Fundamental Rights – NDA Polity PYQs

Practice NDA Polity previous-year questions with detailed solutions and explanations.

Chapter-wise PYQs • Concept-based explanations • Exam insights

NDA 2025-II

Q. 1. Which of the following rights under the Constitution of India is/are Fundamental Right(s)?

1. Right to work

2. Right to privacy

3. Right to free and compulsory education in the age bracket of six to eighteen years

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(d) 3 only

Answer: (c) 2 only

Explanation: Statement 1: Right to work: is NOT a Fundamental Right. It is a Directive Principle of State Policy under Article 41. Statement 2: Right to privacy: IS a Fundamental Right. The Supreme Court unanimously held in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) that the right to privacy is a Fundamental Right under Article 21. Statement 3: Right to free and compulsory education for ages six to eighteen: is NOT correct as stated. Article 21A guarantees this right for children aged six to fourteen years, not six to eighteen. The age bracket of six to eighteen is used here as a deliberate distractor. Only Statement 2 (Right to privacy) is a Fundamental Right. The answer is (c).
Concept Tested: Right to privacy as Fundamental Right under Article 21 (Puttaswamy 2017); Article 21A age bracket of 6–14, not 6–18; Right to work is DPSP

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Right to privacy: Fundamental Right (Puttaswamy, 2017). Right to work: DPSP, non-justiciable. Article 21A covers ages 6 to 14: not 6 to 18. The six-to-eighteen figure is a NDA distractor targeting imprecise memorisation.

NDA 2024-II

Q. 2. Which of the following statements with regard to Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India is/are correct?

1. Freedoms under this Article are not absolute

2. Reasonable restrictions can be imposed on the exercise of freedoms under this Article

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Both statements are correct about Article 19(1). Statement 1: The six freedoms under Article 19(1) are not absolute. The Constitution itself: under Articles 19(2) to 19(6): provides for the imposition of reasonable restrictions on each freedom. Statement 2: The State may impose reasonable restrictions on the exercise of these freedoms on specified grounds. For example, freedom of speech may be restricted on grounds of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, public order, decency, and morality. Both the non-absolute character of the freedoms and the possibility of reasonable restrictions are confirmed constitutional facts.
Concept Tested: Article 19(1): freedoms not absolute; reasonable restrictions permitted on specified grounds

NDA 2021-II

Q. 3. Which one of the following is a non-justiciable right?

(a) Right to adequate livelihood

(b) Right against exploitation

(d) Right to life and personal liberty

Answer: (a) Right to adequate livelihood

Explanation: A non-justiciable right is one that cannot be enforced through courts. The right to adequate livelihood is stated in Article 39(a) as a Directive Principle of State Policy. Directive Principles are expressly declared non-justiciable under Article 37. Option (b): Right against exploitation: is a Fundamental Right (Articles 23–24). Option (c): Right of accused: refers to protections under Article 20. Option (d): Right to life and personal liberty: is guaranteed under Article 21. All three are justiciable Fundamental Rights. Concept Tested: Non-justiciable rights: Directive Principles of State Policy versus justiciable Fundamental Rights

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Directive Principles: non-justiciable. Fundamental Rights: justiciable. Right to adequate livelihood (Article 39(a) DPSP) cannot be enforced in court as a Fundamental Right, though it is judicially read into Article 21 as a derivative right.

Q. 4. Which one of the following is not a part of Fundamental Rights?

(a) Right to education

(b) Right to establish educational institutions by minorities

(d) Right against untouchability

Answer: (c) Right to be conferred with titles

Explanation: Option (c) is not a Fundamental Right: it is precisely the opposite of what the Constitution provides. Article 18 abolishes titles. The State shall not confer any title: other than a military or academic distinction: on any person. The Constitution does not create a right to receive titles; it creates a right to be free from a title-based hierarchy. Option (a): Right to education: is a Fundamental Right under Article 21A. Option (b): Right of minorities to establish educational institutions: is a Fundamental Right under Article 30. Option (d): Right against untouchability: is guaranteed under Article 17. Concept Tested: Article 18: abolition of titles; the Constitution prohibits state conferral of titles, not grants them

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Article 18 abolishes titles: it guarantees freedom from a title-based hierarchy, not the right to receive a title. Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are not ‘titles’ within the meaning of Article 18, as the Supreme Court has held.

