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Practice paper — Constitution Part IV — Directive Principles of State Policy

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1.According to Article 36, in this Part the term "the State" —
- (A) refers only to the Central Government
- (B) has the same meaning as in Part III
- (C) includes private individuals and companies
- (D) is newly defined by Article 36 itself
2.The phrase "unless the context otherwise requires" in Article 36 means:
- (A) The Part III meaning must apply in all circumstances
- (B) The Part III meaning may be departed from when the context of this Part requires a different meaning
- (C) That the meaning of 'the State' is fixed and cannot change
- (D) That 'context' refers only to outsider statutes
3.Does Article 36 alter the meaning of 'the State' as used in Part III of the Constitution?
- (A) Yes — it replaces Part III's meaning with a new one for all Parts
- (B) No — it merely adopts Part III's meaning for use in this Part and does not change Part III itself
- (C) Yes — it expands Part III's definition to include private actors
- (D) No — it prohibits any contextual variations within this Part
4.Which of the following correctly states the enforceability of the provisions contained in this Part of the Constitution?
- (A) They are enforceable by any court.
- (B) They are not enforceable by any court.
- (C) They are enforceable only by the Supreme Court.
- (D) They are enforceable only after a presidential ordinance.
5.If an individual asks a court to give direct effect to a principle contained in this Part, what does the provision imply will be the court's position?
- (A) The court must give direct effect to the principle.
- (B) The court may give effect only if Parliament so allows.
- (C) The court cannot enforce the principle.
- (D) The court can enforce it during a national emergency.
6.Which statement best captures the legal effect of the State's duty under this provision?
- (A) The duty creates a court-enforceable obligation allowing citizens to compel legislation.
- (B) The duty is constitutional but not enforceable by courts, so courts cannot compel the State to make laws to implement the principles.
- (C) The duty automatically makes any law inconsistent with the principles void.
- (D) The duty permits courts to supervise legislative policy choices directly.
7.Article 38(2) specifically requires the State, in particular, to strive to minimise which of the following?
- (A) Inequalities in status
- (B) Inequalities in income
- (C) Inequalities in political representation
- (D) Inequalities among religious communities
8.Which of the following correctly states the different standards Article 38(2) sets for income inequalities and other inequalities (status, facilities and opportunities)?
- (A) It requires elimination of income inequalities and minimisation of status, facilities and opportunities inequalities.
- (B) It makes no distinction and requires minimisation of all inequalities.
- (C) It requires minimisation only among groups in different areas or vocations.
- (D) It requires the State to strive to minimise inequalities in income and to endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities.
9.According to Article 39 of the Constitution, which of the following does clause (a) specifically require the State to secure?
- (A) Equal pay for equal work for both men and women
- (B) That citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood
- (C) That ownership and control of material resources are distributed to subserve the common good
- (D) That children are protected against exploitation and abandonment
10.Which clause of Article 39 is concerned with preventing the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment?
- (A) Clause (c): operation of the economic system does not result in concentration of wealth and means of production
- (B) Clause (b): distribution of ownership and control of material resources
- (C) Clause (e): protection of health and strength of workers and tender age of children
- (D) Clause (f): opportunities for children to develop and protection against exploitation
11.Which clause of Article 39 deals with distribution of ownership and control of the material resources of the community so as best to subserve the common good (as distinct from the clause addressing concentration of wealth and means of production)?
- (A) Clause (c): operation of the economic system and concentration of wealth
- (B) Clause (b): ownership and control of the material resources distributed to subserve the common good
- (C) Clause (a): right to an adequate means of livelihood
- (D) Clause (d): equal pay for equal work
12.What primary obligation does Article 39A place on the State?
- (A) To secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity and to provide free legal aid.
- (B) To ensure equality before the law for all persons.
- (C) To guarantee free legal representation in every civil dispute.
- (D) To establish trial by jury for serious offences.
13.According to Article 39A, opportunities for securing justice must not be denied on account of which disabilities?
- (A) Only economic disabilities.
- (B) Only social disabilities.
- (C) Economic or other disabilities.
- (D) Only physical disabilities.
14.Can Article 39A be read as extending its guarantee of free legal aid to non-citizens?
- (A) Yes — it refers to 'persons' and therefore includes non-citizens.
