Right to Equality Practice Questions
40 free Right to Equality 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 set of Articles in the Indian Constitution specifically deals with the Right to Equality?
- A Articles 12 to 13
- B Articles 14 to 18
- C Articles 19 to 22
- D Articles 25 to 28
Correct answer: Articles 14 to 18
The Right to Equality is the first category of Fundamental Rights mentioned in Part III of the Constitution. It encompasses five articles, ranging from Article 14 to Article 18.
The concept of 'Equality before Law' used in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution is of which origin?
- A American origin
- B British origin
- C French origin
- D Canadian origin
Correct answer: British origin
Equality before Law is a British concept and is a negative connotation implying the absence of special privileges. In contrast, 'Equal Protection of Laws' is an American concept with a positive connotation.
Which Article of the Constitution prohibits discrimination by the State against any citizen on grounds 'only' of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?
- A Article 14
- B Article 15
- C Article 16
- D Article 17
Correct answer: Article 15
Article 15(1) directs that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on these specific grounds. The use of the word 'only' implies that discrimination on other grounds is not prohibited by this specific article.
Under Article 16, on which additional grounds is discrimination prohibited in matters of public employment compared to Article 15?
- A Language and Region
- B Descent and Residence
- C Age and Disability
- D Educational Qualification and Income
Correct answer: Descent and Residence
While Article 15 lists five grounds, Article 16 lists seven: religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, descent, and residence. These grounds ensure equal opportunity for all citizens in matters of State employment.
Article 17 of the Indian Constitution deals with the abolition of which social evil?
- A Sati
- B Child Marriage
- C Untouchability
- D Human Trafficking
Correct answer: Untouchability
Article 17 abolishes 'Untouchability' and forbids its practice in any form. It is an absolute right, meaning it has no exceptions under the Constitution.
Which of the following is an exception to the rule against titles under Article 18?
- A Inherited Royal titles
- B Military and Academic distinctions
- C Titles granted by foreign states to any citizen
- D Noble titles like 'Rai Bahadur'
Correct answer: Military and Academic distinctions
Article 18 abolishes all titles except military and academic ones. This ensures that the State does not create artificial social hierarchies while still recognizing merit and service.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the 'Rule of Law' embodied in Article 14 is a part of the:
- A Directive Principles of State Policy only
- B Basic Structure of the Constitution
- C The Preamble and its guiding principles
- D Schedule of Fundamental Duties
Correct answer: Basic Structure of the Constitution
The Supreme Court held that the 'Rule of Law' is a basic feature of the Constitution. Therefore, it cannot be destroyed even by an amendment under Article 368.
Under Article 15, the State is permitted to make 'special provisions' for which of the following groups?
- A Men and Senior Citizens
- B Women and Children
- C Foreign Tourists
- D High-income groups
Correct answer: Women and Children
Article 15(3) allows the State to make special provisions for women and children. This acts as a protective discrimination clause to advance the interests of these specific groups.
Which Constitutional Amendment Act added a provision for 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in education and employment?
- A 101st Amendment Act
- B 102nd Amendment Act
- C 103rd Amendment Act
- D 104th Amendment Act
Correct answer: 103rd Amendment Act
The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 amended Articles 15 and 16. It enabled the State to provide up to 10% reservation for the EWS category among those not covered under existing reservations.
Which of the following falls under the 'Equality before Law' element of Article 14?
- A The like should be treated alike in all matters
- B Absence of any special privileges in favour of any person
- C Equal subjection of all citizens to the ordinary law of the land
- D Equal legal subjection and absence of special privilege
Correct answer: Equal legal subjection and absence of special privilege
Equality before Law includes both the absence of special privileges and the equal subjection of all to the law. 'The like should be treated alike' is actually a principle of 'Equal Protection of Laws'.
Who among the following enjoys immunity from Article 14's 'Equality before Law' regarding their official acts?
- A The Prime Minister and all senior ministers
- B The President and State Governors
- C The Chief Justice and senior judges
- D The Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Correct answer: The President and State Governors
Under Article 361, the President and Governors are not answerable to any court for the exercise of their official powers. They also enjoy immunity from criminal proceedings during their term of office.
