Chapter 1 What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

-MCQ’s

1. The head of the government in Nepal is :

(a) President
(b) Prime Minister
(c) King
(d) Vice President
► (a) President

2. The word ‘Democracy’ comes from the Greek word –

(a) Democracia
(b) Demokratia
(c) Demos
(d) Kratia
► (b) Demokratia

3. In which case was the real power with external powers and not with the locally
elected
representatives?
(a) India in Sri Lanka
(b) US in Iraq
(c) USSR in Communist Poland
(d) Both (b) and (c)
► (d) Both (b) and (c)

4. What kind of government is there in Myanmar?

(a) Government elected by the people
(b) Communist government
(c) Army rule
(d) Monarchy
► (c) Army rule

5. Who led a military coup in Pakistan in 1999?

(a) Benazir Bhutto
(b) Nawaz Sharif
(c) Pervez Musharraf
(d) None of the above
► (c) Pervez Musharraf

6. ‘One person, one vote’ means

(a) One person is to be voted by all
(b) One person has one vote and each vote has one value
(c) A person can vote only once in his life
(d) Both (a) and (c)
► (b) One person has one vote and each vote has one value

7. Why can the Chinese government not be called a democratic government even
though
elections are held there?
(a) Army participates in election
(b) government is not accountable to the people
(c) Some parts of China are not represented at all
(d) Government is always formed by the Communist Party
► (d) Government is always formed by the Communist Party

8. Which party always won elections in Mexico since its independence in 1930 until
2000?
(a) Revolutionary Party
(b) Mexican Revolutionary Party
(c) Institutional Revolutionary Party
(d) Institutional Party
► (c) Institutional Revolutionary Party

9. Which party has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence and who is its ruler?
(a) ZANU-PF, Robert Mugabe
(b) ZANU-PF, Kenneth Kaunda
(c) Zimbabwe Freedom Party, Nelson Mandela
(d) Zimbabwe Party, P Johnson
► (a) ZANU-PF, Robert Mugabe

10. Which of these features is/are necessary to provide the basic rights to the citizens?
(a) Citizens should be free to think
(b) Should be free to form associations
(c) Should be free to raise protest
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

11. Which of these statements is/are correct in the case of Zimbabwe?

(a) Popular governments are always democratic
(b) Popular governments can be undemocratic
(c) Popular leaders can be autocratic
(d) Both (b) and (c)
► (d) Both (b) and ©

12. A democratic government has to respect some rules after winning the elections.
Which
of these points is not a part of those rules?
(a) Respecting guarantees given to the minorities.
(b) Every major decision has to go through a series of consultations.
(c) Office-bearers are not accountable.
(d) Office-bearers have some responsibilities.
► (c) Office-bearers are not accountable.

13. Which of these is permitted under the Rule of Law?

(a) Prime Minister can be punished for violating the Constitution.
(b) Police has a right to kill anybody.
(c) Women can be paid lesser salaries.
(d) President can rule for as long as he wants.
► (a) Prime Minister can be punished for violating the Constitution.

14. Which organ of the government is required to protect the rights of the citizens?
(a) Executive
(b) Legislature
(c) Independent judiciary
(d) Police
► (c) Independent judiciary

15. Some of the drawbacks of democracy are

(a) instability and delays
(b) corruption and hypocrisy
(c) politicians fighting among themselves
(d) all the above
► (d) all the above

16. What is Constitutional Law?

(a) Provisions given in the Constitution
(b) Law to make Constitution
(c) Law to set up Constituent Assembly
(d) None of the above
► (a) Provisions given in the Constitution

17. Some of the drawbacks of democracy are

(a) instability and delays
(b) corruption and hypocrisy
(c) politicians fighting among themselves
(d) all the above
► (d) all the above

18. Which of these is permitted under the Rule of Law?

(a) Prime Minister can be punished for violating the Constitution.
(b) Police has a right to kill anybody.
(c) Women can be paid lesser salaries.
(d) President can rule for as long as he wants.
► (a) Prime Minister can be punished for violating the Constitution.