NDA 2021-I

Q. 5. Which one of the following provides for the complete equality of men and women in India?

(a) Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India

(b) Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India

(d) Article 20 of the Constitution of India

Answer: (a) Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India

Explanation: Articles 14 and 15 together provide the constitutional foundation for gender equality in India. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all persons: without distinction of sex. Article 15 specifically prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It also empowers the State to make special provisions for women under Article 15(3). The Fifth Schedule deals with administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes: it is not an equality provision. The Indian Independence Act (1947) transferred power from Britain; it does not establish gender equality. Article 20 deals with protection against arbitrary conviction. Concept Tested: Articles 14 and 15: constitutional basis for equality and non-discrimination on grounds of sex

NDA 2019-I

Q. 6. Fundamental right guaranteed under which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India is available only to the citizens of India?

(a) Article 19

(b) Article 20

(d) Article 22

Answer: (a) Article 19

Explanation: Article 19 guarantees six freedoms: speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession: and these are available only to citizens of India. Articles 20, 21, and 22 are available to all persons, whether citizens or non-citizens, present within Indian territory. Article 20 protects against arbitrary conviction; Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty; Article 22 protects against arbitrary arrest and detention. Concept Tested: Article 19: citizen-only right; Articles 20, 21, 22: available to all persons including non-citizens

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Article 19: citizens only. Articles 20, 21, 22: all persons. This is a high-frequency distinction. The right to life (Article 21) protects everyone in India, not just citizens.

NDA 2018-II

Q. 7. Which one among the following is not a Fundamental Right under the Constitution of India?

(a) Right to equality

(b) Right to freedom

(d) Right against exploitation

Answer: (c) Right to citizenship

Explanation: Right to equality (Articles 14–18), Right to freedom (Article 19), and Right against exploitation (Articles 23–24) are all Fundamental Rights under Part III. The Right to citizenship is not a Fundamental Right. Citizenship in India is governed by Part II of the Constitution (Articles 5–11) and the Citizenship Act, 1955. Being a citizen is a prerequisite for some Fundamental Rights: such as Article 19. But the right to obtain or retain citizenship is not itself enforceable under Part III. Concept Tested: Right to citizenship: governed by Part II and Citizenship Act; not a Fundamental Right under Part III

NDA 2016-I

Q. 8. The citizens of India do not have which one of the following Fundamental Rights?

(a) Right to reside and settle in any part of India

(b) Right to acquire, hold and dispose of property

(d) Right to form co-operative societies

Answer: (b) Right to acquire, hold and dispose of property

Explanation: The right to acquire, hold, and dispose of property is no longer a Fundamental Right. The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 removed property rights from Part III of the Constitution. Property is now protected only as a constitutional right under Article 300A, which states that no person shall be deprived of their property save by authority of law. Options (a), (c), and (d) are all Fundamental Rights: right to reside and settle: Article 19(1)(e); right to practise any profession: Article 19(1)(g); right to form co-operative societies: Article 19(1)(c), added by the 97th Amendment, 2011. Concept Tested: Right to property: removed from Fundamental Rights by 44th Amendment 1978; now only Article 300A constitutional right

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Property was a Fundamental Right until the 44th Amendment (1978) removed it. It now exists only under Article 300A. The right to form co-operative societies became a Fundamental Right only after the 97th Amendment (2011): added to Article 19(1)(c).

NDA 2015-I

Q. 9. Which of the following is/are not fundamental right(s) under the Constitution of India?

1. Right to education.

2. Right to work.

3. Right to form associations.

4. Right to practise any profession.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 4

(d) 1 and 3

Answer: (c) 2 only

Explanation: Statement 2: Right to work: is NOT a Fundamental Right. It is a Directive Principle of State Policy under Article 41. Directive Principles are non-justiciable. Statement 1: Right to education: IS a Fundamental Right. Article 21A (inserted by the 86th Amendment, 2002) guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years. Statement 3: Right to form associations: IS a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(c). Statement 4: Right to practise any profession: IS a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(g). Only Statement 2 is not a Fundamental Right. The answer is (c). Concept Tested: Right to work: Directive Principle (Article 41), not a Fundamental Right; contrasted with Rights to education, association, and profession which are FRs

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Right to work: DPSP (non-justiciable). Right to education: FR under Article 21A. Right to form associations and practise profession: FR under Article 19. This question tests careful boundary knowledge. Three of the four statements are Fundamental Rights; only the Right to work is not.

NDA 2014-I

Q. 10. Which of the following statements are true for the Fundamental Right to Life and Personal Liberty as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India?

