Unit 3: The Judiciary - Practice Quiz

POL118 — Constitutional Government And Democracy In India 60 Questions
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1 Which is the highest court in India?

Supreme Court Easy
A. Gram Nyayalaya
B. High Court
C. Supreme Court
D. District Court

2 Where is the Supreme Court of India located?

Supreme Court Easy
A. Mumbai
B. Kolkata
C. New Delhi
D. Chennai

3 Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court of India?

Supreme Court Easy
A. The President of India
B. The Parliament of India
C. The Chief Justice of India
D. The Prime Minister of India

4 At what age does a judge of the Supreme Court retire?

Supreme Court Easy
A. 62 years
B. 70 years
C. 65 years
D. 60 years

5 Who is the head of the Supreme Court of India?

Supreme Court Easy
A. Chief Justice of India
B. Solicitor General of India
C. Law Minister of India
D. Attorney General of India

6 Which is the highest court in a state?

High Court Easy
A. District Court
B. Supreme Court
C. High Court
D. Session Court

7 At what age does a judge of a High Court retire?

High Court Easy
A. 65 years
B. 60 years
C. 68 years
D. 62 years

8 Who appoints the judges of a High Court?

High Court Easy
A. The Chief Minister alone
B. The Governor alone
C. The President of India
D. The State Legislature

9 A High Court may have jurisdiction over which area?

High Court Easy
A. One or more states
B. Only one district
C. Only the whole country
D. Only one village

10 Which court supervises the courts under its jurisdiction in a state?

High Court Easy
A. Election Commission
B. Supreme Court
C. High Court
D. Lok Sabha

11 What type of judicial system does India have?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Easy
A. A military judicial system
B. A completely separate system
C. A party-based judicial system
D. An integrated judicial system

12 Which court is at the top of India's integrated judicial system?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Easy
A. Supreme Court
B. District Court
C. High Court
D. Civil Court

13 Which courts generally function below the High Courts?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Easy
A. Military tribunals
B. Foreign courts
C. Subordinate courts
D. International courts

14 Which constitutional body is responsible for interpreting the Constitution at the national level?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Easy
A. Supreme Court
B. Election Commission
C. Parliament Secretariat
D. Union Cabinet

15 Judicial independence means that judges should be free from:

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Easy
A. Legal principles
B. Court procedures
C. Constitutional duties
D. Political pressure

16 What is the power of a court to examine whether a law is constitutional called?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Easy
A. Judicial election
B. Judicial promotion
C. Judicial review
D. Judicial transfer

17 Which jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear certain disputes between governments?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Easy
A. Advisory jurisdiction
B. Revenue jurisdiction
C. Original jurisdiction
D. Local jurisdiction

18 The Supreme Court can give advice to the President under which jurisdiction?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Easy
A. Advisory jurisdiction
B. Appellate jurisdiction
C. Original jurisdiction
D. Territorial jurisdiction

19 The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts under which jurisdiction?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Easy
A. Original jurisdiction
B. Advisory jurisdiction
C. Appellate jurisdiction
D. Administrative jurisdiction

20 Which writ may be issued to produce a person who has been unlawfully detained?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Easy
A. Certiorari
B. Mandamus
C. Prohibition
D. Habeas corpus

21 A citizen claims that a law violates a Fundamental Right. Which constitutional remedy can the citizen directly seek from the Supreme Court?

Supreme Court Medium
A. A writ under Article 226
B. A reference under Article 123
C. A writ under Article 32
D. A review under Article 368

22 A High Court receives a petition concerning a legal right that is not a Fundamental Right. Which power allows it to consider the petition?