19. In which period did China face one of the worst famines that have occurred in the
world?
(a) 1932-36
(b) 1958-61
(c) 2001-2002
(d) 2004-2007
► (b) 1958-61

20. Democracy improves the quality of decision-making because

(a) decisions are taken by educated people
(b) decisions are taken by consultation and discussion
(c) decisions are taken over a long period of time
(d) all decisions are approved by judiciary
► (b) decisions are taken by consultation and discussion

21. In which of these cases can democracy not provide a complete solution?
(a) Removing poverty completely
(b) Providing education to all
(c) Giving jobs to all
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

22. How does democracy allow us to correct its own mistakes?

(a) Mistakes are hidden and cannot be corrected
(b) Re-electing the same government to enable it to correct its mistakes
(c) The rulers can be changed
(d) None of the above
► (c) The rulers can be changed

23. In any society, people are bound to have difference of opinions and interests.
Which is
a better way of dealing with these conflicts?
(a) By brutal power exercised by the government
(b) By allowing one group to dictate terms to others
(c) By providing equal opportunities to all
(d) By opting for a strong leader who should have all the powers.
► (c) By providing equal opportunities to all

24. Which of these is not an instance of broader meaning of democracy?

(a) Taking opinion of all the family members before taking a decision
(b) Being allowed to ask questions in the class
(c) Having no say in one’s marriage plan
(d) None of the above
► (c) Having no say in one’s marriage plan

25. Which body in Indian political system is an example of direct democracy?

(a) Zila Parishad
(b) Panchayat Samiti
(c) Gram Sabha
(d) Vidhan Sabha
► (c) Gram Sabha

26. The most common form that democracy takes in our time is that of
(a) limited democracy
(b) representative democracy
(c) maximum democracy
(d) none of the above
► (b) representative democracy
 Chapter 2 Constitutional Design-MCQ’s

1. In which way did the system of apartheid discriminate among South Africans?
(a) Restricted social contacts between the races
(b) Segregation of public facilities
(c) Created race-specific job categories
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

2. On what charges was Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment?

(a) For treason
(b) For breaking the laws
(c) For corruption charges
(d) For possessing illegal property
► (a) For treason

3. Why did the white regime decide to change its policies?

(a) Increase in protests and struggles
(b) Government realised that repression was becoming difficult
(c) Rise of sympathetic attitude in government for the blacks
(d) Both (a) and (b)
► (d) Both (a) and (b)

4. With the end of apartheid, who became the first President of South African
Republic?
(a) F.W. de Klerk
(b) P.W. Botha
(c) Nelson Mandela
(d) None of the above
► (c) Nelson Mandela

5. Which of these did not form a part of the changed attitude of South African
government?
(a) Discriminatory laws were repealed
(b) Ban on political parties and media was lifted
(c) Nelson Mandela was freed from imprisonment
(d) More discriminatory laws were passed
► (d) More discriminatory laws were passed

6. Name the autobiography of Nelson Mandela.

(a) The Long Walk to Freedom
(b) South Africa Wins Freedom
(c) Walk to Freedom
(d) Our Freedom
► (a) The Long Walk to Freedom

7. When did South Africa become a democratic country?

(a) 26 April, 1995
(b) 26 April, 1994
(c) 24 March, 1994
(d) 27 April, 1996
► (b) 26 April, 1994

8. What did the black population want in the new Constitution?

(a) A black President
(b) Substantial social and economic rights
(c) Whites should be turned out of the country
(d) Apartheid for the whites
► (b) Substantial social and economic rights

9. During negotiations for making the Constitution, the whites agreed to

(a) The principle of majority rule
(b) One person one vote
(c) Accept some basic rights for the poor and the workers
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

