MCQs on DPSP of Indian Constitution

By /
Score: 0 / 50
Attempted: 0
Remaining: 50
Correct: 0
Wrong: 0

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are mentioned in which Part of the Indian Constitution?

  • Part IV
  • Part III
  • Part IVA
  • Part V
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy are enumerated in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, covering Articles 36 to 51.

The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy was borrowed from the Constitution of which country?

  • Ireland
  • USA
  • USSR
  • Australia
Explanation: The framers of the Constitution borrowed the idea of DPSP from the Irish Constitution of 1937, which had copied it from the Spanish Constitution.

Who described the Directive Principles as the “Novel Features” of the Indian Constitution?

  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • K.T. Shah
  • Granville Austin
Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described these principles as ‘novel features’ of the Indian Constitution, as they provide a comprehensive socio-economic program for a modern democratic State.

Article 37 of the Indian Constitution states that the Directive Principles are:

  • Non-justiciable but fundamental in the governance of the country
  • Justiciable and enforceable by the Supreme Court
  • Binding only on the Central Government
  • Subordinate to Fundamental Duties
Explanation: Article 37 makes it clear that DPSPs are non-justiciable (not legally enforceable by courts) but are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country.

Which Directive Principle directs the State to organize Village Panchayats?

  • Article 40
  • Article 44
  • Article 39A
  • Article 50
Explanation: Article 40 is a Gandhian principle that directs the State to organize village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to function as units of self-government.

The provision for a “Uniform Civil Code” for the citizens throughout the territory of India is found in:

  • Article 44
  • Article 45
  • Article 48
  • Article 49
Explanation: Article 44, a Liberal-Intellectual principle, directs the State to endeavor to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the territory of India.

Which Constitutional Amendment Act added the Directive Principle regarding ‘Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid’ (Article 39A)?

  • 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
  • 44th Amendment Act, 1978
  • 86th Amendment Act, 2002
  • 97th Amendment Act, 2011
Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added four new Directive Principles, including Article 39A (Free legal aid to the poor).

Who remarked that the Directive Principles are like “a cheque on a bank, payable only when the resources of the bank permit”?

  • K.T. Shah
  • Ivor Jennings
  • K.C. Wheare
  • B.N. Rau
Explanation: Prof. K.T. Shah criticized the non-justiciable nature of DPSPs by comparing them to a cheque on a bank payable only when the resources of the bank permit.

Which article of the DPSP deals with the separation of the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State?

  • Article 50
  • Article 51
  • Article 49
  • Article 46
Explanation: Article 50 (Liberal-Intellectual Principle) directs the State to take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.

Article 51 of the Indian Constitution relates to:

  • Promotion of international peace and security
  • Protection of monuments of national importance
  • Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry
  • Provision for free and compulsory education for children
Explanation: Article 51 directs the State to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

The primary objective of the Directive Principles of State Policy is to establish:

  • A Welfare State
  • A Capitalist State
  • A Police State
  • A Communist State
Explanation: The DPSPs aim to establish a ‘Welfare State’ by promoting social and economic democracy, as opposed to a mere ‘Police State’ which existed during the colonial era.

Which Directive Principle was added by the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011?

  • Promotion of Co-operative Societies (Article 43B)
  • Protection of Environment and Wildlife (Article 48A)
  • Minimizing inequalities in income (Article 38)
  • Early childhood care and education (Article 45)
Explanation: The 97th Amendment Act (2011) inserted a new Article 43B, which requires the State to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of co-operative societies.

Which DPSP article directs the State to secure “Equal pay for equal work for both men and women”?

  • Article 39(d)
  • Article 41
  • Article 42
  • Article 43
Explanation: Article 39(d) specifically directs the State to secure that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

In which landmark case did the Supreme Court rule that “the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles”?

  • Minerva Mills Case (1980)
  • Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
  • Champakam Dorairajan Case (1951)
  • Golaknath Case (1967)
Explanation: In the Minerva Mills Case (1980), the Supreme Court held that the harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs is an essential feature of the basic structure of the Constitution.

Under Article 41, the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity, make effective provision for securing the right to:

  • Work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases
  • Just and humane conditions of work
  • A living wage for workers
  • Free legal aid to the poor
Explanation: Article 41 directs the State to secure the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.

Which article deals with the provision for ‘Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief’?

  • Article 42
  • Article 41
  • Article 43
  • Article 39
Explanation: Article 42 directs the State to make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.

The ‘Instrument of Instructions’ issued to the Governor-General under the Government of India Act, 1935 is incorporated in the Indian Constitution as:

  • Directive Principles of State Policy
  • Fundamental Rights
  • Fundamental Duties
  • Emergency Provisions
Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar pointed out that the Directive Principles are merely another name for the ‘Instrument of Instructions’ issued to the Governor-General and Governors under the GoI Act, 1935.

Which Directive Principle states that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment?

  • Article 39(c)
  • Article 38(1)
  • Article 39(b)
  • Article 43
Explanation: Article 39(c) is a core Socialist principle aimed at preventing the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment.

The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 changed the subject matter of which Directive Principle?