High Court Medium
A. Its appellate jurisdiction under Article 136
B. Its original jurisdiction under Article 131
C. Its advisory jurisdiction under Article 143
D. Its writ jurisdiction under Article 226

23 Which arrangement best describes the judicial structure in India?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Medium
A. Separate federal and state court systems
B. A parliamentary system without constitutional courts
C. Independent courts operating without appellate links
D. A unified system with the Supreme Court at its apex

24 The Union and a State disagree about the constitutional distribution of legislative powers. Which jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is most relevant?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Medium
A. Original jurisdiction
B. Review jurisdiction
C. Advisory jurisdiction
D. Curative jurisdiction

25 The Supreme Court declares that a statutory provision is unconstitutional. What is the direct basis of this action?

Supreme Court Medium
A. Judicial review
B. Parliamentary privilege
C. Judicial appointment
D. Executive supervision

26 A subordinate court refuses to perform a legally required duty. Which writ may the High Court issue to command it to act?

High Court Medium
A. Mandamus
B. Habeas corpus
C. Certiorari
D. Quo warranto

27 Why is the independence of the judiciary important in a constitutional democracy?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Medium
A. It allows judges to make all public policies
B. It removes the need for legislative debate
C. It places courts above the Constitution
D. It protects constitutional limits on government power

28 The President seeks the Supreme Court's opinion on an important question of law or fact. Which jurisdiction is involved?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Medium
A. Writ jurisdiction
B. Appellate jurisdiction
C. Advisory jurisdiction
D. Original jurisdiction

29 A person is unlawfully detained by a private individual. Which remedy is most directly suited to challenge the detention?

Supreme Court Medium
A. Habeas corpus
B. Quo warranto
C. Mandamus
D. Prohibition

30 A High Court concludes that a subordinate court is hearing a case beyond its legal authority. Which writ can restrain that proceeding?

High Court Medium
A. Prohibition
B. Habeas corpus
C. Mandamus
D. Quo warranto

31 Which feature most clearly distinguishes the Indian judiciary from a system in which federal and state courts are completely separate?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Medium
A. A common hierarchical judicial structure
B. Different constitutions for each court system
C. Independent appointment of every local judge
D. Exclusive state control over constitutional cases

32 A case involving an important constitutional question is transferred from one High Court to another by the Supreme Court. Which power is being exercised?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Medium
A. Power to issue advisory opinions
B. Power to amend the Constitution
C. Power to transfer cases
D. Power to appoint governors

33 A party argues that the Supreme Court misunderstood an important legal issue in its judgment. Which remedy may initially be sought before the same Court?

Supreme Court Medium
A. A review petition
B. A confidence motion
C. A constitutional amendment
D. A money bill

34 A public official occupies a statutory office but does not satisfy the legal qualifications for that office. Which writ may challenge the person's authority to continue?

High Court Medium
A. Prohibition
B. Habeas corpus
C. Quo warranto
D. Mandamus

35 Which safeguard makes removal of a Supreme Court judge difficult and helps protect judicial independence?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Medium
A. Removal by the Union Cabinet alone
B. Removal by the Chief Justice alone
C. Removal through a special parliamentary process
D. Removal through an annual public vote

36 A Supreme Court judgment lays down a legal principle that lower courts must follow in later similar cases. Which constitutional provision supports this effect?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Medium
A. Article 324
B. Article 141
C. Article 280
D. Article 148

37 An appeal is filed against a decision of a tribunal, even though no specific statutory appeal is available. Which Supreme Court power may permit consideration of the case?

Supreme Court Medium
A. Exclusive original jurisdiction
B. Special leave jurisdiction
C. Advisory jurisdiction
D. Constitution-making jurisdiction

38 A High Court supervises subordinate courts in its territory and requests information about their proceedings. Which constitutional power does this illustrate?

High Court Medium
A. Exclusive control over Parliament
B. Superintendence over subordinate courts
C. Advisory control over the President
D. Original control over inter-State disputes

39 A dispute arises over whether a state law conflicts with a parliamentary law on a subject in the Concurrent List. Which institution provides the authoritative judicial resolution?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Medium
A. The Election Commission
B. The Finance Commission
C. The Inter-State Council alone
D. The constitutional courts

40 The Supreme Court orders that a victim of unlawful state action receive compensation under its writ jurisdiction. What does this demonstrate?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Medium
A. Courts can replace every legislative policy
B. The Supreme Court exercises unlimited financial authority
C. Fundamental Rights apply only to private disputes
D. Constitutional remedies can include effective relief

41 A State government challenges a Union notification, claiming that it violates the State's constitutional powers. The Union argues that the notification is only an administrative instruction and creates no legal dispute. Which consideration is most relevant to determining whether the Supreme Court may exercise original jurisdiction under Article 131?

