TNPSC Group 1 · Indian Polity – Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35) as per TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus
Fundamental Rights (Art 12-35) – TNPSC Group 1 MCQ Practice Set
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT included in the definition of ‘State’ under Article 12 of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: B
Article 12 defines ‘State’ to include the Government and Parliament of India, Government and Legislature of each State, all local or other authorities within India’s territory, and authorities under control of the Government of India. Private companies with no government funding are not covered under Article 12. However, if a private body performs public functions or is heavily controlled by the government, courts may treat it as ‘State’.
Exam Trick
Remember: Art 12 = Government bodies + Local bodies + Other authorities under GOI control. PRIVATE = NOT State (unless government-controlled).
Question 2
In which landmark case did the Supreme Court of India hold that the ‘Right to Privacy’ is a Fundamental Right under the Indian Constitution?
Answer: B
In K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), a 9-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. This overruled the earlier judgments in M.P. Sharma (1954) and Kharak Singh (1962) cases which had denied privacy as a fundamental right.
Exam Trick
Puttaswamy 2017 = Privacy is Fundamental Right under Art 21. Remember: 9-judge bench, unanimous decision – the LARGEST bench for privacy ruling.
Question 3
Article 19(1)(g) guarantees the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business. This right can be restricted by the State under Article 19(6) on which of the following grounds?
Answer: C
Article 19(6) allows the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the right under Art 19(1)(g) in the interests of the general public, and to prescribe professional or technical qualifications necessary for practicing any profession or carrying on any occupation, trade or business. The State can also carry on any trade or business to the exclusion of citizens (State monopoly). Options A, B, and D relate to restrictions on other freedoms under Art 19.
Exam Trick
Art 19(6) = General Public Interest + Professional Qualifications + State Monopoly. Do NOT confuse with 19(2) [speech] or 19(5) [movement] restrictions.
Question 4
Which Article of the Indian Constitution abolishes ‘Untouchability’ and makes its practice in any form a punishable offence?
Answer: C
Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. Enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability is an offence punishable by law. Parliament enacted the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (originally Untouchability Offences Act) to give effect to Article 17. Article 14 = Equality before law; Article 15 = Prohibition of discrimination; Article 18 = Abolition of titles.
Exam Trick
Remember: Art 17 = ’17 letters in UNTOUCHABILITY abolition’. Art 18 = Abolition of TITLES (not untouchability). Don’t mix 17 and 18!
Question 5
The Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32 is called the ‘Heart and Soul of the Constitution’ by which of the following?
Answer: C
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) the ‘Heart and Soul of the Constitution’ in the Constituent Assembly debates. Article 32 gives citizens the right to move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. It empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs including Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto. This right itself is a Fundamental Right and cannot be suspended except during National Emergency (Art 359).
Exam Trick
Ambedkar = ‘Heart and Soul’ = Art 32. Remember: HEART has 5 letters = 5 types of writs under Art 32. Easy memory hook!