10. When did Motilal Nehru draft a Constitution for India?

(a) 1927
(b) 1926
(c) 1929
(d) 1928
► (d) 1928

11. Which of these inspired our leaders while framing the Constitution?
(a) Ideals of the French Revolution
(b) Parliamentary democracy in Britain
(c) Bill of Rights in US
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

12. Where was the 1931 session of Indian National Congress held?
(a) Nagpur
(b) Karachi
(c) Calcutta
(d) Delhi
► (b) Karachi

13. Which of these features were accepted by all the Indian leaders much before they
sat
down to make the Constitution?
(a) Universal adult franchise
(b) Right to freedom
(c) Protection of the rights of minorities
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

14. When did the Assembly adopt the Constitution?

(a) 26 November, 1949
(b) 26 December, 1949
(c) 26 January, 1950
(d) 26 January, 1949
► (a) 26 November, 1949

15. Who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly?
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(d) Abul Kalam Azad
► (c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

16. Who among these leaders was a bitter critic of Mahatma Gandhi?
(a) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
(b) Sarojini Naidu
(c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
► (c) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

17. How many amendments were considered before adopting the Constitution?
(a) Around 500
(b) Around 2000
(c) Around 1550
(d) Around 1000
► (b) Around 2000

18. The Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. What is it called?
(a) Preface
(b) Preamble
(c) Introduction
(d) Article
► (b) Preamble

19. The Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. What is it called?
(a) Preface
(b) Preamble
(c) Introduction
(d) Article
► (b) Preamble

20. Which of these countries is/are examples of a Republic?

(a) USA
(b) India
(c) South Africa
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

21. Which of these positions is correct in relation to the ‘Sovereign’ status of India?
(a) USA can decide India’s foreign policy
(b) USSR can support the CPI (M) in setting up its government here
(c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies
(d) Pakistan can control India’s Armed Forces
► (c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies

22. Which of the following days is celebrated to mark the enforcement of the
constitution?
(a) Republic Day
(b) Independence Day
(c) Gandhi Jayanti
(d) Constitution Enforcement Day
► (a) Republic Day

23. Which of these positions is correct in relation to the ‘Sovereign’ status of India?
(a) USA can decide India’s foreign policy
(b) USSR can support the CPI (M) in setting up its government here
(c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies
(d) Pakistan can control India’s Armed Forces
► (c) The Indian government only can decide its internal and external policies

24. Who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian constitution ?
(a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) C. Rajgopalachari
(d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
► (a) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

25. When was the Constitution of India adopted?

(a) 26th Nov, 1949
(b) 26th Jan, 1949
(c) 26th Jan, 1950
(d) 26th Nov, 1950
► (a) 26th Nov, 1949

26. The Constituent Assembly met for how many days?

(a) 114
(b) 280
(c) 365
(d) 150
► (a) 114

27. In the constituent assembly, the first captain of the Indian hockey team also had a
role.
(a) Baldev Singh
(b) Somnath Lahiri
(c) Jaipal Singh
(d) K.M. Munshi
► (a) Baldev Singh

28. In which year did Motilal Nehru and others draft a constitution for India?
(a) 1931
(b) 1928
(c) 1929
(d) 1932
► (b) 1928

29. When did the Indian constitution come into force?

(a) 26th Nov, 1949
(b) 15th August, 1947
(c) 26th Jan, 1950
(d) 26th Jan, 1930
► (c) 26th Jan, 1950

30. Congress session of 1931 was held at:

(a) Karachi
(b) Lucknow
(c) Kanpur
(d) Madras, now Chennai
► (a) Karachi

Chapter 3 Electoral Politics-MCQ’s

1. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are
false?
(a) Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government
(b) People elect the representatives of their choice in an election
(c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary
(d) Elections enable people to indicate which policies they prefer
► (c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary

2. Who led the ‘Nyaya Yudh’?

(a) Chaudhary Charan Singh
(b) Chaudhary Devi Lal
(c) Ajit Singh
(d) None of the above
► (b) Chaudhary Devi Lal

