Daily Challenge
Saturday, 17 October 2026
Daily Challenge — 17 October 2026
Week 2 of Mission CGPSC 2027 · Rights & Roots — Fundamental Rights and DPSP for India; prehistory and the early dynasties of Dakshin Kosala for Chhattisgarh. See the full plan.
Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
In which case did the Supreme Court hold that harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is an essential feature of the basic structure of the Constitution?
In Minerva Mills (1980) the Court struck down the 42nd Amendment’s extension of Article 31C to all Directive Principles, holding that giving Part IV absolute primacy over Part III would upset the balance that is part of the basic structure. Champakam (1951) had placed DPSP below Fundamental Rights, Golaknath (1967) barred amending Fundamental Rights, and Kesavananda (1973) laid down the basic structure doctrine itself.
Ancient Chhattisgarh: Prehistory to the Guptas
Consider the following statements:
- In ancient times the region of present-day Chhattisgarh was known as Dakshina Kosala.
- Samudragupta’s Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) names Mahendra of Kosala among the southern rulers he defeated.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both are correct. The region was called Dakshina Kosala (South Kosala). Harishena’s Prayag Prashasti lists Mahendra of Kosala and Vyaghraraja of Mahakantara among the rulers of the south whom Samudragupta defeated and then reinstated.
Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
Starting from her house, Kiran walks 9 km north, turns right and walks 5 km, then turns right again and walks 21 km. How far and in which direction is she from her house?
North 9, then right (east) 5, then right again (south) 21. Net east = 5 km; net north-south = 9 − 21 = 12 km south. Distance = √(5² + 12²) = 13 km (the 5-12-13 triple), towards the south-east. Option (d) adds all the legs instead of finding the straight-line distance.