Class 9 Civics • Democratic Politics-I • Chapter 5
Democratic Rights Class 9: MCQs, Notes & Questions and Answers
Revise Democratic Rights with 53 MCQs, chapter questions, NCERT exercise-based questions and concise revision points.
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NCERT alignment: The legacy source labels this topic as Chapter 06, while the currently indexed Democratic Politics-I sequence presents Democratic Rights as Chapter 05. The study material below keeps the original question bank while presenting it in a current, student-friendly layout. View chapter reference
Quick Revision: Democratic Rights
RIGHT 1
Right to Equality
Equality before law, equal protection and safeguards against untouchability and discrimination.
RIGHT 2
Right to Freedom
Freedoms such as speech and expression, movement, association and protection of life and personal liberty, subject to constitutional restrictions.
RIGHT 3
Right against Exploitation
Protection against trafficking, forced labour and prohibited child labour.
RIGHT 4
Right to Freedom of Religion
Freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional provisions.
RIGHT 5
Cultural & Educational Rights
Protection of minority interests and the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
RIGHT 6
Right to Constitutional Remedies
The right to approach the Supreme Court or High Courts for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Key terms to remember: rights, Fundamental Rights, reasonable restrictions, constitutional remedies, dignity, equality, freedom, minority protection and enforceability through courts.
53 MCQs on Democratic Rights
1. LearnRead the quick revision cards first.
2. PractiseAttempt the 53 MCQs without looking at answers.
3. WriteUse the Q&A cards for exam-style revision.
1. What was the reason given by America for imprisoning people at Guantanamo Bay?
A. They had been caught spying.
B. They were planning to kill the US President.
C. They were planning to set up a Communist government in USA.
D. America considered them as enemies and linked them to the attack on New York on 11th September, 2001.
Answer: D. America considered them as enemies and linked them to the attack on New York on 11th September, 2001.
2. Which body exposed to the world that prisoners at Guantanamo Bay were being tortured in ways that violated the US laws?
A. United Nations
B. International Court of Justice
C. Amnesty International
D. Supreme Court of USA
Answer: C. Amnesty International
3. Which of these options is not correct regarding Saudi Arabian political system?
A. The king selects the executive, legislature and judiciary
B. Citizens cannot form political parties
C. There is no freedom of religion
D. None of the above
Answer: D. None of the above
4. What is the position of women in Saudi Arabia?
A. Women are given all the rights
B. Women are given equal status with men
C. Women are subjected to many public restrictions
D. They are offered high positions
Answer: C. Women are subjected to many public restrictions
5. Of which country was Kosovo a province before its split?
A. USSR
B. Yugoslavia
C. South Africa
D. Germany
Answer: B. Yugoslavia
6. What was Milosevic’s attitude towards the Albanians?
A. His government was hostile to the Kosovo Albanians
B. He wanted to bring equality between Serbs and Albanians
C. He wanted Serbs to dominate the Albanians
D. Both (a) and (c)
Answer: D. Both (a) and (c)
7. How was the massacre of Albanians finally stopped?
A. The UN ordered for Milosevic’s arrest
B. Several countries intervened to stop the massacre
C. The Serbs turned against Milosevic
D. Milosevic reformed himself
Answer: B. Several countries intervened to stop the massacre
8. What was the result of the intervention of other countries to stop the killings of Albanians?
A. Milosevic lost power and was tried for crimes against humanity
B. The other countries were punished by UNO for interfering in another country
C. Led to further army action by Milosevic
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Milosevic lost power and was tried for crimes against humanity
9. What is meant by ‘rights’?
A. One’s demand to get everything without sharing with others
B. Claims of a person over other fellow beings, society and the government
C. Not possessing any freedoms
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Claims of a person over other fellow beings, society and the government
10. Which of these statements about the relationship between democracy and rights is more valid?
A. Every country that is a democracy gives rights to its citizens
B. Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy
C. Giving rights is good, but it is not necessary for a democracy
D. All the above
Answer: B. Every country that gives rights to its citizens is a democracy
11. What can be done in case of infringement of the rights in a democracy?
A. Citizens are helpless; they cannot do anything
B. They can approach courts to protect their rights
C. They can ask their representatives to do the needful
D. None of the above
Answer: B. They can approach courts to protect their rights
12. Under the Right to Education framework, free and compulsory elementary education is provided to children in which age group?
