Constitutionalism and Constitutional Morality — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. Who introduced the idea of constitutional morality into the Constituent Assembly debates, quoting George Grote?

   • Jawaharlal Nehru
   • Dr B.R. Ambedkar (correct answer)
   • Sardar Patel
   • Dr Rajendra Prasad

   Explanation. Ambedkar did so in his speech on the draft Constitution on 4 November 1948.

2. Grote described constitutional morality as:

   • A natural sentiment of every citizen
   • A paramount reverence for the forms of the constitution (correct answer)
   • A religious duty
   • An emergency power

   Explanation. Ambedkar quoted Grote: "a paramount reverence for the forms of the constitution".

3. Ambedkar said that constitutional morality:

   • Is a natural sentiment
   • Is not a natural sentiment and has to be cultivated (correct answer)
   • Needs no cultivation
   • Is the same as religion

   Explanation. He said it is not a natural sentiment and must be cultivated.

4. In which case did the Constitution Bench link constitutional morality with the Prime Minister's advice on appointing ministers under Article 75(1)?

   • Manoj Narula v. Union of India (correct answer)
   • Hadley v. Baxendale
   • A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
   • Minerva Mills v. Union of India

   Explanation. Manoj Narula (2014) said constitutional morality and trust guide executive governance.

5. In Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), the Court held that constitutional morality prevails over:

   • Majoritarian public morality (correct answer)
   • The Preamble
   • Fundamental Rights
   • Article 14

   Explanation. Constitutional morality prevails over majoritarian public morality.

6. Section 377 of the IPC was struck down in Navtej Singh Johar insofar as it criminalised:

   • Consensual same-sex relations between adults (correct answer)
   • Theft
   • Murder
   • Defamation

   Explanation. The Court struck down Section 377 in so far as it criminalised consensual same-sex relations between adults.

7. The Sabarimala case (Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala, 2018) was decided by a majority of:

   • 5:0
   • 4:1 (correct answer)
   • 3:2
   • 3:0

   Explanation. A 4:1 majority struck down the custom barring women aged 10 to 50.

8. Constitutional morality is closely connected with:

   • Unlimited executive power
   • Constitutionalism, or limited government under law (correct answer)
   • Unwritten customs only
   • Judicial inaction

   Explanation. It links with constitutionalism: power exercised under law, with respect for rights and institutions.