3.What was the promise Devi Lal made to the farmers and small businessmen?
(a) He would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen

(b) He would lessen the rate of interest on their loans

(c) He would modernise agriculture
(d) He would provide free seeds and pesticides to them
► (a) He would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen

4. Which of these choices are made by voters in elections to a representative

democracy?
(a) Voters can choose who will make laws for them
(b) They can choose who will form the government
(c) They can choose the party whose policies will guide the government
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

5. What is meant by the term ‘constituency’?

(a) Place where the copy of constitution is kept
(b) A particular area from where voters elect a representative to the Lok Sabha /
Vidhan Sabha
(c) A body of voters
(d) None of the above
► (b) A particular area from where voters elect a representative to the Lok Sabha /
Vidhan Sabha

6. Which of these is not a condition of a democratic election?

(a) Everyone is allowed to vote
(b) There are political parties to contest elections
(c) The candidate not preferred by people gets elected
(d) Elections are held at regular intervals
► (c) The candidate not preferred by people gets elected

7. What is an election held for only one constituency to fill the vacancy caused due to
the death or resignation of a member called?
(a) By-election
(b) Mid-term election
(c) General election
(d) None of the above
► (a) By-election

8. In India, elections for which of these bodies are held after every five years?
(a) Rajya Sabha
(b) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha
(c) Vidhan Parishad
(d) Only Lok Sabha
► (b) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha

9. Constituencies called ‘wards’ are made for the election to

(a) Parliament
(b) State Legislative Assembly
(c) State Legislative Council
(d) Panchayats and municipal bodies
► (d) Panchayats and municipal bodies

10. Which of the options given below are applicable to the principle of Universal
Adult
Franchise?
(a) Only rich and educated can vote
(b) Only men can vote
(c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote
(d) Only employed people can vote
► (c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote
11. What are the details the candidates have to give in the legal declaration before
contesting
the elections?
(a) Serious criminal cases pending against them
(b) Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family
(c) Educational qualification of the candidate (d) All the above
► (c) Educational qualification of the candidate (d) All the above

12. Which of the options given below are applicable to the principle of Universal
Adult
Franchise?
(a) Only rich and educated can vote
(b) Only men can vote
(c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote
(d) Only employed people can vote
► (c) All citizens aged 18 and above can vote

13. What is a set of norms and guidelines, which is to be followed by political parties
and
contesting candidates during the election time, called?
(a) Discipline Roll
(b) Code of Conduct
(c) Conduct rules
(d) Both (a) and (b)
► (b) Code of Conduct

14. Name the body which conducts the elections in India.

(a) Supreme Court
(b) Parliament
(c) Cabinet
(d) Election Commission
► (d) Election Commission

15. Which candidate is declared elected?

(a) One who secures the highest number of votes from a constituency
(b) One who secures two-third majority
(c) One who secures 1/4 of the total votes cast
(d) None of the above
► (a) One who secures the highest number of votes from a constituency

16. In India, who votes in a larger proportion in the elections?

(a) Poor and illiterate
(b) Rich and privileged
(c) Educated people
(d) Women
► (a) Poor and illiterate

17. An electoral malpractice in which a person assumes the identity of another for
unlawful pusposes is:
(a) Incumbent
(b) Rigging
(c) Impersonation
(d) Turnact
► (c) Impersonation

18. Which of the following is not allowed while carrying out election campaign?
(a) Giving money to voters to cast vote for candidates
(b) Using TV channels
(c) Door to door canvassing
(d) Contacting voters on phone
► (a) Giving money to voters to cast vote for candidates

19. Which of the following statement is incorrect?

(a) All citizens above the age of 21 can vote in an election
(b) Every citizen has the right to vote regardless of caste religion or gender
(c) Some criminals and persons with unsound mind can be denied the right to vote in
rare situations
(d) It is the responsibility of the government to get the names of all eligible voters put
in the voters list.
► (a) All citizens above the age of 21 can vote in an election

