MCQ’s on Constitutional Law for CLAT PG [Part 9]
Q1. Which of the following constitutional developments most clearly reflects the transformation of Article 21 from a procedural safeguard to a substantive rights guarantee?
A. The expansion of preventive detention laws
B. The interpretation of “procedure established by law” to include fairness and reasonableness
C. The insertion of Article 21A through constitutional amendment
D. The recognition of socio-economic rights in Directive Principles
B. The interpretation of “procedure established by law” to include fairness and reasonableness
C. The insertion of Article 21A through constitutional amendment
D. The recognition of socio-economic rights in Directive Principles
Q2. Which principle explains why certain constitutional amendments may be invalidated despite being enacted under Article 368?
A. Doctrine of implied repeal
B. Doctrine of constitutional supremacy
C. Doctrine of basic structure
D. Doctrine of severability
B. Doctrine of constitutional supremacy
C. Doctrine of basic structure
D. Doctrine of severability
Q3. Which constitutional feature most strongly demonstrates that the Indian Constitution adopts asymmetric federalism?
A. Uniform fundamental rights
B. Special provisions for certain states under Part XXI
C. Bicameralism at the Union level
D. Judicial review by the Supreme Court
B. Special provisions for certain states under Part XXI
C. Bicameralism at the Union level
D. Judicial review by the Supreme Court
Q4. Which of the following constitutional provisions most directly embodies the principle of collective responsibility in the parliamentary system?
A. Article 74
B. Article 75(3)
C. Article 77
D. Article 85
B. Article 75(3)
C. Article 77
D. Article 85
Q5. Which constitutional mechanism primarily ensures financial accountability of the executive to Parliament?
A. Judicial review of financial legislation
B. Annual financial statement and appropriation process
C. Presidential assent to finance bills
D. Recommendations of the Finance Commission
B. Annual financial statement and appropriation process
C. Presidential assent to finance bills
D. Recommendations of the Finance Commission
Q6. The constitutional bar under Articles 122 and 212 reflects which fundamental institutional principle?
A. Parliamentary privilege
B. Separation of powers and legislative autonomy
C. Judicial supremacy
D. Federal supremacy
B. Separation of powers and legislative autonomy
C. Judicial supremacy
D. Federal supremacy
Q7. Which constitutional doctrine explains why laws enacted before the Constitution continue to remain valid unless inconsistent with fundamental rights?
A. Doctrine of eclipse
B. Doctrine of prospective overruling
C. Doctrine of severability
D. Doctrine of harmonious construction
B. Doctrine of prospective overruling
C. Doctrine of severability
D. Doctrine of harmonious construction
Q8. Which constitutional principle most clearly justifies the expansion of judicial review over administrative and legislative actions?
A. Parliamentary sovereignty
B. Constitutional supremacy
C. Executive privilege
D. Political accountability
B. Constitutional supremacy
C. Executive privilege
D. Political accountability
Q9. Which of the following best explains the constitutional logic behind Article 249, which allows Parliament to legislate on State List matters in national interest?
A. Federal supremacy of states
B. Cooperative federalism under exceptional circumstances
C. Legislative supremacy of Parliament
D. Judicial control over legislative power
B. Cooperative federalism under exceptional circumstances
C. Legislative supremacy of Parliament
D. Judicial control over legislative power
Q10. Which of the following best captures the distinction between constitutional morality and popular morality in constitutional adjudication?
A. Constitutional morality reflects the will of the majority
B. Popular morality overrides fundamental rights
C. Constitutional morality emphasises adherence to constitutional values even against majoritarian pressures
D. Popular morality is constitutionally binding
B. Popular morality overrides fundamental rights
C. Constitutional morality emphasises adherence to constitutional values even against majoritarian pressures
D. Popular morality is constitutionally binding
Q11. Which of the following constitutional principles primarily explains why courts cannot review the internal procedure of legislatures?
A. Judicial restraint
B. Parliamentary sovereignty
C. Institutional autonomy of the legislature
D. Doctrine of precedent
B. Parliamentary sovereignty
C. Institutional autonomy of the legislature
D. Doctrine of precedent
Q12. Which of the following constitutional provisions most directly reflects the principle of checks and balances between institutions?
A. Article 19
B. Article 32
C. Article 50
D. Article 368
B. Article 32
C. Article 50
D. Article 368
Q13. Which of the following best explains the constitutional significance of Article 32?
A. It grants discretionary judicial power
B. It establishes judicial supremacy
C. It guarantees enforceability of fundamental rights through constitutional remedies
D. It restricts legislative competence
B. It establishes judicial supremacy
C. It guarantees enforceability of fundamental rights through constitutional remedies
D. It restricts legislative competence
Q14. Which constitutional doctrine ensures that when part of a statute violates fundamental rights, only the offending portion may be invalidated?
A. Doctrine of eclipse
B. Doctrine of severability
C. Doctrine of waiver
D. Doctrine of basic structure
B. Doctrine of severability
C. Doctrine of waiver
D. Doctrine of basic structure
Q15. Which constitutional principle most clearly explains the expanding interpretation of Directive Principles in constitutional jurisprudence?
