Judiciary: Practice Questions with Answers
Supreme Court, High Courts, and judicial review. Try each question first: tap an option to check it, and the explanation appears below.
Question 1Medium
Which writ is issued to inquire into the legality of a person's claim to a public office, preventing illegal usurpation of a public office?
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✅ C. Quo-Warranto
Quo-Warranto translates to by what authority and is deployed to challenge an individual's unlawful occupation of a public office. Writs like Habeas Corpus safeguard personal liberty against illegal detention, while Mandamus compels public officials to perform statutory duties. Prerogative writs form the bedrock of judicial review in India.
Question page →Question 2Medium
Which Constitutional Amendment Act increased the retirement age of High Court judges from 60 to 62 years?
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✅ A. 15th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1963
The 15th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1963 successfully increased the retirement age of High Court judges from sixty to sixty-two years. Other choices like the 42nd Amendment addressed a multitude of subjects including fundamental duties, but did not alter this specific retirement ceiling. Under Article 217, High Court judges hold office until they attain the age of sixty-two years.
Question page →Question 3Easy
Which concept popularized by Justice P.N. Bhagwati in the late 1970s relaxed traditional locus standi rules to allow public-spirited citizens to approach courts for justice?
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✅ B. Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
Public Interest Litigation relaxed traditional locus standi requirements, allowing individuals or groups to approach higher courts on behalf of marginalized citizens. Judicial review empowers courts to invalidate unconstitutional legislation passed by the legislature. Judicial activism and PIL mechanisms are core concepts in Indian constitutional law.
Question page →Question 4Medium
To whom does a judge of the High Court of Uttarakhand submit their written resignation if they wish to vacate office before completing their term?
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✅ D. President of India
Under Article 217(1) of the Indian Constitution, a judge of a High Court may resign their office by writing under their hand addressed to the President of India. While the Governor administers the oath of office to high court judges, resignations are submitted directly to the President. Other authorities like the Chief Justice of India or the State Governor play administrative roles in consultation or oath-taking but do not receive the resignation letter.
Question page →Question 5Medium
Which constitutional amendment transferred matters like education, forests, weights and measures from the State List to the Concurrent List?
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✅ B. 42nd Amendment Act
The Forty-Second Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 transferred five crucial subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List, including education, forests, protection of wild animals and birds, weights and measures, and the administration of justice. Amendments like the thirty-eighth and forty-fourth addressed emergency declarations and civil liberties rather than federal list reallocations. This shift empowered Parliament to legislate on these subjects concurrently with state legislatures.
Question page →Question 6Medium
What is the primary objective of the writ of 'Quo-Warranto' issued by higher courts?
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✅ D. To prevent illegal usurpation of a public office by a person
The writ of Quo-Warranto, derived from Latin to mean by what authority, is issued by higher courts to restrain individuals from unlawfully occupying a public office to which they have no legal right. It safeguards public administration by ensuring that appointed or elected offices are held solely by qualified persons who meet all statutory requirements. While habeas corpus protects personal liberty against unlawful detention, quo-warranto specifically challenges usurpation of public authority. Constitutional remedies under Article 32 and Article 226 form a core pillar of Indian polity preparation.
Question page →Question 7Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the doctrine of judicial review in India: 1. Judicial review refers to the power of the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders of both the central and state governments. 2. The Constitution of India explicitly uses the term judicial review in Article 13 and Article 32. 3. A law declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court becomes void ab initio from the date of its enactment. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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✅ A. 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct because judicial review tests legislative validity against constitutional provisions, and laws violating fundamental rights are void from inception under Article 13. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Constitution of India does not explicitly contain the exact phrase judicial review anywhere in its text; rather, the power is inferred implicitly from Articles 13, 32, 136, 142, and 226, forming part of the basic structure.
Question page →Question 8Hard
Which of the following statements regarding the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts in India is correct?
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✅ B. A High Court can issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights as well as for any other purpose.
Under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, High Courts possess wider writ jurisdiction than the Supreme Court because they can issue writs for enforcing fundamental rights as well as for any other ordinary legal purpose. Conversely, the Supreme Court's writ jurisdiction under Article 32 is strictly confined to the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and acts as a guarantor of Part III. This structural distinction gives litigants broader legal recourse at the state judiciary level for general administrative grievances.
Question page →Question 9Easy
Which of the following writs literally translates to 'We Command' and is issued to compel a public official, corporation, or inferior court to perform a mandatory public duty?
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✅ B. Mandamus
Mandamus is a Latin term translating to 'We Command', issued as a prerogative writ by a higher court to direct a public official, corporation, or inferior tribunal to perform a mandatory public duty. It is designed to remedy a denial of justice where a public authority fails to fulfill its statutory obligations. Unlike habeas corpus, which protects personal liberty against illegal detention, mandamus compels affirmative public action. Polity questions frequently test the constitutional provisions regarding the five types of writs under Article 32 and Article 226.