A. 6–10 years
B. 10–14 years
C. 14–18 years
D. 6–14 years
Answer: D. 6–14 years
13. The Right to Information is linked to which Fundamental Right?
A. Right to Freedom of Religion
B. Right to Freedom of speech and expression
C. Right to Equality
D. Right to Constitutional Remedies
Answer: B. Right to Freedom of speech and expression
14. Which of these is/are the new rights guaranteed by the constitution of South Africa for its citizens?
A. Right to privacy
B. Right to an environment that is not harmful to the people’s health
C. Right to have access to adequate housing
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
15. Which of these is not seen as a standard of human rights by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?
A. Right to social security and insurance
B. Right to health
C. Right to accumulate wealth
D. Right to adequate standard of living
Answer: C. Right to accumulate wealth
16. The right to seek the enforcement of all Fundamental Rights is called :
A. Right against Exploitation
B. Right to Freedom
C. Right to Constitutional Remedies
D. Cultural and Educational Rights
Answer: C. Right to Constitutional Remedies
17. If our Fundamental Rights are violated, where can we seek the remedy?
A. Supreme Court or High Courts
B. Parliament
C. Election Commission
D. Council of Ministers
Answer: A. Supreme Court or High Courts
18. What did Dr. Ambedkar refer to the ‘Right to Constitutional Remedies’ as?
A. The brain of our Constitution
B. The heart and soul of our Constitution
C. The heart of our Constitution
D. The soul of our Constitution
Answer: D. The soul of our Constitution
19. What is meant by the term ‘writ’?
A. Written laws
B. A formal document containing an order of the court to the government
C. Basic features of the Constitution
D. None of the above
Answer: B. A formal document containing an order of the court to the government
20. Which of the following is not an instance of an exercise of a Fundamental Right?
A. Workers from Bihar go to Punjab to work on the farms
B. Parents’ property is inherited by their children
C. Christian mission sets up a chain of missionary schools
D. Religion is not taken into consideration during admission in schools
Answer: B. Parents’ property is inherited by their children
21. When was the NHRC set up?
A. 1998
B. 1996
C. 1993
D. 2001
Answer: C. 1993
22. How many Fundamental Rights are currently recognised in the Indian Constitution?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
Answer: B. 6
23. Which of the following terms is correct for the feature of the Indian constitution stating that no person is above the law?
A. State of law
B. Application of law
C. Rule of law
D. Governance by law
Answer: C. Rule of law
24. What does ‘Right to Equality’ say about the public jobs?
A. Jobs will be provided to all by the government
B. Jobs will be reserved for the more meritorious students
C. All citizens will be provided with equal opportunity in matters of employment
D. None of the above
Answer: C. All citizens will be provided with equal opportunity in matters of employment
25. What does the Constitution say about the practice of untouchability?
A. It stands abolished
B. Its practice in any form is punishable by law
C. Since it is an age-old custom, it should be respected
D. Both (a) and (b)
Answer: D. Both (a) and (b)
26. Which of these is false regarding the Freedom of Speech and Expression?
A. Everyone has a right to think differently
B. One may disagree with a policy of the government
C. One can use it to incite people against the government
D. One is free to criticize the government
Answer: C. One can use it to incite people against the government
27. Which of these rights is/are provided to a person arrested by the government or police?
A. To be informed of the reasons of his arrest
B. To be produced before a magistrate within 24 hrs of his arrest
C. To engage a lawyer for his defense
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
28. One of the forms of exploitation as mentioned in the constitution is ‘traffic’. What does it mean?
A. Transport system
B. Buying and selling of human beings
C. Buying and selling of goods
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Buying and selling of human beings
