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Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “Freedom of Speech and Expression in Indian Democracy”
1. Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech and expression?
- a) Article 19
- b) Article 21
- c) Article 32
- d) Article 48
Answer: a) Article 19
2. Which of the following is a reasonable restriction on the freedom of speech and expression in India?
- a) Public order
- b) Right to property
- c) Economic interests
- d) Right to privacy
Answer: a) Public order
3. In which landmark case did the Supreme Court of India first elaborate on the scope of freedom of speech and expression?
- a) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
- b) A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
- c) Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras
- d) Minerva Mills v. Union of India
Answer: c) Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras
4. Which of the following is not a restriction imposed on freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution?
- a) Sovereignty and integrity of India
- b) Friendly relations with foreign states
- c) Contempt of court
- d) Promotion of social justice
Answer: d) Promotion of social justice
5. Which of the following acts is often cited in discussions about freedom of speech and expression in India?
- a) The Information Technology Act, 2000
- b) The Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002
- c) The National Security Act, 1980
- d) The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958
Answer: a) The Information Technology Act, 2000
6. Which of the following freedoms is not directly guaranteed under Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution?
- a) Freedom of speech and expression
- b) Freedom to assemble peacefully
- c) Freedom to form associations
- d) Freedom from self-incrimination
Answer: d) Freedom from self-incrimination
7. Which constitutional amendment allowed the imposition of reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression?
- a) 42nd Amendment
- b) 44th Amendment
- c) 73rd Amendment
- d) 86th Amendment
Answer: a) 42nd Amendment
8. Which Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, before it was struck down?
- a) Shreya Singhal v. Union of India
- b) K.A. Abbas v. Union of India
- c) Indian Express Newspapers v. Union of India
- d) Prakash Jha Productions v. Union of India
Answer: a) Shreya Singhal v. Union of India
9. What is the primary purpose of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005?
- a) To ensure transparency and accountability in government
- b) To protect national security
- c) To regulate media ownership
- d) To safeguard individual privacy
Answer: a) To ensure transparency and accountability in government
10. Which of the following is a key case related to the issue of sedition and freedom of speech in India?
- a) Kedar Nath Singh v. State of Bihar
- b) R. v. M. R. S. A.
- c) S. R. Bommai v. Union of India
- d) Union of India v. J. P. Sharma
Answer: a) Kedar Nath Singh v. State of Bihar
11. Which Article in the Indian Constitution protects freedom of speech and expression for members of Parliament and State Legislatures?
- a) Article 105
- b) Article 19
- c) Article 21
- d) Article 16
Answer: a) Article 105
12. Which of the following is a recognized form of freedom of speech and expression?
- a) Spoken words
- b) Written communication
- c) Art and performances
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
13. Which law provides for penalties for defamation in India?
- a) The Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- b) The National Security Act (NSA)
- c) The Information Technology Act (ITA)
- d) The Contempt of Court Act
Answer: a) The Indian Penal Code (IPC)
14. Which Supreme Court judgment is significant in defining the boundaries of “obscenity” under the freedom of speech and expression?
- a) Ranjit D. Udeshi v. State of Maharashtra
- b) A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
- c) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
- d) Indian Express Newspapers v. Union of India
Answer: a) Ranjit D. Udeshi v. State of Maharashtra
15. Which body is empowered to issue guidelines to regulate content on social media platforms in India?
- a) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- b) Reserve Bank of India
- c) Election Commission of India
- d) Supreme Court of India
Answer: a) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
16. Which of the following acts is designed to protect journalists and media personnel in India?
- a) The Press Council Act, 1978
- b) The Information Technology Act, 2000
- c) The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
- d) The National Security Act, 1980
Answer: a) The Press Council Act, 1978
17. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the right to freedom of speech includes the right to silence?
- a) Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India
- b) Stanley v. Georgia
- c) A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
- d) N. R. Nair v. Union of India
Answer: b) Stanley v. Georgia
18. What kind of expression is not protected under Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution?
- a) Political speech
- b) Commercial speech
- c) Hate speech
- d) Academic speech
Answer: c) Hate speech
19. Which of the following statements is true about the limitations on freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(2)?
- a) Limitations must be prescribed by law
- b) Limitations can be arbitrary
- c) Limitations do not require justification
- d) Limitations are not applicable to freedom of the press
Answer: a) Limitations must be prescribed by law
20. Which landmark case expanded the scope of freedom of speech to include the right to receive information?
- a) Indian Express Newspapers v. Union of India
- b) S. R. Bommai v. Union of India
- c) State of Karnataka v. A. B. M. D. A.
- d) Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
Answer: a) Indian Express Newspapers v. Union of India
21. Which Supreme Court case affirmed that freedom of speech includes the right to broadcast and receive information through electronic media?
- a) Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting v. Cricket Association of Bengal
- b) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
- c) R. v. M. R. S. A.
- d) M. S. K. v. State of Tamil Nadu
Answer: a) Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting v. Cricket Association of Bengal
22. Which principle is used by courts to determine whether restrictions on freedom of speech and expression are valid?
- a) Principle of proportionality
- b) Principle of legality
- c) Principle of equality
- d) Principle of necessity
Answer: a) Principle of proportionality
23. Which law criminalizes the act of publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form?
- a) The Information Technology Act, 2000
- b) The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- c) The National Security Act, 1980
- d) The Press Council Act, 1978
Answer: a) The Information Technology Act, 2000
24. Which of the following acts relates to the protection of journalists’ sources and confidential information?
- a) The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
- b) The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867
- c) The Official Secrets Act, 1923
- d) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Answer: d) The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
25. Which Article of the Indian Constitution is concerned with the freedom of speech and expression of public servants in their official capacity?
- a) Article 105
- b) Article 19
- c) Article 21
- d) Article 32
Answer: a) Article 105
26. What is the role of the Press Council of India?
- a) To regulate media content
- b) To provide guidelines for ethical journalism
- c) To censor content
- d) To oversee media ownership
Answer: b) To provide guidelines for ethical journalism
27. Which Indian law deals with the regulation of obscene material and pornography?
- a) The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- b) The Information Technology Act, 2000
- c) The Cinematograph Act, 1952
- d) The Official Secrets Act, 1923
Answer: b) The Information Technology Act, 2000
28. Which legal principle ensures that restrictions on freedom of speech must be reasonable and not excessive?
- a) Doctrine of proportionality
- b) Doctrine of severability
- c) Doctrine of reasonable expectation
- d) Doctrine of necessity
Answer: a) Doctrine of proportionality
29. In which landmark judgment did the Supreme Court hold that the right to privacy is an integral part of the right to freedom of speech and expression?
- a) Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India
- b) K. A. Abbas v. Union of India
- c) Minerva Mills v. Union of India
- d) S. R. Bommai v. Union of India
Answer: a) Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India
30. What kind of expression does the Indian Constitution explicitly protect as a part of the freedom of speech and expression?
- a) Hate speech
- b) Commercial speech
- c) Political speech
- d) Speech inciting violence
Answer: c) Political speech
These MCQs cover a range of aspects related to freedom of speech and expression in India, including constitutional provisions, legal precedents, and various restrictions and protections.
