Daily Static Quiz (Polity) October 28, 2025
Daily Static Quiz (Polity) October 28, 2025
Question 1
Consider the following statements about sovereignty:
Internal sovereignty refers to the supreme authority of the state over all individuals and associations within its territory.
External sovereignty implies that a state is not subordinated to any other state in international affairs.
Popular sovereignty means that ultimate authority rests with the people who exercise it through their elected representatives.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 2
With reference to the concept of liberty in political thought, consider the following statements:
Negative liberty refers to freedom from external interference and constraints.
Positive liberty emphasizes the capacity and opportunity to achieve one’s potential and self-realization.
Isaiah Berlin argued that negative liberty is more prone to totalitarian misuse than positive liberty.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 3
Which of the following best describes the relationship between equality and freedom in political theory?
(a) Equality and freedom are inherently contradictory and cannot coexist in any political system
(b) Political equality can exist without economic equality, but true freedom requires both
(c) Freedom necessarily limits equality as it allows individuals to accumulate resources unequally
(d) Equality is a precondition for genuine freedom as it ensures fair access to opportunities for all
Question 4
Consider the following statements regarding Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency:
All Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Constitution can be suspended during a National Emergency.
The rights guaranteed under Article 20 and Article 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency.
The right to move any court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights is automatically suspended when emergency is declared.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 5
With reference to Article 22 of the Constitution, consider the following statements:
Every person arrested must be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, excluding the time necessary for journey.
A person can be detained under preventive detention law for a maximum of three months without the approval of an Advisory Board.
The rights under Article 22(1) and 22(2) are available to both citizens and aliens arrested under ordinary law.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 6
Which of the following statements about Article 32 of the Constitution is/are correct?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called Article 32 the “heart and soul” of the Constitution.
Article 32 itself is a Fundamental Right that guarantees remedies for enforcement of other Fundamental Rights.
The Supreme Court’s jurisdiction under Article 32 is discretionary in nature like that of High Courts under Article 226.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 7
Consider the following statements about Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):
DPSPs are enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution from Articles 36 to 51.
Article 37 declares that DPSPs are justiciable and enforceable by courts.
DPSPs constitute limitations upon legislative and executive functions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 8
With reference to the Directive Principles of State Policy, consider the following:
To secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India
To organize village panchayats as units of self-government
To promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Which of the above is/are among the Directive Principles of State Policy?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Question 9
Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the Constitution?
To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform
To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife
To cast vote in elections without fail
To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Question 10
Consider the following statements:
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act added Fundamental Duties to the Constitution on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.
There are currently eleven Fundamental Duties enumerated in the Constitution.
Non-compliance with Fundamental Duties attracts legal penalties similar to violation of ordinary laws.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS
Answer 1: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
All three statements are correct regarding sovereignty.
Statement 1 is correct: Internal sovereignty refers to the supreme power exercised within a nation’s boundaries. It is the power to determine the nature of governance, frame and enforce laws, and control internal affairs. The state has absolute authority over all individuals and associations within its territory.
Statement 2 is correct: External sovereignty pertains to a nation’s power to operate independently in the global landscape without subordination to any other state. It involves the freedom to make international treaties, engage in foreign relations, and represent the country internationally without interference from other nations.
Statement 3 is correct: Popular sovereignty is a fundamental democratic principle enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It means that the authority of the state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of the people, through their elected representatives, who are the source of all political power. The Indian Constitution’s Preamble begins with “We, the People” signifying this principle.
Answer 2: (b) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, but statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct: Negative liberty, as defined by Isaiah Berlin, refers to “freedom from” – the absence of external constraints, coercion, or interference on an individual. It emphasizes the area within which a person can act without obstruction by others. This concept is central to classical liberal thought.
Statement 2 is correct: Positive liberty refers to “freedom to” – the capacity and opportunity to achieve one’s goals and potential. It emphasizes self-realization, self-determination, and the ability to pursue and achieve willed goals. It requires not just the absence of obstacles but the presence of enabling conditions.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Berlin actually argued the opposite. He contended that positive liberty is more prone to totalitarian misuse because it can justify coercion in the name of achieving a “higher” or “true” freedom. By identifying a “true self” or collective goal, positive liberty can license oppression to make people “truly free” according to some predetermined rational ideal. Negative liberty, by contrast, simply requires non-interference and is less susceptible to such manipulation.
Answer 3: (d) Equality is a precondition for genuine freedom as it ensures fair access to opportunities for all
Explanation:
This answer best captures the modern liberal understanding of the relationship between equality and freedom.
Option (d) is correct because contemporary political theory, especially as articulated by thinkers like John Rawls and modern liberals, recognizes that genuine freedom requires a foundation of equality. Without equal access to basic opportunities, resources, and rights, freedom becomes merely formal rather than substantive. Economic and social disparities can severely limit the effective freedom of disadvantaged individuals, even if they have formal legal rights.
Option (a) is incorrect because equality and freedom are not inherently contradictory. Modern democratic theory seeks to balance both values, recognizing their interdependence rather than their opposition.
