32 as the “Heart and Soul of the Constitution” because it guarantees the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
19. Which writ directs a public authority to perform its legal duty?
A. Habeas Corpus
B. Mandamus
C. Certiorari
D. Quo Warranto
✅ Answer: B. Mandamus
Explanation:
Mandamus is issued by courts to compel a public authority to perform a statutory or public duty.
20. Which writ is issued to release a person from unlawful detention?
A. Habeas Corpus
B. Prohibition
C. Mandamus
D. Certiorari
✅ Answer: A. Habeas Corpus
Explanation:
Habeas Corpus literally means “produce the body” and protects individual liberty against illegal detention.
21. Fundamental Duties were added by the:
A. 24th Amendment
B. 42nd Amendment
C. 44th Amendment
D. 61st Amendment
✅ Answer: B. 42nd Amendment
Explanation:
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 inserted Part IVA, introducing Fundamental Duties.
22. Fundamental Duties are contained in:
A. Part III
B. Part IV
C. Part IVA
D. Part V
✅ Answer: C. Part IVA
Explanation:
Fundamental Duties are listed under Article 51A in Part IVA.
23. At present, the Constitution contains:
A. 10 Fundamental Duties
B. 11 Fundamental Duties
C. 12 Fundamental Duties
D. 13 Fundamental Duties
✅ Answer: B. 11 Fundamental Duties
Explanation:
The 11th duty was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
24. Which Fundamental Duty was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment?
A. Respect the National Flag
B. Protect Public Property
C. Provide educational opportunities to children aged 6–14 years
D. Develop scientific temper
✅ Answer: C. Provide educational opportunities to children aged 6–14 years
Explanation:
Parents or guardians must provide opportunities for education to children between 6 and 14 years of age.
25. Which of the following is not a Fundamental Duty?
A. Protect the environment
B. Develop scientific temper
C. Vote in every election
D. Safeguard public property
✅ Answer: C. Vote in every election
Explanation:
Voting is an important democratic responsibility but is not listed as a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A.
26. Which Fundamental Duty requires citizens to preserve India’s rich heritage?
A. Protect public property
B. Value and preserve the rich heritage of composite culture
C. Defend the country
D. Develop scientific temper
✅ Answer: B. Value and preserve the rich heritage of composite culture
Explanation:
Article 51A(f) requires every citizen to preserve India’s cultural heritage.
27. Which Fundamental Duty promotes environmental protection?
A. Article 51A(e)
B. Article 51A(f)
C. Article 51A(g)
D. Article 51A(h)
✅ Answer: C. Article 51A(g)
Explanation:
Citizens must protect forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and the natural environment.
28. Which of the following Rights was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights?
A. Right to Equality
B. Right to Constitutional Remedies
C. Right to Property
D. Right to Freedom
✅ Answer: C. Right to Property
Explanation:
The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 removed the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right. It is now a legal right under Article 300A.
29. Which Fundamental Right is available to both citizens and non-citizens?
A. Freedom of Speech
B. Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment
C. Equality before Law
D. Freedom to Form Associations
✅ Answer: C. Equality before Law
Explanation:
Article 14 applies to all persons, including citizens and non-citizens, whereas several rights under Article 19 are available only to citizens.
30. Which statement is correct regarding Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties?
A. Both are enforceable by courts.
B. Only Fundamental Duties are enforceable.
C. Fundamental Rights are enforceable by courts, while Fundamental Duties are generally non-justiciable.
D. Neither is recognized by the Constitution.
✅ Answer: C. Fundamental Rights are enforceable by courts, while Fundamental Duties are generally non-justiciable.
Explanation:
Fundamental Rights are legally enforceable through the courts under Articles 32 and 226. Fundamental Duties, although constitutionally significant, are generally non-justiciable, meaning they cannot ordinarily be enforced through legal action unless supported by specific legislation.
- A. Incorrect. Duties are generally not enforceable.
- B. Incorrect. Rights are enforceable.
- C. Correct.
- D. Incorrect. Both are constitutional provisions.
Quick Revision Facts
- Fundamental Rights – Part III (Articles 12–35)
- Fundamental Duties – Part IVA (Article 51A)
- Equality before Law – Article 14
- No Discrimination – Article 15
- Equal Opportunity – Article 16
- Abolition of Untouchability – Article 17
- Abolition of Titles – Article 18
- Freedom of Speech – Article 19(1)(a)
- Protection in Criminal Cases – Article 20
- Right to Life – Article 21
- Protection against Arrest – Article 22
- Prohibition of Human Trafficking – Article 23
- Prohibition of Child Labour (Hazardous Work) – Article 24
- Freedom of Religion – Articles 25–28
- Cultural & Educational Rights – Articles 29–30
- Right to Constitutional Remedies – Article 32
- Article 32 – “Heart and Soul of the Constitution”
- Fundamental Duties Added – 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976)
- Total Fundamental Duties – 11
- Right to Property – Legal Right under Article 300A
These 30 MCQs comprehensively cover Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Writs, Constitutional Articles, Equality, Freedom, Religious Rights, Cultural Rights, Constitutional Remedies, and key constitutional amendments, making them highly valuable for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, State PSC, CDS, NDA, CAPF, and other competitive examinations in India.
