Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review: RAS Prelims MCQs
61 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Union judiciary cover the Supreme Court’s composition, jurisdiction and powers, the appointment of judges, judicial review and writs. The Judges Cases, Public Interest Litigation and the provisions for acting and ad hoc judges are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 51–60 of 61 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q51. Consider the following statements regarding the powers of the Supreme Court: I. It can grant special leave to appeal from any court or tribunal in India. II. It has the power to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it. III. The President can refer a matter of public importance to it for an opinion. IV. It can issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights. V. It can advise the Governor of a state on constitutional matters. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Judicial independence is maintained through various constitutional safeguards. These include restrictions on discussing judicial conduct in Parliament and providing a secure tenure. While salaries are generally protected, they can be varied during a financial emergency. Furthermore, the court has the power to punish for contempt and its jurisdiction over fundamental rights cannot be curtailed by ordinary legislative actions. However, it does not advise the Governor of a state; constitutional advice to the Governor is typically provided by the state’s Advocate General.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q52. If a law enacted by a State Legislature violates a Fundamental Right, which of the following actions best illustrates the concept of Judicial Review?
Explanation
Judicial review is best illustrated when a court examines a law’s constitutionality and strikes it down if it violates fundamental rights. If a State Legislature enacts a law that infringes upon these rights, the High Court or Supreme Court can declare it void. This judicial act ensures that legislative powers are exercised within the boundaries defined by the Constitution of India.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q53. Which of the following sequences represents the correct hierarchy of appellate courts in India for civil cases (from lowest to highest)?
Explanation
In the Indian judicial hierarchy for civil cases, the legal journey typically begins at the subordinate or District Court level. If a party is dissatisfied with the District Court’s verdict, they can appeal to the High Court of the respective state. Finally, the Supreme Court of India serves as the ultimate and highest court of appeal for any further legal challenges.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q54. "Justice delayed is justice denied." In the context of the Indian Judiciary, which of the following is an oft-cited reason for judicial delays leading to judicial activism?
Explanation
A major challenge facing the Indian judiciary is the massive backlog of cases and numerous vacancies in judicial positions across all levels. These factors contribute significantly to delays in the delivery of justice. Such systemic inefficiencies often prompt the judiciary to adopt an activist role to address urgent social issues that might otherwise remain unresolved for many years in the regular system.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q55. Which among the following is not an example of a writ issued under Article 32?
Explanation
Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue five specific types of writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto. These are prerogative writs intended for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. An injunction is a different type of court order, usually issued in civil litigation to maintain the status quo or prevent a specific action, and is not a writ.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q56. Consider the following statements regarding the High Courts and their relationship with the Supreme Court: I. The Supreme Court has supervisory jurisdiction over all High Courts under Article 227. II. An appeal lies to the Supreme Court from a High Court judgment if it reverses an order of acquittal and sentences the accused to death. III. High Courts can strike down central laws, subject to appeal to the Supreme Court. IV. The Chief Justice of India can transfer a judge from one High Court to another without consulting anyone. V. The law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all High Courts. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Appeals lie to the Supreme Court if a High Court reverses an acquittal to a death sentence. High Courts can strike down central laws, and Supreme Court rulings are binding on them. However, Article 227 gives High Courts supervision over subordinate courts, not the Supreme Court over High Courts. Also, transferring a High Court judge requires the President’s order after specific consultations.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q57. In the context of the basic structure doctrine, which of the following cases ruled that the 9th Schedule to the Constitution is not immune to judicial review?
Explanation
In the I.R. Coelho case (2007), the Supreme Court ruled that all laws included in the 9th Schedule after April 24, 1973, are open to judicial review. The court held that if a law violates the basic structure of the Constitution, it can be struck down, even if it is placed within the protective umbrella of the 9th Schedule.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q58. Arrange the following landmark cases of PIL evolution in chronological order: I. Hussainara Khatoon v. Home Secretary, State of Bihar II. M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak case) III. Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan IV. Sunil Batra v. Delhi Administration Select the correct order:
Explanation
The evolution of PIL began with Hussainara Khatoon (1979) concerning undertrial prisoners, followed by Sunil Batra (1980) regarding prison reforms. The M.C. Mehta Oleum Gas Leak case in 1986 introduced the principle of absolute liability. Finally, the Vishaka case in 1997 provided guidelines against sexual harassment at workplaces. This sequence reflects the progressive expansion of judicial protection for various social rights.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q59. Which of the following is a key criticism of the Collegium system?
Explanation
A primary criticism of the Collegium system is its lack of transparency and public accountability. Critics argue that the process of judicial appointments happens behind closed doors without clearly defined criteria or public scrutiny. This judges appointing judges mechanism is often seen as being opaque and susceptible to favoritism, leading to calls for a more balanced and representative appointment process in India.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Q60. Match List I with List II:
Jurist/Authority
Role in Judiciary
A. Chief Justice of India
i. Highest judicial officer in a district
B. Attorney General for India
ii. Master of the Roster in Supreme Court
C. Advocate General of State
iii. Highest law officer of the Union Government
D. District Judge
iv. Highest law officer of a State Government
Choose the correct code:
Explanation
The Chief Justice of India acts as the Master of the Roster, assigning cases to benches. The Attorney General is the highest law officer for the Union Government. The Advocate General holds the equivalent highest law office for a State Government.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
51
(a) I, II, III and IV only
52
(c) The High Court striking down the law as unconstitutional.
53
(a) District Court High Court Supreme Court
54
(a) Huge pendency of cases and judicial vacancies
55
(a) Injunction
56
(b) II, III and V only
57
(b) I.R. Coelho Case
58
(a) I, IV, II, III
59
(c) It lacks transparency and accountability as judges appoint judges.
60
(a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i
Key facts from Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review
Part V of the Constitution deals with the Union judiciary; the Supreme Court was inaugurated on 28 January 1950.
The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
Article 126 allows the President to appoint an acting Chief Justice; Article 127 provides for ad hoc judges.
Article 124(7) bars a retired Supreme Court judge from practising in any court in India.
Judicial review is based on Article 13 and was inspired by the United States.
The Third Judges Case (1998) dealt with the consultation process for appointing judges; PIL is a product of judicial activism.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review?
This page has 61 practice MCQs on Union Judiciary: Supreme Court and Judicial Review (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was the Supreme Court inaugurated?
On 28 January 1950, two days after the Constitution came into force. It replaced the Federal Court of India and sits in New Delhi, with the Chief Justice of India at its head.
How many judges does the Supreme Court have?
The sanctioned strength is 34, including the Chief Justice of India, after the increase made by Parliament in 2019. The number was fixed at eight when the Constitution began and has been raised several times.
What is Public Interest Litigation?
A case brought before a court in the interest of the public or of persons who cannot approach the court themselves. It is a product of judicial activism and has widened access to justice by relaxing the traditional rule of standing.
