UPSC Prelims 2025 Q55: Indian Polity – Constitutional Provisions
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All the three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) All the three
Explanation
Constitutional Provisions - Correct Location:
| Provision | Stated Under (Claimed) | Verdict | Actual Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separation of Judiciary from Executive in public services | Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) | TRUE | Article 50, Part IV (DPSP): "The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State." |
| Valuing and preserving rich heritage of composite culture | Fundamental Duties | TRUE | Article 51A(f), Part IVA (Fundamental Duties): "It shall be the duty of every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture." |
| Prohibition of employment of children below 14 in factories | Fundamental Rights | TRUE | Article 24, Part III (Fundamental Rights): "No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment." |
All three pairs are correctly matched → Answer: All the three
Quick Reference — Three Parts of the Constitution:
| Part | Articles | Contains |
|---|---|---|
| Part III | 12-35 | Fundamental Rights (justiciable, enforceable in courts) |
| Part IV | 36-51 | DPSP (non-justiciable, guiding principles) |
| Part IVA | 51A | Fundamental Duties (added by 42nd Amendment, 1976) |
Answer: (c) All the three.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Only one' would mean two placements are wrong. All three are precisely placed: Art. 50 = DPSP, Art. 51A(f) = Fundamental Duties, Art. 24 = Fundamental Rights.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' would require one placement to be wrong. Art. 50 (separation of judiciary) is definitely in DPSP, Art. 51A is definitely in Fundamental Duties, Art. 24 is definitely in Fundamental Rights.
- (c) CORRECT. All three placements are accurate: separation of judiciary (Art. 50, DPSP), composite culture (Art. 51A(f), FD), child labour prohibition (Art. 24, FR).
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' would mean all three placements are wrong — they are all precisely correct as per the Constitution.
Key point
Art. 50 = DPSP (judiciary-executive separation). Art. 51A(f) = Fundamental Duty (composite culture). Art. 24 = Fundamental Right (no child labour under 14).
Remember
Art. 24 = Fundamental Right (child labour ban). Art. 50 = DPSP (judiciary-executive separation). Art. 51A = Fundamental Duties (citizen obligations including composite culture).
Common mistakes
- Placing Art. 50 (separation of judiciary) under Fundamental Rights — it is in DPSP (non-justiciable, a guiding principle for the State).
- Confusing Fundamental Duties (Art. 51A) with DPSP — Fundamental Duties are CITIZEN obligations, DPSP are STATE obligations.
- Thinking child labour prohibition (Art. 24) is in DPSP — it is a FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, enforceable directly in courts.
Exam tip
Quick test: FR = enforceable in courts. DPSP = guiding principles for State (non-justiciable). Fundamental Duties = citizen obligations.
Art. 24 (no child labour) = FR because children's protection is enforceable.
Art. 50 (judiciary separation) = DPSP because it's a state policy goal.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Part III (Art. 12–35, Fundamental Rights)
- Constitution of India — Part IV (Art. 36–51, DPSP)
- Constitution of India — Part IVA (Art. 51A, Fundamental Duties, added by 42nd Amendment 1976)