Civics Polity · Law Legal Studies

Judiciary and Legal Systems

1,782 Questions

Judiciary and legal systems form the framework for interpreting laws and delivering justice. Questions in this section explore judicial review, the hierarchy of courts, and the issuance of writs. This topic is crucial for polity and law prelims preparation.

Judicial reviewHigh courts structureIssuance of writsSubordinate courtsPublic interest litigation

Judiciary and Legal Systems Questions

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

Which one of the following is a District Magistrate Court?

  1. Munsiff Court

  2. Court of Subordinate Judge

  3. District Court

  4. Sessions Court
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The subordinate courts in India are classified into categories like Civil courts, Sessions courts, Revenue courts depending on the nature of the cases that are handled by these courts. The Session court is established in every division to deal with cases which are criminal in nature. The District level Session courts are also known by the term ‘District Magistrate Court’.  

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

The highest criminal court at the district level is __________.

  1. Sessions Court

  2. Chief Magistrate Court

  3. First Grade Magistrate Court

  4. Munsiff Court
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

District court is referred to as sessions court when it exercises its jurisdiction on criminal matters under Code of Criminal procedure. In Indian cities, the Sessions Court is responsible for adjudicating matters related to criminal cases.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

What does the term judicial review mean?

  1. A review of the judicial structure of the system

  2. it is the authority vested in the hands of Supreme Court to examine whether some legislative enactments or executive orders of both Central and State governments is following the Constitution of India or not

  3. Judicial review means the power vested in High Courts to challenge Supreme Court of India

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is the authority vested in the hands of Supreme Court to examine whether some legislative enactments or executive orders of both Central and State governments is following the Constitution of India or not

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

What kind of disputes are adjudicated by the Revenue Courts?

  1. Marriage and divorce

  2. Murder and dacoity

  3. Land records and land tax

  4. Property and money
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Revenue courts handle the revenue matters of state. Every state is the owner of all the land within the boundary of that state. Therefore, the state is entitled to charge a rent or tax on the use of that, irrespective of whether it is freehold in the name of the owner or leased. Land Rent or Land Revenue is fixed by the State depending on the nature of the land, irrigated or non-irrigated, etc. Revenue court deal with matters such as non-payment of land revenue, land ceilings, tenancy laws, agriculturists and peasants disputes, etc.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

Among the Subordinate Courts, only the __________ Court has the power to give a death sentence.

  1. High

  2. Sessions

  3. Supreme

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sessions courts are the subordinate courts that deal with the matters which are criminal in nature. Thus, it is the Sessions court which has the power to give death sentence as a punishment to some serious crimes. However, the punishment of death sentence given by the Sessions court cannot be carried out without confirmation by the High Court of that state.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

The lowest Revenue Court is __________.

  1. Tehsildar's Court

  2. Supreme Court

  3. High Court

  4. District Court
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A tehsildar is a tax officer, in-charge of collecting land revenue-related taxes from tehsil. A tehsildar is also called Executive Magistrate of his/her tehsil. The Tehsildar's Court deals with the cases relating to the assessment of land revenue and property tax.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

The highest court dealing with land tax cases is ___________.

  1. Land Tax Secretary

  2. Land Tax Board

  3. Criminal Courts

  4. Tehsildar's Court
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

There are two types of taxes in India, direct tax, and indirect tax. Direct taxes are directly paid to the Government of India. Indirect taxes are levied on goods and services and not on citizens. Land tax is a direct tax and any dispute regarding it are taken up on Land tax board.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

All the courts in India except ___________ and _____________ are subordinate courts.

  1. The Supreme Court

  2. The High Courts

  3. The Labour Courts

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In India, there is a system of single undivided and co-ordinated judiciary. In this system, the Supreme Court is placed at the top above all the other courts. Below the Supreme Court, the High Courts of different states are placed. All the other courts which are below the High Courts in their position are termed as the 'subordinate courts' in the judicial system of India. 

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

Except for the District Judge and the Additional District Judge, all other judges are appointed through ___________.

  1. Competitive examinations held by Union Public Service Commission

  2. Competitive examinations held by State Public Service Commission

  3. Competitive examinations held by the Supreme Court

  4. Competitive examinations held by the concerned ministry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The appointment procedure to the lower judiciary is done by the state public service commissions or through the high courts (PCSJ). The appointment involves written examination and interview. If both are cleared, the candidate becomes a judge in the lower judiciary.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

The post of a Civil Judge is sometimes combined with the post of Chief Judicial Magistrate and can try cases punishable with imprisonment for seven years and fine.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Civil Judge (senior division or class I) is also called a subordinate judge who stands below the District judge. Sometimes District judge is vested with powers of Assistant session judge then he enjoys both civil and criminal jurisdiction. Sometimes due to lack of proper administration and number of required judges in the district the civil judge senior division is also given charge of the Chief Judicial Magistrate and then his power becomes concurrent to the CJM. 

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

There are several civil courts working under the District Judge such as ___________.

  1. Court of the Subordinate Civil Judge (First Class)

  2. Court of Sub-Judge (Also known as a Munsif)

  3. Courts of small causes

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

District Courts in India take care of judicial matters at the District level. Below District Courts, there are lower courts called Munsif's Courts and Small Causes Courts. Below District Courts, Special courts or Tribunals also exist for the sake of providing effective and speedy justice (especially in administrative matters) as well as for specialised expertise relating to specific kind of disputes. These courts are administratively and judicially controlled by the District Courts.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

The District Judge possesses administrative power in addition to his judicial power.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The District Judge is the highest judicial authority in the district. He possesses original and appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters. The District judge exercises both judicial and administrative functions. He supervises all the subordinate courts in the district and maintains the leaves and service records of all those working under him.

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

Subordinate courts are the courts, which function at the district level and below.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The State Judiciary consists of the High Court at the top and hierarchy of subordinate. They are in subordination to the High Court. They work in the district and below and the judges are appointed by Governor in consultation With High Court. The District and Session Judge court is the highest authority and below it is Magistrate's court (criminal) and subordinate judge's and Munsif court (civil.).

Multiple choice political science subordinate courts the judiciary-subordinate courts and lok adalats the high courts and subordinate courts of india judiciary in state

The Sessions Judge performs administrative functions.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The District Judge while dealing with criminal cases becomes Session Judge. He exercises both judicial as well as administrative functions. He exercises control and supervision over all the magistrates working under him.