Question page →Question 10Medium
Consider the following statements regarding the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court of India: 1. Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court extends to any dispute between the Government of India and one or more States. 2. Appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters can be invoked through certificates granted by High Courts under Articles 132, 133, and 134. 3. The Supreme Court possesses advisory jurisdiction under Article 143, making its tendered opinion binding on the President in all circumstances. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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✅ A. 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Article 131 covers original federal disputes, and Articles 132-134 govern appellate pathways. Statement 3 is incorrect because while the President can seek advisory opinions under Article 143, the Supreme Court's opinion is advisory and non-binding on the executive, except in specific pre-constitutional treaty matters where reference under the proviso may carry distinct weight. The Court is not bound to answer references under clause 1.
Question page →Question 11Medium
Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of acting Chief Justice when the office of Chief Justice of India is vacant or when the Chief Justice is unable to perform the duties of their office?
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✅ B. Article 126
Article 126 of the Constitution of India empowers the President to appoint an acting Chief Justice when the office of the Chief Justice of India is vacant or when the incumbent is unable to perform duties due to absence or other reasons. Article 127 deals with the appointment of ad-hoc judges, whereas Article 128 provides for retired judges to sit and act as judges of the Supreme Court. These provisions ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the apex judicial body.
Question page →Question 12Easy
Which landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India held that the 'Right to Privacy' is a fundamental right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution?
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✅ A. K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India
A nine-judge constitutional bench in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India ruled unanimously that the right to privacy constitutes a fundamental right under Article 21. Other landmark judgments addressed distinct constitutional issues such as gender equality or decriminalization of specific offenses.
Question page →Question 13Medium
Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the Supreme Court of India vested with the power of 'Judicial Review' to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders?
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✅ A. Article 13
Article 13 of the Indian Constitution declares that laws inconsistent with or in derogation of Fundamental Rights are void, which forms the constitutional foundation for judicial review in India. Article 32 provides the remedy of constitutional writs for enforcing Fundamental Rights rather than reviewing general legislation. The doctrine of judicial review in India is heavily inspired by the judicial system of the United States.
Question page →Question 14Easy
What is the retirement age stipulated by the Constitution for a judge of the Supreme Court of India?
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✅ A. 60 years
Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution specifies that a judge of the Supreme Court holds office until attaining the age of sixty-five years. High court judges retire at sixty-two years following an amendment enacted in 1963. Supreme Court judges can vacate office earlier by submitting a resignation letter to the President.
Question page →Question 15Easy
Which Article of the Indian Constitution explicitly states that the law declared by the Supreme Court shall be binding on all courts within the territory of India?
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✅ B. Article 141
Article 141 of the Indian Constitution establishes that the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts across the territory of India. Other provisions like Article 142 deal with the enforcement of decrees and orders issued by the apex court.
Question page →Question 16Easy
What is the primary purpose of the writ of 'Certiorari'?
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✅ C. To quash an order already passed by an inferior court or tribunal
The writ of Certiorari means 'to be certified' or 'to be informed'. It is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to either transfer a pending case or to quash an order already passed by them on grounds of excess of jurisdiction or error of law.
Question page →Question 17Medium
Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers a High Court to issue writs to any person or authority, including governments, for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and for 'any other purpose'?
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✅ C. Article 226
Article 226 empowers High Courts to issue writs not only for enforcing Fundamental Rights but also for any other purpose, granting it a broader territorial and substantive scope than the Supreme Court under Article 32. Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right restricted primarily to constitutional rights enforcement. High Court writ jurisdiction remains a vital pillar of Indian constitutional checks and balances.
Question page →Question 18Easy
What is the maximum age up to which a judge of the Supreme Court of India can hold office?
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✅ C. 65 years
According to Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution, a judge of the Supreme Court can hold office until attaining the age of sixty-five years. This retirement age distinguishes Supreme Court judges from High Court judges, who retire at sixty-two years. Judicial appointments and tenure conditions are frequently tested concepts in Indian polity papers.
Question page →Question 19Hard
Consider the constitutional interplay between Article 32 and Article 226: 1. The writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 32 is wider than that of the High Court under Article 226 because High Courts can issue writs only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. 2. A citizen can approach the Supreme Court directly under Article 32 for the violation of Fundamental Rights without exhausting remedies under Article 226 first. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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✅ B. 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect because the High Court's writ jurisdiction under Article 226 is wider than the Supreme Court's under Article 32; High Courts can issue writs for both Fundamental Rights and other legal rights. Statement 2 is correct because the right to move the Supreme Court under Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right, allowing direct access.
Question page →Question 20Medium
Which type of jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to review its own judgments or orders delivered earlier?
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✅ B. Review jurisdiction
Article 137 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to review any judgment or order pronounced by it, ensuring correction of any patent errors. Other jurisdictions like advisory or appellate deal with presidential references or appeals from lower courts respectively. Review petitions are generally heard by the same judges who delivered the original judgment unless unavailable.
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