20. Which among the following is not correct?

(a) The Election Commission conducts all elections for the Parliament and
Assemblies
(b) The Election Commission directs and controls the preparation of electoral roll
(c) The Election Commission cannot fix the election dates
(d) The Election Commission does scrutiny of nomination papers
► (c) The Election Commission cannot fix the election dates

21.‘‘Save Democracy’’ slogan was given by which of the following political party in
1977 Lok Sabha elections?
(a) Congress Party
(b) Janata Party
(b) Telugu Desam Party
(d) Left Front
► (b) Janata Party

22. In our country, elections are conducted by an independent and powerful body
which isknown as:
(a) Election Commission
(b) Parliament
(c) Judiciary
(d) Lok Sabha
► (a) Election Commission

23. What is the tenure of the Lok Sabha?

(a) 9 years
(b) 4 years
(c) 5 years
(d) 6 years
► (c) 5 years

24. Which of the following statements is against the democratic process of elections?
(a) Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections

(b) Elections must be held regularly immediately after the term is over
(c) The right to vote should be given to the selected people only
(d) Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner
► (c) The right to vote should be given to the selected people only

25. Which of the following has the largest Lok Sabha constituency in India?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Bihar
► (b) Uttar Pradesh

26. Reserved Constituencies ensures:

(a) Right to equality
(b) Proper representation to all religious groups
(c) Proper representation to the weaker sections of society
(d) None of these
► (c) Proper representation to the weaker sections of society

27. Who is responsible for free and fair elections in India?

(a) Prime Minister
(b) President
(c) Election Commissioner
(d) Council of Ministers
► (c) Election Commissioner

28. Which one of the following provisions fails to ensure fair and equal chance to
compete to candidates and political parties?
(a) No party or candidate can bribe or threaten voters
(b) No party or candidate is bound by the model code of conduct
(c) No party of candidates can use government resources for election campaign
(d) Nobody can appeal to voters in the name of caste or religion
► (b) No party or candidate is bound by the model code of conduct

29. Who is responsible for free and fair elections in India?

(a) Prime Minister
(b) President
(c) Election Commissioner
(d) Council of Ministers
► (c) Election Commissioner

30. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

(a) The Chief Justice of India
(b) The Prime Minister of India
(c) The President of India
(d) The people of India
► (c) The President of India

31. What is the Electoral Roll?

(a) The list of those who are eligible to vote
(b) The list of those who are contesting election
(c) The list of those who are not eligible to vote
(d) None of the above
► (a) The list of those who are eligible to vote

32. Which is the new reform introduced in the electroal process by the Election
Commission?
(a) Indelible ink
(b) Electronic voting machine
(c) Polling booths
(d) Voters’ list
► (b) Electronic voting machine

33. A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and candidates
during elections is called:
(a) Constituency
(b) Rigging
(c) Code of conduct
(d) Turnout
► (c) Code of conduct

34. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections is
false?
(a) Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government
(b) People select the representatives of their choice in an election
(c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary
(d) People can indicate which policies they prefer
► (c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary

Chapter 4 Working of Institutions-MCQ’s

1. When was the Second Backward Class Commission appointed?

(a) 1989
(b) 1979
(c) 1999
(d) 2001
► (b) 1979

2. What is ‘Parliament’?
(a) Assembly of elected representatives at the national level
(b) A body consisting of appointed ministers
(c) Body comprising judges
(d) Assembly of only appointed members
► (a) Assembly of elected representatives at the national level
3. Why did people react strongly to the Mandal Commission Report?
(a) It left out many backward communities
(b) It affected thousands of job opportunities
(c) Some high castes wanted to be included in it
(d) Both (a) and (c)
► (b) It affected thousands of job opportunities

4. What is meant by ‘Office Memorandum’?

(a) Order issued by the Government of India
(b) Memoirs of the leaders of the past
(c) Important defence documents
(d) None of the above
► (a) Order issued by the Government of India