In the context of reservations, the 'Creamy Layer' exclusion principle was first introduced following which case?
- A Kesavananda Bharati case
- B Indra Sawhney case
- C Minerva Mills case
- D Golaknath case
Correct answer: Indra Sawhney case
In the Indra Sawhney case (1992), the Supreme Court upheld the 27% OBC reservation but mandated the exclusion of the 'creamy layer'. This ensures benefits reach the truly needy within the backward classes.
The 'Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955' was later renamed as:
- A The Scheduled Castes Act
- B The Civil Rights Protection Act
- C The Protection of Civil Rights Act
- D The Scheduled Castes Civil Rights Act
Correct answer: The Protection of Civil Rights Act
The Untouchability (Offences) Act was comprehensively amended and renamed as the 'Protection of Civil Rights Act' in 1976. This was done to enlarge the scope and make the penal provisions more stringent.
Article 16(4) allows the State to make provisions for reservation in appointments if a backward class is:
- A Economically excluded from mainstream society
- B Not adequately represented in the State services
- C Living in a remote or inaccessible geographical area
- D Lacking the required educational qualifications
Correct answer: Not adequately represented in the State services
The primary condition for providing reservation under Article 16(4) is that the backward class must not be 'adequately represented' in State services. This is a matter of administrative discretion based on quantifiable data.
Does Article 18 prohibit the use of titles like 'Bharat Ratna' and 'Padma Vibhushan' as suffixes or prefixes to a name?
- A No, they are academic titles
- B Yes, they should not be used as suffixes or prefixes
- C No, they are military titles
- D Only if the person is a government servant
Correct answer: Yes, they should not be used as suffixes or prefixes
While the Supreme Court upheld the validity of National Awards in 1996, it ruled they are not 'titles' within Article 18. However, it explicitly stated they should not be used as suffixes or prefixes to the awardee's name.
Which Article enables the State to reserve seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in 'private' educational institutions?
- A Article 15(3)
- B Article 15(4)
- C Article 15(5)
- D Article 16(4)
Correct answer: Article 15(5)
Article 15(5) was added by the 93rd Amendment Act, 2005. It allows the State to make special provisions for SCs, STs, and OBCs in admission to educational institutions, including private ones, whether aided or unaided (except minority institutions).
Article 14 permits 'reasonable classification' of persons, objects, and transactions by the law. However, such classification must NOT be:
- A Substantial
- B Arbitrary, artificial, or evasive
- C Based on an intelligible differentia
- D Rational
Correct answer: Arbitrary, artificial, or evasive
While Article 14 forbids class legislation, it allows reasonable classification. For a classification to be valid, it must be based on an intelligible differentia and have a rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved.
Is the Right to Equality available to foreigners (aliens) in India?
- A No, it is only for citizens
- B Yes, all articles from 14 to 18 apply to them
- C Only Article 14 applies to them
- D Only Article 17 applies to them
Correct answer: Only Article 14 applies to them
Article 14 (Equality before law) is available to all persons, whether citizens or foreigners. However, Articles 15, 16, and 18 (partially) are restricted specifically to citizens of India.
The 'Carry Forward Rule' related to unfilled reserved vacancies was validated in which amendment?
- A 77th Amendment
- B 81st Amendment
- C 85th Amendment
- D 93rd Amendment
Correct answer: 81st Amendment
The 81st Amendment Act (2000) added Article 16(4B), which allows the State to consider unfilled reserved vacancies of a year as a separate class of vacancies to be filled in any succeeding year, even if it exceeds the 50% limit.
A citizen of India cannot accept any title from any foreign state without the consent of:
- A The Prime Minister
- B The President
- C The Ministry of External Affairs
- D The Chief Justice of India
Correct answer: The President
According to Article 18(2), no citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign state. Additionally, Article 18(3) requires foreigners holding office of profit under the State to obtain the President's consent before accepting such titles.
Which specific Article of the Indian Constitution establishes the principle of 'Equal Protection of the Laws'?
