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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · Prelims GS Paper I, 28 May 2023

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights?

  1. A.1st Amendment
  2. B.42nd Amendment
  3. C.44th Amendment
  4. D.86th Amendment

Correct answer

A. 1st Amendment

Explanation

The correct answer is A, 1st Amendment. It was passed in 1951 to undo court rulings that had used Fundamental Rights to strike down land reform and other laws. Courts had set aside zamindari abolition laws under the right to property, and in Romesh Thappar (1950) had read free speech very widely. The First Amendment Act, 1951 added the Ninth Schedule and Articles 31A and 31B to shield land reform laws, added 'public order', 'friendly relations with foreign States' and 'incitement to an offence' to Article 19(2), and added Article 15(4) for backward classes after the Champakam Dorairajan case. It was passed by the Provisional Parliament under Nehru. Option B is wrong because the 42nd Amendment of 1976 is known for 'socialist', 'secular' and the Fundamental Duties. Option C is wrong because the 44th Amendment of 1978 mainly undid Emergency excesses and removed property from Part III. Option D is wrong because the 86th Amendment of 2002 added Article 21A, the right to education. Exam tip: 1st Amendment, 1951, Ninth Schedule and Article 15(4).

Practice Questions

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKEasy

The right to form associations and unions is a right

  1. A.guaranteed to everybody
  2. B.to freedom guaranteed to citizens only
  3. C.to equality before law
  4. D.to life and personal liberty
Show answer
Correct answer: B. to freedom guaranteed to citizens only

The right to form associations or unions is part of Article 19, and Article 19 rights belong only to citizens of India.

Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is not correct?

  1. A.The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.
  2. B.All the reports of the Commission and its recommendations shall be laid only before Lok Sabha.
  3. C.The Commission, while investigating any matter, has all the powers of a Civil Court.
  4. D.The Commission has the power to regulate its own procedures.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. All the reports of the Commission and its recommendations shall be laid only before Lok Sabha.

It is not correct, because the President causes the Commission's reports to be laid before each House of Parliament, not only before the Lok Sabha.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKHard

Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of elections in India is/are not correct? 1. The responsibility for the preparation of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced. 3. The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India. 4. No election shall be called in question except by an election petition. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.3 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 4
  3. C.1, 2 and 3
  4. D.4 only
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 3 only

Statement 3 is the only incorrect one, because laws on the delimitation of constituencies are made by Parliament, not by the Election Commission.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India is not correct?

  1. A.It was inserted by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
  2. B.The Acts and Regulations specified in the Ninth Schedule shall become void on the ground that it violates a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution.
  3. C.The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review of an Act included in the Ninth Schedule on the doctrine of basic structure.
  4. D.The appropriate Legislature can repeal or amend an Act specified in the Ninth Schedule.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The Acts and Regulations specified in the Ninth Schedule shall become void on the ground that it violates a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution.

It is not correct, because Article 31B says the opposite: an Act placed in the Ninth Schedule shall not become void merely because it is inconsistent with a fundamental right in Part III.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKEasy

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India pertains to the administration of tribal areas in which of the following States?

  1. A.Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
  2. B.Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram
  3. C.Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
  4. D.Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram

The Sixth Schedule covers the administration of tribal areas in exactly these four north-eastern states.