Preamble & History — Set 7
Constitution Special · प्रस्तावना और इतिहास · Questions 61–70 of 140
The 'Fraternity' clause in the Preamble was inspired by?
Correct Answer: C. French Revolution slogan — Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
The concept of 'Fraternity' in the Indian Preamble was directly inspired by the French Revolution slogan 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité' (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). Dr. Ambedkar emphasized fraternity as the foundation of social democracy — people must feel they are all one, sharing the same interests. Without fraternity, equality and liberty would be fiction.
Article 33 empowers Parliament to restrict Fundamental Rights of which category?
Correct Answer: B. Members of Armed Forces and Police
Article 33 empowers Parliament to restrict or abrogate the Fundamental Rights of members of the Armed Forces, the Forces charged with the maintenance of public order (like police), persons employed in any bureau or organization established by the State for purposes of intelligence or counter-intelligence, and persons employed by the State in establishments for communications. Parliament can make special laws for these categories in the interest of discipline and proper functioning. Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India, consisting of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
Protection of accused person's right against self-incrimination is under?
Correct Answer: C. Article 20(3)
Article 20(3) provides protection against self-incrimination by stating that no person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. This right applies from the moment of accusation, not just during trial. The Supreme Court has held that this right covers not just oral testimony but also documentary evidence. However, this protection does not extend to real or physical evidence like fingerprints, blood samples, or DNA tests.
When was the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly held, and who presided as temporary chairman?
Correct Answer: A. December 9, 1946; Dr. Sachidananda Sinha
The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on December 9, 1946. Dr. Sachidananda Sinha (the oldest member) presided as temporary chairman. On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly, and H.C. Mukherjee as Vice-President.
The Constitution provides for Fundamental Rights available only to citizens (not foreigners). Which of these is available only to citizens?
Correct Answer: C. Article 19 - Six Freedoms
Article 19 with its six fundamental freedoms (freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession) is available only to citizens of India, not to foreign nationals. In contrast, Articles 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are available to all persons (citizens and non-citizens alike). This distinction is important as it limits certain freedoms to those with a special bond with the Indian state.
'Democratic' in the Preamble denotes a form of government in which?
Correct Answer: B. The people are supreme and hold the ultimate power
'Democratic' in the Preamble denotes a system where the people are the ultimate source of political authority and hold ultimate power. India is a representative democracy — people exercise power through elected representatives. The Constitution also ensures social and economic democracy through Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.
What was the Nehru Committee Report (1928)?
Correct Answer: B. The first attempt by Indians to draft a Constitution for India
The Nehru Report (August 1928) was prepared by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru, with Jawaharlal Nehru as secretary. It was the first attempt by Indians to draft a constitutional framework for India (without the British). It recommended dominion status, fundamental rights, residual powers with Centre, and an independent judiciary — many of these concepts were incorporated in the 1950 Constitution.
The word 'SECULAR' in the Indian Preamble means?
Correct Answer: C. The state does not have an official religion and treats all religions equally
'Secular' in the Indian context means the state does not identify with or promote any particular religion. The state treats all religions equally. It neither promotes nor demotes any religion. This is different from the Western concept of strict separation of church and state — India's secularism involves equal respect and positive engagement with all religions (Sarva Dharma Samabhava).
In which case did the Supreme Court expand the scope of the Preamble to include 'Right to Livelihood'?
Correct Answer: C. Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation
In Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985), the Supreme Court expanded the meaning of 'Right to Life' under Article 21 (linked to the Preamble's vision of social justice) to include the Right to Livelihood. The court held that pavement dwellers cannot be evicted without providing alternative arrangements, as livelihood is an integral part of the right to life.
Who described the Preamble as 'the soul of the Constitution'?
Correct Answer: C. K.M. Munshi
K.M. Munshi, a prominent member of the Constituent Assembly, described the Preamble as the 'soul of the Constitution'. He was instrumental in drafting the Preamble. The Preamble is also considered a horoscope (kundali) of the Constitution as it outlines the basic philosophy and values embedded in the Constitution.