- A Article 13
- B Article 15
- C Article 16
- D Article 14
Correct answer: Article 14
Article 14 guarantees two concepts: 'Equality before Law' (British origin) and 'Equal Protection of the Laws' (American origin). The latter implies that among equals, the law should be equal and equally administered.
Which Constitutional Amendment provided the legal basis for the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes in private unaided educational institutions?
- A 77th Amendment Act, 1995
- B 81st Amendment Act, 2000
- C 93rd Amendment Act, 2005
- D 103rd Amendment Act, 2019
Correct answer: 93rd Amendment Act, 2005
The 93rd Amendment Act, 2005, added clause (5) to Article 15. This allows the state to make special provisions for SCs, STs, and OBCs regarding admission to educational institutions, including private ones, whether aided or unaided.
The 'Rule of Law' as interpreted by A.V. Dicey contains three elements. Which of the following is NOT a part of Dicey's concept that is fully applicable to the Indian Constitution?
- A Absence of arbitrary power
- B Equality before the law
- C Individual rights as the source of the constitution
- D Subjection of all citizens to the ordinary law of the land
Correct answer: Individual rights as the source of the constitution
In Dicey's British concept, the constitution is the result of the rights of individuals. However, in India, the Constitution is the source of individual rights, so this third element is reversed in the Indian system.
Which Article of the Constitution prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on the grounds of 'Residence' in matters of public employment?
- A Article 15
- B Article 17
- C Article 18
- D Article 16
Correct answer: Article 16
Article 16(2) lists seven grounds: religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, and residence. Note that 'residence' is a ground for non-discrimination in Article 16 but not in Article 15.
In which landmark case did the Supreme Court rule that Article 16(4) is an 'exhaustive' provision for reservation in favor of backward classes?
- A Indra Sawhney v. Union of India
- B Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
- C M. Nagraj v. Union of India
- D E.P. Royappa v. State of Tamil Nadu
Correct answer: Indra Sawhney v. Union of India
Known as the Mandal Case (1992), the Court ruled that reservation should not exceed 50% and that the 'creamy layer' must be excluded. It also stated that Article 16(4) is not an exception but an instance of the right to equality.
Which Article of the Constitution is considered a 'Supplementary' provision to Article 17, ensuring its effective implementation?
- A Article 32
- B Article 25
- C Article 338
- D Article 35
Correct answer: Article 35
Article 35 empowers the Parliament (not state legislatures) to make laws to prescribe punishment for offenses such as untouchability (Article 17). This ensures uniform enforcement of fundamental rights across India.
Under Article 18, a person who is not a citizen of India but holds an 'office of profit' under the State cannot accept any title from a foreign state without the consent of:
- A The Prime Minister
- B Parliament
- C The Chief Justice of India
- D The President
Correct answer: The President
Article 18(3) specifies that a non-citizen holding an office of profit or trust under the State must obtain the President's consent before accepting any title from a foreign state.
The 'EWS' reservation (10%) introduced by the 103rd Amendment Act applies to which of the following?
- A All citizens of India
- B Citizens belonging to SC, ST, and OBC categories
- C Citizens not covered by existing reservations
- D Only the rural poor
Correct answer: Citizens not covered by existing reservations
The EWS reservation is specifically for the 'Economically Weaker Sections' of citizens who are not already covered under the reservation schemes for SCs, STs, and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
Which ground is NOT mentioned in Article 15 as a basis for non-discrimination?
- A Religion
- B Place of Birth
- C Descent
- D Caste
Correct answer: Descent
Article 15 prohibits discrimination only on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. 'Descent' is mentioned in Article 16 (public employment) but is absent from Article 15.
According to Article 14, which of the following groups is protected by the 'reasonable classification' test?
- A Only Citizens of India
- B Only Natural-Born Persons
- C Only Government Officials
- D Citizens and Legal Persons
Correct answer: Citizens and Legal Persons
The Supreme Court has held that the word 'person' in Article 14 includes not only natural persons (citizens or foreigners) but also legal persons, like statutory corporations, companies, and registered societies.
Which Article of the Constitution empowers the Parliament to make any law prescribing 'residence' within a State or UT as a requirement for certain types of employment?
