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Ch 2 Rights in the Indian Constitution MCQs

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Sri

in

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Class 11 • Constitution at Work

Chapter 2: Rights In The Indian Constitution

Source: NCERT Official Textbook

Chapter 2, “Rights in the Indian Constitution,” examines the fundamental rights guaranteed to Indian citizens and the mechanisms for their protection. The chapter opens with two powerful real-life examples: construction workers paid less than minimum wages during Asian Games projects, whose rights were restored through Supreme Court intervention, and Machal Lalung, who spent 54 years in custody without trial, illustrating what happens when constitutional rights are not implemented. These cases demonstrate that rights are meaningful only when they can be enforced. The chapter introduces the concept of a ‘bill of rights’—a list of rights mentioned and protected by the constitution that prohibits government from violating individual rights and ensures remedy in case of violation. The Indian Constitution’s Fundamental Rights are specially protected, different from ordinary legal rights, and can only be changed by amending the Constitution itself.

The chapter systematically explains each category of Fundamental Rights. The Right to Equality includes equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, equality of opportunity in public employment, abolition of untouchability, and abolition of titles. The Right to Freedom encompasses freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession, along with the crucial right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, which courts have expanded to include right to live with dignity, shelter, and livelihood. The Right against Exploitation prohibits forced labour (begar), human trafficking, and employment of children in hazardous jobs. The Right to Freedom of Religion guarantees freedom of conscience and practice, while allowing government intervention to protect public order, morality, and health. The Cultural and Educational Rights protect minorities’ right to conserve their language and culture and establish educational institutions. Finally, the Right to Constitutional Remedies, described by Dr. Ambedkar as the “heart and soul of the Constitution,” enables citizens to approach High Courts or Supreme Court through writs (habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, certiorari) for enforcement of rights.

The chapter concludes by examining the Directive Principles of State Policy—non-justiciable guidelines that exhort the government to ensure the well-being of society, including goals like adequate livelihood, equal pay, right to work, education, and public assistance. Unlike Fundamental Rights which restrain government, Directive Principles instruct government to take positive action. The relationship between them has been debated, particularly regarding the now-removed right to property. The Kesavananda Bharati case established that while Parliament can amend the Constitution, it cannot alter its basic structure. The chapter also mentions the Fundamental Duties added by the 42nd Amendment, though these are not enforceable and do not condition the enjoyment of rights. Together, these constitutional provisions create a framework where rights enforce limitations on government and ensure democratic governance, with institutions like the National Human Rights Commission and various national commissions working alongside the judiciary to protect citizens’ rights.

Topics Covered:

Section A: Descriptive Questions

  1. What is the importance of rights in a democracy? Use the examples of construction workers and Machal Lalung to explain. (Pg. 26-28) Page 51-53
  2. What are Fundamental Rights? How are they different from ordinary legal rights? (Pg. 28-29) Page 53-54
  3. What does the Right to Equality provide? Give its main provisions. (Pg. 30-33) Page 55-58
  4. What does the Right to Freedom include? Explain the right to life and personal liberty. (Pg. 34-36) Page 59-61
  5. What is preventive detention? Why is it controversial? (Pg. 35) Page 60
  6. What are the rights of accused persons guaranteed by the Constitution? (Pg. 36) Page 61
  7. What does the Right against Exploitation prohibit? (Pg. 37-38) Page 62-63
  8. What does the Right to Freedom of Religion guarantee? What are its limitations? (Pg. 38-39) Page 63-64
  9. What are Cultural and Educational Rights? Why are they important for minorities? (Pg. 39-40) Page 64-65
  10. Why did Dr. Ambedkar call the Right to Constitutional Remedies the ‘heart and soul of the Constitution’? (Pg. 41) Page 66
  11. What are the different types of writs that courts can issue? Explain each briefly. (Pg. 41) Page 66
  12. What are Directive Principles of State Policy? Why were they included in the Constitution? (Pg. 43-44) Page 68-69
  13. What do the Directive Principles contain? Give examples. (Pg. 43-44) Page 68-69
  14. What is the relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles? How do they complement each other? (Pg. 45-47) Page 70-72

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Section B1: Objective MCQs

Page 53

What is a ‘bill of rights’? (Pg. 28)

A) A list of government dutiesB) A list of rights mentioned and protected by the constitutionC) A list of parliamentary proceduresD) A list of court judgments
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 53
Page 54

Fundamental Rights are protected and guaranteed by: (Pg. 29)

A) Ordinary lawsB) The constitution of the countryC) The ParliamentD) The Prime Minister
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 54
Page 57

