CSS Constitutional Law MCQs

This comprehensive set of MCQs on Constitutional Law for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination is meticulously crafted to cover all key topics outlined in the CSS syllabus. Addressing core concepts such as the origins and principles of constitutional law, fundamental rights, the structure of government, federalism, and judicial review, these MCQs aim to provide aspiring CSS candidates with a thorough grounding in constitutional frameworks and their applications.

Who should practice CSS Constitutional Law MCQs?

Candidates preparing for the CSS examination who want to develop a solid understanding of constitutional principles, governance structures, and the rule of law.
Individuals interested in learning about the roles and powers of legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as constitutional rights and limitations, which are essential for civil service roles.
University students focusing on high-yield topics such as constitutional amendments, judicial precedents, separation of powers, and comparative constitutional frameworks, critical for the CSS Constitutional Law syllabus.
Anyone looking to strengthen their analytical skills in interpreting constitutional provisions and understanding their implications for governance and citizen rights.
Students dedicated to mastering constitutional law concepts to excel in competitive exams and pursue careers in public service, legal advisory, and policymaking.

1. Constitutional law is primarily concerned with:

A) Civil and criminal cases
B) The fundamental organization and functions of the government
C) Economic laws
D) International relations

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2. A primary purpose of a constitution is to:

A) Establish a tax system
B) Set guidelines for the operation of government and protection of rights
C) Control market prices
D) Define cultural values

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3. The rule of law means:

A) Laws apply only to elected officials
B) Laws are applied equally to all citizens and government actions are constrained by law
C) The government can act outside the law in emergencies
D) Laws can be suspended if necessary

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4. Which country’s constitution is considered the oldest written national constitution still in use?

A) United Kingdom
B) United States
C) France
D) Pakistan

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5. A parliamentary system is distinguished by:

A) Separation of powers between the executive and legislature
B) Fusion of executive and legislative powers
C) A ceremonial monarchy
D) A single legislative body

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6. In a presidential system, the head of government is:

A) Appointed by the legislature
B) Directly elected by the people
C) The head of the judiciary
D) Both head of state and government

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7. The concept of separation of powers was introduced by:

A) John Locke
B) Montesquieu
C) Thomas Hobbes
D) Rousseau

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8. The independence of the judiciary ensures:

A) Judges can enact laws
B) Judges are impartial and not influenced by other branches
C) Judges have supreme authority over the executive
D) Judges can override any law

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9. Judicial review allows courts to:

A) Enact new laws
B) Review the constitutionality of laws and government actions
C) Control the legislature
D) Modify existing laws

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10. The “rule of law” concept is associated with which philosopher?

A) Aristotle
B) Plato
C) A.V. Dicey
D) John Stuart Mill

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11. Constitutional conventions are:

A) Legally binding rules
B) Non-legal rules that guide political practices
C) Supreme laws
D) Written legal statutes

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12. Fundamental rights generally protect:

A) Economic stability
B) Civil liberties and political freedoms
C) Property alone
D) Only the upper class

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13. The due process clause is primarily intended to:

A) Allow indefinite detention
B) Ensure fair treatment through the legal system
C) Only protect government officials
D) Speed up legal proceedings

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14. Which country follows the principle of “Parliamentary Supremacy”?

A) United States
B) Pakistan
C) United Kingdom
D) Russia

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15. The concept of double jeopardy prohibits:

A) Trial without evidence
B) Being tried twice for the same offense
C) Sentencing without a trial
D) Judicial review of criminal cases

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16. The Indian Independence Act of 1947 led to:

A) India becoming a republic
B) The partition of India and Pakistan
C) India joining the British Commonwealth
D) Immediate self-governance for all Indian states

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17. Which Pakistani document aimed to outline the nation’s Islamic ideology and governance principles?

A) Government of India Act, 1935
B) Indian Independence Act, 1947
C) Objectives Resolution, 1949
D) Constitution of 1973

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18. The Constitution of Pakistan in 1956 established Pakistan as a:

A) Republic
B) Dominion
C) Kingdom
D) Socialist state

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19. The 1962 Constitution of Pakistan introduced which governance structure?

A) Presidential system
B) Parliamentary system
C) Monarchical system
D) Absolute dictatorship

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20. The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan reestablished which system?

