Part of the Polity & Governance question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains GS-II.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 58 questions on Fundamental Rights & DPSP for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-II. 23 of them have been set in an actual paper — the year and exam are printed against each (2026, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2006). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right to privacy relating to self-identity is very dear to every human being and well protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. In this context, examine the effect of the amendment in 2026, to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. | UPSC Mains GS-II 2026 Q.1 · 10 marks |
| 2 | Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship of voters? Pairs directly with the SIR questions in Section 9 — prepare one answer that serves both. | UPSC Mains GS-II 2026 Q.4 · 10 marks |
| 3 | Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the constitution. Explain. In this reference discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of child in the womb to establish its paternity. | UPSC Mains GS-II 2024 Q.12 · 15 marks |
| 4 | What is due process of law? How it differs from procedure established by law? Anchor: A.K. Gopalan → Maneka Gandhi (1978); Article 21's expanding content. | OPSC OAS Mains 2023 Group-A Q.5 · 15 marks |
| 5 | (a) Examine the provision of Social Justice as incorporated in Indian Constitution. (b) "Law is a catalyst to reach the ladder of Social Justice." Examine this statement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 Group-A Q.5 · 8 marks |
| 6 | (a) What are the Constitutional provisions of Social Justice guaranteed in India? (b) Discuss about Government of India's initiatives to make Social Justice a reality. | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 Group-B Q.15 · 5 marks |
| 7 | (a) What is Social Justice and what is the status of woman in Indian society? (b) Examine the legal status of women in India. | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 Group-B Q.14 · 7 marks |
| 8 | 'The right to constitutional remedies is often described as the most fundamental of all the fundamental rights.' Explain. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.7(a) · 10 marks |
| 9 | Examine the relevance of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen as contained in Part IVA of Indian Constitution. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.7(b) · 10 marks |
| 10 | Explain how does Indian Constitution protects Minority rights. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.12(a) · 10 marks |
| 11 | Trace out the weaknesses of the Directive Principles of State Policy. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 GS Paper-I Q.7(b) · 10 marks |
| 12 | As per the provisions of Article 51A of the Constitution of India we should preserve our Natural Heritage. How? | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 GS Paper-I Q.13(b) · 10 marks |
| 13 | Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. | UPSC Mains GS-II 2017 Q.7 · 15 marks |
| 14 | Bring out the differences between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.7(b) · 10 marks |
| 15 | Critically examine the extent to which Directive Principles of State Policy have been implemented, so far. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.8(b) · 10 marks |
| 16 | 'Article 32 is the soul of our Constitution' - (Ambedkar) - Examine the truth in this statement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 GS Paper-I Q.7(b) · 10 marks |
| 17 | Comment on the 86th Amendment Act, 2002. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 GS Paper-I Q.9(a) · 5 marks |
| 18 | Briefly explain the significance of the phrase 'Procedure established by law' as stated in Article 21 of our Constitution. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 GS Paper-I Q.9(e) · 5 marks |
| 19 | Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. | UPSC Mains GS-II 2015 Q.1 |
| 20 | Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard. | UPSC Mains GS-II 2015 Q.7 · 5 marks |
| 21 | What do you understand by the concept 'freedom of speech and expression'? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. | UPSC Mains GS-II 2014 Q.4 · 5 marks |
| 22 | Explain the importance of Directive Principles of State Policy and critically examine the steps taken by the Government to implement them. | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.8(a) · 10 marks |
| 23 | How are the Fundamental Rights different from the Directive Principles of State Policy? | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.9(a) · 4 marks |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Explain the constitutional perspectives of Gender Justice with the help of relevant Constitutional Provisions and case laws. | OPSC pattern paper |
| 25 | "The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society." Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty. Same question already appears in the practice bank above; retained here with its source tag because it has actually been set. | OPSC pattern paper |
| 26 | In 2024 a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court held that sub-classification within Scheduled Castes for the purpose of reservation is constitutionally permissible. Examine the reasoning behind this shift and its implications for the equality code under Articles 14–16. | — |
| 27 | Examine the rationale behind EWS reservation under the 103rd Amendment and the principal constitutional objections to it. | — |
