Daily Static Quiz Prelims Practice 2027
Option (b) is correct — the Supreme Court has consistently held that Article 14 permits reasonable classification satisfying the twin tests of intelligible differentia and a rational nexus with the object of the law. Absolute, mechanical equality would itself be discriminatory, so (a) is wrong; Article 14 uses the word "person," extending to citizens and non-citizens alike, so (c) is wrong; and it is an original 1950 provision, not a 42nd Amendment insertion, so (d) is wrong.
- Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- Article 15 permits the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, including in matters of admission to educational institutions.
- The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act inserted a provision under Article 15 enabling reservation for economically weaker sections.
- Article 15 applies equally to the State and to private individuals in all matters of social interaction.
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct — Article 15(1) bars State discrimination on the five listed grounds, Articles 15(4) and 15(5) empower special provisions for backward classes, SCs and STs including in educational admissions, and the 103rd Amendment (2019) inserted Article 15(6) enabling up to 10% EWS reservation. Statement 4 is incorrect — Article 15 primarily binds the State, not private individuals, apart from the narrow exception in Article 15(2) regarding access to shops, wells and similar public facilities.
Reason (R): Article 16(4) permits the State to make provisions for reservation of posts in favour of backward classes not adequately represented in State services.
Both A and R are correct, but R does not explain A. Article 16(1) guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, while Article 16(4) is an enabling exception permitting reservation — it qualifies how the right may be balanced against affirmative action rather than explaining why the right exists. The two describe separate, independent aspects of Article 16, not a cause-and-effect relationship.
Option (b) is correct — under Article 22(4), preventive detention cannot exceed three months unless an Advisory Board (of persons qualified to be High Court judges) reports sufficient cause, or the detention accords with a parliamentary law under Article 22(7). Such laws are subject to judicial review on grounds like mala fide and procedural non-compliance, so (a) is wrong; detention operates in peacetime too under laws like the NSA, so (c) is wrong; and Article 22 does provide safeguards such as the right to be informed of grounds and to make a representation, so (d) is wrong.
Option (b) is correct — Article 23, under the Right against Exploitation, prohibits traffic in human beings, begar and other similar forms of forced labour, and is enforceable even against private individuals. Child labour in hazardous employment falls under Article 24 (a); the right to form associations and unions falls under Article 19(1)(c) (c); and non-discrimination in public employment falls under Article 16 (d).
