UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 19: The Supreme Court (30 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 19: The Supreme Court (30 MCQs) – 30 questions, subject: Polity. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The number of judges of the Supreme Court is fixed by:

Correct Answer: A [Parliament by law]

Explanation:

Article 124(1).

2.  

Consider the following statements about the qualifications of a Supreme Court judge:

1. The person must be a citizen of India.
2. The person must have completed 45 years of age.
3. A distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President is eligible.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Article 124(3).

3.  

Which case created the collegium of the Chief Justice and four senior-most judges for Supreme Court appointments?

Correct Answer: B [Third Judges case (1998)]

Explanation:

In re Special Reference No. 1 of 1998.

4.  

The 99th Constitutional Amendment and the NJAC Act were struck down in 2015 mainly because they:

Correct Answer: C [violated the independence of the judiciary, a basic feature]

Explanation:

Fourth Judges case, 4:1.

5.  

Consider the following about the removal of a Supreme Court judge:

1. The grounds are proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
2. Each House must pass the motion by a special majority.
3. The President passes the order of removal.
4. The procedure is regulated by the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: D [All four]

Explanation:

Article 124(4) and (5).

6.  

A notice of motion for removing a Supreme Court judge in the Rajya Sabha must be signed by at least:

Correct Answer: A [50 members]

Explanation:

Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

7.  

The officers and servants of the Supreme Court are appointed by:

Correct Answer: D [the Chief Justice of India or a judge or officer he directs]

Explanation:

Article 146(1).

8.  

Which one of the following is NOT within the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131?

Correct Answer: D [An election dispute about a Member of Parliament]

Explanation:

election petitions go to High Courts.

9.  

Consider the following statements about Article 143:

1. The President may refer a question of law or fact of public importance.
2. The Supreme Court is bound to give its opinion on every reference under Article 143(1).
3. The opinion is binding on the President.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: C [1 only]

Explanation:

only statement 1.

10.  

Assertion (A): The Supreme Court is called a court of record.

Reason (R): Article 141 makes the law declared by it binding on all courts.

Correct Answer: B [Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

both true; R does not explain A.

11.  

Match List I (Article) with List II (Subject):

List I: A. Article 129 B. Article 136 C. Article 137 D. Article 142

List II: 1. Complete justice 2. Review of its judgments 3. Special leave to appeal 4. Court of record

Correct Answer: A [A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1]

Explanation:

as in Section 19.4.

12.  

In which case did the Supreme Court hold that Article 142 cannot be used to supplant substantive law?

Correct Answer: B [Supreme Court Bar Association v Union of India (1998)]

Explanation:

the limit on Article 142.

13.  

The curative petition was evolved by the Supreme Court in:

Correct Answer: C [Rupa Ashok Hurra case]

Explanation:

2002.

14.  

An ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court under Article 127 is appointed from among:

Correct Answer: A [judges of High Courts qualified to be Supreme Court judges]

Explanation:

Article 127.

15.  

A State government wants to sue the Union government in the Supreme Court over a question of legal right about the State's share of a central tax. Under which Article will the suit be filed?

Correct Answer: C [Article 131]

Explanation:

original jurisdiction in Centre–State disputes.

16.  

Which of the following safeguard the independence of the Supreme Court?

1. Salaries of judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
2. The conduct of a judge cannot be discussed in Parliament except on a removal motion.
3. Retired judges cannot plead before any court in India.

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

Articles 112(3)(d), 121 and 124(7).

17.  

In which case did the Supreme Court, in 2022, use Article 142 to order the release of a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case?

Correct Answer: B [A.G. Perarivalan v State]

Explanation:

18 May 2022.

18.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Third Judges case
2. NJAC struck down
3. First Judges case
4. Supreme Court strength raised to 34

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: D [3-1-2-4]

Explanation:

1981, 1998, 2015, 2019.

19.  

Who can enlarge the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court with respect to matters in the Union List?

Correct Answer: D [Parliament by law]

Explanation:

Article 138(1).

20.  

In its opinion of 20 November 2025 on the Presidential reference about assent to Bills, the Supreme Court held that:

Correct Answer: C [courts cannot fix timelines for assent or declare "deemed assent"]

Explanation:

as answered under Article 143.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2005

Consider the following statements:

1. The Parliament cannot enlarge the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India as its jurisdiction is limited to that conferred by the Constitution.
2. The officers and servants of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the concerned Chief Justice and the administrative expenses are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]

Explanation:

neither is correct.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2010

Consider the following statements: The Supreme Court of India tenders advice to the President of India on matters of law or fact:

1. on its own initiative (on any matter of larger public interest).
2. only if he seeks such advice.
3. only if the matters relate to the Fundamental Rights of the citizens.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 only]

Explanation:

Article 143 needs the President's reference.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2012

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 staffs 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?

Correct Answer: A [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Articles 124(2) and 112(3)(d).

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2012

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:

Correct Answer: C [1 and 4 only]

Explanation:

Article 131.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Correct Answer: B [the Parliament]

Explanation:

Article 124(1).

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Correct Answer: C [original jurisdiction]

Explanation:

Article 131.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

Who/Which of the following is the custodian of the Constitution of India?

Correct Answer: D [The Supreme Court of India]

Explanation:

final interpreter and guardian.

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?

Correct Answer: B [The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.]

Explanation:

Union Carbide (1991).

29.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

Consider the following statements:

1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
2. The Constitution of India defines and gives details of what constitutes 'incapacity and proved misbehaviour' of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
3. The details of the process of impeachment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India are given in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.
4. If the motion for the impeachment of a Judge is taken up for voting, the law requires the motion to be backed by each House of the Parliament and supported by a majority of total membership of that House and by not less than two-thirds of total members of that House present and voting.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: C [3 and 4 only]

Explanation:

the Speaker may refuse; the Constitution does not define the grounds.

30.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

Consider the following statements:

1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed.
2. The Constitution of India empowers the Supreme Court and the High Courts to punish for contempt of themselves.
3. The Constitution of India defines Civil Contempt and Criminal Contempt.
4. In India, the Parliament is vested with the powers to make laws on Contempt of Court.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 4]

Explanation:

Articles 129 and 215; the 1971 Act defines contempt.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U11 · Indian Polity (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-polity

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