5. Which of these are correct so far as powers of the Parliament are concerned, apart
from making laws?
(a) Exercising control over the government
(b) Controlling finance of the country
(c) Serving as the highest forum of discussion and debate
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

6. What do the Civil Servants do?

(a) They take important policy decisions
(b) They implement the ministers’ decisions
(c) They settle the disputes
(d) None of the above
► (b) They implement the ministers’ decisions

7. For how long can the Rajya Sabha delay a Money Bill?
(a) 15 days
(b) 1 month
(c) 3 months
(d) 14 days
► (d) 14 days

8. Apart from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, who else constitutes the Parliament?
(a) Prime Minister
(b) Chief Minister
(c) Governor
(d) President
► (d) President

9. Two features of Indian judicial system are:

(a) Independent Judiciary
(b) Integrated Judiciary
(c) Dependent Judiciary
(d) Both (a) and (b)
► (d) Both (a) and (b)
10. How can a judge of the Supreme Court be removed?
(a) By the Supreme Court itself
(b) By the Parliament through impeachment
(c) By the President alone
(d) By the Police
► (b) By the Parliament through impeachment

11. Which of these disputes can the Supreme Court take?

(a) Between citizens of the country
(b) Between citizens and the government
(c) Between two or more state governments
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

12. What is the power of the Supreme Court to judge the constitutional validity of a
law passed by the Parliament or an action of the Executive called?
(a) Judicial Revision
(b) Judicial Review
(c) Judicial Consent
(d) Judicial Permission
► (b) Judicial Review

13. Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts?
(a) President, according to his own wishes
(b) President, on the advice of the PM
(c) President on the advice of the PM in consultation with the Chief Justice of India
(d) None of the above
► (c) President on the advice of the PM in consultation with the Chief Justice of
India

14. What does the Supreme Court say over the Parliament’s power of amendment of
the Constitution?
(a) Parliament can amend the entire Constitution
(b) Parliament can amend only the basic structure of the Constitution
(c) Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution
(d) None of the above
► (c) Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution

15. What is a Public Interest Litigation?

(a) Filing a case in the court in the interest of the public
(b) Reviewing of Supreme Court judgements
(c) Procedure of removal of a judge
(d) None of the above
► (a) Filing a case in the court in the interest of the public

16. What are the two types of ‘Executives’ in India?

(a) Political Executive
(b) Permanent Executive
(c) Judicial Executive
(d) Both (a) and (b)
► (d) Both (a) and (b)

17. Whom does the President appoint as the Prime Minister?

(a) Anyone he likes
(b) Leader of the majority party
(c) MP who has secured the largest number of votes
(d) None of the above
► (b) Leader of the majority party

18. Why does the political executive have more powers than the permanent executive?
(a) Because hardly any expertise is required in taking policy decisions

(b) Because political executive consists of the direct representatives of the people
(c) Political leaders are more educated
(d) None of the above
► (b) Because political executive consists of the direct representatives of the people

19. Who among the following is a part of the political executive?

(a) Home Minister
(b) District Collector
(c) Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs
(d) Director General of Police
► (a) Home Minister

20. What is the tenure of office of the Prime Minister?

(a) 5 years
(b) 6 years
(c) As long as he wants
(d) He does not have a fixed tenure
► (d) He does not have a fixed tenure

21. Which organ of the government has the power to interpret the Constitution?
(a) Supreme Court
(b) District Court
(c) High Court
(d) Both (a) and (c)
► (a) Supreme Court

22. What is the government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties
called?
(a) Cooperation government
(b) Coalition government
(c) Consensus government
(d) Cooperative government
► (b) Coalition government

23. Which of these options is/are correct regarding the powers of the Prime Minister?
(a) He chairs the Cabinet meetings
(b) He distributes work to the different departments
(c) He can dismiss ministers
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

