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PYQs β€” Salient Features

πŸ“‹ Chapter 03 Β· Previous Year Questions

Salient Features β€” Previous Year Questions

10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on Salient Features of the Constitution.

πŸ’‘ Tip: Previous year questions reveal the exact pattern and difficulty level of exams. Study these carefully.
πŸ“‹ 10 Previous Year Questions
UPSC Prelims2019MCQ
Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?
A) If there are more laws, there is less liberty
B) If there are no laws, there is no liberty
C) If there is liberty, laws have to be made by liberty
D) Laws and liberty are antagonistic to each other

βœ… Answer: B) If there are no laws, there is no libertyLiberty without law leads to anarchy. Laws are necessary to protect liberty. The Indian Constitution guarantees liberty through Fundamental Rights but also allows reasonable restrictions through law. This reflects the proper relationship between law and liberty.

UPSC Prelims2018MCQ
Consider the following statements about the Indian Constitution:
1. It is the lengthiest written constitution in the world.
2. It borrowed the most features from the US Constitution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2

βœ… Answer: A) 1 onlyStatement 1 is correct β€” the Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written constitution in the world. Statement 2 is incorrect β€” the largest single source is the Government of India Act, 1935, not the US Constitution. The US Constitution contributed Fundamental Rights and Judicial Review.

APPSC Group 12019MCQ
The Parliamentary system of government in India was borrowed from:
A) United Kingdom
B) United States of America
C) Ireland
D) Canada

βœ… Answer: A) United KingdomThe Parliamentary system of government (Westminster model) was borrowed from the United Kingdom. Features like the Cabinet system, collective responsibility, Prime Minister as head of government, and the role of the Speaker were all borrowed from the British system.

TGPSC Group 22020MCQ
In India, the residuary powers of legislation are vested in:
A) Parliament
B) State Legislatures
C) Both Parliament and State Legislatures
D) The Supreme Court

βœ… Answer: A) ParliamentIn India, residuary powers (powers not mentioned in any of the three lists) are vested in Parliament (the Union). This is a unitary feature borrowed from Canada. In the USA, residuary powers are with the States.

UPSC Prelims2016MCQ
The concept of “Judicial Review” in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from:
A) USA
B) UK
C) Ireland
D) Australia

βœ… Answer: A) USAThe concept of Judicial Review was borrowed from the USA. In India, the Supreme Court can declare any law passed by Parliament or State Legislatures as unconstitutional if it violates the Constitution. This power is derived from Articles 13, 32, and 226.

APPSC Group 22017MCQ
How many Fundamental Rights are currently guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?
A) 7
B) 6
C) 8
D) 5

βœ… Answer: B) 6Currently there are 6 Fundamental Rights. Originally there were 7, but the Right to Property (Article 31) was removed by the 44th Amendment (1978) and made a legal right under Article 300A. The 6 remaining rights are: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right Against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

UPSC Prelims2021MCQ
The feature of “Concurrent List” in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from:
A) USA
B) Canada
C) Australia
D) Ireland

βœ… Answer: C) AustraliaThe Concurrent List (List III of the 7th Schedule) was borrowed from the Australian Constitution. Both the Centre and States can legislate on subjects in the Concurrent List. In case of conflict, the Central law prevails.

TGPSC Group 12018MCQ
Which of the following is NOT a federal feature of the Indian Constitution?
A) Written Constitution
B) Division of powers between Centre and States
C) Independent Judiciary
D) Single citizenship

βœ… Answer: D) Single citizenshipSingle citizenship is a UNITARY feature, not a federal feature. In a true federal system like the USA, citizens have dual citizenship (national and state). India has single citizenship β€” all Indians are citizens of India only, regardless of which state they live in.

APPSC Group 12022MCQ
The suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency was borrowed from which country’s constitution?
A) USA
B) UK
C) Germany (Weimar Constitution)
D) France

βœ… Answer: C) Germany (Weimar Constitution)The provision for suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency was borrowed from the Weimar Constitution of Germany. During a National Emergency (Article 352), Fundamental Rights under Articles 19 can be suspended. Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during Emergency (44th Amendment).

UPSC Prelims2020MCQ
K.C. Wheare described the Indian Constitution as:
A) Federal in form but unitary in spirit
B) Quasi-federal
C) Cooperative federalism
D) Bargaining federalism

βœ… Answer: B) Quasi-federalK.C. Wheare described the Indian Constitution as “quasi-federal.” Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called it “federal in form but unitary in spirit.” Granville Austin called it “cooperative federalism.” Morris Jones called it “bargaining federalism.”