📝 Chapter 05 · Practice MCQs
Fundamental Rights — 10 Practice MCQs
Test your knowledge with exam-standard MCQs on Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35).
💡 How to Use: Read each question carefully and choose your answer before reading the explanation.
📝 10 MCQs — Fundamental Rights
Question 01
Which article of the Indian Constitution was called the “heart and soul of the Constitution” by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?
A) Article 14
B) Article 19
C) Article 32
D) Article 21
✅ Answer: C) Article 32Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) the “heart and soul of the Constitution.” This article gives citizens the right to approach the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of Fundamental Rights through writs.
Question 02
Which writ is issued to release a person who has been unlawfully detained?
A) Habeas Corpus
B) Mandamus
C) Certiorari
D) Quo Warranto
✅ Answer: A) Habeas CorpusHabeas Corpus means “you may have the body.” It is issued to release a person who has been unlawfully detained or imprisoned. The court orders the detaining authority to produce the person before it and justify the detention.
Question 03
Which of the following Fundamental Rights CANNOT be suspended even during a National Emergency?
A) Article 19 and Article 21
B) Article 14 and Article 19
C) Article 20 and Article 21
D) Article 32 and Article 19
✅ Answer: C) Article 20 and Article 21Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency. This protection was added by the 44th Amendment (1978). Article 19 freedoms can be suspended during National Emergency. Article 32 can be suspended under Article 359.
Question 04
The Right to Privacy was declared a Fundamental Right under Article 21 by the Supreme Court in which case?
A) Maneka Gandhi case (1978)
B) Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
C) Justice K.S. Puttaswamy case (2017)
D) Indra Sawhney case (1992)
✅ Answer: C) Justice K.S. Puttaswamy case (2017)In the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case (2017), a 9-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that the Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Question 05
Article 21A of the Indian Constitution provides for:
A) Right to life and personal liberty
B) Right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years
C) Right to work
D) Right to information
✅ Answer: B) Right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 yearsArticle 21A was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. It provides for the right to free and compulsory education for all children between 6 and 14 years of age. The Right to Education Act, 2009 was enacted to implement this right.
Question 06
Which article of the Indian Constitution prohibits employment of children below 14 years in hazardous occupations?
A) Article 23
B) Article 24
C) Article 25
D) Article 21A
✅ Answer: B) Article 24Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years of age in any factory, mine, or other hazardous employment. This is a Fundamental Right available to all persons, not just citizens.
Question 07
The Maneka Gandhi case (1978) is related to which Fundamental Right?
A) Right to Equality (Article 14)
B) Right to Freedom of Speech (Article 19)
C) Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21)
D) Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
✅ Answer: C) Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21)The Maneka Gandhi case (1978) expanded the scope of Article 21. The Supreme Court held that “procedure established by law” must be fair, just, and reasonable — not arbitrary or oppressive. This brought Article 21 closer to the American concept of “due process of law.”
Question 08
Which writ is issued to inquire into the legality of a person’s claim to a public office?
A) Habeas Corpus
B) Mandamus
C) Certiorari
D) Quo Warranto
✅ Answer: D) Quo WarrantoQuo Warranto means “by what authority.” It is issued to inquire into the legality of a person’s claim to a public office. If the person is found to be holding the office without legal authority, the court can remove them from the office.
Question 09
The total reservation cap of 50% was established by the Supreme Court in which case?
A) Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
B) Golaknath case (1967)
C) Indra Sawhney case (1992)
D) Maneka Gandhi case (1978)
✅ Answer: C) Indra Sawhney case (1992)In the Indra Sawhney v. Union of India case (1992), also known as the Mandal case, the Supreme Court upheld 27% OBC reservation but capped total reservation at 50%. The court also introduced the “creamy layer” concept for OBCs.
Question 10
Which of the following is NOT a ground for restriction on freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(2)?
A) Security of the State
B) Contempt of court
C) Economic interests of the State
D) Defamation
✅ Answer: C) Economic interests of the StateThe grounds for restriction on freedom of speech under Article 19(2) are: sovereignty and integrity of India, security of State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, and incitement to offence. “Economic interests of the State” is NOT a ground.