24. Which of the following statements is not true?

(a) The Judiciary safeguards the laws
(b) The Legislature implements the laws
(c) The political executives are more powerful than the permanent executives
(d) The permanent executives comprises the civil servants
► (b) The Legislature implements the laws

25. The president of India is elected by

(a) Direct Election by citizens 18 years of age
(b) Indirect Election by the Electoral College
(c) The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers
(d) None of the above
► (b) Indirect Election by the Electoral College

26. President of India is:

(a) Head of the Government
(b) Head of the State
(c) Head of the parliament
(d) None of the above
► (b) Head of the State

Chapter 5 Democratic Rights-MCQ’s

1. Which body exposed to the world that prisoners at Guantanamo Bay were being
tortured in ways that violated the US laws?
(a) United Nations
(b) International Court of Justice
(c) Amnesty International
(d) Supreme Court of USA
► (c) Amnesty International

2. What was the reason given by America for imprisoning people at Guantanamo Bay?
(a) They had been caught spying.
(b) They were planning to kill the US President.
(c) They were planning to set up a Communist government in USA.
(d) America considered them as enemies and linked them to the attack on New York
on 11th
September, 2001.
► (d) America considered them as enemies and linked them to the attack on New
York on 11th

3. Of which country was Kosovo a province before its split?

(a) USSR
(b) Yugoslavia
(c) South Africa
(d) Germany
► (b) Yugoslavia
4. How was the massacre of Albanians finally stopped?
(a) The UN ordered for Milosevic’s arrest
(b) Several countries intervened to stop the massacre
(c) The Serbs turned against Milosevic
(d) Milosevic reformed himself
► (b) Several countries intervened to stop the massacre

5. What is the position of women in Saudi Arabia?

(a) Women are given all the rights
(b) Women are given equal status with men
(c) Women are subjected to many public restrictions
(d) They are offered high positions
► (c) Women are subjected to many public restrictions

6. What is meant by ‘rights’?

(a) One’s demand to get everything without sharing with others
(b) Claims of a person over other fellow beings, society and the government
(c) Not possessing any freedoms
(d) None of the above
► (b) Claims of a person over other fellow beings, society and the government

7. What can be done in case of infringement of the rights in a democracy?

(a) Citizens are helpless; they cannot do anything
(b) They can approach courts to protect their rights
(c) They can ask their representatives to do the needful
(d) None of the above
► (b) They can approach courts to protect their rights

8. What was the result of the intervention of other countries to stop the killings of
Albanians?

(a) Milosevic lost power and was tried for crimes against humanity

(b) The other countries were punished by UNO for interfering in another country
(c) Led to further army action by Milosevic
(d) None of the above
► (a) Milosevic lost power and was tried for crimes against humanity

9. Which of these statements about the relationship between democracy and rights is
more valid?

(a) Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens

(b) Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy

(c) Giving rights is good, but it is not necessary for a democracy
(d) All the above
► (b) Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy
10. The government is responsible for providing free and compulsory education to all
the
children up to the age of :
(a) 16 years
(b) 12 years
(c) 18 years
(d) 14 years
► (d) 14 years

11. Which of these is/are the new rights guaranteed by the constitution of South
Africa for its citizens?
(a) Right to privacy
(b) Right to an environment that is not harmful to the people’s health
(c) Right to have access to adequate housing
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

12. The right to seek the enforcement of all Fundamental Rights is called :
(a) Right against Exploitation
(b) Right to Freedom
(c) Right to Constitutional Remedies
(d) Cultural and Educational Rights
► (c) Right to Constitutional Remedies

13. What did Dr. Ambedkar refer to the ‘Right to Constitutional Remedies’ as?
(a) The brain of our Constitution
(b) The heart and soul of our Constitution
(c) The heart of our Constitution
(d) The soul of our Constitution
► (b) The heart and soul of our Constitution

14. 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 the farms

(b) Parents’ property is inherited by their children

(c) Christian mission sets up a chain of missionary schools

(d) Religion is not taken into consideration during admission in schools
► (b) Parents’ property is inherited by their children