1. The Right is available to citizens as well as aliens.

2. It covers protection against arbitrary executive and legislative action.

3. It includes the right to live with human dignity.

4. It can be taken away according to the procedure established by law.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation: All four statements are true about Article 21. Statement 1: Article 21 applies to all persons: citizens and non-citizens alike. Statement 2: Following Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978), Article 21 protects against arbitrary action by both the executive and the legislature. The procedure established by law must be fair, just, and reasonable. Statement 3: The Supreme Court has read the right to live with human dignity into Article 21. Statement 4: Article 21 itself provides that the right cannot be taken away except according to the procedure established by law. This text-based provision is what Statement 4 states. Concept Tested: Article 21: scope: universal applicability, protection against both executive and legislative action, human dignity, and procedural safeguard

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: All four statements are correct: the answer is (c). Statement 4 is the one students most often doubt. Article 21 itself contains the phrase ‘except according to procedure established by law’: so the right can be taken away, but only lawfully.

Q. 11. The Constitution of India guarantees the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion to all its citizens. Which among the following is not true for this Right?

(a) It gives freedom of conscience and freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion

(b) It gives freedom to establish and maintain institution for religious and charitable purposes

(d) The State cannot make any law which abrogates this Right for citizens

Answer: (d) The State cannot make any law which abrogates this Right for citizens

Explanation: This is a negation question: the task is to identify the statement that is NOT true. Options (a), (b), and (c) are all correct: freedom of conscience and to profess, practice, and propagate religion; freedom to establish religious institutions; and subjection to public order, morality, and health: all accurately describe the right under Articles 25–28. Option (d) is NOT true. The State can and does make laws regulating religious practice: for example, on grounds of public order, morality, health, and social welfare reform. Article 25 itself preserves the State’s power to legislate on secular activities associated with religious practice and to provide for social welfare and reform. The Right to Freedom of Religion is not absolute. The State’s legislative power over religion is constitutionally preserved. Concept Tested: Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28): subject to reasonable state regulation; State power to legislate is preserved

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: The common error is treating Freedom of Religion as unconditional. It is subject to public order, morality, health, and the State’s welfare-reform power. The State can regulate religious practice; it cannot arbitrarily suppress religious belief.

Q. 12. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 may be seen as giving effect to which of the following Fundamental Rights?

1. Equality before the Law

2. Right against Discrimination

3. Abolition of Untouchability

4. Right to Freedom of Religion

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is legislatively rooted in three Fundamental Rights provisions. Statement 1 (Equality before the Law: Article 14): the Act enforces equal legal standing for Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Statement 2 (Right against Discrimination: Article 15): the Act prevents discrimination against these communities on the grounds of caste. Statement 3 (Abolition of Untouchability: Article 17): the Act directly implements this constitutional command by criminalising untouchability-based atrocities. Statement 4 (Right to Freedom of Religion: Articles 25–28) is not a basis for this legislation. The Act addresses caste-based violence and discrimination, not religious practice. Concept Tested: SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989: grounded in Articles 14, 15, and 17, not in Right to Freedom of Religion

NDA 2011-II

Q. 13. The Supreme Court of India has expanded the meaning of the Right to Life to include the following derivative rights. Which one among the following is not included in the Court’s definition?

(a) Right to food and adequate livelihood

(b) Right to education

(d) Right to health and information

Answer: (d) Right to health and information

Explanation: The Supreme Court has read several derivative rights into Article 21 over decades of judicial interpretation. Options (a), (b), and (c) are all recognised derivatives: the right to food and adequate livelihood, the right to education, and the right to live in a clean and healthy environment have each been specifically judicially confirmed. Option (d): ‘right to health and information’ as a compound right: does not correspond to a discrete, judicially recognised derivative of Article 21. The right to health is separately recognised; the right to information is a statutory right under the RTI Act. Combining them as a single compound right does not represent any specific judicial holding. Concept Tested: Article 21: scope and limits of judicially recognised derivative rights

NDA 2010-II

Q. 14. Right to Information in India is a:

(a) Fundamental Right

(b) Legal Right

(d) Neither Fundamental nor Legal Right

Answer: (b) Legal Right

Explanation: The Right to Information in India is a legal or statutory right created by the Right to Information Act, 2005. It is not a Fundamental Right under Part III of the Constitution. While the Supreme Court has read the right to receive information as part of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), the structured RTI mechanism: with its disclosure obligations, appeals, and penalties: is entirely a creature of statute. The RTI Act can be amended or repealed by Parliament; Fundamental Rights cannot be taken away by ordinary legislation. Concept Tested: Right to Information: legal/statutory right under RTI Act 2005, not a Fundamental Right

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: RTI: legal right under statute. Fundamental Rights are guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution and cannot be taken away by ordinary law. The Supreme Court’s reading of information rights into Article 19(1)(a) does not elevate the RTI Act to a Fundamental Right.

