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Directive Principles and Duties

Relationship Between FR and DPSP Practice Questions

20 free Relationship Between FR and 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.

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Question 1 of 20 Medium

In which landmark case did the Supreme Court first rule that Fundamental Rights (FR) would prevail over Directive Principles (DPSP) in case of conflict?

  1. A State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951)
  2. B Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967)
  3. C Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
  4. D Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)

Correct answer: State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951)

In this early case, the Court held that DPSP must run as a 'subsidiary' to FR. It ruled that while DPSP are fundamental in governance, they cannot override the enforceable rights in Part III.

Question 2 of 20 Medium

The 'Doctrine of Harmonious Construction' was evolved by the Supreme Court to:

  1. A Ensure FR always override DPSP
  2. B Avoid a head-on collision between FR and DPSP
  3. C Give primacy to Fundamental Duties over DPSP
  4. D Abolish the Ninth Schedule

Correct answer: Avoid a head-on collision between FR and DPSP

This doctrine suggests that the Court should attempt to interpret FR and DPSP in a way that gives effect to both. It aims to maintain the constitutional balance rather than rendering one part of the Constitution redundant.

Question 3 of 20 Medium

Which Constitutional Amendment Act sought to give precedence to all Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights (Articles 14 and 19)?

  1. A 24th Amendment Act
  2. B 25th Amendment Act
  3. C 42nd Amendment Act
  4. D 44th Amendment Act

Correct answer: 42nd Amendment Act

The 42nd Amendment (1976) amended Article 31C to extend its protection to all DPSPs. However, this absolute primacy was later struck down by the Supreme Court in the Minerva Mills case.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court described the relationship between FR and DPSP as:

  1. A A relation of subordination
  2. B Two wheels of the same chariot
  3. C Independent of each other
  4. D A hierarchy with FR at the top

Correct answer: Two wheels of the same chariot

The Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between Part III and Part IV. To give absolute primacy to one over the other would disturb the basic structure of the Constitution.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

The 25th Amendment Act (1971) introduced Article 31C to protect laws implementing which specific Directive Principles?

  1. A Articles 39(b) and (c)
  2. B Articles 40 and 44
  3. C Articles 41 and 42
  4. D Articles 48A and 51A

Correct answer: Articles 39(b) and (c)

Article 31C was added to ensure that laws made to implement socialistic principles in Article 39(b) and (c) could not be challenged for violating Articles 14, 19, and 31. This was a significant shift toward prioritizing socio-economic justice.

Question 6 of 20 Medium

Which of the following is a key legal difference between FR and DPSP?

  1. A FR are socialistic while DPSP are individualistic
  2. B DPSP were added by the 42nd Amendment whereas FR were original
  3. C FR apply to citizens only whereas DPSP apply to the State only
  4. D FR are enforceable in courts while DPSP are non-justiciable

Correct answer: FR are enforceable in courts while DPSP are non-justiciable

Fundamental Rights are justiciable, meaning a citizen can approach the court for their enforcement under Article 32. Directive Principles, per Article 37, are non-justiciable but remain fundamental in the governance of the country.

Question 7 of 20 Medium

What is the status of Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A) in relation to the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

  1. A Duties always override rights in all circumstances
  2. B Rights are enjoyed only if all duties are duly performed
  3. C Courts use them to judge the reasonableness of restrictions on FR
  4. D Duties are directly enforceable through the writ of Mandamus

Correct answer: Courts use them to judge the reasonableness of restrictions on FR

While Fundamental Duties are not directly enforceable by writs, courts often refer to them when interpreting the scope of 'reasonable restrictions' on Fundamental Rights. They serve as a guide for constitutional interpretation.

Question 8 of 20 Medium

In the Kerala Education Bill case (1958), the Supreme Court applied which principle to resolve the FR-DPSP conflict?

  1. A Doctrine of Colorable Legislation
  2. B Doctrine of Pith and Substance
  3. C Doctrine of Waiver
  4. D Doctrine of Harmonious Construction

Correct answer: Doctrine of Harmonious Construction

The Court observed that though DPSP cannot override FR, in determining the scope of FR, the courts should not ignore the DPSP. It suggested a harmonious interpretation to give effect to both as far as possible.

Question 9 of 20 Medium

The 86th Amendment Act (2002) made education for children aged 6-14 a Fundamental Right (Article 21A). What did the Directive Principle under Article 45 refocus on afterward?

  1. A Organisation of Village Panchayats
  2. B Right to Work and Public Assistance
  3. C Early childhood care and education
  4. D A Uniform Civil Code for citizens

Correct answer: Early childhood care and education

The amendment made the Right to Education a Fundamental Right under Article 21A. Consequently, it modified Article 45 (DPSP) to focus on early childhood care for children below the age of six years.

Question 10 of 20 Medium

Which Article of the Constitution explicitly states that Directive Principles are 'not enforceable by any court'?