15. Which of these is not seen as a standard of human rights by the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?
(a) Right to social security and insurance
(b) Right to health
(c) Right to accumulate wealth
(d) Right to adequate standard of living
► (c) Right to accumulate wealth

16. What is meant by the term ‘writ’?

(a) Written laws
(b) A formal document containing an order of the court to the government
(c) Basic features of the Constitution
(d) None of the above
► (b) A formal document containing an order of the court to the government

17. When was the NHRC set up?

(a) 1998
(b) 1996
(c) 1993
(d) 2001
► (c) 1993

18. What does ‘Right to Equality’ say about the public jobs?
(a) Jobs will be provided to all by the government
(b) Jobs will be reserved for the more meritorious students
(c) All citizens will be provided with equal opportunity in matters of employment
(d) None of the above
► (c) All citizens will be provided with equal opportunity in matters of employment

19. How many Fundamental Rights does the Indian constitution provide?
(a) 7
(b) 6
(c) 5
(d) 8
► (b) 6

20. Which of these is false regarding the Freedom of Speech and Expression?
(a) Everyone has a right to think differently
(b) One may disagree with a policy of the government
(c) One can use it to incite people against the government
(d) One is free to criticise the government
► (c) One can use it to incite people against the government

21. One of the forms of exploitation as mentioned in the constitution is ‘traffic’. What
does it mean?
(a) Transport system
(b) Buying and selling of human beings
(c) Buying and selling of goods
(d) None of the above
► (b) Buying and selling of human beings

22. What does the Constitution say about the practice of untouchability?
(a) It stands abolished
(b) Its practice in any form is punishable by law
(c) Since it is an age-old custom, it should be respected
(d) Both (a) and (b)
► (d) Both (a) and (b)

23. Laws have been made to prohibit childern from working in which of these
industries?
(a) Beedi making
(b) Fire crackers and matches
(c) Printing and dyeing
(d) All the above
► (d) All the above

24. What is meant by ‘begar’?

(a) Practice of begging
(b) Practice of forcing workers to work without any wages
(c) Practice of encouraging workers to work at normal wages
(d) Both (b) and (c)
► (b) Practice of forcing workers to work without any wages

25. Which among the following cannot be challenged in a court?

(a) Directive principles of state policy
(b) Fundamental Rights
(c) Freedom to choose any profession or busines
(d) Right to move freely to any part of the country.
► (b) Fundamental Rights

26. Which of the following freedom is not available to an Indian citizen?

(a) Freedom to start a movement ot change the government
(b) Freedom to oppose the government
(c) Freedom to participate in armed revolution
(d) None of these
► (c) Freedom to participate in armed revolution

27. Which of the following rights is not available under the fundamental rights?
(a) Right to Equality
(b) Right to Freedom
(b) Right to protect one’s culture
(d) Right to property.
► (d) Right to property.

28. Cultural and Educational Rights are safeguarded mainly for :

(a) Women
(b) minorities
(c) children
(d) Men
► (b) minorities

29. Which one of the following fundamental rights is called the heart and soul of
Indian constitution?
(a) Right to equality
(b) Right to constitutional remedies
(c) Right to freedom
(d) Right to freedom of religion
► (b) Right to constitutional remedies
30. Which one of the following rights is available to the citizens of India and not to
the citizens of Saudi Arabia?
(a) The country is ruled by a hereditary king
(b) Citizens cannot form political parties
(c) Women are subjected to many public restrictions
(d) Citizens enjoy the freedom of religion
► (d) Citizens enjoy the freedom of religion

31. Civil Rights are given to the individual by:

(a) Nature
(b) God
(c) The State
(d) The people
► (c) The State

32. Who called the right to constitutional remedies as the heart and soul of the
constitution?
(a) J.L. Nehru
(b) B. R. Ambedkar
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Rajendra Prasad
► (b) B. R. Ambedkar