Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Polity)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts (Polity). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2012Polity · Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts
Q1. Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court? 1. A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States. 2. A dispute regarding elections to either House of the Parliament or that of Legislature of a State. 3. A dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory. 4. A dispute between two or more States. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
The original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India refers to matters that can be directly brought before the Court without needing to pass through lower courts. The Constitution of India under Article 32 and 131 outlines the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Statement 1 is correct: According to Article 131, a dispute between the Government of India and one or more States.
Statement 2 is incorrect: As per Article 329 (b), no election to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature. Hence as it cant be taken to SC court directly it does not come under original jurisdiction.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Article 131 doesn’t mention UT anywhere. Further, the original jurisdiction mentioned in 131 is regarding issues between the federal units.
Statement 4 is correct: According to Article 131, a dispute between two or more states comes under the Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
UPSC 2012Polity · Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts
Q2. What is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India? 1. While appointing the Supreme Court Judges, the President of India has to consult the Chief Justice of India. 2. The Supreme Court Judges can be removed by the Chief Justice of India only. 3. The salaries of the Judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India to which the legislature does not have to vote. 4. All appointments of officers and staff of the Supreme Court of India are made by the Government only after consulting the Chief Justice of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 124(2) and its interpretations in various SC judgments, The judges of the SC are appointed by the President based on the recommendations of the collegium system, which involves the Chief Justice of India and senior judges of the SC (In case of elevating a HC judge, CJ of concerned HC is also consulted).
Statement 2 is incorrect: SC judge can be removed from his office by an order of President. The President can order for removal of SC Judge only after an address by Parliament has been presented to him in the same session for such removal.
Statement 3 is correct: The salaries, allowances and pensions of the judges and the staff as well as all the administrative expenses of the SC are charges on the Consolidated Fund of India. Thus they are non-votable by the Parliament.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Under Article 146. The Chief Justice of India can appoint officers and servants of the SC and can also prescribe their conditions of service.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2012
(c) 1 and 4
2
2012
(a) 1 and 3 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts (Polity), asked from 1996 to 2023. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts?
Questions on Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts (Polity) are available for 17 years, from 1996 to 2023. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