A) Presidential system
B) Parliamentary system
C) Dictatorship
D) Federal monarchy

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21. The Legal Framework Order (LFO) of 1970 aimed to:

A) Set up guidelines for elections
B) Enforce martial law
C) Amend the judiciary
D) Separate Pakistan from the Commonwealth

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22. The Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) of 1981 allowed:

A) Abrogation of the constitution
B) Continuation of martial law without parliamentary approval
C) Civilian control over the military
D) Parliamentary supremacy

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23. Who was the plaintiff in the famous case Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan v. Federation of Pakistan?

A) Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan
B) The President of Pakistan
C) The Chief Justice of Pakistan
D) General Ayub Khan

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24. The 8th Amendment of the 1973 Constitution:

A) Empowered the judiciary
B) Allowed the President to dissolve the National Assembly
C) Removed fundamental rights
D) Introduced Sharia law

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25. Which case involved the doctrine of necessity for the first time in Pakistan?

A) Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan case
B) State v. Dosso case
C) Asma Jilani case
D) Zafar Ali Shah case

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26. The Objectives Resolution of 1949 is significant because it:

A) Established Pakistan’s judiciary
B) Outlined the Islamic principles for Pakistan’s governance
C) Created Pakistan’s first political party
D) Laid down the administrative boundaries

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27. The Government of India Act of 1935 served as:

A) Pakistan’s constitution after independence
B) A framework for British rule in India until 1947
C) The foundation of India’s independence
D) A trade agreement with Britain

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28. The Constitution of Pakistan in 1956 made Pakistan the first:

A) Islamic republic in the world
B) Communist state in Asia
C) Constitutional monarchy in South Asia
D) Secular republic in the Muslim world

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29. Which of the following cases involved the suspension of the constitution in Pakistan?

A) Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan case
B) Usif Patel case
C) State v. Dosso
D) Asma Jilani case

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30. The case of Begum Nusrat Bhutto v. Chief of the Army Staff upheld the legality of:

A) Civil court authority over military cases
B) Martial law under the doctrine of necessity
C) The Objectives Resolution
D) Presidential elections

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31. The PCO of 1981 in Pakistan restricted:

A) Civilian rule over military matters
B) Judicial review of executive actions
C) Taxation policies
D) Freedom of assembly

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32. The “doctrine of basic structure” in constitutional law implies that:

A) Certain constitutional principles cannot be amended
B) Only the President can make constitutional amendments
C) All laws are subject to judicial review
D) Military rule overrides civilian laws

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33. The concept of “judicial review” in the U.S. originated from which case?

A) Marbury v. Madison
B) Brown v. Board of Education
C) Roe v. Wade
D) Plessy v. Ferguson

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34. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech?

A) First Amendment
B) Second Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Tenth Amendment

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35. In the United Kingdom, the head of state is:

A) The Prime Minister
B) The Monarch
C) The Speaker of the House
D) The Chief Justice

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36. Judicial independence is a core principle in which country’s constitution?

A) United Kingdom
B) United States
C) China
D) France

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37. The primary lawmaking body in the U.S. is:

A) Congress
B) The President
C) The Supreme Court
D) The Cabinet

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38. The French constitution follows which type of government system?

A) Absolute monarchy
B) Parliamentary republic
C) Semi-presidential system
D) Military rule

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39. The 18th Amendment in Pakistan:

A) Abolished the judiciary’s power
B) Enhanced provincial autonomy
C) Reduced the powers of the Parliament
D) Removed fundamental rights

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40. The independence of the judiciary is essential to uphold:

A) Military rule
B) Rule of law and justice
C) Economic growth
D) Diplomatic immunity

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41. Which article in Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees freedom of speech?

A) Article 10
B) Article 16
C) Article 19
D) Article 25

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42. In constitutional law, “habeas corpus” refers to:

A) A punishment method
B) A trial by jury
C) A petition challenging unlawful detention
D) A law for economic reform

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43. The judiciary in the U.K. operates under a system of:

A) Strict separation of powers
B) Parliamentary sovereignty
C) Presidential supremacy
D) Judicial supremacy

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44. The concept of “double jeopardy” prevents:

A) Repetition of legal proceedings in civil cases
B) Individuals being tried twice for the same crime
C) Amendment of fundamental rights
D) Executive interference in trials

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45. The primary function of the Supreme Court in the U.S. is to:

A) Make laws
B) Interpret the Constitution
C) Enforce policies
D) Act as a legislative body

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46. The Legal Framework Order (LFO) of 1970 in Pakistan primarily aimed at:

A) Establishing martial law
B) Conducting free and fair elections
C) Amending the Objectives Resolution
D) Strengthening the judiciary

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47. The doctrine of “separation of powers” was first articulated by:

A) John Locke
B) Thomas Hobbes
C) Montesquieu
D) Rousseau

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48. The “Doctrine of Necessity” in Pakistan was first applied in which case?

