Comprehensive Practice Set — Polity & Governance: Constitution & Basic Structure

"Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated." What is constitutional morality vis-a-vis the social morality in the Indian context? Discuss its scope and purpose. Discuss a few landmark judgements of the Supreme Court on constitutional morality.

Anchor: Ambedkar's Nov 1948 speech; Naz Foundation, Navtej Johar, Sabarimala, Joseph Shine, Manoj Narula.

Why is a Democratic Government called a limited and responsible Government? Explain the doctrine of checks and balances while mentioning the relevant constitutional provisions as applicable to India's constitutional democracy.

While celebrating 75 years of the Indian Constitution there is discussion on "the woman in nine yard of saree who triggered First Amendment to the Constitution." Elucidate the case.

Anchor: State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951) → insertion of Article 15(4) by the First Amendment, 1951.

(a) Explain Article 35A of Indian Constitution. (b) "Revocation of Special Status and Domicile Law in Jammu and Kashmir is a positive step towards National Integrity." Discuss.

'Constitutional Morality' is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of 'Constitutional Morality' with the help of relevant judicial decisions.

Do you think that constitution of India does not accept principle of strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of 'checks and balance'? Explain.

"Parliament's power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power." In the light of this statement explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure of the Constitution by expanding its amending power?

Discuss the basic structure of Indian Constitution.

'Indian Secularism is a type by itself' - Show, how?

Explain the ideals contained in the Preamble of Indian Constitution.

Describe various changes made in the Constitution by 42nd and 44th Amendment Act.

What constitutes the Doctrine of Basic Structure with reference to the Constitution of India?

Discuss each adjective attached to the word 'Republic' in the 'Preamble'. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?

What do you mean by Preamble? Why is the Preamble prefaced to our Constitution so significant? Is the Preamble a part of our Constitution? Show, how?

Determine the place of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as an architect of Indian Constitution.

Elucidate the socio-economic and philosophical foundations of the Indian Constitution.

What is the procedure for the amendment of the Constitution of India?

"Constitutional morality is the fulcrum which acts as an essential check upon the high functionaries and citizens alike..." In view of the above observation of the Supreme Court, explain the concept of constitutional morality and its application to ensure balance between judicial independence and judicial accountability in India.

Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution.

The Supreme Court's advisory opinion on the Presidential Reference (November 2025) turned on how far the judiciary may fill constitutional silences. Examine the limits of judicial power to supply what the Constitution deliberately left open.

"Constitutional morality restrains the majority; social morality expresses it." In the light of recent controversies over personal laws, religious practices and free speech, examine whether constitutional morality is an adequate check on majoritarianism.

Ladakh's demand for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule raises questions about the constitutional protection available to tribal populations outside the North-East. Examine the demand and the alternatives available under the Fifth Schedule and Article 371 framework.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 operationalised the CAA, 2019 five years after its enactment. Discuss the constitutional questions the Rules raise regarding Articles 14 and 21.

"Every amendment to the Constitution is a comment on the original design." Examine this statement with reference to the 101st (GST), 103rd (EWS) and 106th (Nari Shakti Vandan) Amendments.

What were the historical underpinnings of the Indian Constitution, and how did they influence its evolution?

How did the diverse perspectives and ideologies within the Constituent Assembly contribute to the eventual adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950?

Was the Constituent Assembly of India a sovereign body? Critically analyse its authority and limitations in framing the Indian Constitution.

Critically examine the charge that the Constituent Assembly of India was a Congress-dominated body. How did the Assembly ensure inclusivity and democratic representation in its functioning?

"The Indian Constitution has been criticised as a 'bag of borrowings' due to its adoption of features from multiple global sources." Critically examine this claim and discuss other significant criticisms of the Constitution at the time of its framing.

Compare the Parliamentary and Presidential systems of governance. Why did India adopt the Parliamentary system instead of the Presidential system? Discuss with suitable arguments.

What are the key features and significant provisions of the Indian Constitution that encourage unity in diversity in Indian society? Discuss.

What role does the Preamble play in guiding the interpretation and evolution of the Constitution, especially in the context of landmark judicial decisions?

"The Indian Constitution was designed not for people as they are but as they ought to be." Comment.

Discuss the significance of Article 3 of the Indian Constitution in the context of territorial reorganisation and its implications for federalism.

Can the Parliament convert a state into a Union Territory? Discuss with reference to the case of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, citing relevant constitutional provisions.

Discuss the viability of creating new and smaller states in India. How does state reorganisation impact governance, development and national integration?

Explain the concept of the "Basic Structure of the Constitution" as propounded by the Supreme Court. How does it impact the amending power of the Parliament?

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment is often referred to as a "mini-constitution." Examine its impact on transforming the original constitutional framework.

Discuss the key provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019. How does it modify India's citizenship framework, and what are the major concerns and debates surrounding it?

Examine the role of the Constituent Assembly debates in shaping the final provisions of the Constitution. How do these debates help in interpreting constitutional provisions today?

Discuss the judicial interpretation of the term ‘amendment’ under Article 368. How has the balance between parliamentary sovereignty and judicial review been maintained?

“The Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document, it is a vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of the age.” Discuss with reference to the historical underpinnings of the Constitution and its evolution over time.

Analyse the inspiration behind the Objectives Resolution moved in the Constituent Assembly and its influence on the framing of the Constitution.

Discuss how colonial legacies influenced India’s Constitution, and how the framers incorporated Indian philosophical traditions to achieve its Indianisation.

Discuss the influence of the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935 on the formation of the Indian Constitution.

What are the main sources and influencing factors in the making of the Constitution of India? How does it reflect the diversity and unity of Indian democracy?

While drawing elements from global constitutions, how does the Constitution of India maintain its distinctiveness?

Elucidate the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Supremacy’ and analyse its ramifications for the legislative and executive branches.

Critically assess the implications of codifying the basic structure doctrine in the Indian constitutional framework.

Discuss the features that make the Indian Constitution a living and dynamic document, and how they enable it to respond to contemporary challenges.

The Indian Constitution demonstrates elements of both rigidity and flexibility. Discuss, and explain the various methods through which it can be amended.

Enumerate the factors responsible for the formation of the Constituent Assembly and its role in determining the trajectory of the nation’s destiny.

A constitutional democracy must work with a reasonable balance between individual freedom and the state’s right to impose restrictions. Exemplify.

Enumerate the ways in which the Constitution deals with secularism and religious freedom. How does Indian secularism differ from the Western concept?

How do India’s recent constitutional amendments mirror its evolving social, economic and political landscape? Suggest global best practices India could incorporate for constitutional amendments.

Examine the interplay between the legislature and the judiciary concerning constitutional amendments, and how this relationship upholds the separation of powers.

Assess the importance of the Fundamental Duties introduced by the 42nd Amendment and their role in contemporary India.

“The state cannot acquire property without proper procedure.” In light of recent Supreme Court judgments on procedural rights, trace the evolution of the right to property under the Constitution.

Enumerate the salient features of the Indian Constitution and elaborate on the characteristics that render it exceptional and distinct from other constitutions.

Explain the ways of acquiring and losing Indian Citizenship.

Describe the procedure for the amendment of the Indian Constitution. What are the criticisms levelled against it?

What is the need for promoting National Integration in India? What measures do you suggest in this regard?

Describe the composition of the Constituent Assembly of India.

What are the constitutional provisions with respect to the reorganization of states?