UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions on Fundamental Rights (With Answers & Explanations)

 

1. A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to: (UPSC CSE – 2024 Prelims)

(a) a government officer prohibiting him from taking a particular action.
(b) the Parliament/Legislative Assembly to pass a law on Prohibition.
(c) the lower court prohibiting continuation of proceedings in a case.
(d) the Government prohibiting it from following an unconstitutional policy 

2. In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of Fundamental Rights? (UPSC CSE – 2023 Prelims)

(a) 1st Amendment
(b) 42nd Amendment
(c) 44th Amendment
(d) 86th Amendment

3. With reference to the writs issued by the Courts in India, consider the following statements:

1. Mandamus will not lie against a private organisation unless it is entrusted with a public duty.

2. Mandamus will not lie against a Company even though it may be a Government Company.

3. Any public minded person can be a petitioner to move the Court to obtain the writ of Quo Warranto.

Which of the statements given above are correct? (UPSC CSE – 2022 Prelims)
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

4. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards:

1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.

2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.

3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.

Which of the above statements are not correct? (UPSC CSE – 2022 Prelims)
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

5. What is the position of the Right to Property in India? (UPSC CSE – 2021 Prelims)

(a) Legal right available to citizens only
(b) Legal right available to any person
(c) Fundamental Right available to citizens only
(d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right

6. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India? (UPSC CSE – 2021 Prelims)

(a) Article 15
(b) Article 19
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 29

7. A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of application of law violates which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India? (UPSC CSE – 2021 Prelims)

(a) Article 14
(b) Article 28
(c) Article 32
(d) Article 44

8. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? (UPSC CSE – 2020 Prelims)

1. Preamble

2. Directive Principles of State Policy

3. Fundamental Duties

Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

9. Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination? (UPSC CSE – 2020 Prelims)

(a) Right against Exploitation
(b) Right to Freedom
(c) Right to Constitutional Remedies
(d) Right to Equality

10. Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice? (UPSC CSE – 2019 Prelims)

(a) Article 19
(b) Article 21
(c) Article 25
(d) Article 29

11. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following correctly imply this? (UPSC CSE – 2018 Prelims)

(a) Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment
(b) Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III
(d) Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment

12. Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the “Rule of Law”? (UPSC CSE – 2018 Prelims)

1. Limitation of powers

2. Equality before law

3. People’s responsibility to the Government

4. Liberty and civil rights

Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

13. Consider the following statements:(UPSC CSE – 2018 Prelims)

1. As per the RTE Act, to be eligible as a teacher in a State, a person needs the minimum qualification laid down by the State Council of Teacher Education.

2. For teaching primary classes, a candidate must pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with NCTE guidelines.

3. In India, more than 90% of teacher education institutions are directly under the State Governments.

Which statements are correct? 
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

14. Right to vote and to be elected in India is a (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

(a) Fundamental Right
(b) Natural Right
(c) Constitutional Right
(d) Legal Right

15. Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation? (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour

2. Abolition of untouchability

3. Protection of the interests of minorities

4. Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines

Select the correct answer:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

16. In the context of India, which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties? (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

(a) Rights are correlative with Duties.
(b) Rights are personal and independent of Duties.
(c) Rights, not Duties, are important for personality development.
(d) Duties, not Rights, are important for the stability of the State.

17. One of the implications of equality in society is the absence of (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

(a) Privileges
(b) Restraints
(c) Competition
(d) Ideology

18. Which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

(a) Rights are claims of the State against the citizens.
(b) Rights are privileges incorporated in the Constitution.
(c) Rights are claims of the citizens against the State.
(d) Rights are privileges of a few citizens.

19. Consider the following:

1. Right to education

2. Right to equal access to public service

3. Right to food

Which of the above is/are Human Rights under “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”? (UPSC CSE – 2011 Prelims)
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

-----------------Answers----------------

1. A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to: (UPSC CSE – 2024 Prelims)

Answer: (c) the lower court prohibiting continuation of proceedings in a case.
Explanation: Writ of Prohibition is issued by a higher court (Supreme Court or High Court) to a lower court or tribunal to stop it from exceeding its jurisdiction or acting contrary to law.