A) Asma Jilani case
B) Begum Nusrat Bhutto case
C) State v. Dosso
D) Maulvi Tamizuddin case

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49. The “Supremacy Clause” in the U.S. Constitution means that:

A) The President is the highest authority
B) Federal law supersedes state law
C) Congress has the ultimate power
D) Judges have absolute power

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50. The Constitution of 1956 in Pakistan declared the country as:

A) A secular republic
B) An Islamic republic
C) A democratic monarchy
D) A socialist republic

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51. The “Basic Structure Doctrine” in Indian Constitutional Law limits:

A) Amendments to the Constitution
B) Fundamental rights
C) Judicial independence
D) Presidential powers

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52. Under the Constitution of 1973, the highest court in Pakistan is the:

A) High Court
B) Federal Shariat Court
C) Supreme Court
D) Civil Court

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53. The Constitutional Convention is mainly associated with the formation of which country’s constitution?

A) France
B) United States
C) United Kingdom
D) Pakistan

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54. The “right to privacy” is protected under which amendment of the U.S. Constitution?

A) First Amendment
B) Fourth Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Tenth Amendment

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55. The British Constitution is considered:

A) Unwritten
B) Codified
C) Federal
D) Presidential

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56. The Indian Constitution provides for the independence of:

A) The Executive
B) The Judiciary
C) The Legislature
D) None of the above

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57. “Due process of law” is a fundamental concept in which country’s constitutional system?

A) United Kingdom
B) China
C) United States
D) Turkey

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58. The Objectives Resolution was made a substantive part of Pakistan’s Constitution in:

A) 1956
B) 1962
C) 1973
D) 1985

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59. In the case of Zafar Ali Shah v. General Pervez Musharraf, the Supreme Court of Pakistan:

A) Condemned the military rule
B) Justified military intervention
C) Expanded fundamental rights
D) Restricted freedom of assembly

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60. The “Right to Counsel” is part of which constitutional right?

A) Freedom of Speech
B) Right to Fair Trial
C) Right to Privacy
D) Right to Property

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61. The amendment process of the U.S. Constitution is found in which Article?

A) Article I
B) Article V
C) Article III
D) Article VII

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62. Pakistan’s Constitution of 1973 provides for:

A) A dual executive system
B) A federal parliamentary system
C) A unitary presidential system
D) A monarchy

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63. In which case did the Pakistan Supreme Court declare that a sitting Prime Minister cannot be dismissed by the President?

A) Maulvi Tamizuddin case
B) Benazir Bhutto v. President of Pakistan
C) Nawaz Sharif v. President of Pakistan
D) State v. Dosso

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64. The primary source of constitutional law in the United Kingdom is:

A) A written document
B) Common law and statutes
C) Federal decrees
D) Presidential orders

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65. The Indian Independence Act of 1947 marked the division of:

A) Indian provinces
B) India and Pakistan as independent states
C) Judicial powers
D) Religious rights

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66. The “Rule of Law” concept primarily emphasizes:

A) The supremacy of the constitution
B) Judicial supremacy
C) Equality before the law
D) Presidential power

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67. The “Right to Fair Trial” is protected under which amendment in the U.S. Constitution?

A) First Amendment
B) Fourth Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Sixth Amendment

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68. In the Asma Jilani v. Government of Punjab case, the court declared that:

A) Martial law is legitimate
B) Military takeover is unconstitutional
C) Fundamental rights are non-justiciable
D) The judiciary cannot challenge executive power

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69. Which Constitutional Amendment in Pakistan reinstated the Prime Minister’s power to dissolve the National Assembly?

A) 13th Amendment
B) 18th Amendment
C) 20th Amendment
D) 8th Amendment

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70. “Double jeopardy” refers to:

A) Facing multiple charges for the same crime
B) Being tried twice for the same offense
C) Double sentencing
D) None of the above

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71. The concept of judicial review was established in the U.S. by which case?

A) Marbury v. Madison
B) Brown v. Board of Education
C) Roe v. Wade
D) Miranda v. Arizona

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72. The independence of the judiciary is a fundamental feature in which country’s Constitution?