  • Article 45
  • Article 46
  • Article 47
  • Article 48
Explanation: The 86th Amendment Act changed the subject matter of Article 45 from ‘free and compulsory education for all children until 14 years’ to ‘early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years’, while making education a Fundamental Right under Article 21A.

Which article deals with the promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections?

  • Article 46
  • Article 45
  • Article 47
  • Article 48
Explanation: Article 46 is a Gandhian principle directing the State to promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections, and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation.

Under the classification of Directive Principles, which of the following is considered a ‘Gandhian Principle’?

  • To prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs (Article 47)
  • To secure a Uniform Civil Code (Article 44)
  • To protect and improve the environment (Article 48A)
  • To promote international peace and security (Article 51)
Explanation: Prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs (Article 47) is based on Gandhian ideology, aiming to fulfill the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi.

Which article directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, and prohibit the slaughter of cows?

  • Article 48
  • Article 48A
  • Article 47
  • Article 49
Explanation: Article 48 directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern lines and to prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch and draught cattle.

The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act (1978) added a provision directing the State to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities. Which Article contains this?

  • Article 38(2)
  • Article 39A
  • Article 43A
  • Article 48A
Explanation: The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 inserted clause (2) in Article 38, requiring the State to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities among individuals and groups.

Which DPSP mandates the State to protect every monument or place of artistic or historic interest declared to be of national importance?

  • Article 49
  • Article 50
  • Article 51
  • Article 48A
Explanation: Article 49 makes it an obligation of the State to protect monuments, places, and objects of artistic or historic interest declared to be of national importance.

Who described the Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights as the “Conscience of the Constitution”?

  • Granville Austin
  • B.R. Ambedkar
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • K.C. Wheare
Explanation: Granville Austin, an American historian, described the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles together as the ‘Conscience of the Constitution’.

Article 43A, dealing with the participation of workers in the management of industries, was added by which Amendment?

  • 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
  • 44th Amendment Act, 1978
  • 86th Amendment Act, 2002
  • 97th Amendment Act, 2011
Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act added Article 43A to ensure the participation of workers in the management of industries, falling under Socialist principles.

In the event of a conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, which case originally established that Fundamental Rights would prevail?

  • State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951)
  • Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967)
  • Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
  • Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)
Explanation: In the Champakam Dorairajan case (1951), the Supreme Court ruled that in case of any conflict between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs, the Fundamental Rights would prevail.

Which article defines the term ‘State’ for the purposes of Part IV of the Constitution?

  • Article 36
  • Article 37
  • Article 12
  • Article 13
Explanation: Article 36 states that the term ‘State’ in Part IV has the same meaning as in Part III (Fundamental Rights), unless the context otherwise requires (which is defined in Article 12).

According to Article 47, the State shall regard which of the following as among its primary duties?

  • Raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health
  • Providing free legal aid
  • Protecting monuments of national importance
  • Promoting cottage industries
Explanation: Article 47 directs the State to raise the level of nutrition, standard of living of its people, and the improvement of public health as its primary duties.

Which principle is NOT explicitly classified in the Constitution but categorized by scholars into Socialist, Gandhian, and Liberal-Intellectual?

  • Directive Principles of State Policy
  • Fundamental Rights
  • Fundamental Duties
  • Emergency Provisions
Explanation: The Constitution itself does not classify DPSPs into categories. However, based on their content and direction, scholars classify them into Socialist, Gandhian, and Liberal-Intellectual principles.

What does Article 43 of the Indian Constitution primarily advocate for?

  • Securing a living wage and a decent standard of life for all workers
  • Equal pay for equal work
  • Participation of workers in management
  • Free legal aid to workers
Explanation: Article 43 directs the State to secure a living wage, a decent standard of life, and social/cultural opportunities for all workers, and to promote cottage industries.

Which of the following is a Liberal-Intellectual principle under DPSP?

  • To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife (Article 48A)
  • To promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis (Article 43)
  • To organize village panchayats (Article 40)
  • To prohibit intoxicating drinks (Article 47)
Explanation: Article 48A (Protection of environment and wildlife) reflects liberal-intellectual ideology. The other options are Gandhian principles.

The 25th Amendment Act (1971) gave primacy to which Directive Principles over the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Articles 14, 19, and 31?

  • Article 39 (b) and (c)
  • Article 39A and 43A
  • Article 44 and 45
  • Article 48 and 48A
Explanation: The 25th Amendment inserted Article 31C, protecting laws made to implement Article 39(b) and (c) from being challenged on the grounds of violating Articles 14, 19, or 31.

Which of the following is NOT a Directive Principle of State Policy?

  • To safeguard public property and to abjure violence
  • To secure a uniform civil code
  • To separate the judiciary from the executive
  • To promote international peace and security
Explanation: “To safeguard public property and to abjure violence” is a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A, not a Directive Principle.

The Directive Principles of State Policy resemble the ‘Instrument of Instructions’ specified in the:

  • Government of India Act, 1935
  • Government of India Act, 1919
  • Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
  • Indian Independence Act, 1947
Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar noted that the DPSPs are similar to the ‘Instrument of Instructions’ issued to the Governor-General under the GoI Act, 1935.