2. In India, which Constitutional Amendment was enacted to overcome judicial interpretations of Fundamental Rights? (UPSC CSE – 2023 Prelims)

Answer: (a) 1st Amendment
Explanation: The First Amendment Act, 1951, curtailed freedom of speech and expression, validated land reform laws through Articles 31A and 31B, and placed laws in the Ninth Schedule to protect them from judicial review.

3. With reference to writs issued by the Courts in India, which statements are correct? (UPSC CSE – 2022 Prelims)

1. Mandamus will not lie against a private organisation unless it is entrusted with a public duty.

2. Mandamus will not lie against a Company even though it may be a Government Company.

3. Any public minded person can be a petitioner to move the Court to obtain the writ of Quo Warranto.

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Mandamus applies to authorities performing public duties, not to purely private bodies. Even Government Companies can be subject to writs if performing public functions. Quo Warranto can be filed by any person questioning the authority of a public office holder.

4. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: Which of the statements are not correct? (UPSC CSE – 2022 Prelims)

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are not titles under Article 18. Padma awards were suspended twice (during 1977–1980 and 1992–1995), not once. The number of Bharat Ratna awards per year is limited to three, not five.

5. What is the position of the Right to Property in India? (UPSC CSE – 2021 Prelims)

Answer: (b) Legal right available to any person
Explanation: The 44th Amendment Act, 1978, removed Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights. It is now a legal right under Article 300A, available to citizens and non-citizens.

6. ‘Right to Privacy’ is protected under which Article of the Constitution of India? (UPSC CSE – 2021 Prelims)

Answer: (c) Article 21
Explanation: In Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court held that Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of the Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21.

7. A law conferring unguided discretionary power on the executive violates which Article? (UPSC CSE – 2021 Prelims)

Answer: (a) Article 14
Explanation: Article 14 ensures equality before law and prohibits arbitrary state action. Unguided discretion is violative of the principle of equality.

8. Other than Fundamental Rights, which provisions reflect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? (UPSC CSE – 2020 Prelims)

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: The Preamble, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties are inspired by and reflect provisions of the UDHR.

9. Which category of Fundamental Rights protects against untouchability? (UPSC CSE – 2020 Prelims)

Answer: (d) Right to Equality
Explanation: Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice a punishable offence. It is part of the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18).

10. Which Article safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice? (UPSC CSE – 2019 Prelims)

Answer: (b) Article 21
Explanation: The Supreme Court has interpreted Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) to include the right to marry a person of one’s choice.

11. Right to Privacy is part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which provisions imply this? (UPSC CSE – 2018 Prelims)

Answer: (c) Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III
Explanation: The Supreme Court held that the Right to Privacy flows from Article 21 and other Fundamental Rights under Part III.

12. Main features of the Rule of Law: (UPSC CSE – 2018 Prelims)

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Rule of Law includes limitation of powers, equality before law, and liberty and civil rights. It does not impose responsibility of citizens to the government as a feature.

13. RTE Act and teacher qualifications: Which statements are correct? (UPSC CSE – 2018 Prelims)

Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Explanation: Minimum qualifications are laid down by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), not State Councils. More than 90% of teacher education institutions are private, not under State Governments.

14. Right to vote and to be elected in India is a: (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

Answer: (c) Constitutional Right
Explanation: The right to vote and contest elections is provided by the Constitution and the Representation of People Act, but it is not a Fundamental Right.

15. Right against Exploitation envisages: (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

Answer: (c) 1 and 4 only
Explanation: Right against Exploitation includes prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour (Article 23) and prohibition of child labour (Article 24). Abolition of untouchability and protection of minorities belong to other rights.

16. Correct relationship between Rights and Duties: (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

Answer: (a) Rights are correlative with Duties
Explanation: Rights and Duties are complementary. Enjoyment of rights depends on fulfillment of corresponding duties by individuals and the State.

17. One implication of equality in society is absence of: (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

Answer: (a) Privileges
Explanation: Equality means absence of special privileges for any section of society.

18. Which statement about Rights is correct? (UPSC CSE – 2017 Prelims)

Answer: (c) Rights are claims of the citizens against the State
Explanation: Fundamental Rights are enforceable claims which citizens can make against the State to prevent arbitrary action.

19. Human Rights under UDHR: (UPSC CSE – 2011 Prelims)

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Right to education, equal access to public service, and right to food are all part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.