- A Article 16(3)
- B Article 16(4)
- C Article 15(4)
- D Article 35(a)
Correct answer: Article 16(3)
Article 16(3) is an exception to the general rule of non-discrimination based on residence. It allows Parliament to prescribe residence requirements for specific jobs in a State or Union Territory.
The 81st Amendment Act, 2000, added Article 16(4B) to the Constitution. What did this specific clause validate?
- A Reservation in Promotions
- B Reservation for EWS candidates
- C Carry-forward rule for unfilled vacancies
- D Reservation for religious minorities
Correct answer: Carry-forward rule for unfilled vacancies
Article 16(4B) allows the State to treat unfilled reserved vacancies of a year as a separate class of vacancies to be filled in any succeeding year, without counting them against the 50% ceiling for that year.
Which grounds does Article 15(2) prohibit as a basis for restricting citizens' access to shops, public restaurants, and hotels?
- A Race, Caste, Sex, and Place of Birth only
- B Caste, Sex, and Religion only
- C Religion, Sex, and Place of Birth only
- D Religion, Race, Caste, Sex, or Place of Birth
Correct answer: Religion, Race, Caste, Sex, or Place of Birth
Article 15(2) prohibits any citizen from being subjected to disability or restriction regarding access to public places only on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
Article 18 abolishes titles. Which of the following is permitted under this Article?
- A Hereditary titles of nobility
- B Titles like 'Rai Bahadur' given by the British
- C Titles accepted from foreign states by citizens
- D Military or Academic distinctions
Correct answer: Military or Academic distinctions
Article 18(1) states that no title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the State. This allows ranks like General, Colonel, or degrees like Doctorate.
Which Constitutional Amendment added Article 16(4A), providing for reservation in matters of promotion with 'consequential seniority'?
- A 77th and 85th Amendment Acts
- B 42nd and 44th Amendment Acts
- C 93rd and 103rd Amendment Acts
- D 52nd and 61st Amendment Acts
Correct answer: 77th and 85th Amendment Acts
The 77th Amendment (1995) introduced reservation in promotions for SCs and STs, and the 85th Amendment (2001) introduced the principle of 'consequential seniority'.
In Article 14, the term 'Equality before Law' is considered a 'negative' concept. Why?
- A Because it results in unequal treatment for all.
- B Because it is not enforceable in courts of law.
- C Because it prohibits the State from making any laws.
- D Because it means no one enjoys special legal privileges.
Correct answer: Because it means no one enjoys special legal privileges.
'Equality before Law' is negative as it demands that no person has special privileges and all are equally subject to ordinary law. 'Equal Protection of the Laws' is positive as it demands equal treatment under equal circumstances.
Under the Right to Equality, which Article is specifically aimed at establishing 'Social Equality' by removing barriers of status and birth?
- A Article 14
- B Article 15
- C Article 17
- D Article 18
Correct answer: Article 17
Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability) is the most direct tool for social equality, as it punishes a practice that historically created the most extreme forms of social hierarchy in India.
Article 15(3) allows the State to make special provisions for which group, serving as an exception to the rule against sex-based discrimination?
- A Men only
- B Transgender persons only
- C Elderly citizens
- D Women and Children
Correct answer: Women and Children
Article 15(3) states that nothing in the article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children (e.g., maternity relief or free education for children).
Which Article protects the State's power to appoint a person belonging to a particular religion to manage a religious institution?
- A Article 15(1)
- B Article 17
- C Article 18
- D Article 16(5)
Correct answer: Article 16(5)
Article 16(5) provides an exception to the rule of equal opportunity in public employment by allowing a law to prescribe that the incumbent of an office related to a religious institution must belong to that religion.
What is the primary purpose of the 'Intelligible Differentia' test used under Article 14?
- A To abolish all forms of classification.
- B To prevent the President from acting arbitrarily.
- C To ensure that all citizens get reservations.
- D To ensure classification has a rational basis.
Correct answer: To ensure classification has a rational basis.
The 'Intelligible Differentia' test ensures that the classification made by a law is not arbitrary and has a rational nexus (connection) with the object sought to be achieved by that law.