- (B) No — it specifically refers to 'any citizen', so it applies to citizens rather than non-citizens.
- (C) Yes — because 'other disabilities' implicitly covers nationality.
- (D) It does not mention beneficiaries at all, so the question is not addressed.
15.According to Article 40, village panchayats are to be enabled to function as:
- (A) agencies of the State Government
- (B) units of self-government
- (C) advisory bodies to district administration
- (D) units of local revenue collection
16.The obligation under Article 40 is addressed to whom and framed in what terms?
- (A) To the State, which 'shall take steps' to organise village panchayats
- (B) To Parliament, which 'may by law' establish panchayats
- (C) To the Governor, who shall constitute panchayats in each village
- (D) To the Election Commission, which shall supervise panchayat polls
17.According to Article 41 of the Constitution of India, the State shall make effective provision for which of the following sets of rights?
- (A) The right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases
- (B) The right to property and protection of trade
- (C) The right to freedom of speech and expression
- (D) The right to practice religion and manage religious affairs
18.Which of the following groups of situations is expressly mentioned in Article 41 as occasions for providing public assistance?
- (A) Only unemployment and old age
- (B) Only education and public assistance
- (C) Unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want
- (D) Only sickness and disablement
19.Which phrase in Article 41 broadens the duty of the State beyond the specifically listed cases like unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement?
- (A) and in other cases of undeserved want
- (B) to make effective provision
- (C) to the right to work
- (D) within the limits of its economic capacity and development
20.According to Article 42, the State must make provision for securing which of the following?
- (A) Only maternity relief
- (B) Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
- (C) Only just and humane conditions of work
- (D) General economic development measures
21.Based on the wording of Article 42, who is directly obliged to make provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief?
- (A) Individual employers are directly obliged
- (B) Individual workers are obliged to provide for themselves
- (C) Local bodies alone are directly obliged
- (D) The State is obliged to make provision
22.How does Article 42 treat 'just and humane conditions of work' and 'maternity relief' in its wording?
- (A) It treats maternity relief as a distinct obligation separate from just and humane conditions of work
- (B) It implies maternity relief is wholly subsumed within just and humane conditions of work
- (C) It states both are optional suggestions without any duty
- (D) It does not mention either of these matters
23.Article 43 applies to which categories of workers?
- (A) Only industrial workers
- (B) Agricultural, industrial or otherwise
- (C) Only agricultural workers
- (D) Only government employees
24.What specific promotion in rural areas does Article 43 call for?
- (A) Promotion of cottage industries on a joint‑stock company basis
- (B) Promotion of heavy industries to absorb labour
- (C) Ban on cottage industries in rural areas
- (D) Promotion of cottage industries on an individual or co‑operative basis in rural areas
25.Who is required by Article 43A to take steps to secure participation of workers in management?
- (A) The State
- (B) The workers themselves
- (C) The employers
- (D) The judiciary
26.Does Article 43A limit its application to public sector undertakings only?
- (A) Yes, it applies only to public sector undertakings
- (B) No, it covers undertakings, establishments or other organisations engaged in any industry
- (C) Yes, it applies only to government departments
- (D) Yes, it applies only to cooperative societies
27.What best describes the nature of the State's obligation under Article 43A?
- (A) An immediate guarantee that workers will manage industries
- (B) An obligation on the State to take steps (by legislation or otherwise) to secure worker participation
- (C) A suggestion that the State may consider worker participation if it wishes
- (D) A duty that only applies after specific enabling legislation
28.Under Article 44, on whom is the obligation placed to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code?
- (A) Parliament alone
- (B) The Supreme Court
- (C) The State
- (D) The President
29.Which phrase in Article 44 indicates that securing a uniform civil code is framed as a goal to be striven for rather than an immediately operative command?
- (A) 'shall by law provide'
- (B) 'shall guarantee'
- (C) 'may, if expedient, secure'
- (D) 'shall endeavour to secure'
30.According to Article 45, who is primarily charged with providing free and compulsory education?
- (A) The State
- (B) Parents or guardians
- (C) Private schools
- (D) Local municipal bodies
31.Which best describes the character of the obligation created by the phrase 'shall endeavour to provide' in Article 45?
