Which of the following statements with regard to the Preamble to the Constitution of India is/are correct ? 1. Equality of status and equality of opportunity find mention in the Preamble. 2. The expression 'unity and integrity of the Nation' was not there in the Preamble since the beginning. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Both 1 and 2. Both statements about the Preamble are true. Statement 1 is correct because the Preamble resolves to secure to all citizens "EQUALITY of status and of opportunity", alongside justice (social, economic and political), liberty (of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship) and fraternity. Statement 2 is correct because the original Preamble of 1950 spoke only of fraternity "assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the Nation". The words "and integrity" were added by the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976, which also changed "Sovereign Democratic Republic" to "Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic". This is the only time the Preamble has been amended, which the Supreme Court held possible in the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973. Option A is wrong because it leaves out statement 2, which is also correct. Option B is wrong because it leaves out statement 1. Option D is wrong because both statements are correct. Exam tip: the 42nd Amendment (1976) added three words to the Preamble: Socialist, Secular and Integrity.
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following does not fall under the jurisdiction of the apex court of India?
- A.Original Jurisdiction
- B.Appellate Jurisdiction
- C.Collegiate Jurisdiction
- D.Advisory Jurisdiction
Show answer
The Constitution gives the Supreme Court no such jurisdiction; the collegium is only the system by which senior judges recommend appointments.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following had the shortest span in office as the Prime Minister of India?
- A.Lal Bahadur Shastri
- B.Chaudhary Charan Singh
- C.Chandra Shekhar
- D.H. D. Deve Gowda
Show answer
Among the four, Charan Singh held office for the shortest time, about 170 days. He became Prime Minister on 28 July 1979 after the Janata government of Morarji Desai fell, but resigned on 20 August 1979 without ever facing Parliament, when the Congress withdrew its support.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following was the Chairman of the National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution (2000)?
- A.Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
- B.Justice J.S. Verma
- C.Justice Ranganath Mishra
- D.Justice Y.K. Sabharwal
Show answer
Venkatachaliah. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution was set up by the Union government in February 2000 under Justice M.N.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India requires the Prime Minister of India to furnish information related to decisions of the Council of Ministers to the President of India ?
- A.Article 78
- B.Article 74
- C.Article 75
- D.Article 81
Show answer
Article 78 sets out the duties of the Prime Minister towards the President, chief among them keeping the President informed.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements :
1. In India, the Special Marriage Act protects an individual if one enters into an interreligious marriage.
2. Right to marry a person of one's choice is an integral aspect of one's Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
3. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also resonates marital rights of every adult consenting individuals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.2 and 3 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.1,2 and 3
- D.1 only
Show answer
All three statements are correct. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 lets any two Indians marry by civil registration whatever their religion, without either partner having to convert, so it is the law that covers inter-religious marriages.
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