A) United Kingdom
B) United States
C) Russia
D) Turkey

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73. The RCO of 1985 in Pakistan was introduced to:

A) Amend the 1973 Constitution
B) Reinstate civil liberties
C) Suspend martial law
D) Strengthen the judiciary

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74. The “Doctrine of Basic Structure” in India means that:

A) Parliament has supreme power
B) The Constitution cannot be amended to alter its core features
C) Fundamental rights can be removed
D) The President has executive authority

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75. The Legal Framework Order (LFO) of 2002 in Pakistan introduced:

A) New civil rights
B) The National Security Council
C) A federal court
D) The PCO

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76. The principle of “constitutional conventions” is most strongly associated with which country?

A) United States
B) France
C) United Kingdom
D) Russia

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77. Under the Constitution of 1973, the President of Pakistan is:

A) Elected by popular vote
B) Appointed by the Prime Minister
C) Elected by an electoral college
D) Selected by the judiciary

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78. The separation of powers among the three branches of government is primarily designed to:

A) Promote efficiency
B) Limit government power
C) Strengthen the executive branch
D) Expand judicial power

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79. The “Objectives Resolution” serves as the:

A) Preamble to the Constitution of Pakistan
B) Separate law
C) Bill of Rights
D) Part of the Indian Constitution

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80. The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision in the Nawaz Sharif v. President of Pakistan case ruled that:

A) Martial law is constitutional
B) The President can dismiss the Prime Minister
C) The judiciary cannot intervene in politics
D) The President cannot dismiss the Prime Minister without just cause

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81. The Indian Constitution was enacted in:

A) 1947
B) 1948
C) 1950
D) 1952

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82. The judiciary in Pakistan can review laws under the principle of:

A) Parliamentary supremacy
B) Judicial review
C) Federalism
D) Sovereignty

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83. The “Presidential form of government” is used in:

A) United Kingdom
B) France
C) United States
D) India

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84. The Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, is considered to be:

A) Rigid
B) Flexible
C) Semi-rigid
D) Partially flexible

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85. The concept of “Fundamental Rights” was introduced in Pakistan’s Constitution in:

A) 1949
B) 1956
C) 1962
D) 1973

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86. The case of “State v. Dosso” is notable in Pakistan for:

A) Establishing judicial supremacy
B) Justifying martial law
C) Expanding civil rights
D) Promoting democracy

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87. “Right to Counsel” falls under which category of rights?

A) Political Rights
B) Civil Rights
C) Economic Rights
D) Social Rights

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88. Pakistan’s 18th Amendment was significant for:

A) Centralizing federal power
B) Restoring parliamentary supremacy
C) Limiting judicial review
D) Expanding presidential powers

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89. Judicial interpretation that aims to apply the Constitution as written is called:

A) Judicial activism
B) Originalism
C) Realism
D) Contextualism

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90. The power of Judicial Review allows courts to:

A) Write laws
B) Execute laws
C) Declare laws unconstitutional
D) Overrule the President

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91. Which case is known for establishing the “Doctrine of Necessity” in Pakistan?

A) Asma Jilani case
B) Begum Nusrat Bhutto case
C) Maulvi Tamizuddin case
D) State v. Dosso

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92. The “Freedom of Speech” is protected under which amendment of the U.S. Constitution?

A) First Amendment
B) Second Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Sixth Amendment

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93. The Federal Court of Pakistan was replaced by the Supreme Court in which year?

A) 1956
B) 1962
C) 1973
D) 1985

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94. Pakistan’s first constitution was promulgated in:

A) 1949
B) 1956
C) 1962
D) 1973

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95. The principle that no one is above the law is known as:

A) Parliamentary supremacy
B) Judicial review
C) Rule of law
D) Due process

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96. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution declares India to be:

A) A monarchy
B) A secular state
C) A communist state
D) A federation

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97. “Judicial restraint” is the opposite of:

A) Judicial review
B) Judicial activism
C) Due process
D) Rule of law

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98. The power to amend the U.S. Constitution is vested in:

A) The Supreme Court
B) The President
C) The Congress
D) The states

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99. The Government of India Act, 1935, primarily aimed to:

A) Establish India as an independent state
B) Grant provincial autonomy
C) Expand civil liberties
D) Limit judicial power

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100. The “Objectives Resolution” was passed by Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly in:

A) 1947
B) 1949
C) 1956
D) 1962

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