A. Parliamentary supremacy
B. Harmonious construction between Parts III and IV
C. Separation of powers
D. Federal autonomy
B. Harmonious construction between Parts III and IV
C. Separation of powers
D. Federal autonomy
Answers
1. Correct Answer: B – Interpretation of procedure as fair and reasonable
Explanation: Originally, Article 21 was interpreted narrowly in A.K. Gopalan. Later, in Maneka Gandhi, the Supreme Court expanded the meaning of “procedure established by law” to require fairness, reasonableness, and non-arbitrariness. This transformed Article 21 into a substantive guarantee protecting multiple rights.
Explanation: Originally, Article 21 was interpreted narrowly in A.K. Gopalan. Later, in Maneka Gandhi, the Supreme Court expanded the meaning of “procedure established by law” to require fairness, reasonableness, and non-arbitrariness. This transformed Article 21 into a substantive guarantee protecting multiple rights.
2. Correct Answer: C – Doctrine of basic structure
Explanation: The Supreme Court held in Kesavananda Bharati that although Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot alter its basic structure, such as rule of law, separation of powers, and judicial review.
Explanation: The Supreme Court held in Kesavananda Bharati that although Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot alter its basic structure, such as rule of law, separation of powers, and judicial review.
3. Correct Answer: B – Special provisions under Part XXI
Explanation: Part XXI provides special constitutional arrangements for certain states. This reflects asymmetric federalism, where different states receive different constitutional treatment.
Explanation: Part XXI provides special constitutional arrangements for certain states. This reflects asymmetric federalism, where different states receive different constitutional treatment.
4. Correct Answer: B – Article 75(3)
Explanation: Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People. This principle ensures political accountability in a parliamentary system.
Explanation: Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People. This principle ensures political accountability in a parliamentary system.
5. Correct Answer: B – Budget and appropriation process
Explanation: The annual financial statement, followed by parliamentary debate and appropriation legislation, ensures that the executive cannot spend public funds without legislative approval.
Explanation: The annual financial statement, followed by parliamentary debate and appropriation legislation, ensures that the executive cannot spend public funds without legislative approval.
6. Correct Answer: B – Legislative autonomy
Explanation: Articles 122 and 212 prevent courts from questioning legislative proceedings on procedural grounds, preserving institutional autonomy and separation of powers.
Explanation: Articles 122 and 212 prevent courts from questioning legislative proceedings on procedural grounds, preserving institutional autonomy and separation of powers.
7. Correct Answer: A – Doctrine of eclipse
Explanation: Pre-constitutional laws inconsistent with fundamental rights are not automatically void but become dormant. They remain valid for non-citizens and may revive if constitutional amendments remove the inconsistency.
Explanation: Pre-constitutional laws inconsistent with fundamental rights are not automatically void but become dormant. They remain valid for non-citizens and may revive if constitutional amendments remove the inconsistency.
8. Correct Answer: B – Constitutional supremacy
Explanation: Because the Constitution is the supreme law, courts have the authority to review legislative and executive actions to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.
Explanation: Because the Constitution is the supreme law, courts have the authority to review legislative and executive actions to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.
9. Correct Answer: B – Cooperative federalism
Explanation: Article 249 allows Parliament to legislate on State List matters if the Rajya Sabha declares it necessary in national interest, reflecting flexibility within the federal structure.
Explanation: Article 249 allows Parliament to legislate on State List matters if the Rajya Sabha declares it necessary in national interest, reflecting flexibility within the federal structure.
10. Correct Answer: C – Constitutional morality over majoritarian pressures
Explanation: Courts often rely on constitutional morality to protect rights even when they conflict with prevailing social or majoritarian views.
Explanation: Courts often rely on constitutional morality to protect rights even when they conflict with prevailing social or majoritarian views.
11. Correct Answer: C – Institutional autonomy
Explanation: Legislatures must be free to regulate their internal procedures without judicial interference, ensuring separation of institutional functions.
Explanation: Legislatures must be free to regulate their internal procedures without judicial interference, ensuring separation of institutional functions.
12. Correct Answer: B – Article 32
Explanation: Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to enforce fundamental rights through writ jurisdiction, serving as a key mechanism of checks and balances.
Explanation: Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to enforce fundamental rights through writ jurisdiction, serving as a key mechanism of checks and balances.
13. Correct Answer: C – Enforcement of fundamental rights
Explanation: Article 32 guarantees citizens the right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights, making it a cornerstone of constitutional protection.
Explanation: Article 32 guarantees citizens the right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights, making it a cornerstone of constitutional protection.
14. Correct Answer: B – Doctrine of severability
Explanation: If a statute contains unconstitutional provisions, courts may invalidate only the offending portions while preserving the rest.
Explanation: If a statute contains unconstitutional provisions, courts may invalidate only the offending portions while preserving the rest.
15. Correct Answer: B – Harmonious interpretation
Explanation: Modern constitutional jurisprudence increasingly interprets Directive Principles together with Fundamental Rights, ensuring that socio-economic goals inform rights interpretation.
Explanation: Modern constitutional jurisprudence increasingly interprets Directive Principles together with Fundamental Rights, ensuring that socio-economic goals inform rights interpretation.
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Adtiya Aryan
Contributing author
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