Gandhian Principles Practice Questions
20 free Gandhian Principles 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 Indian Constitution directs the State to organize village panchayats as units of self-government?
- A Article 38
- B Article 41
- C Article 43
- D Article 40
Correct answer: Article 40
Article 40 is a core Gandhian principle reflecting Gandhi's vision of 'Gram Swaraj'. It requires the State to endow village panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.
The promotion of cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas is mentioned under which Article?
- A Article 42
- B Article 43B
- C Article 46
- D Article 43
Correct answer: Article 43
Article 43 mandates the State to endeavor to promote cottage industries, which was a central theme of Gandhi's economic philosophy for rural self-reliance. This principle aims to boost rural employment and decentralized production.
Which Article focuses on the promotion of voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, and democratic control of co-operative societies?
- A Article 40
- B Article 43
- C Article 43B
- D Article 44
Correct answer: Article 43B
Article 43B was added by the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011. It reflects the Gandhian ideal of collective action and mutual aid through co-operatives.
The State's duty to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections is found in:
- A Article 45
- B Article 47
- C Article 46
- D Article 48
Correct answer: Article 46
Article 46 embodies Gandhi's commitment to the upliftment of the 'Harijans' and the underprivileged. It directs the State to protect these sections from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
Which Article contains the Gandhian principle regarding the prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs?
- A Article 39
- B Article 48
- C Article 47
- D Article 48A
Correct answer: Article 47
Article 47 directs the State to work towards prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health, except when used for medicinal purposes. This reflects Gandhi's moral stance against substance abuse.
The prohibition of the slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch and draught cattle is a principle mentioned in:
- A Article 48
- B Article 48A
- C Article 49
- D Article 50
Correct answer: Article 48
Article 48 directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern lines and specifically prohibits the slaughter of cattle. Cow protection was a significant cultural and economic point in Gandhian thought.
Gandhian principles in the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are primarily found in which Part of the Constitution?
- A Part IV
- B Part III
- C Part IV-A
- D Part V
Correct answer: Part IV
Part IV contains the Directive Principles of State Policy. While the Constitution does not formally classify them, scholars categorize certain articles as 'Gandhian' based on their ideological roots.
Which of the following is NOT a Gandhian principle within the DPSP?
- A Organization of Village Panchayats
- B Prohibition of intoxicating drinks
- C Uniform Civil Code for citizens
- D Promotion of cottage industries
Correct answer: Uniform Civil Code for citizens
The Uniform Civil Code (Article 44) is categorized as a Liberal-Intellectual principle. Gandhian principles focus more on rural development, decentralization, and moral social reforms.
Gandhi's concept of 'Gram Swaraj' is most closely implemented by which Constitutional Amendment?
- A 42nd Amendment
- B 44th Amendment
- C 73rd Amendment
- D 86th Amendment
Correct answer: 73rd Amendment
The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. This fulfilled the directive under Article 40, a key Gandhian principle.
Under the Gandhian Principles, the State shall strive to protect weaker sections from:
- A External aggression and invasion
- B Social injustice and exploitation
- C Economic competition and monopoly
- D Foreign cultural influence
Correct answer: Social injustice and exploitation
Article 46 specifically mentions protecting the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and weaker sections from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. This reflects Gandhi's 'Sarvodaya' (welfare of all).
Which Article overlaps as both a Gandhian principle and a Liberal-Intellectual principle regarding Agriculture and Animal Husbandry?
- A Article 40
- B Article 43
- C Article 47
- D Article 48
Correct answer: Article 48
Article 48 is multi-faceted: it promotes modern scientific agriculture (Liberal-Intellectual) and the prohibition of cattle slaughter (Gandhian). It bridges traditional values with modern development.
Which Fundamental Duty (Part IV-A) most closely reflects the Gandhian value of non-violence?
- A To protect and improve the natural environment
- B To safeguard public property and abjure violence
- C To develop scientific temper and spirit of inquiry
- D To defend the country and render national service
Correct answer: To safeguard public property and abjure violence
Article 51A(i) states that it shall be the duty of every citizen to safeguard public property and to abjure violence. Non-violence (Ahimsa) was the foundational pillar of Gandhi's entire philosophy.
The promotion of 'Khadi' would fall under the implementation of which Article?
- A Article 40
- B Article 41
- C Article 43
- D Article 45
Correct answer: Article 43
Article 43 promotes cottage industries in rural areas. Since Khadi is the quintessential Indian cottage industry, its state-sponsored promotion is a direct application of this Article.
Which Gandhian principle was prominently discussed during the framing of the Constitution regarding the 'Right to Life' and health?
- A Prohibition of cow and calf slaughter
- B Prohibition of intoxicating drinks
- C Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry
- D Promotion of SC/ST interests
Correct answer: Prohibition of intoxicating drinks
The prohibition of liquor (Article 47) was linked to the improvement of public health. Gandhi viewed alcohol as a social evil that drained the resources and health of the poor.
The 97th Amendment Act of 2011, which added Article 43B, also added which Fundamental Right related to Gandhian ideals?
- A Right to form Village Panchayats
- B Right to form Co-operative societies
- C Right to free and compulsory education
- D Right to work and public assistance
Correct answer: Right to form Co-operative societies
The 97th Amendment made the right to form co-operative societies a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(c). This reinforced the Gandhian principle of co-operation in both Part III and Part IV.
Gandhi believed that 'India lives in her villages'. Which DPSP Article is the most direct constitutional acknowledgement of this?
- A Article 39
- B Article 40
- C Article 44
- D Article 50
Correct answer: Article 40
Article 40's focus on village panchayats acknowledges the village as the basic unit of Indian democracy. This reflects Gandhi's distrust of centralized power and his preference for village republics.
Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty that aligns with Gandhi's respect for India's composite culture?
- A Article 51A(b) - Cherish noble ideals of freedom struggle
- B Article 51A(f) - Value and preserve heritage of composite culture
- C Article 51A(h) - Develop scientific temper and humanism
- D Article 51A(k) - Provide opportunities for education to children
Correct answer: Article 51A(f) - Value and preserve heritage of composite culture
Article 51A(f) explicitly directs citizens to value and preserve the heritage of India's composite culture. This duty most directly captures Gandhi's vision of unity in diversity and respect for the country's pluralistic traditions.
Article 47 is unique because it combines a Gandhian principle with which other category of DPSP?
- A Socialistic Principles
- B Liberal-Intellectual Principles
- C International Principles
- D None of the above
Correct answer: Socialistic Principles
Article 47 is Socialistic in its aim to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living. It is Gandhian in its specific directive to prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs.
The 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' is a government initiative that helps fulfill the mandate of which Article?
- A Article 41
- B Article 43
- C Article 46
- D Article 47
Correct answer: Article 47
The 'Drug-Free India' campaign directly targets the directive in Article 47 regarding the prohibition of intoxicating drugs injurious to health. This is a modern execution of a Gandhian constitutional goal.
Gandhi’s principle of 'Trusteeship' is indirectly reflected in which aspect of the Directive Principles?
- A Concentration of wealth (Article 39)
- B Uniform Civil Code (Article 44)
- C Separation of Judiciary (Article 50)
- D Promotion of Monuments (Article 49)
Correct answer: Concentration of wealth (Article 39)
Article 39(c) directs that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth. While Gandhi's Trusteeship was a voluntary moral concept, the DPSP seeks a similar end through state policy to ensure equitable distribution.