Option (b) is partially true but incomplete. While political equality can technically exist without complete economic equality, the statement doesn’t capture the fuller relationship that equality of opportunity enhances meaningful freedom.
Option (c) represents a limited, libertarian perspective that doesn’t account for how initial inequalities can actually limit freedom for the disadvantaged. It ignores that freedom for all requires some baseline equality.
Answer 4: (a) 2 only
Explanation:
Only statement 2 is correct.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Not all Fundamental Rights can be suspended during a National Emergency. The rights under Article 20 (protection against conviction for offenses) and Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency. This protection was added by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978.
Statement 2 is correct: Articles 20 and 21 enjoy special protection even during emergencies. Article 359 of the Constitution explicitly prohibits the suspension of these two articles. This ensures that basic protections regarding life, personal liberty, and protection from arbitrary punishment remain intact even in extraordinary circumstances.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The right to move courts for enforcement of Fundamental Rights is not automatically suspended. The President can suspend this right under Article 359 during a National Emergency, but even then, the suspension does not apply to Articles 20 and 21. Moreover, such suspension requires a specific presidential order; it is not automatic upon declaration of emergency.
Answer 5: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
All three statements are correct regarding Article 22.
Statement 1 is correct: Article 22(2) explicitly provides that every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of 24 hours of such arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the magistrate.
Statement 2 is correct: Article 22(4) provides that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorize the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless an Advisory Board, consisting of persons who are or have been or are qualified to be judges of a High Court, has reported that there is sufficient cause for such detention.
Statement 3 is correct: The rights guaranteed under Article 22(1) and 22(2) – including the right to be informed of grounds of arrest, right to consult a lawyer, and right to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours – are available to both citizens and non-citizens (aliens). However, these protections apply only to persons arrested under ordinary law, not under preventive detention laws.
Answer 6: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, but statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, famously described Article 32 as the “heart and soul” of the Constitution. He emphasized that without a mechanism to enforce rights, the Fundamental Rights would be meaningless. Article 32 provides this crucial enforcement mechanism.
Statement 2 is correct: Article 32 itself is a Fundamental Right. It guarantees the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. This unique feature makes the remedy itself a fundamental right, ensuring that citizens have direct access to the highest court for protection of their rights.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Supreme Court’s jurisdiction under Article 32 is mandatory, not discretionary. When a Fundamental Right is violated, the Supreme Court is bound to entertain the petition and provide remedies. This contrasts with the High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 226, which is discretionary in nature – High Courts may choose whether or not to entertain a writ petition.
Answer 7: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
Only statement 1 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct: The Directive Principles of State Policy are indeed enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution of India, spanning Articles 36 to 51. These articles contain various socio-economic principles that the state should follow while formulating policies and making laws.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 37 explicitly declares that DPSPs are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by any court of law. However, the same article states that these principles are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country, and it is the duty of the state to apply these principles in making laws.
Statement 3 is incorrect: DPSPs do not constitute limitations upon legislative and executive functions. On the contrary, they are guidelines for the state to follow while legislating and implementing policies. It is the Fundamental Rights (Part III), not DPSPs, that act as limitations on the legislature and executive. The Supreme Court has clarified this distinction in various judgments.
Answer 8: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
All three are among the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Statement 1 is correct: Article 44 under the Directive Principles states that “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” This falls under the Liberal-Intellectual Principles category of DPSPs.
Statement 2 is correct: Article 40 provides that “The State shall take steps to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.” This is classified under Gandhian Principles of DPSP.
Statement 3 is correct: Article 46 states that “The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.” This falls under the Socialistic Principles category.
Answer 9: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
Statements 1, 2, and 4 are Fundamental Duties, but statement 3 is not.
Statement 1 is correct: Article 51A(h) mandates it as a Fundamental Duty “to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.” This was part of the original 10 Fundamental Duties added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Statement 2 is correct: Article 51A(g) makes it a Fundamental Duty “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.” This reflects environmental consciousness as a civic responsibility.
Statement 3 is incorrect: There is no Fundamental Duty to cast vote in elections. While voting is a constitutional right and civic responsibility, it has not been made a Fundamental Duty. Citizens have the freedom to choose whether or not to vote.
Statement 4 is correct: Article 51A(j) requires citizens “to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.” This encourages a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Answer 10: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, but statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct: The concept of Fundamental Duties was introduced into the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. The committee was constituted to make recommendations about constitutional amendments, and it suggested adding Fundamental Duties to balance the Fundamental Rights.
Statement 2 is correct: Currently, there are 11 Fundamental Duties enumerated in Article 51A of the Constitution. Originally, 10 duties were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. The 11th duty – for parents/guardians to provide opportunities for education to children between 6-14 years – was added later by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable in nature, meaning there is no legal sanction or penalty for their violation or non-compliance. Like the Directive Principles of State Policy, they are moral and civic obligations rather than legally enforceable duties. Citizens are morally obligated to perform these duties, but courts cannot enforce them or impose penalties for non-performance.