  1. A Article 36
  2. B Article 38
  3. C Article 39
  4. D Article 37

Correct answer: Article 37

Article 37 clarifies the nature of DPSP. It states that while they are not enforceable by courts, the principles therein are fundamental in governance and the State has a duty to apply them in making laws.

Question 11 of 20 Medium

Fundamental Rights represent 'Political Democracy', while Directive Principles represent ________.

  1. A Cultural Democracy
  2. B Administrative Democracy
  3. C International Democracy
  4. D Social and Economic Democracy

Correct answer: Social and Economic Democracy

Fundamental Rights aim at establishing political democracy by protecting individual liberties against state encroachment. DPSP aim at establishing social and economic democracy as envisioned in the Preamble.

Question 12 of 20 Medium

Which of the following describes the 'negative' and 'positive' nature of Part III and Part IV?

  1. A FR are positive instructions; DPSP are negative prohibitions
  2. B Both are negative prohibitions on the State
  3. C Both are positive instructions to the State
  4. D FR are negative prohibitions; DPSP are positive instructions

Correct answer: FR are negative prohibitions; DPSP are positive instructions

Fundamental Rights are generally 'negative' because they prohibit the State from doing certain things (e.g., discriminating). DPSP are 'positive' as they require the State to take specific actions to ensure welfare.

Question 13 of 20 Medium

In the case of Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993), the relationship between FR and DPSP was described as:

  1. A Fundamentally contradictory
  2. B Entirely mutually exclusive
  3. C Entirely a matter of legislative and policy choice
  4. D Supplementary and complementary to each other

Correct answer: Supplementary and complementary to each other

The Court held that Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are supplementary and complementary to each other. They are both necessary to fulfill the goals of a welfare state.

Question 14 of 20 Medium

Which part of the Constitution was referred to as the 'Conscience of the Constitution' by Granville Austin?

  1. A Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
  2. B Preamble and Fundamental Rights
  3. C Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
  4. D Part V and Part VI

Correct answer: Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

Granville Austin, a noted constitutional scholar, described Part III (FR) and Part IV (DPSP) together as the 'Conscience of the Constitution' because they embody the core social and political philosophy of the document.

Question 15 of 20 Medium

The Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution based on the recommendations of which committee?

  1. A Verma Committee
  2. B Sarkaria Commission
  3. C Swaran Singh Committee
  4. D Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

Correct answer: Swaran Singh Committee

The Swaran Singh Committee recommended the inclusion of Fundamental Duties in 1976. This led to the 42nd Amendment Act which added Part IV-A to the Constitution.

Question 16 of 20 Medium

Which Article of the Constitution provides for the duty of the state to protect and improve the environment (DPSP) and the duty of the citizen to do the same (FD)?

  1. A Article 48A and Article 51A(g)
  2. B Article 44 and Article 51A(a)
  3. C Article 39A and Article 51A(f)
  4. D Article 47 and Article 51A(j)

Correct answer: Article 48A and Article 51A(g)

Article 48A (DPSP) directs the State to protect the environment. Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty) mandates citizens to protect and improve the natural environment, showing the shared responsibility between State and citizen.

Question 17 of 20 Medium

If a law is enacted to give effect to a Directive Principle, and it violates Article 14, what is its current legal standing per the Minerva Mills ruling?

  1. A It is valid only if it implements Article 39(b) or (c)
  2. B It is automatically valid
  3. C It is always void
  4. D It is valid only if the President gives special assent

Correct answer: It is valid only if it implements Article 39(b) or (c)

Following the Minerva Mills judgment, only laws implementing the socialistic principles of Article 39(b) and (c) enjoy protection from Articles 14 and 19. Laws implementing other DPSPs must not violate FR.

Question 18 of 20 Medium

Which Directive Principle was added to ensure that the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity?

  1. A Article 39A
  2. B Article 38
  3. C Article 43A
  4. D Article 48A

Correct answer: Article 39A

Article 39A (Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid) was added by the 42nd Amendment. It serves as a positive instruction to ensure that poverty does not prevent any citizen from accessing justice, complementing the Right to Equality.

Question 19 of 20 Medium

Which among the following is NOT a characteristic of the relationship between FR and DPSP?

  1. A DPSP provide the goals while FR provide the means
  2. B DPSP are the individual's claim against the State
  3. C Both together form the 'Bedrock' of the Constitution
  4. D DPSP guide the State in exercising its legislative power

Correct answer: DPSP are the individual's claim against the State

Fundamental Rights (Part III) are the individual's claims against the State. Directive Principles (Part IV) are the State's goals and duties toward society, rather than individual claims.

Question 20 of 20 Medium

What happens if a Fundamental Duty is not performed by a citizen?

  1. A The citizen is automatically imprisoned by the state
  2. B The citizen permanently loses all Fundamental Rights
  3. C There is no direct legal penalty unless a specific law exists
  4. D The Supreme Court issues a Writ of Quo Warranto against the citizen

Correct answer: There is no direct legal penalty unless a specific law exists

Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable. However, Parliament is free to enforce them by suitable legislation (e.g., the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act).

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