UPSC 2026 – Prelims Practice Set: Women’s Representation & Constitutional Empowerment

UPSC 2026 – Prelims Practice Set: Women’s Representation & Constitutional Empowerment

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Q1.

Which of the following correctly describes the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023)?

A. It provides for 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities.
B. It provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
C. It provides for 50% reservation for women in Parliament.
D. It mandates equal pay and political participation for women under the Directive Principles.

✅ Answer: B.
Explanation:
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam amends the Constitution to ensure 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, implemented after the next Census and delimitation.

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Q2.

The 106th Amendment Act inserts which of the following new Articles into the Constitution of India?

1. Article 330A

2. Article 332A

3. Article 334A

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 and 3 only

✅ Answer: C. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:

• Article 330A: Reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha.

• Article 332A: Reservation of seats for women in State Legislative Assemblies.

• Article 334A: Duration (15 years) and implementation post-Census.

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Q3.

As per the 106th Amendment Act, the reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies will come into effect:

A. Immediately upon Presidential assent.
B. After the next Census and the subsequent delimitation exercise.
C. After 2029 General Elections regardless of Census.
D. From the next Lok Sabha session through a notification by the Speaker.

✅ Answer: B.
Explanation:
The amendment explicitly states that reservation will be operational only after the next Census and delimitation, which scientifically determines seat allocation.

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Q4.

Justice B.V. Nagarathna recently described women as the “largest minority” in India. Which constitutional article did she invoke to justify affirmative action for women?

A. Article 14
B. Article 15(3)
C. Article 16(4)
D. Article 39(a)

✅ Answer: B. Article 15(3)
Explanation:
Article 15(3) allows the State to make special provisions for women and children, forming the constitutional basis for affirmative action and gender reservations.

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Q5.

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding women’s political representation in India (as of 2025)?

1. Women constitute around 14% of the Lok Sabha.

2. Around 46% of Panchayat seats are held by women.

3. The Rajya Sabha has a higher percentage of women than the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

✅ Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:

• Women in Lok Sabha: ~14.4%.

• Panchayats: ~46% due to the 73rd Amendment.

• Rajya Sabha: ~11%, which is lower than Lok Sabha.

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Q6.

The reservation for women in Panchayats and Municipalities was constitutionally provided through which of the following amendments?

A. 42nd and 44th Amendments
B. 73rd and 74th Amendments
C. 86th and 88th Amendments
D. 101st and 102nd Amendments

✅ Answer: B. 73rd and 74th Amendments
Explanation:

• 73rd Amendment (Article 243D): Reservation in Panchayats.

• 74th Amendment (Article 243T): Reservation in Municipalities.

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Q7.

Which of the following statements best describes the significance of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam?

A. It is a socio-economic welfare scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
B. It is a constitutional amendment ensuring gender equality in the judiciary.
C. It is a constitutional measure to ensure women’s representation in legislative bodies.
D. It is a part of India’s National Population Policy.

✅ Answer: C.
Explanation:
The Act amends the Constitution to ensure political justice by reserving one-third of legislative seats for women — a structural reform, not a welfare scheme.

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Q8.

According to the Supreme Court’s recent observation, “Political justice is on par with social and economic justice.” This principle finds its constitutional basis in the:

A. Fundamental Duties
B. Directive Principles of State Policy
C. Preamble to the Constitution
D. Fundamental Rights

✅ Answer: C. Preamble to the Constitution
Explanation:
The Preamble guarantees Justice – social, economic, and political. The women’s reservation law operationalises this by promoting political inclusion.

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Q9.

Which of the following correctly lists countries with existing constitutional or statutory reservations for women in legislatures?

1. Rwanda

2. Nepal

3. Bangladesh

4. India

Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 2, 3 and 4 only

✅ Answer: B. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:

• Rwanda: 61% women MPs (world’s highest).

• Nepal: 33% mandatory representation.

• Bangladesh: 50 reserved seats.

• India’s 106th Amendment (2023) is passed but not yet implemented.

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Q10.

Which of the following statements is not correct regarding the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam?

A. The reservation will cease to exist 15 years after commencement unless extended by Parliament.
B. The Act mandates the Election Commission to reserve seats for women through delimitation.
C. The Act provides reservation to women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population.
D. The Act provides reservation in both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

✅ Answer: B.
Explanation:
The Act does not empower the Election Commission to reserve seats directly; the Delimitation Commission constituted by law performs that function.

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🧾 Prelims Quick Revision Chart

Concept	Key Provision	Article / Amendment
Women’s Reservation (Lok Sabha & Assemblies)	33% quota	106th Amendment (2023)
Implementation Condition	After Census & Delimitation	Article 334A
Affirmative Action for Women	Allowed under Fundamental Rights	Article 15(3)
Local Body Reservation	Panchayats & Municipalities	Articles 243D & 243T
Duration of Reservation	15 years, extendable	Article 334A
Judicial Observation (2025)	“Women are the largest minority”	Justice B.V. Nagarathna
Women in Lok Sabha (2024)	14.4%	Current Affairs Data