NCERT Questions & Answers
Q1. Which of the following is not an instance of an exercise of a Fundamental Right?
a) Workers from Bihar go to Punjab to work on farms ✅
b) Christian missions set up schools ✅
c) Men and women govt. employees get same salary ✅
d) Parents’ property is inherited by children ❌ (This is a legal right, not a Fundamental Right.)
Q2. Which of the following freedoms is not available to an Indian citizen?
a) Freedom to criticise the government ✅
b) Freedom to participate in armed revolution ❌
c) Freedom to start a movement to change government ✅
d) Freedom to oppose central values of Constitution ❌
Q3. Which of the following rights is available under Indian Constitution?
a) Right to work ❌
b) Right to adequate livelihood ❌
c) Right to protect one’s culture ✅
d) Right to privacy ❌
Q4. Name the Fundamental Right under which these fall:
a) Freedom to propagate religion → Right to Freedom of Religion
b) Right to life → Right to Freedom (Article 21)
c) Abolition of untouchability → Right to Equality
d) Ban on bonded labour → Right against Exploitation
Q5. Which statement about democracy and rights is more valid? Why?
Answer: (a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens.
Because rights are essential for democracy; without rights, elections and institutions are meaningless.
Q6. Are these restrictions on freedom justified?
a) Permission for border areas → ✅ Yes, for national security.
b) Outsiders not allowed property in tribal areas → ✅ Yes, to protect locals.
c) Ban on a book against ruling party → ❌ No, it curbs freedom of expression.
Q7. Manoj denied MBA admission for being sweeper’s son. Which rights violated?
Answer: Right to Equality (Article 14) and Right to Freedom (Article 19(1)(g) – freedom to profession).
Q8. Madhurima asked to change surname after marriage. Who is right?
Answer: Madhurima is right. Forcing her violates Right to Equality and Right to Personal Liberty.
Q9. Tribals protesting displacement. Write petition, govt response, NHRC report.
Answer:
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Petition (Tribals): Displacement violates our Right to Livelihood and Cultural Rights.
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Govt Response: Needed for development & wildlife protection.
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NHRC Report: Govt must provide compensation, rehabilitation, and balance development with rights of tribals.
Q10. Draw a web of rights (example):
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Freedom of movement ↔ Freedom of occupation ↔ Livelihood.
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Freedom of religion ↔ Cultural & Educational Rights.
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Right to Life ↔ Right to Health, Education, Environment.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Explain the six Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
Answer:
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Right to Equality – equality before law, no discrimination, abolition of untouchability.
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Right to Freedom – freedom of speech, movement, residence, occupation.
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Right against Exploitation – prohibits child labour, bonded labour, trafficking.
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Right to Freedom of Religion – freedom to practice, profess, and propagate religion.
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Cultural and Educational Rights – protection of language, culture of minorities, right to establish institutions.
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Right to Constitutional Remedies – to move courts if rights violated.
Q2. Why are Fundamental Rights called the “heart and soul” of the Constitution?
Answer:
Because they guarantee citizens’ freedoms against misuse of power by state or majority. They make democracy meaningful by ensuring equality, dignity, and justice. Dr. Ambedkar called the Right to Constitutional Remedies the “heart and soul” as it protects all rights.
Q3. Differentiate between Fundamental Rights, Legal Rights, and Human Rights.
Answer:
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Fundamental Rights: Guaranteed by Constitution (equality, freedom, etc.).
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Legal Rights: Given by laws (like Right to Information, Right to Vote).
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Human Rights: Universal moral claims (right to food, health, livelihood).
Fundamental Rights are enforceable in court; human rights may or may not be.
Q4. How does the judiciary safeguard Fundamental Rights?
Answer:
Judiciary checks laws and govt actions through judicial review. It can strike down unconstitutional laws, enforce rights via writs, and even take up cases as Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Courts protect citizens against both govt and private violations.
Q5. Discuss how the scope of rights has expanded in India.
Answer:
Courts and legislatures have widened rights:
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Right to Education (2002) became a Fundamental Right.
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Right to Information Act (2005) derived from freedom of expression.
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Right to Life expanded to include right to food, health, environment.
Human rights movements also demand rights like privacy, livelihood, and minimum wages.
MCQs
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Fundamental Rights are given in Part:
(a) II (b) III (c) IV (d) V
Answer: (b) -
Untouchability is abolished under:
(a) Art. 14 (b) Art. 17 (c) Art. 19 (d) Art. 21
Answer: (b) -
Child labour is prohibited below age:
(a) 12 (b) 13 (c) 14 (d) 16
Answer: (c) -
Right to Constitutional Remedies is under Article:
(a) 32 (b) 19 (c) 14 (d) 21
Answer: (a) -
Chairman of Drafting Committee:
(a) Nehru (b) Ambedkar (c) Patel (d) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (b) -
Right to Education became Fundamental in:
(a) 1995 (b) 2002 (c) 2010 (d) 2005
Answer: (b) -
Who called Art. 32 the “heart and soul”?
(a) Gandhi (b) Nehru (c) Ambedkar (d) Patel
Answer: (c) -
Right to Information Act passed in:
(a) 2002 (b) 2004 (c) 2005 (d) 2010
Answer: (c) -
Which right is not Fundamental in India?
(a) Right to Property (b) Right to Equality (c) Right to Freedom (d) Right against Exploitation
Answer: (a) -
National Human Rights Commission set up in:
(a) 1989 (b) 1993 (c) 2000 (d) 1995
Answer: (b) -
PIL means:
(a) Public Interest Law (b) Public Interest Litigation (c) Public Information Law (d) People in Law
Answer: (b) -
Secularism means:
(a) State religion (b) Equality of all religions (c) Promotion of majority religion (d) None
Answer: (b) -
Freedom of speech is restricted for:
(a) Security (b) Public order (c) Decency (d) All of these
Answer: (d) -
Which Fundamental Right protects minorities’ culture?
(a) Right to Equality (b) Cultural & Educational Rights (c) Right to Freedom (d) None
Answer: (b) -
Right to Life is under Article:
(a) 14 (b) 17 (c) 19 (d) 21
Answer: (d) -
Who can issue writs for Fundamental Rights?
(a) PM (b) Parliament (c) President (d) Courts
Answer: (d) -
Right to Property is now a:
(a) Fundamental Right (b) Legal Right (c) Human Right (d) Customary Right
Answer: (b) -
Which organisation campaigns for human rights globally?
(a) WHO (b) UNESCO (c) Amnesty International (d) UNDP
Answer: (c) -
Which Fundamental Right allows forming unions?
(a) Equality (b) Freedom (c) Remedies (d) Exploitation
Answer: (b) -
Which right is not suspended during Emergency?
(a) Right to Life (b) Freedom of Expression (c) Freedom of Assembly (d) Freedom of Movement
Answer: (a)
Fill in the Blanks
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Fundamental Rights are given in Part III of the Constitution.
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The Right to Equality includes abolition of untouchability.
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Article 21 guarantees Right to Life and Liberty.
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Right to Education is for children up to 14 years.
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Amnesty International works for human rights globally.
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PIL stands for Public Interest Litigation.
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NHRC was set up in 1993.
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Cultural and Educational Rights protect minorities.
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Right to Property is now a legal right.
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Dr. Ambedkar called Article 32 the “heart and soul” of the Constitution.