Environmental Protection under DPSP Practice Questions
20 free Environmental Protection under DPSP practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Article of the Constitution directs the State to protect and improve the environment?
- A Article 39
- B Article 48A
- C Article 51A(g)
- D Article 21
Correct answer: Article 48A
Article 48A, inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. It forms part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Which Constitutional Amendment inserted Article 48A into the Constitution?
- A 44th Amendment
- B 42nd Amendment
- C 86th Amendment
- D 73rd Amendment
Correct answer: 42nd Amendment
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 inserted Article 48A. It strengthened environmental protection as a constitutional directive.
Which Fundamental Duty complements Article 48A regarding environmental protection?
- A Article 51A(a)
- B Article 51A(g)
- C Article 51A(k)
- D Article 51A(d)
Correct answer: Article 51A(g)
Article 51A(g) imposes a duty on citizens to protect and improve the natural environment. It complements the State’s obligation under Article 48A.
Environmental protection under DPSP primarily reflects which constitutional goal?
- A Industrial growth
- B Sustainable development
- C Absolute judicial supremacy
- D Centralized Union governance
Correct answer: Sustainable development
Environmental protection aligns with sustainable development, which ensures economic progress while conserving resources for future generations.
Which case recognized the right to a healthy environment as part of Article 21?
- A Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
- B Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
- C Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar
- D Golaknath v. State of Punjab
Correct answer: Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar
In Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar, the Supreme Court held that rights to pollution-free water and air are part of the right to life under Article 21.
The Directive Principles relating to environment are:
- A Directly enforceable in courts of law
- B Legally binding on all citizens equally
- C Non-justiciable but guide state policy
- D Applicable during national Emergency
Correct answer: Non-justiciable but guide state policy
Directive Principles, including Article 48A, are non-justiciable. However, courts may enforce them indirectly and they fundamentally guide state policy.
Which of the following is a direct responsibility of citizens under the Constitution regarding environment?
- A Impose environmental taxes
- B Protect and improve the environment
- C Pass national environmental laws
- D Issue licenses for polluting industries
Correct answer: Protect and improve the environment
Article 51A(g) imposes a Fundamental Duty on citizens to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
Which principle evolved by the Supreme Court supports environmental protection under constitutional provisions?
- A Doctrine of eclipse
- B Precautionary principle
- C Doctrine of severability
- D Doctrine of basic structure
Correct answer: Precautionary principle
The Supreme Court has adopted the precautionary principle, which requires preventive measures in environmental matters. It supports constitutional environmental goals.
The concept of 'polluter pays' principle in India is associated with:
- A Directive Principles
- B Article 21 as interpreted by courts
- C Emergency provisions
- D Finance Commission fiscal recommendations
Correct answer: Article 21 as interpreted by courts
The Supreme Court applied the polluter pays principle through judicial interpretation of Article 21, ensuring accountability for environmental harm.
Article 48A specifically mentions protection of:
- A Agriculture and industry
- B Forests and wildlife
- C Mineral resources
- D Urban infrastructure
Correct answer: Forests and wildlife
Article 48A directs the State to safeguard forests and wildlife. It reflects commitment to biodiversity conservation.
Environmental protection became a constitutional mandate after which year?
- A 1950
- B 1962
- C 1976
- D 1986
Correct answer: 1976
Environmental protection was constitutionally mandated in 1976 through the 42nd Amendment. It inserted Article 48A and Article 51A(g).
Which Article has been expansively interpreted to include environmental rights?
- A Article 14
- B Article 21
- C Article 19
- D Article 32
Correct answer: Article 21
Article 21, which guarantees the right to life, has been interpreted to include the right to a clean and healthy environment.
The harmonious construction between Fundamental Rights and DPSP in environmental matters ensures:
- A Complete supremacy of DPSP over rights
- B Balanced interpretation for justice
- C Judicial inaction on environmental issues
- D Complete executive monopoly
Correct answer: Balanced interpretation for justice
Courts harmoniously interpret Fundamental Rights and DPSP to ensure environmental justice while upholding constitutional values.
Which environmental principle requires development without compromising future generations?
- A Proportionality doctrine
- B Sustainable development
- C Doctrine of waiver
- D Non-regression principle
Correct answer: Sustainable development
Sustainable development ensures present needs are met without compromising future generations, central to constitutional environmental law.
Which constitutional provision emphasizes compassion for living creatures?
- A Article 48A
- B Article 51A(g)
- C Article 39
- D Article 51A(h)
Correct answer: Article 51A(g)
Article 51A(g) includes a duty to show compassion for living creatures. It broadens environmental responsibility to ethical considerations.
Environmental protection under DPSP is linked with which broader objective?
- A Welfare state ideal
- B Military expansion
- C Tax uniformity
- D Emergency governance
Correct answer: Welfare state ideal
Environmental protection contributes to the concept of a welfare state. It ensures social well-being and public health.
The Supreme Court's expansion of environmental rights primarily reflects:
- A Active judicial review
- B Parliamentary supremacy
- C Federal dominance
- D Presidential authority
Correct answer: Active judicial review
Judicial activism expanded Article 21 to include environmental rights, ensuring enforceability of environmental protections.
Which Schedule of the Constitution places forests in the Concurrent List?
- A Seventh Schedule
- B First Schedule
- C Eleventh Schedule
- D Twelfth Schedule
Correct answer: Seventh Schedule
The Seventh Schedule divides powers between Union and States. Forests were moved to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment.
Environmental protection as a Directive Principle primarily binds:
- A Indian citizens
- B The Judiciary
- C State authorities
- D Private corporations
Correct answer: State authorities
Directive Principles, including Article 48A, bind the State in policymaking. They guide legislative and executive action.
Which constitutional mechanism ensures enforcement of environmental rights derived from DPSP?
- A Article 32 petitions
- B Executive ordinance
- C Finance Commission awards
- D Presidential ordinances
Correct answer: Article 32 petitions
Citizens can approach the Supreme Court under Article 32 for enforcement of Fundamental Rights, including environmental rights interpreted under Article 21.