29. What is meant by ‘begar’?
A. Practice of begging
B. Practice of forcing workers to work without any wages
C. Practice of encouraging workers to work at normal wages
D. Both (b) and (c)
Answer: B. Practice of forcing workers to work without any wages
30. Laws have been made to prohibit children from working in which of these industries?
A. Beedi making
B. Fire crackers and matches
C. Printing and dyeing
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
31. Which of the following freedom is not available to an Indian citizen?
A. Freedom to start a movement to change the government
B. Freedom to oppose the government
C. Freedom to participate in armed revolution
D. None of these
Answer: C. Freedom to participate in armed revolution
32. Which among the following cannot be challenged in a court?
A. Directive principles of state policy
B. Fundamental Rights
C. Freedom to choose any profession or business
D. Right to move freely to any part of the country.
Answer: B. Fundamental Rights
33. Cultural and Educational Rights are safeguarded mainly for :
A. Women
B. minorities
C. children
D. Men
Answer: B. minorities
34. Which of the following is not a Fundamental Right?
A. Right to Freedom
B. Right to Vote
C. Right to Equality
D. None of these
Answer: B. Right to Vote
35. Which of the following is not a Fundamental Right?
A. Right to Equality
B. Right to Freedom
C. Right to protect one’s culture
D. Right to Property
Answer: D. Right to Property
36. India is a secular state. What does the word ‘secular’ mean?
A. The state gives protection to the Hindu religion
B. The state allows only the majority to propagate their religion
C. The state has no religion of its own
D. None of the above.
Answer: C. The state has no religion of its own
37. Which one of the following fundamental rights is called the heart and soul of Indian constitution?
A. Right to equality
B. Right to constitutional remedies
C. Right to freedom
D. Right to freedom of religion
Answer: B. Right to constitutional remedies
38. Civil Rights are given to the individual by:
A. Nature
B. God
C. The State
D. The people
Answer: C. The State
39. The Indian Constitution prescribes Fundamental Rights in:
A. part III
B. part VII
C. part V
D. part IV
Answer: A. part III
40. Which one of the following rights is available to the citizens of India and not to the citizens of Saudi Arabia?
A. The country is ruled by a hereditary king
B. Citizens cannot form political parties
C. Women are subjected to many public restrictions
D. Citizens enjoy the freedom of religion
Answer: D. Citizens enjoy the freedom of religion
41. Who called the right to constitutional remedies as the heart and soul of the constitution?
A. J.L. Nehru
B. B. R. Ambedkar
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: B. B. R. Ambedkar
42. The National Human Right Commission is an independent commission, set up by the law in the year :
A. 1993
B. 1995
C. 1999
D. 2001
Answer: A. 1993
43. Which of the following Fundamental Rights prohibits traffic in human beings?
A. Right against exploitation
B. Right to equality
C. Right to freedom of religion
D. Right to freedom
Answer: A. Right against exploitation
44. Which of these is not a freedom available under the ‘Right to Freedom’ in India?
A. Freedom of speech and expression
B. Freedom to incite people to rebel against the government
C. Freedom to assemble in a peaceful manner
D. Freedom to form associations and unions
Answer: B. Freedom to incite people to rebel against the government
45. Which among the following is correct regarding PIL?
A. Public Interest Legislature
B. Public Interest Litigation
C. Public Information Litigation
D. Public Information Legislature
Answer: B. Public Interest Litigation
46. Which one of the following is not true regarding the Fundamental Rights?
A. Men and women government employees get the same salary.
B. Christian missionaries set up a chain of missionary schools
C. Workers from Uttar Pradesh go to Punjab to work on the farms.
D. Parents property is inherited by the children.
Answer: D. Parents property is inherited by the children.
47. Which of the following freedoms is not available to an Indian citizen?
A. Freedom to criticize the government
B. Freedom to participate in armed rebellion
C. Freedom to reside in any part of the country
D. All the above
Answer: B. Freedom to participate in armed rebellion
48. Which of these is not allowed under the Culture and Educational Right in India?
A. Every cultural group has the right to protect its language and culture.
B. Admissions can be denied on the basis of religion and culture in government aided educational organizations set up by cultural groups.
C. All minority groups have the right to establish educational institutions of their choice.
D. None of these
Answer: B. Admissions can be denied on the basis of religion and culture in government aided educational organizations set up by cultural groups.