Supreme Court Hard
A. Whether the State first approached its High Court
B. Whether the dispute concerns a legal right of the parties
C. Whether the notification was issued by the President
D. Whether the dispute involves a question of public importance

42 A petitioner directly approaches the Supreme Court under Article 32 alleging violation of a fundamental right, but the alleged violation has already ceased and no continuing injury is shown. Which conclusion is most constitutionally appropriate?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Hard
A. The Court can hear it only after Parliament grants special permission
B. The petition is automatically maintainable because Article 32 is itself fundamental
C. The petition must be transferred to the concerned High Court
D. The Court may decline relief if no live constitutional injury remains

43 A litigant seeks special leave to appeal under Article 136 from an order of a statutory tribunal. The opposing party argues that no appeal lies because the tribunal is not a regular court. Which statement is correct?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Hard
A. Article 136 excludes tribunals exercising judicial functions
B. Article 136 gives the Supreme Court discretionary power over tribunals
C. Article 136 applies only to judgments of constitutional courts
D. Article 136 applies only when a fundamental right is violated

44 A Supreme Court judgment contains a broad observation unnecessary for deciding the dispute. A later bench is asked to treat that observation as binding law under Article 141. What is the strongest objection?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Hard
A. Article 141 applies only to constitutional matters
B. Only statutes can bind later Supreme Court benches
C. Article 141 binds only decisions delivered unanimously
D. Only the ratio necessary for the decision binds under Article 141

45 A lower court faces an exceptional situation in which strict application of an otherwise valid procedural rule would produce serious injustice, and no ordinary remedy is adequate. Which constitutional power most directly enables the Supreme Court to fashion an appropriate remedy?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Hard
A. Its power to issue writs under Article 32
B. Its power to decide disputes under Article 131
C. Its power to do complete justice under Article 142
D. Its power to review judgments under Article 137

46 A five-judge Constitution Bench is asked to reconsider a legal rule declared by a seven-judge Bench. Which institutional principle creates the principal obstacle?

Supreme Court Hard
A. Only Parliament can alter a Supreme Court precedent
B. A precedent becomes unchangeable after one year
C. A smaller bench cannot overrule a larger bench
D. A Constitution Bench cannot reconsider constitutional questions

47 The President refers a question under Article 143 concerning a politically sensitive constitutional issue. The Supreme Court concludes that answering would be inappropriate in the circumstances. Which statement best describes the position?

Supreme Court Hard
A. The Court must answer every question referred by the President
B. The Court may answer only after receiving parliamentary approval
C. The President's reference automatically becomes a binding judgment
D. The Court may decline to express an advisory opinion

48 Which feature most accurately distinguishes India's judicial structure from a dual-court federal model in which federal and state courts operate as separate hierarchies?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Hard
A. India has separate constitutional courts for every State
B. India has an integrated judicial hierarchy with the Supreme Court at its apex
C. India gives Parliament no role in establishing subordinate courts
D. India permits State courts to disregard Supreme Court precedent

49 A district judge is appointed by the Governor without consulting the relevant High Court. The candidate satisfies the required experience qualification. Which constitutional requirement has most directly been disregarded?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Hard
A. Consultation with the Supreme Court collegium
B. Consultation with the High Court exercising jurisdiction
C. Approval by both Houses of Parliament
D. Consultation with the Union Public Service Commission

50 A proposal seeks to transfer a High Court judge without the judge's consent. Which constitutional position is most accurate?