- (A) An absolute and immediate legal duty enforceable without delay
- (B) A completely optional suggestion with no requirement to act
- (C) An obligation to make a sincere effort to provide within the specified time
- (D) A duty imposed exclusively on non-state actors
32.Which of the following children is clearly not covered by the scope of Article 45 as written?
- (A) A child aged 13 years 11 months
- (B) A child aged exactly 14 years
- (C) A child aged 10 years
- (D) A child aged 14 years and 6 months
33.Which two interests does Article 46 require the State to promote with special care?
- (A) Educational and economic interests
- (B) Political and cultural interests
- (C) Social and criminal justice interests
- (D) Religious and linguistic interests
34.According to Article 46, from what must the State protect the weaker sections?
- (A) Criminal acts only
- (B) Social injustice and all forms of exploitation
- (C) Economic policies only
- (D) Educational discrimination only
35.In the phrase 'and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation,' to whom does 'them' refer?
- (A) The weaker sections of the people (including, in particular, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes)
- (B) Only the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
- (C) The State itself
- (D) The educational and economic interests
36.According to Article 47, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and of drugs except in which circumstance?
- (A) For religious ceremonies
- (B) For export purposes
- (C) For medicinal purposes
- (D) For personal consumption with a licence
37.Which of the following does Article 47 explicitly seek to prohibit?
- (A) Intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health
- (B) Only intoxicating drinks
- (C) All drugs irrespective of their effect on health
- (D) Only locally produced intoxicants
38.Which of the following best describes the primary duty imposed on the State by Article 48 of the Constitution of India?
- (A) To organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines
- (B) To provide direct subsidies to farmers for animal fodder
- (C) To nationalise cattle farms for state control
- (D) To guarantee employment to all agricultural labourers
39.Who is the entity directed to take the measures mentioned in Article 48 (such as organising agriculture on scientific lines and taking steps for cattle)?
- (A) Private agricultural companies
- (B) The State
- (C) Individual citizens
- (D) Municipal corporations only
40.Which phrase in Article 48 indicates that the State's obligation is to strive to achieve the stated objectives rather than an absolute immediate command?
- (A) "preserving and improving the breeds"
- (B) "prohibiting the slaughter"
- (C) "shall endeavour to"
- (D) "of cows and calves"
41.Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the provision as an object to be protected or safeguarded?
- (A) The environment
- (B) Industrial development
- (C) Forests
- (D) Wild life
42.According to the wording of the provision, which of the following best describes the required action regarding environment and forests?
- (A) It requires the State to improve the forests.
- (B) It requires only protection of the environment and says nothing about forests.
- (C) It requires the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life.
- (D) It mandates transfer of forests to private entities for better management.
43.Which word in the provision most clearly indicates that the State's action is expressed as an effort or attempt rather than an absolute command?
- (A) Endeavour
- (B) Protect
- (C) Shall
- (D) Safeguard
44.Which of the following items does Article 49 require the State to protect?
- (A) Any building older than 100 years
- (B) Natural resources like rivers and forests
- (C) Every monument, place or object of artistic or historic interest declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance
- (D) All private property of historical owners
45.Would Article 49 require protection for a monument that has not been "declared by or under law made by Parliament" to be of national importance?
- (A) Yes — all monuments of artistic or historic interest are covered regardless of declaration
- (B) Yes — if the State chooses so
- (C) Only if the Supreme Court directs protection
- (D) No — the duty applies to those declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance
46.What duty does Article 50 impose on 'The State'?
- (A) To merge the judiciary and the executive in public services
- (B) To leave the relationship between judiciary and executive unchanged
- (C) To take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State
- (D) To separate the legislature from the judiciary
47.Does Article 50 require private employers to separate the judiciary from the executive?
- (A) No; the provision specifies separation in the public services of the State
- (B) Yes; it applies to all private and public employers equally
- (C) Yes; but only for employers who contract with the government
- (D) No; it concerns separation between legislature and executive
48.Which statement best captures the scope of Article 50 as written?
- (A) It requires separation of the judiciary from the executive specifically in the public services of the State
- (B) It requires separation of the judiciary from both the executive and the legislature across all sectors
- (C) It requires separation only at the national (Union) level and not at State level
- (D) It requires separation of the judiciary from the executive solely in private organizations
49.Which of the following is NOT included among the objectives listed in Article 51?