Q. 15. Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?

(a) Power of Parliament : Creating a new State

(b) Power of State Legislature : Altering the name of a State

(d) Equality of opportunity : Indian citizen

Answer: (b) Power of State Legislature : Altering the name of a State

Explanation: Option (b) is incorrectly matched. The power to alter the name of a State belongs to Parliament, not the State Legislature. Under Article 3 of the Constitution, Parliament can by law form new States, increase or diminish the area of any State, alter the name of any State, and alter the boundaries of any State. The State Legislature has no such power. Options (c) and (d) are correctly matched: Article 14 (equality before the law) applies to all persons: citizens and non-citizens; Article 16 (equality of opportunity in public employment) applies only to citizens. Concept Tested: Article 3: Parliament’s exclusive power to create, alter, and rename States

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Creating a new State and altering a State’s name are both Parliament’s powers under Article 3. Article 14 applies to everyone within India: citizen or alien. Article 16 is citizens only.

NDA 2010-I

Q. 16. Which of the following is/are instance(s) of violation of human rights?

1. A person was detained by the security forces while going for casting vote in Parliamentary Election.

2. A civilian was killed by the army while undertaking combing operation.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Both instances are violations of human rights. Statement 1: Detaining a person to prevent them from exercising the right to vote violates their right to political participation: a recognised human right. Statement 2: Killing a civilian during a combing operation violates the right to life, which is a fundamental human right regardless of the context of the operation. Human rights protect individuals against arbitrary state action in both instances. Concept Tested: Human rights: right to political participation and right to life as protected human rights

NDA 2009-II

Q. 17. Freedom of the press in India is

(a) available to the people under the law of the Parliament

(b) specifically provided in the Constitution

(d) available to the people of India under executive order

Answer: (c) implied in the right of freedom of expression

Explanation: Freedom of the press is not separately or specifically mentioned in the Constitution of India. It is implied in and derived from the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The press therefore enjoys the same constitutional protection as individual citizens exercising this freedom, subject to the same reasonable restrictions. Concept Tested: Freedom of the press: implied in Article 19(1)(a), not a separately stated Fundamental Right

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Option (b) is the common wrong answer. The Constitution does not give the press a separate, specifically named right. Press freedom flows from Article 19(1)(a). It is implied, not explicit.

Quick Revision

Concept	Key Point
Freedom of the press	Not specifically provided in the Constitution. Implied in freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). Subject to same restrictions as speech.
Article 14: equality before law	Available to ALL persons: citizens and non-citizens. Not restricted to citizens.
Article 15: prohibition of discrimination	Citizens only. Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Art. 15(3) enables special provisions for women.
Article 19: six freedoms	Citizens only. Not absolute: reasonable restrictions permitted on specified grounds.
Articles 20, 21, 22	Available to ALL persons, including non-citizens. Right against arbitrary conviction (20); Right to life and personal liberty (21); Protection against arbitrary arrest (22).
Article 21: derivative rights	Right to live with dignity; right to food and livelihood; right to clean environment; right to health; right to education; right to privacy (Puttaswamy 2017).
Article 21A: Right to Education	Fundamental Right for children aged 6 to 14 years. NOT 6 to 18. Inserted by 86th Amendment, 2002.
Right to privacy	Fundamental Right under Article 21, confirmed by Supreme Court in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017).
Right to property	Removed from Fundamental Rights by 44th Amendment, 1978. Now a constitutional right under Article 300A only.
Right to work	NOT a Fundamental Right. It is a Directive Principle (Article 41). Non-justiciable.
Right to Information	NOT a Fundamental Right. Legal/statutory right under the RTI Act, 2005.
Right to citizenship	NOT a Fundamental Right. Governed by Part II and Citizenship Act, 1955.
Right to adequate livelihood	NOT a directly enforceable Fundamental Right. Article 39(a) DPSP: non-justiciable. Judicially read into Article 21 as a derivative right.
Right to be conferred with titles	Does NOT exist. Article 18 ABOLISHES titles: the State cannot confer titles.
Right to form co-operative societies	Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(c). Added by 97th Amendment, 2011.
Article 17: abolition of untouchability	Applies to all persons. Enforced by SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
SC/ST (PoA) Act 1989	Gives legislative effect to Articles 14 (equality), 15 (anti-discrimination), and 17 (abolition of untouchability). NOT linked to Freedom of Religion.
Article 18: abolition of titles	Prohibits State from conferring titles (except military/academic distinctions). Citizens cannot accept foreign titles.
Articles 14 and 15: gender equality	Together form the constitutional foundation for complete equality between men and women.
Directive Principle vs Fundamental Right	DPSP: non-justiciable; cannot be enforced in court. FR: justiciable; enforceable via Article 32 (SC) or Article 226 (HC).