Supreme Court Hard
A. Transfer requires a removal motion in both Houses of Parliament
B. Transfer can be ordered solely by the Chief Justice of India
C. Transfer is impossible without the judge's written consent
D. Transfer may occur through the constitutionally prescribed process

51 A person challenges an administrative order affecting property rights but does not allege violation of a fundamental right. Which remedy is constitutionally available directly before a High Court, subject to judicial discretion?

High Court Hard
A. An appeal under Article 136 as of right
B. A presidential reference under Article 143
C. A petition under Article 32 only
D. A writ petition under Article 226

52 A cause of action partly arises within State X, while the authority issuing the impugned order is located in State Y. The petitioner approaches the High Court of State X. Which principle is most relevant?

High Court Hard
A. Jurisdiction exists only if the respondent resides in State X
B. Only the authority's physical location determines jurisdiction
C. Any part of the cause of action may support Article 226 jurisdiction
D. High Courts have no territorial limits in writ proceedings

53 A litigant asks a High Court to use Article 227 to supervise a tribunal constituted under a law relating to the armed forces. Which constitutional limitation is decisive?

High Court Hard
A. Article 227 excludes supervision over every statutory tribunal
B. Article 227 applies only to civil courts and never criminal courts
C. Article 227 becomes available only after Supreme Court permission
D. Article 227 excludes supervision over armed-forces courts and tribunals

54 A High Court is asked to issue habeas corpus against a private individual who allegedly confines another person unlawfully. Which conclusion is most accurate?

High Court Hard
A. Habeas corpus is unavailable against private individuals
B. Habeas corpus applies only when detention follows a criminal conviction
C. Habeas corpus may issue against a private unlawful detainer
D. Only the Supreme Court may issue habeas corpus against private persons

55 A Supreme Court judgment is alleged to contain an obvious legal error apparent from the record. The aggrieved party invokes the Court's review jurisdiction. Which constitutional provision is directly relevant?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Hard
A. Article 129
B. Article 143
C. Article 145
D. Article 137

56 A retired Supreme Court judge is invited to sit and act as a judge of the Supreme Court because the Court lacks sufficient judges for a pending matter. Which constitutional mechanism is relevant?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Hard
A. Transfer of a High Court judge under Article 222
B. Appointment of an acting Chief Justice under Article 126
C. Appointment of an ad hoc judge under Article 127 only
D. Attendance of a retired judge under Article 128

57 A Supreme Court judge is found guilty of proved misbehaviour, but the removal motion receives the required special majority in only one House of Parliament. What follows?

Structure and composition of judiciary in India Hard
A. Removal cannot proceed without the required address by both Houses
B. The President may remove the judge immediately
C. The Union Cabinet may remove the judge by executive order
D. The Chief Justice of India may complete the removal

58 A party argues that the Supreme Court cannot punish conduct that obstructs its proceedings because the Constitution does not list a detailed contempt procedure. Which provision defeats this argument?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Hard
A. Article 131 grants original jurisdiction over all disputes
B. Article 129 recognizes the Supreme Court as a court of record
C. Article 136 creates an automatic appellate right
D. Article 143 makes all presidential references binding

59 A High Court judge reaches the constitutional retirement age but is simultaneously appointed as an acting Chief Justice of another High Court. Which statement best reflects the constitutional scheme?

High Court Hard
A. The judge must retire from all judicial office immediately
B. The appointment converts the judge automatically into a Supreme Court judge
C. The acting appointment extends the judge's tenure indefinitely
D. The judge's retirement age remains distinct from acting-office arrangements

60 A person whose fundamental right is violated first obtains an ineffective remedy from a High Court and then approaches the Supreme Court under Article 32. Which statement is most accurate?

Power and functions of Supreme Court Hard
A. Article 32 is available only with the High Court's written permission
B. Article 32 remains available because enforcement of fundamental rights is guaranteed
C. Article 32 converts the earlier High Court proceeding into an appeal
D. Article 32 is barred whenever Article 226 was previously invoked