- (A) Maintain just and honourable relations between nations
- (B) Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations
- (C) Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration
- (D) Intervene in the internal affairs of other countries to protect human rights
50.What does clause (d) of Article 51 require the State to do regarding international disputes?
- (A) Compel other states to accept arbitration
- (B) Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration
- (C) Mandate use of military force to resolve disputes
- (D) Prohibit diplomatic negotiations

Answer key

1. B2. B3. B4. B5. C6. B7. B8. D9. B10. A11. B12. A13. C14. B15. B16. A17. A18. C19. A20. B21. D22. A23. B24. D25. A26. B27. B28. C29. D30. A31. C32. D33. A34. B35. A36. C37. A38. A39. B40. C41. B42. C43. A44. C45. D46. C47. A48. A49. D50. B

Explanations

1. (B) Article 36 states: "In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, 'the State' has the same meaning as in Part III." Therefore the correct answer is that it has the same meaning as in Part III.
2. (B) Article 36 qualifies the rule with "unless the context otherwise requires," which permits departure from the Part III meaning where the context of this Part demands a different meaning.
3. (B) Article 36 adopts the meaning "as in Part III" for use "in this Part," so it applies Part III's meaning here but does not purport to change the meaning used in Part III itself. The provision also allows contextual variations within this Part.
4. (B) The provision expressly states, 'The provisions contained in this Part shall not be enforceable by any court.' Therefore these provisions are not enforceable by any court.
5. (C) The provision states unambiguously that 'The provisions contained in this Part shall not be enforceable by any court,' so a court cannot directly enforce those principles.
6. (B) The provision sets out a duty: 'it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws,' but also says the provisions 'shall not be enforceable by any court.' Thus the duty exists constitutionally but is not court-enforceable.
7. (B) Article 38(2) expressly says the State shall "in particular strive to minimise the inequalities in income." That phrase identifies income inequality as the specific target to be minimised.
8. (D) Article 38(2) distinguishes between the two: the State shall "in particular strive to minimise the inequalities in income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities." The provision uses "minimise" for income and "endeavour to eliminate" for status, facilities and opportunities.
9. (B) Clause (a) of Article 39 states that the State shall direct its policy towards securing "that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood." This clause thus deals specifically with the right to an adequate means of livelihood for citizens, men and women equally.
10. (A) Clause (c) of Article 39 requires that "the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment." This clause therefore specifically addresses preventing concentration of wealth and means of production.
11. (B) Clause (b) of Article 39 requires that "the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good," distinguishing it from clause (c), which addresses concentration of wealth and means of production. Therefore clause (b) is the provision about distribution of ownership and control.
12. (A) Article 39A states that the State shall secure that the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity and shall provide free legal aid. The provision therefore directs the State to promote equal-opportunity justice and provide free legal aid.
13. (C) Article 39A requires that opportunities for securing justice are not denied 'by reason of economic or other disabilities.' The provision therefore covers economic disabilities and other (i.e., non‑economic) disabilities as well.
14. (B) Article 39A expressly says opportunities must not be denied 'to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.' The text therefore identifies 'any citizen' as the class to be protected, and does not state inclusion of non-citizens.
15. (B) Article 40 requires that panchayats be endowed with such powers and authority as may be necessary 'to enable them to function as units of self-government'. Functioning as self-governing units, not as agencies or advisory bodies, is the stated objective.
16. (A) Article 40 begins 'The State shall take steps to organise village panchayats', casting the duty on the State in general terms of taking steps. It does not name Parliament, the Governor or the Election Commission as the repository of this duty.
17. (A) The provision states: 'The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance ...'. Thus it expressly lists those three as the subjects of provision.
18. (C) The provision explicitly lists 'public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want.' Therefore the third option most closely matches the text.
19. (A) After listing specific cases, Article 41 adds 'and in other cases of undeserved want,' which clearly extends the State's duty beyond the enumerated categories to other situations of undeserved want.
20. (B) The provision reads, 'The State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.' It therefore requires measures for both just and humane work conditions and for maternity relief.
21. (D) The text expressly states, 'The State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.' This places the obligation on the State rather than on individual employers or workers in the wording of the provision.
22. (A) The provision lists both aims: 'securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.' The separate wording for each matter indicates they are treated as distinct subjects for which the State must make provision.
23. (B) Article 43 states the State shall endeavour to secure to “all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise” the listed benefits. Thus the provision expressly covers agricultural, industrial and other workers.