Which DPSP mandates the State to ensure that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity?

  • Article 39(f)
  • Article 39(e)
  • Article 41
  • Article 45
Explanation: Article 39(f), modified by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, directs the State to secure opportunities for the healthy development of children and to protect them from exploitation.

What is the significance of the non-justiciable nature of DPSP (Article 37)?

  • Courts cannot compel the government to implement them
  • They are inferior to Fundamental Duties
  • The President can suspend them during an emergency
  • They apply only to State Governments, not the Union
Explanation: Non-justiciable means that citizens cannot approach the courts to legally enforce these principles if the State fails to implement them.

Which DPSP was added to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife?

  • Article 48A
  • Article 47A
  • Article 49A
  • Article 50A
Explanation: Article 48A was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 to ensure the protection and improvement of the environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife.

Who advised the Constituent Assembly that the rights of an individual should be divided into two categories: justiciable and non-justiciable?

  • Sir B.N. Rau
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Explanation: Sir B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly, recommended this division, which resulted in Fundamental Rights (justiciable) and DPSP (non-justiciable).

According to the Supreme Court, what is the legal status of DPSPs when determining the constitutional validity of a law?

  • They can be used to determine the ‘reasonableness’ of restrictions on Fundamental Rights
  • They have absolutely no legal relevance
  • They automatically invalidate any law violating them
  • They override all Fundamental Rights during an emergency
Explanation: The Supreme Court has ruled that in determining the constitutionality of any law, if a law seeks to give effect to a DPSP, it may consider such a law to be ‘reasonable’ in relation to Article 14 or 19.

Promotion of cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas is a:

  • Gandhian Principle (Article 43)
  • Socialist Principle (Article 41)
  • Liberal-Intellectual Principle (Article 44)
  • Socialist Principle (Article 39)
Explanation: Promoting cottage industries in rural areas (Article 43) reflects the Gandhian ideology of village upliftment and self-reliance.

Which DPSP relates to securing the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children against abuse?

  • Article 39(e)
  • Article 39(f)
  • Article 41
  • Article 42
Explanation: Article 39(e) directs the State to ensure that the health and strength of workers and children are not abused, and citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter unsuited avocations.

The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) attempted to give primacy to all DPSPs over Fundamental Rights. Which case struck down this blanket primacy?

  • Minerva Mills Case (1980)
  • Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
  • Golaknath Case (1967)
  • S.R. Bommai Case (1994)
Explanation: In the Minerva Mills Case (1980), the Supreme Court struck down the provision of the 42nd Amendment that gave blanket primacy to all DPSPs over Fundamental Rights, restoring the balance between the two.

Which Directive Principle emphasizes that the material resources of the community should be distributed to subserve the common good?

  • Article 39(b)
  • Article 39(c)
  • Article 38(1)
  • Article 41
Explanation: Article 39(b) directs the State to secure that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good.

The implementation of which DPSP led to the passage of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)?

  • Article 41 (Right to Work)
  • Article 40 (Village Panchayats)
  • Article 43 (Living Wage)
  • Article 46 (Weaker Sections)
Explanation: MGNREGA, which guarantees 100 days of wage employment in a financial year, is a practical implementation of Article 41 (Right to work).

What does Article 38(1) of the Indian Constitution mandate the State to do?

  • To promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order permeated by justice—social, economic and political
  • To provide free and compulsory education to all children
  • To separate the judiciary from the executive
  • To protect historical monuments
Explanation: Article 38(1) is the core of the DPSPs, mandating the State to secure a social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people, based on social, economic, and political justice.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, gave practical shape to which DPSP?

  • Article 40
  • Article 43
  • Article 44
  • Article 46
Explanation: Article 40 directs the State to organize village panchayats. The 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 fulfilled this directive by giving them constitutional backing.

The ‘Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987’, which established Lok Adalats, was enacted to fulfill the objective of which DPSP?

  • Article 39A
  • Article 39(a)
  • Article 41
  • Article 42
Explanation: Article 39A directs the State to provide equal justice and free legal aid. The Legal Services Authorities Act established Lok Adalats to ensure justice is not denied due to economic or other disabilities.

Which of the following bodies is NOT established as a direct result of implementing the Directive Principles?

  • Election Commission of India
  • Khadi and Village Industries Commission
  • National Commission for SCs
  • Maternity Benefit Boards
Explanation: The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body established under Article 324 for conducting elections, independent of the DPSP framework. The others relate to specific DPSPs (Arts 43, 46, 42).

In the context of DPSPs, what does the “Harmonious Construction” doctrine refer to?

  • The courts should interpret Fundamental Rights and DPSPs in a way that harmonizes them instead of creating conflict
  • DPSPs always override Fundamental Rights in every situation
  • The President must harmonize state laws with central laws
  • International treaties must harmonize with domestic laws
Explanation: Established in cases like Kerala Education Bill, the Supreme Court ruled that Fundamental Rights and DPSPs are complementary, and courts should strive for a harmonious construction between the two.

1 thought on “MCQs on DPSP of Indian Constitution”

  1. Pingback: Political Science – mcqpedia.in

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!
Scroll to Top