Q1: Statement 1: The Shankari Prasad case (1951) ruled that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights.
Statement 2: The Golak Nath case (1967) declared that Fundamental Rights were 'transcendental and immutable.'
(a) Both statements are true
(b) Both statements are false
(c) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is false
(d) Statement 1 is false, Statement 2 is true
Ans: (d)
Statement 1 is false because the Shankari Prasad case affirmed Parliament's power to amend Fundamental Rights. Statement 2 is true as the Golak Nath case ruled that Fundamental Rights cannot be amended.
Q2: Match the following cases with their corresponding outcomes:
1. Kesavananda Bharati case
2. Indira Nehru Gandhi case
3. Minerva Mills case
A. Established the 'basic structure' doctrine
B. Invalidated a provision of the 39th Amendment Act
C. Struck down a provision of the 42nd Amendment Act
(a) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
(b) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
(c) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
(d) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B
Ans: (a)
The Kesavananda Bharati case is known for establishing the 'basic structure' doctrine. The Indira Nehru Gandhi case invalidated a part of the 39th Amendment Act. The Minerva Mills case struck down a provision in the 42nd Amendment Act.
Q3: Arrange the following events in chronological order:
1. Golak Nath case
2. Shankari Prasad case
3. Kesavananda Bharati case
4. Minerva Mills case
(a) 2, 1, 3, 4
(b) 1, 2, 3, 4
(c) 2, 3, 1, 4
(d) 1, 3, 2, 4
Ans: (a)
The Shankari Prasad case was in 1951, the Golak Nath case in 1967, the Kesavananda Bharati case in 1973, and the Minerva Mills case in 1980.
Q4: Assertion (A): The 24th Amendment Act explicitly granted Parliament the power to abridge or revoke Fundamental Rights.
Reason (R): The Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case held that Parliament has unlimited power to amend the Constitution.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (c)
The 24th Amendment Act did grant Parliament the power to abridge or revoke Fundamental Rights, but the Kesavananda Bharati case established that Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is limited by the 'basic structure.'
Q5: Statement 1: The basic structure doctrine applies only to amendments made before April 24, 1973.
Statement 2: Judicial review is a part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
(a) Both statements are true
(b) Both statements are false
(c) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is false
(d) Statement 1 is false, Statement 2 is true
Ans: (d)
The basic structure doctrine applies to all amendments made after April 24, 1973, not before. Judicial review is indeed a part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
Q6: The Supreme Court, in the ______ case, validated the 24th Amendment Act and introduced the 'basic structure' doctrine.
(a) Golak Nath
(b) Minerva Mills
(c) Kesavananda Bharati
(d) Shankari Prasad
Ans: (c)
It was in the Kesavananda Bharati case that the Supreme Court validated the 24th Amendment Act and introduced the 'basic structure' doctrine.
Q7: Which of the following statements about the basic structure of the Indian Constitution are correct?
1. It includes the principle of equality.
2. It guarantees the supremacy of the Constitution.
3. It restricts the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Ans: (d)
All three statements are correct. The basic structure includes the principle of equality, guarantees the supremacy of the Constitution, and restricts the Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.
Q8: The Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is unlimited and includes altering the basic structure.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (b)
The Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is limited, and it cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution.
Q9: Assertion (A): The Indira Nehru Gandhi case is significant for applying the 'basic structure' doctrine.
Reason (R): This case dealt with the limitation of powers of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (b)
The Indira Nehru Gandhi case did apply the 'basic structure' doctrine, but the reason given pertains to the limitation of judicial powers, which is not the correct explanation for this case's significance.
Q10: Match the following elements of the basic structure with their descriptions:
1. Supremacy of the Constitution
2. Secular character
3. Federal character
4. Judicial review
A. Allows for a system where powers are divided between the central and state governments
B. The Constitution is the highest law of the land, overriding all other laws
C. Ensures that the state does not favor any religion
D. The power of the courts to declare a law unconstitutional
(a) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D
(b) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D
(c) 1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A
(d) 1-A, 2-D, 3-B, 4-C
Ans: (a)
The supremacy of the Constitution (1) means it is the ultimate law, the secular character (2) indicates the state's impartiality towards all religions, the federal character (3) refers to the division of powers between central and state governments, and judicial review (4) is the courts' authority to assess the constitutionality of laws.