24. (D) The provision says, “in particular, the State shall endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or co‑operative basis in rural areas.” Thus it specifically calls for promoting cottage industries on an individual or co‑operative basis in rural areas.
25. (A) Article 43A begins with the words "The State shall take steps...", which places the duty on the State to take measures to secure worker participation in management.
26. (B) Article 43A refers to "undertakings, establishments or other organisations engaged in any industry," which indicates a broad scope not confined to public sector undertakings alone.
27. (B) Article 43A states "The State shall take steps, by suitable legislation or in any other way, to secure the participation of workers," which imposes an obligation to take measures (legislative or otherwise) to secure participation, rather than promising an immediate guarantee or leaving it entirely optional.
28. (C) Article 44 opens with the words 'The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code'. The duty is thus cast on the State, not specifically on Parliament, the Supreme Court or the President.
29. (D) Article 44 uses the words 'The State shall endeavour to secure', casting the provision as a directive to strive towards the objective. It does not use guaranteeing or mandatory legislative language such as 'shall by law provide'.
30. (A) The provision begins with the words 'The State shall endeavour to provide...', which shows that the State is the entity charged with providing free and compulsory education. The text does not assign that primary responsibility to parents, private schools or municipal bodies.
31. (C) The phrase used is 'The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years...', which indicates an obligation to make an effort to achieve the stated goal within the given timeframe rather than an unconditional immediate command. The text does not describe it as wholly optional nor as imposed on non-state actors.
32. (D) Article 45 covers education 'until they complete the age of fourteen years.' A child who is 14 years and 6 months has completed the age of fourteen and therefore is outside the scope described in the text. Children younger than or not exceeding that age remain within its stated scope.
33. (A) The provision states that 'The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people.' Thus it explicitly names educational and economic interests.
34. (B) The provision expressly provides that the State 'shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.' Therefore protection is required against social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
35. (A) Grammatically and contextually the provision first mentions 'the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes,' and then states 'and shall protect them,' so 'them' refers to those weaker sections (including SCs and STs).
36. (C) The text says the State 'shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.' Therefore the exception explicitly provided is 'medicinal purposes.'
37. (A) The provision specifically refers to 'prohibition of the consumption ... of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health,' thus covering both intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.
38. (A) Article 48 states: "The State shall endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines..." This places the duty on the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines.
39. (B) Article 48 begins with "The State shall endeavour..." indicating that it is the State which is to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and take the specified steps regarding cattle.
40. (C) The Article begins with the words "The State shall endeavour to organise...", and the phrase "shall endeavour to" indicates that the State is to make efforts or strive to achieve these aims. The remainder of the sentence lists particular steps the State should take.
41. (B) The provision specifically mentions 'the environment' and 'the forests and wild life of the country'. 'Industrial development' is not referred to in the text.
42. (C) The provision states the State 'shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country', which shows a dual requirement: improve/protect the environment and safeguard forests and wild life. It does not mention privatization.
43. (A) The phrase 'The State shall endeavour...' uses the word 'endeavour', which conveys making an effort or attempt. The other words describe the actions to be taken but do not reflect the qualifying mode of duty.
44. (C) Article 49 specifies protection of "every monument or place or object of artistic or historic interest, declared by or [under law made by Parliament] to be of national importance," so protection is limited to those so declared.
45. (D) Article 49 ties the protection obligation to items "declared by or [under law made by Parliament] to be of national importance," indicating the duty applies only to those so declared, not to all un-declared monuments.
46. (C) Article 50 states: 'The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.' Therefore the duty imposed on The State is to take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.
47. (A) Article 50 limits the requirement to 'the public services of the State.' It does not extend that duty to private employers in the text of the provision.
48. (A) The provision explicitly directs: 'The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.' Thus its scope is limited to separating judiciary from executive within the public services of the State.
49. (D) Article 51 lists (a) promoting international peace and security, (b) maintaining just and honourable relations between nations, (c) fostering respect for international law and treaty obligations, and (d) encouraging settlement of disputes by arbitration. It does not direct intervention in other countries' internal affairs.
50. (B) Clause (d) of Article 51 states that the State shall endeavour to “encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.” It does not speak of compulsion, military force, or prohibition of diplomacy.