UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 17: Secularism (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 17: Secularism (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Indian Society. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The phrase "principled distance" to describe Indian secularism is associated with:

Correct Answer: A [Rajeev Bhargava]

Explanation:

Rajeev Bhargava described Indian secularism as principled distance: the State engages with or keeps away from religion as liberty and equality require.

2.  

Which Article of the Constitution says that no person shall be compelled to pay taxes for promoting a particular religion?

Correct Answer: D [Article 27]

Explanation:

Article 27 bars compelling any person to pay taxes whose proceeds are used to promote or maintain a particular religion.

3.  

"Secularism in Its Place" (1987), which questioned the suitability of secularism for South Asia, was written by:

Correct Answer: B [T. N. Madan]

Explanation:

T. N. Madan's 1987 essay argued that secularism, a Western idea, cannot easily take root where religion shapes all of life.

4.  

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 freezes the religious character of places of worship as on:

Correct Answer: C [15 August 1947]

Explanation:

The 1991 Act freezes the religious character of every place of worship as it stood on Independence Day, 15 August 1947, except Ayodhya.

5.  

The idea of "disenchantment of the world" is associated with:

Correct Answer: D [Max Weber]

Explanation:

Max Weber used 'disenchantment of the world' for the retreat of magic and religion as modern rational thought spreads.

6.  

Which State has had a common civil code since Portuguese times?

Correct Answer: A [Goa]

Explanation:

Goa kept the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867 after liberation, so one family law applies to all its communities.

7.  

The Shah Bano case (1985) concerned:

Correct Answer: D [maintenance for a divorced Muslim woman]

Explanation:

The Supreme Court upheld Shah Bano's claim to maintenance from her former husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

8.  

"Sarva Dharma Samabhava" means:

Correct Answer: A [equal respect for all religions]

Explanation:

Sarva Dharma Samabhava, the phrase Gandhi used, means equal respect for all religions, the core of the Indian model.

9.  

According to Census 2011, the share of Muslims in India's population was about:

Correct Answer: A [14.2%]

Explanation:

Census 2011 recorded about 17.2 crore Muslims, 14.2% of India's population, the largest religious minority (Table 17.2).

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Instant triple talaq was held unconstitutional in Shayara Bano (2017).
2. Uttarakhand brought its Uniform Civil Code into force in 2025.
3. Article 44 makes a Uniform Civil Code legally enforceable in courts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are true; statement 3 fails because Article 44 is a non-justiciable Directive Principle.

11.  

Assertion (A): The Indian State may intervene in religious practices to promote social reform.

Reason (R): Article 25(2) allows the State to regulate secular activities associated with religion and to throw open Hindu religious institutions to all classes.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Both are true, and Article 25(2) is the very provision that lets the State reform religious practice, such as temple entry.

12.  

"Secularisation", as distinct from "secularism", refers to:

Correct Answer: D [a social process in which religion loses influence over public institutions]

Explanation:

Secularisation is the social process by which religion loses influence over the State, law, education and science.

13.  

In which State was Sikhism the majority religion at Census 2011?

Correct Answer: D [Punjab]

Explanation:

about 57.7%.

14.  

The French model of strict secularism is known as:

Correct Answer: C [laïcité]

Explanation:

Laïcité is France's strict separation model, keeping religion out of State institutions such as public schools.

15.  

The Act passed after the Shah Bano judgment was the:

Correct Answer: B [Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986]

Explanation:

Parliament passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 to limit the effect of the Shah Bano judgment.

16.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Places of Worship Act
2. Shayara Bano judgment
3. Uttarakhand UCC in force
4. Shah Bano judgment

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [4-1-2-3]

Explanation:

1985, 1991, 2017, 2025.

17.  

Which Article bars religious instruction in institutions wholly maintained by State funds?

Correct Answer: D [Article 28]

Explanation:

Article 28(1) bars religious instruction in institutions wholly maintained out of State funds, with a trust exception in 28(2).

18.  

In which of the following was Christianity the majority religion at Census 2011?

Correct Answer: B [Nagaland]

Explanation:

about 87.9%.

19.  

The word "secular" was added to the Preamble by the:

Correct Answer: C [42nd Amendment]

Explanation:

1976.

20.  

In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court held that:

Correct Answer: A [secularism is a basic feature of the Constitution]

Explanation:

a State government acting against it may be dismissed under Article 356.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U07 · Indian Society (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-society

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