π Chapter 10 Β· Previous Year Questions
Judiciary β Supreme Court β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers with detailed answers.
π‘ Tip: Judiciary questions focus on composition, jurisdiction, landmark cases, and the collegium system. These are very frequently asked in all PSC exams.
π Note: Questions sourced from UPSC Civil Services Prelims, APPSC Group 1 & 2, and TGPSC Group 1 & 2 previous papers.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
Consider the following statements about the Supreme Court of India:
1. The retirement age of SC judges is 65 years.
2. A retired SC judge can practice in High Courts.
3. The SC has advisory jurisdiction under Article 143.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. The retirement age of SC judges is 65 years.
2. A retired SC judge can practice in High Courts.
3. The SC has advisory jurisdiction under Article 143.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
β
Answer: A) 1 and 3 onlyStatements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect β a retired SC judge CANNOT practice in any court in India (Article 124(7)). A retired HC judge can practice in the SC and other HCs.
The original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131 is:
A) Concurrent with High Courts
B) Exclusive β no other court can hear such disputes
C) Available only when the President refers the matter
D) Available only in criminal matters
β
Answer: B) Exclusive β no other court can hear such disputesThe SC’s original jurisdiction under Article 131 is exclusive β no other court can hear disputes between the Government of India and States, or between two or more States. This ensures that federal disputes are resolved by the highest court.
The supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court over subordinate courts is provided under which article?
A) Article 214
B) Article 226
C) Article 227
D) Article 228
β
Answer: C) Article 227Article 227 provides for the power of superintendence of the High Court over all courts and tribunals in its territorial jurisdiction. The HC can call for records, give directions, and correct errors of subordinate courts. Article 226 deals with the HC’s writ jurisdiction.
The S.R. Bommai case (1994) is significant because:
A) It established the basic structure doctrine
B) It struck down the NJAC
C) It held that secularism and federalism are basic structure elements and President’s Rule is subject to judicial review
D) It established the collegium system
β
Answer: C) It held that secularism and federalism are basic structure elements and President’s Rule is subject to judicial reviewThe S.R. Bommai case (1994) is a landmark case on President’s Rule (Article 356). The SC held that secularism and federalism are basic structure elements, and the imposition of President’s Rule is subject to judicial review.
The advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was borrowed from the Constitution of:
A) United States
B) Canada
C) Australia
D) Ireland
β
Answer: B) CanadaThe advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Article 143) was borrowed from the Canadian Constitution. Canada also has a provision for the federal government to refer questions to the Supreme Court for advisory opinions.
Lok Adalats in India are established under which Act?
A) Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
B) Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
C) Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
D) Mediation Act, 2023
β
Answer: B) Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987Lok Adalats are established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. They provide speedy, informal, and inexpensive justice. Awards of Lok Adalats are final and binding β deemed to be a decree of a civil court. No appeal lies against Lok Adalat awards.
Which of the following is NOT a basic structure element as identified by the Supreme Court?
A) Supremacy of the Constitution
B) Judicial review
C) Secularism
D) Uniform Civil Code
β
Answer: D) Uniform Civil CodeUniform Civil Code (Article 44) is a Directive Principle β it is NOT a basic structure element. Supremacy of Constitution, judicial review, and secularism are all recognized basic structure elements. The SC has not declared UCC as basic structure.
The first Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India was filed in which case?
A) Maneka Gandhi case (1978)
B) Hussainara Khatoon case (1979)
C) Vishaka case (1997)
D) Olga Tellis case (1985)
β
Answer: B) Hussainara Khatoon case (1979)The first PIL in India was filed by Kapila Hingorani in 1979 in the Hussainara Khatoon case regarding undertrial prisoners in Bihar. Justice P.N. Bhagwati is called the “Father of PIL in India” for developing this concept in the 1980s.
The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was established by which constitutional amendment?
A) 97th Amendment
B) 98th Amendment
C) 99th Amendment
D) 100th Amendment
β
Answer: C) 99th AmendmentThe NJAC was established by the 99th Constitutional Amendment (2014). It was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015 (Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India) as it violated the independence of judiciary β a basic structure element.
The Special Leave Petition (SLP) to the Supreme Court is provided under which article?
A) Article 131
B) Article 132
C) Article 134
D) Article 136
β
Answer: D) Article 136Article 136 provides for Special Leave Petition (SLP) β the SC can grant special leave to appeal from any judgment of any court or tribunal in India (except military tribunals). This is a discretionary power β the SC can refuse to grant leave. It is the most commonly used provision for approaching the SC.