| 28 | "Hate speech is not merely an offence against an individual but an assault on the constitutional promise of fraternity." Examine the adequacy of India's legal framework against hate speech and the challenges of regulating it without chilling free speech. | — |
| 29 | Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 amends the Right to Information Act, 2005. Examine the tension between the right to privacy and the right to information in the light of this amendment. | — |
| 30 | Discuss the constitutional and statutory framework for the rights of persons with disabilities in India, and assess the gap between entitlement and access in a State like Odisha. | — |
| 31 | Analyse the role of the Directive Principles of State Policy in shaping India's socio-economic policies, and examine their relationship with Fundamental Rights. | — |
| 32 | How do the Directive Principles differ from the Fundamental Rights? Discuss the significance of the DPSP in promoting social justice. | — |
| 33 | The Right to Privacy has evolved through judicial interpretation. Trace this evolution and discuss its implications on contemporary issues like data protection and surveillance. | — |
| 34 | Discuss the concept of reasonable restrictions on the Right to Freedom under Article 19. How has the judiciary interpreted these restrictions in balancing individual rights and state interests? | — |
| 35 | The 'Right to Know' is an essential component of freedom of speech and expression. Discuss its significance in a democracy with reference to judicial pronouncements and the Right to Information Act, 2005. | — |
| 36 | Examine the constitutional status of the Right to Property in India. How has its transition from a fundamental right to a legal right impacted land reforms and property rights? | — |
| 37 | Critically examine the objectives, provisions and implications of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. | — |
| 38 | In light of recent debates on the need for a Uniform Civil Code, discuss the constitutional and legal provisions related to personal laws and their impact on the country's polity and governance. | — |
| 39 | Should fundamental duties be enforceable? Discuss. | — |
| 40 | The Right to Constitutional Remedies is regarded as the heart and soul of the Constitution. Evaluate its significance in protecting fundamental rights and the role of the judiciary in this context. | — |
| 41 | Discuss the role of the judiciary in advancing transgender rights in India, outlining the pronouncements that have shaped the legal and social status of transgender persons. | — |
| 42 | Critically assess the effectiveness of reservation policies in uplifting the socio-economic status of Scheduled Castes in India. | — |
| 43 | Discuss the evolution of safeguards and policies for Scheduled Castes and evaluate their effectiveness in addressing social and economic disparities. | — |
| 44 | Critically analyse the debate around the Uniform Civil Code in terms of it serving as a unifying force or posing a risk of dividing communities. | — |
| 45 | The Right to Equality ensures justice for all but faces challenges in addressing socio-economic disparities. Discuss with examples how these challenges can be mitigated. | — |
| 46 | The fundamental rights are generally dynamic to adapt to the changing nature of society. Analyse the situation had the fundamental rights been made static. | — |
| 47 | Brief about the DPSPs as a reflection of the Preamble of the Constitution. Discuss how the DPSPs cover a broader area in their own way. | — |
| 48 | Discuss the key provisions of the POSH Act, 2013 and the challenges in ensuring a safe and equitable workplace for women. | — |
| 49 | In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, discuss the struggle for equality faced by the LGBTQ+ community and the mechanisms brought in for their upliftment. | — |
| 50 | Explain the right to freedom of religion as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. | — |
| 51 | Critically examine the extent to which the Directive Principles of State Policy have been implemented. What measures do you suggest for their better implementation? | — |
| 52 | Describe the various constitutional provisions for the protection and development of women and children in India. | — |
| 53 | What has been the controversy regarding the amendability of Fundamental Rights? What constitutes the 'basic structure' of the Constitution? | — |
| 54 | How the Directive Principles differ from the Fundamental Rights? | — |
| 55 | "India is a secular state". Explain. | — |
| 56 | Explain the six freedoms guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution. | — |
| 57 | Who are linguistic minorities? What are the constitutional safeguards for them? | — |
| 58 | What is the present position of the Right to Property? Elaborate. | — |
The other topics in this bank
- Constitution & Basic Structure
- Fundamental Rights & DPSP
- Union Government
- State Government & Governor
- Judiciary
- Federalism & Centre-State Relations
- Local Governance
- Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
- Elections & Pressure Groups
- Governance & Civil Services
- Welfare & Social Justice
- Odisha
- Comparative Constitutions
- Digital Governance
- International Relations
Practice MCQs
Test yourself with exam-style questions and explanations.
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) MCQs (25 questions)
- Fundamental Duties in Indian Constitution MCQs (24 questions)
- Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution MCQs (66 questions)