1. What does Indian secularism mean?
a) The State gives preference to one religion
b) The State stays completely separate from religion
c) The State treats all religions equally and maintains a principled distance
d) The government controls all religious practices
Answer: c) The State treats all religions equally and maintains a principled distance
Explanation: Indian secularism ensures that no religion is given special treatment, and the government can intervene only to uphold constitutional values like equality.
2. How does Indian secularism differ from Western secularism?
a) The Indian State can interfere in religious matters to ensure equality
b) The Indian State bans all religious practices
c) Western secularism promotes a single religion
d) The Indian government follows the instructions of religious leaders
Answer: a) The Indian State can interfere in religious matters to ensure equality
Explanation: Unlike Western secularism, which keeps religion and State completely separate, Indian secularism allows State intervention to protect citizens’ rights and eliminate discrimination.
3. Which article of the Indian Constitution upholds the secular nature of India?
a) Article 14
b) Article 25-28
c) Article 370
d) Article 50
Answer: b) Article 25-28
Explanation: Articles 25-28 provide the right to religious freedom, ensuring that individuals can practice and propagate their religion freely without State interference.
4. Which of the following is a feature of Indian secularism?
a) The State promotes religious festivals
b) The State bans religious schools
c) The State does not interfere in any religious matters
d) The State can intervene in religious practices to protect individual rights
Answer: d) The State can intervene in religious practices to protect individual rights
Explanation: The government can intervene in religion when necessary to stop discrimination or harmful practices, such as banning untouchability.
5. Why is secularism important in India?
a) Because India has multiple religions
b) To give power to religious leaders
c) To promote one religion over others
d) To remove all religious practices
Answer: a) Because India has multiple religions
Explanation: Secularism ensures that no religious group dominates another, maintaining harmony in a diverse country like India.
6. How does the Indian government ensure secularism in public institutions?
a) By allowing only one religion to be practiced
b) By preventing religious symbols and practices in government offices and schools
c) By conducting religious ceremonies in government spaces
d) By banning all religious activities in private spaces
Answer: b) By preventing religious symbols and practices in government offices and schools
Explanation: Government spaces, such as courts and public schools, do not promote any religion to maintain secularism.
7. Which of the following is an example of secularism in India?
a) The government funding only Hindu temples
b) The government banning all religious practices
c) The government providing equal support to all religious institutions
d) The government enforcing religious laws
Answer: c) The government providing equal support to all religious institutions
Explanation: Indian secularism ensures that all religions receive equal treatment, including equal financial support when required.
8. What does the concept of ‘principled distance’ mean in Indian secularism?
a) The government always stays away from religion
b) The government can intervene in religion to uphold constitutional values
c) The government favors the majority religion
d) The government enforces religious laws
Answer: b) The government can intervene in religion to uphold constitutional values
Explanation: Unlike Western secularism, India allows State intervention when religious practices violate fundamental rights, such as banning child marriage.
9. How does Indian secularism protect minority religions?
a) By allowing them to establish and manage their religious institutions
b) By forcing them to follow majority religion laws
c) By restricting their religious practices
d) By funding only majority religious schools
Answer: a) By allowing them to establish and manage their religious institutions
Explanation: The Indian Constitution allows minorities to set up and manage their educational and religious institutions, ensuring their rights are protected.
10. Which of the following violates Indian secularism?
a) The government ensuring equal treatment for all religions
b) A religious community imposing its practices on others
c) The State intervening to stop caste-based discrimination
d) The Constitution guaranteeing religious freedom
Answer: b) A religious community imposing its practices on others
Explanation: Secularism prevents the domination of one religious group over another and ensures equal rights for all citizens.
