Fundamental Rights : UPSC Previous Years Solved MCQ

Fundamental Rights are the backbone of the Indian Constitution and a goldmine for UPSC Prelims. Every year, UPSC repeatedly asks conceptual, judgment-based and statement-oriented questions from Articles 14 to 32, especially on Right to Equality, Right to Life (Article 21), Right to Privacy, Judicial Custody, Parole, Writs, Minority Rights, and Constitutional Remedies.

In this ultimate UPSC Polity MCQ compilation, we bring you previous year UPSC Prelims questions (1995–2024) arranged in proper sequence, with exact questions, original options, correct answers, and crystal-clear constitutional explanations backed by Supreme Court judgments like Puttaswamy Case, Hadiya Case, Maneka Gandhi Case, and E.P. Royappa Case.

This session is specially designed for UPSC CSE, UPPSC, BPSC, and other State PSC aspirants, focusing on:
✔️ Conceptual clarity
✔️ Elimination techniques
✔️ Frequently confused articles
✔️ Static + dynamic linkage
✔️ 2026–till now Prelims trend analysis

If you want to master Fundamental Rights once and for all, avoid silly mistakes in Prelims, and score maximum marks in Polity, this content is a must-watch / must-read revision resource.

📌 Perfect for last-minute revision, mock test analysis, and high-yield Prelims preparation.

1. Right to Privacy – Constitutional Placement [2024]

Question: Under which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, has the Supreme Court of India placed the Right to Privacy?

1. a) Article 15
   b) Article 16
   c) Article 19
   d) Article 21

✅ Correct Answer: (d) Article 21

Explanation:
In Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court held that the Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of the Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21, and also flows from freedoms under Part III.

2. Judicial Custody – Meaning and Interrogation [2021]

Question: With reference to India, consider the following statements:

1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked up in a police station, not in jail.
2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: In judicial custody, the accused is usually kept in jail, not police station.
• Statement 2 is correct: Police cannot interrogate without court permission.

3. Parole – Nature and Authority [2021]

Question: With reference to India, consider the following statements:

1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied because it becomes a matter of right.
2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) Both 1 and 2
   d) Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation:

• Parole is not a fundamental or legal right, it is discretionary.
• Prison is a State subject, hence States frame their own parole rules.

4. Unguided Discretion of Executive [2021]

Question: A legislation which confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power violates which Article?

1. a) Article 14
   b) Article 28
   c) Article 32
   d) Article 44

✅ Correct Answer: (a) Article 14

Explanation:
Article 14 ensures equality before law and non-arbitrariness. Unguided discretion violates this principle (E.P. Royappa case).

5. Right to Property – Current Status [2021]

Question: What is the position of the Right to Property in India?

1. a) Legal right available to citizens only
   b) Legal right available to any person
   c) Fundamental Right available to citizens only
   d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right

✅ Correct Answer: (b) Legal right available to any person

Explanation:

• After 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978), Right to Property became a constitutional/legal right under Article 300A.
• It is available to citizens and non-citizens.

6. Untouchability – Classification of Right [2020]

Question: Which category of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability?

1. a) Right against Exploitation
   b) Right to Freedom
   c) Right to Constitutional Remedies
   d) Right to Equality

✅ Correct Answer: (d) Right to Equality

Explanation:
Article 17 abolishes untouchability and is part of Articles 14–18 (Right to Equality).

7. Right to Marry – Constitutional Article [2019]

Question: Which Article safeguards one’s right to marry the person of one’s choice?

1. a) Article 19
   b) Article 21
   c) Article 25
   d) Article 29

✅ Correct Answer: (b) Article 21

Explanation:
In Hadiya Case (2018), SC held that the right to choose a life partner is integral to Article 21.

8. Right to Privacy – Constitutional Source [Pre 2018]

Question: Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which provisions imply this?

1. a) Article 14 & 42nd Amendment
   b) Article 17 & DPSPs
   c) Article 21 & freedoms in Part III
   d) Article 24 & 44th Amendment

✅ Correct Answer: (c) Article 21 & freedoms in Part III

Explanation:
Declared by Puttaswamy Judgment (2017).

9. Rule of Law – Main Features [Pre 2018]

Question: Main features of Rule of Law:

1. Limitation of Power
2. Equality before Law
3. People’s responsibility to Government
4. Liberty and Civil Rights

1. a) 1 & 3
   b) 2 & 4
   c) 1, 2 & 4
   d) 1, 2, 3 & 4

✅ Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 & 4

10. Right against Exploitation [Pre 2011]

Question: Which are envisaged under Right against Exploitation?

1. Traffic in human beings
2. Abolition of untouchability
3. Minority protection
4. Child labour prohibition

1. a) 1, 2 & 4
   b) 2, 3 & 4
   c) 1 & 4
   d) All

✅ Correct Answer: (c) 1 & 4

11. Human Rights – UDHR [Pre 2011]

Question: Which are Human Rights under UDHR?

1. Education
2. Equal access to public service
3. Food

1. a) 1 only
   b) 1 & 2
   c) 3 only
   d) 1, 2 & 3

✅ Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 & 3

12. Rights and Duties – Relationship

Question: Correct relationship between Rights and Duties?

1. a) Rights are correlative with Duties
   b) Rights are independent
   c) Only Rights matter
   d) Only Duties matter

✅ Correct Answer: (a)

13. Forcible Conversion Violates Which Right?

Question: Forcible conversion violates which right under Article 25?

1. a) Freedom of conscience
   b) Due process
   c) Practice
   d) Propagate

✅ Correct Answer: (a) Freedom of conscience

14. Child Labour – Constitutional Provision [Pre 2004]

Question: “No child below 14 years shall work in factory or mine” – Article?

1. a) Article 24
   b) Article 45
   c) Article 330
   d) Article 368

✅ Correct Answer: (a) Article 24

15. Minorities Recognised by Constitution [1999]

Question: The Constitution recognises:

1. a) Only religious
   b) Only linguistic
   c) Religious and linguistic
   d) Religious, linguistic & ethnic

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

16. Writ Issuable Against Private Individual

Question: Which writ can be issued against private individual?

1. Habeas Corpus
2. Mandamus
3. Prohibition

1. a) 1 only
   b) 2 only
   c) 1 & 3
   d) 2 & 3

✅ Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

17. Heart and Soul of Constitution [Pre 2002]

Question: Described by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as heart and soul?

1. a) Religion
   b) Poverty
   c) Equality
   d) Constitutional Remedies

✅ Correct Answer: (d)

18. Articles of Right to Equality [Pre 2002]

Question: Right to Equality is granted by which Articles?

1. a) 16–20
   b) 15–19
   c) 14–18
   d) 13–17

✅ Correct Answer: (c) 14–18

19. Rights Not Available to Foreigners [Pre 1999]

Question: A British citizen cannot claim which right?

1. a) Trade & profession
   b) Equality
   c) Life & liberty
   d) Religion

✅ Correct Answer: (a)

20. National Anthem – Compulsion [Pre 1996]

Question: No one can be compelled to sing National Anthem because:

1. Freedom of speech
2. Freedom of conscience
3. No legal obligation

1. a) 1 & 3
   b) 2 & 3
   c) All
   d) None

✅ Correct Answer: (c) All

21. Article 15 – Classification [Pre 1995]

Question: Article 15 falls under which Fundamental Right?

1. a) Religion
   b) Exploitation
   c) Cultural
   d) Equality

✅ Correct Answer: (d) Right to Equality

Also Read: DPSP