Q11: Assertion (A): The 42nd Amendment Act was known as the 'Mini Constitution.'
Reason (R): It made significant changes to the structure of the Constitution, including the preamble.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is tru
Ans: (a)
The 42nd Amendment Act did bring substantial changes, earning it the nickname 'Mini Constitution.' Changes to the preamble were part of these amendments.
Q12: The Women's Reservation cases (1980) invalidated the 42nd Amendment Act on grounds of violating the basic structure of the Constitution.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (b)
The Women's Reservation cases reaffirmed the basic structure doctrine but did not specifically invalidate the 42nd Amendment Act.
Q13: The 'basic structure' doctrine was first introduced in the Indian judicial system during the ______ case of 1973.
(a) Golak Nath
(b) Shankari Prasad
(c) Kesavananda Bharati
(d) Indira Nehru Gandhi
Ans: (c)
The Kesavananda Bharati case in 1973 was the landmark case where the 'basic structure' doctrine was first introduced.
Q14: Which of the following is/are true regarding the basic structure doctrine?
1. It was established in the Golak Nath case.
2. It limits the Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.
3. It includes the principle of free and fair elections.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Ans: (b)
The basic structure doctrine was established in the Kesavananda Bharati case, not the Golak Nath case. It limits Parliament's amendment power and includes the principle of free and fair elections.
Q15: Match the following articles with their associated powers:
1. Article 32
2. Article 136
3. Article 226
A. Powers of the Supreme Court
B. Powers of the High Courts
C. Special leave to appeal by the Supreme Court
(a) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B
(b) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
(c) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
(d) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
Ans: (a)
Article 32 deals with the powers of the Supreme Court, Article 136 with the special leave to appeal by the Supreme Court, and Article 226 with the powers of the High Courts.
Q16: Arrange the following events in chronological order:
1. Introduction of the basic structure doctrine
2. Parliament's power to amend Fundamental Rights affirmed
3. Declaration that Fundamental Rights are 'transcendental and immutable'
(a) 2, 3, 1
(b) 3, 2, 1
(c) 1, 3, 2
(d) 2, 1, 3
Ans: (a)
The Shankari Prasad case (2) first affirmed Parliament's power to amend Fundamental Rights, followed by the Golak Nath case (3) declaring Fundamental Rights 'transcendental and immutable,' and then the introduction of the basic structure doctrine in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1).
Q17: The principle of 'secular character' was added to the basic structure doctrine after the 42nd Amendment Act.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (b)
The secular character has always been a part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution and was not specifically added after the 42nd Amendment Act.
Q18: The Supreme Court in the ______ case struck down a provision in the 42nd Amendment Act, underscoring the limited amending power of Parliament.
(a) Minerva Mills
(b) Kesavananda Bharati
(c) Shankari Prasad
(d) Golak Nath
Ans: (a)
In the Minerva Mills case, the Supreme Court struck down a part of the 42nd Amendment Act, highlighting the limited power of Parliament to amend the Constitution.
Q19: Assertion (A): The Kesavananda Bharati case ruled that Parliament has unlimited power to amend the Constitution.
Reason (R): This ruling was based on the understanding that the Constitution's basic structure can be altered.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (d)
The Kesavananda Bharati case ruled that Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is limited, not unlimited, and cannot alter the Constitution's basic structure.
Q20: The 24th Amendment Act of 1971 was passed in response to the Golak Nath case's ruling on Fundamental Rights.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (a)
The 24th Amendment Act was indeed passed in response to the Golak Nath case, which declared Fundamental Rights to be 'transcendental and immutable,' thereby limiting Parliament's power to amend them.