49. Which one of the following is not a Political Right?
A. Right to contest election
B. Right to vote
C. Right to seek any political office
D. Right to freedom
Answer: D. Right to freedom
50. Which of the following practices is against the secular philosophy of the country?
A. To propagate one’s religion
B. To change one’s religion
C. To offer religious instruction in government schools
D. To practice a religion of choice
Answer: C. To offer religious instruction in government schools
51. If anyone violates our Fundamental Rights we can directly approach the :
A. Prime Minister
B. Supreme Court
C. President
D. Vice President
Answer: B. Supreme Court
52. Which fundamental rights ensures the ban on bonded labour?
A. Right against exploitation
B. Right to freedom
C. Right to constitutional remedies
D. Right to equality
Answer: A. Right against exploitation
53. Which of the following was not relevant to the prisoners of Guantanamo Bay?
A. The governments of their countries were not informed of their arrests
B. Families and UN representatives were allowed to meet them
C. There was no proper trial before a magistrate
D. They were kept in prison even after they were officially declared ‘not guilty’
Answer: B. Families and UN representatives were allowed to meet them
Questions Within the Chapter
Q1. Why are rights necessary in a democracy?
Answer: Rights are necessary because democracy is not only about elections and institutions. Citizens need guarantees that protect dignity, freedom, equality and minorities, and they need ways to enforce these guarantees when they are violated.
Q2. What are rights?
Answer: Rights are reasonable claims of persons that are recognised by society and sanctioned by law. A right also carries an obligation to respect the rights of others.
Q3. Why did the Constitution makers consider Fundamental Rights central to the Constitution?
Answer: They wanted to secure equality, liberty and justice, protect minorities and make democratic freedoms meaningful. Fundamental Rights put these constitutional promises into effect.
Q4. What rights does every adult citizen have in a democracy?
Answer: Every adult citizen has the right to vote and the right to be elected, subject to the legal conditions governing elections.
Q5. What can a citizen do if a law violates the Constitution?
Answer: A citizen can approach the courts. Fundamental Rights are enforceable, and the Supreme Court or a High Court can provide constitutional remedies.
Q6. What is the role of freedom of expression in a democracy?
Answer: Freedom of speech and expression allows citizens to communicate ideas, disagree with government policies and criticise public authorities. It is subject to reasonable restrictions provided by law.
Q7. How does the Constitution protect freedom of religion?
Answer: India is a secular state. Citizens have the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional and legal limits.
Q8. Are rights only for adults?
Answer: No. Constitutional and legal protections also apply to children. For example, the Right to Education framework provides free and compulsory elementary education for children in the 6–14 age group, and constitutional protections address child labour in hazardous work.
NCERT Exercise Questions and Answers
Q1. Which of the following is not an instance of the exercise of a Fundamental Right?
Answer: Parents’ property being inherited by their children is not an instance of exercising a Fundamental Right.
Q2. Which freedom is available to an Indian citizen?
Answer: Freedom to criticise the government is protected as part of freedom of speech and expression, subject to reasonable restrictions.
Q3. Which right is available under the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Right to protect one’s culture is protected through Cultural and Educational Rights.
Q4. Under which Fundamental Right do these rights fall?
Answer: Freedom to propagate one’s religion — Right to Freedom of Religion; Right to life — Right to Freedom; abolition of untouchability — Right to Equality; ban on bonded labour — Right against Exploitation.
Q5. Which statement best describes the relationship between democracy and rights?
Answer: Rights are essential to democratic government because citizens must be able to participate, express opinions and exercise political freedoms. The source exercise asks students to justify the relationship rather than treat rights as optional.
Q6. Are restrictions on the Right to Freedom always unjustified?
Answer: No. The Constitution permits reasonable restrictions in specified circumstances. Restrictions should have a lawful basis and serve legitimate public interests; suppressing criticism merely to protect a ruling party's electoral prospects is not a valid basis.
Q7. Which Fundamental Rights may be violated in Manoj’s case?
Answer: The discriminatory refusal to consider Manoj for admission because of his caste violates the principle of equality and non-discrimination. His freedom to pursue an occupation is also relevant.
Q8. Can a woman be required to change her name after marriage?
Answer: The source case emphasises equality and the absence of a general constitutional rule requiring a married woman to adopt her husband’s surname. The registrar’s demand should therefore be examined against applicable law rather than assumed as a constitutional requirement.
Q9. How can competing rights and interests be considered in a displacement case?
Answer: The source exercise presents arguments from the affected forest dwellers, the government and the NHRC. A balanced response should consider livelihood, dignity and rehabilitation alongside wildlife protection and environmental concerns.
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