This sectional test on Constitutional Law for CLAT PG aspirants is designed to help you assess and strengthen your understanding of some of the most significant doctrines, provisions, and landmark judgments under the Indian Constitution.
The difficulty level is moderate, making it ideal for advanced revision and conceptual clarity.
Q1. Which of the following doctrines was first articulated by the Indian Supreme Court in the case of Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)?
A. Doctrine of Colourable Legislation
B. Doctrine of Pith and Substance
C. Doctrine of Basic Structure
D. Doctrine of Harmonious Construction
Q2. The power of judicial review in India is derived from:
A. Article 13 and Article 32
B. Article 136 and Article 226
C. Article 50 and Article 245
D. Article 14 and Article 21
Q3. The Ninth Schedule was added to the Constitution by:
A. 1st Amendment Act
B. 24th Amendment Act
C. 42nd Amendment Act
D. 44th Amendment Act
Q4. Which of the following is not a ground to impose reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2)?
A. Public order
B. Defamation
C. Decency or morality
D. Uniform civil code
Q5. In which case did the Supreme Court hold that secularism is part of the basic structure?
A. A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
B. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain
C. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India
D. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
Q6. Article 21A (Right to Education) was inserted into the Constitution by:
A. 86th Amendment, 2002
B. 93rd Amendment, 2005
C. 42nd Amendment, 1976
D. 44th Amendment, 1978
Q7. Which of the following Articles provides for Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid?
A. Article 14
B. Article 21
C. Article 39A
D. Article 38
Q8. Which Article bars judicial review of laws included in the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973?
A. Article 31C
B. Article 368
C. Article 13(2)
D. None of the above
Q9. Which one of the following principles was laid down in Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India?
A. Preamble is not part of the Constitution
B. Fundamental Rights are subordinate to Directive Principles
C. Limited amending power of Parliament
D. Parliament can amend Part III without limitation
Q10. Which of the following is true about Kesavananda Bharati judgment?
A. Parliament can amend any part including the basic structure
B. Parliament cannot amend Part III
C. Parliament can amend the Constitution without judicial review
D. Parliament can amend any provision but not the basic structure
Answer Key and Detailed Explanations
| Q. No. | Answer | Explanation |
| 1 | C | The Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, AIR 1973 SC 1461, laid down the Basic Structure Doctrine, limiting Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution under Article 368. |
| 2 | A | Judicial review stems from Article 13(2) (prohibiting the State from making laws violating fundamental rights) and Article 32 (right to constitutional remedies). |
| 3 | A | The 1st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951 introduced the Ninth Schedule to protect land reform laws from judicial review. |
| 4 | D | Uniform Civil Code is a Directive Principle under Article 44 and not a valid ground for restricting free speech under Article 19(2). |
| 5 | C | In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, (1994) 3 SCC 1, the SC held that secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. |
| 6 | A | The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 21A, making education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14. |
| 7 | C | Article 39A (Directive Principles) mandates equal justice and free legal aid to ensure justice is not denied due to economic constraints. |
| 8 | D | In I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu (2007), SC held that laws inserted into the Ninth Schedule after 24 April 1973 are open to judicial review, despite Article 31-B. So, none of the listed Articles alone bar judicial review after that date. |
| 9 | C | In Minerva Mills v. Union of India, (1980) 3 SCC 625, SC struck down amendments that gave Parliament unlimited power to amend, reaffirming the basic structure limitation. |
| 10 | D | The majority in Kesavananda Bharati held that Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution, but not destroy the basic structure. |