The practice of untouchability has been abolished under which right? (Pg. 32)

A) Right to FreedomB) Right against ExploitationC) Right to EqualityD) Right to Constitutional Remedies
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 57
Page 59

Article 21 of the Constitution deals with: (Pg. 34)

A) Right to EqualityB) Protection of life and personal libertyC) Right against ExploitationD) Freedom of Religion
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 59
Page 60

Preventive detention can be extended only for three months, after which it must be reviewed by: (Pg. 35)

A) The Prime MinisterB) An advisory boardC) The ParliamentD) The police
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 60
Page 61

Which of the following is NOT a right of accused persons? (Pg. 36)

A) No person punished for same offence more than onceB) No law shall declare any action illegal from a backdateC) No person shall be asked to give evidence against themselvesD) Accused persons must prove their innocence
View Answer
Correct Answer: D
Reference: NCERT Page 61
Page 63

The Constitution forbids employment of children below the age of ______ years in dangerous jobs. (Pg. 38)

A) 12B) 14C) 16D) 18
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 63
Page 63

The government can impose restrictions on the practice of freedom of religion to protect: (Pg. 38)

A) Economic growthB) Public order, morality and healthC) International relationsD) Technological development
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 63
Page 65

Minorities, religious or linguistic, have the right to: (Pg. 40)

A) Demand special privilegesB) Set up their own educational institutionsC) Convert others forciblyD) Ignore the Constitution
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 65
Page 66

The Right to Constitutional Remedies gives citizens the right to approach which courts to restore fundamental rights? (Pg. 41)

A) Only Supreme CourtB) Only High CourtsC) High Court or Supreme CourtD) District Courts
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 66
Page 66

Which writ is issued when a person is holding office but is not entitled to hold that office? (Pg. 41)

A) Habeas corpusB) MandamusC) Quo WarrantoD) Certiorari
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 66
Page 68

Directive Principles of State Policy are: (Pg. 43)

A) Legally enforceable by courtsB) Non-justiciable guidelinesC) More important than Fundamental RightsD) Part of Fundamental Rights
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 68
Page 69

The 42nd amendment to the Constitution inserted which of the following? (Pg. 44)

A) Fundamental RightsB) Directive PrinciplesC) Fundamental Duties of CitizensD) Right to Property
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 69
Page 72

The Kesavananda Bharati case established that: (Pg. 47)

A) Parliament can amend any part of the ConstitutionB) There are certain basic features of the Constitution that cannot be changed by ParliamentC) Fundamental Rights are not importantD) Directive Principles are justiciable
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 72

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Section B2: Factual One-Liners

A bill of rights prohibits government from acting against the rights of individuals and ensures a ______ in case of violation. (Pg. 28) Page 53

Reveal Answer
remedy (Page 53)

Fundamental Rights may only be changed by ______ the Constitution itself. (Pg. 29) Page 54

Reveal Answer
amending (Page 54)

Article 16(4) of the Constitution clarifies that a policy like ______ will not be seen as a violation of right to equality. (Pg. 33) Page 58

Reveal Answer
reservation (Page 58)

If arrested, the person has the right to defend himself by a ______ of his choice. (Pg. 34) Page 59

Reveal Answer
lawyer (Page 59)

There is a clear tension between right to life and personal liberty and the provision for ______ detention. (Pg. 35) Page 60

Reveal Answer
preventive (Page 60)

No one is guilty unless the court has found that person ______ of an offence. (Pg. 36) Page 61

Reveal Answer
guilty (Page 61)

Forced labour without payment, imposed by landlords and moneylenders, is known as ______. (Pg. 37) Page 62

Reveal Answer
bekar/forced labour (Page 62)

India does not have any official ______. (Pg. 39) Page 64

Reveal Answer
religion (Page 64)

Minorities are groups that have common language or religion and are outnumbered by some other social ______. (Pg. 40) Page 65

Reveal Answer
section (Page 65)

A writ of ______ means the court orders that the arrested person should be presented before it. (Pg. 41) Page 66

Reveal Answer
habeas corpus (Page 66)

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in the year ______. (Pg. 42) Page 67

Reveal Answer
1993 (Page 67)

Directive Principles are guidelines that are ‘non-justiciable’, meaning they cannot be enforced by the ______. (Pg. 43) Page 68

Reveal Answer
judiciary (Page 68)

The right to property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the ______ amendment. (Pg. 45) Page 70

Reveal Answer
44th (Page 70)

Fundamental Rights mainly protect the rights of individuals while directive principles ensure the well-being of the entire ______. (Pg. 45) Page 70

Reveal Answer
society (Page 70)

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