Directive Principles of State Policy MCQ
11. Which organization aimed to bring about social and economic equity and justice through its Five-Year Plans?
a) Planning Commission
b) Niti Ayog
c) Reserve Bank of India
d) Ministry of Finance
a) Planning Commission
Explanation: The Planning Commission was responsible for formulating India’s Five-Year Plans, aimed at promoting social and economic equity and justice.
12. Which measures were introduced to help the underprivileged sections in India?
a) Acts to protect the interests of the poor
b) Protection of wildlife and conservation of forests
c) Development of cottage industries
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
Explanation: Acts to protect the interests of the poor, protection of wildlife and conservation of forests, and the development of cottage industries are all measures aimed at helping the underprivileged sections in India.
13. Which act was passed to protect the interests of women in India?
a) Maternity Benefits Act
b) Equal Remuneration Act
c) Protection of Civil Rights Act
d) Right to Education Act
a) Maternity Benefits Act
Explanation: The Maternity Benefits Act was enacted to protect the employment of women during the time of maternity and entitles them to a ‘maternity benefit’ which is fully paid wages during the absence from work and to take care of the child.
14. Which amendment added Article 48A to the Directive Principles of State Policy?
a) 42nd Amendment Act of 1976
b) 44th Amendment Act of 1978
c) 86th Amendment Act of 2002
d) 97th Amendment Act of 2011
a) 42nd Amendment Act of 1976
Explanation: Article 48A, directing the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country, was added by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.
15. What is the main limitation of Directive Principles of State Policy?
a) They are legally binding on the state
b) They are justiciable in the courts
c) The state has a moral duty to implement them
d) They can be easily enforced by the judiciary
c) The state has a moral duty to implement them
Explanation: The Directive Principles are not legally binding; they are guidelines or principles that the State is expected to follow, but they are not enforceable by the courts.
16. Who described Directive Principles of State Policy as “pious wishes”?
a) K.T. Shah
b) T.T. Krishnamachari
c) K. Santhanam
d) Granville Austin
b) T.T. Krishnamachari
Explanation: The phrase “pious wishes” in relation to the Directive Principles of State Policy is often attributed to various members of the Constituent Assembly, but it was actually T.T. Krishnamachari who described them as such. This description reflects the non-justiciable nature of these principles, meaning they are not legally enforceable by the courts, but they are meant to guide the state in formulating policies and laws.
17. According to Granville Austin, both Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy are the ______________ of the constitution.
a) Foundation
b) Conscience
c) Essence
d) Backbone
b) Conscience
Explanation: Granville Austin described both Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles as the “conscience” of the Constitution, emphasizing their integral role in its framework.
18. Fundamental Rights are _______________ in nature, while Directive Principles of State Policy are _______________ in nature.
a) Positive, Negative
b) Negative, Positive
c) Enforceable, Non-justiciable
d) Non-justiciable, Enforceable
b) Negative, Positive
19. In cases of conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, which one prevails?
a) Fundamental Rights
b) Directive Principles of State Policy
c) Both have equal weight
d) It depends on the specific case
a) Fundamental Rights
Explanation: In cases of conflict, Fundamental Rights generally prevail over Directive Principles, as they are enforceable by the courts, whereas Directive Principles are not.
20. The Minerva Mills case of 1980 emphasized the ___________________ between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
a) Conflict
b) Superiority
c) Harmony
d) Separation
c) Harmony
Explanation: The Minerva Mills case emphasized the harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, stating that the Constitution aims to balance both sets of provisions.