Civics Polity · Law Legal Studies

Judiciary and Legal Systems

1,814 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

In case of difference of opinion amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners in the Election Commission of India

  1. the matter is to be referred to the Supreme Court of India

  2. the opinion of the Chief Election Commissioner is final

  3. the matter is to be referred to the Law Commission

  4. the matter is decided by the Election Commission by majority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

According to Article 324(2) of the Constitution and the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners) Act, 1991, the Election Commission functions as a multi-member body where decisions are made by majority vote. The Chief Election Commissioner does not have veto power, and the matter is not referred to the Supreme Court or Law Commission in case of differences.

Multiple choice

Assertion (A):The District Collector in independent India has less judicial authority than in pre-Independent India.

Reason (R):Article 50 of the Constitution of India separates the Judiciary from the Executive.

  1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

  2. Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

  3. A is true but R is false

  4. A is false but R is true
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The District Collector in British India exercised extensive judicial powers as a magistrate and revenue collector. In independent India, Article 50 of the Constitution directs the State to take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State. This constitutional directive has led to significant reduction in the Collector's judicial authority through various judicial reforms and the establishment of separate judicial magistracy.

Multiple choice

In which case did the Supreme Court observe that “the courts must forever remain alive to the international instruments/conventions and apply the same to a given case where there is no inconsistency between the international norms and the domestic law occupying the field”?

  1. Jolly George Verghese Vs. Bank of Cochin

  2. A. D. M. Jabalpur Vs. Shivakant Shukla

  3. Francis Coralie Mullin Vs. Adm. UT of Delhi

  4. Apparel Export Promotion Council Vs. A. K. Chopra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In Apparel Export Promotion Council Vs. A. K. Chopra, the Supreme Court observed that the courts must forever remain alive to the international instruments/conventions and apply the same to a given case where there is no inconsistency between the international norms and the domestic law occupying the field.

Multiple choice

It may be said that administrative law deals with

  1. transfer of power by the legislature to the administrative agencies

  2. exercise of power by the administrative agencies

  3. judicial review of administrative action

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

Scope of administrative law is transfer of power, exercise of power by the legislature and judicial review of administrative action.

Multiple choice

NJDG is a judicial initiative instituted by the Supreme Court of India as a process of judicial reforms in India. What does NJDG stand for?

  1. National Judicial Directives & Goals

  2. National Judicial Directives Generation

  3. National Judicial Data Grid

  4. National Judgments & Directions Group

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

NJDG stands for National Judicial Data Grid, a comprehensive database of pending and decided cases in district and subordinate courts, and High Courts in India. It was launched by the Supreme Court in 2015 to bring transparency and reduce pendency.

Multiple choice

In August 2007, the Chennai High Court passed a landmark judgment that may have far-reaching consequences on the pharmaceuticals industry, dismissing a writ petition filed by

  1. Ranbaxy

  2. Sandoz

  3. Novartis

  4. Glaxo
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Chennai High Court in August 2007 dismissed Novartis's writ petition challenging the rejection of its patent application for the cancer drug Glivec. This landmark judgment upheld India's patent law and had major implications for affordable medicine access.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. Not every case of dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of civil posts requires inquiry.
  2. The provision under Art. 311(1) is only applicable to a civil servant.
  3. The disputes related to condition of service of public servant is not settled in civil courts. Which of these statements is / are correct?

  1. Only 1

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 2 and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. Inquiry is not held when:

The conduct of a person has led to its conviction on a criminal charge.
The authority empowered to dismiss, remove or reduce a person in rank is satisfied that such inquiry is not practical.
The President or the Governor is satisfied that such inquiry is not in the interest of the security of state.
Statement 2 is correct. Art.311 (2) is for protecting a civil servant from the caprices of officers of inferior rank. Statement 3 is correct. Such disputes are adjudicated under the Administrative Tribunal of Union or state.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(1) Finance Commission has all powers of the civil court as per the Court of Civil Procedure, 1908. (2) The manner in which a Finance Commission member is to be selected is statutory in nature.
(3) Finance Commission can ask for the production of any public record or document from any court or office.

  1. (1) and (2)

  2. (2) and (3)

  3. Only (3)

  4. (1), (2) and (3)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement (1) is correct. The Commission has the power to determine their own procedure and has all powers of the civil court as per the Court of Civil Procedure, 1908. The Commission can summon and enforce the attendance of any witness or ask any person to deliver information or produce a document, which it deems relevant.

Statement (2) is correct. The Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951 lays down rules regarding qualification and disqualification of members of the Commission, their appointment, term, eligibility and powers. Statement (3) is correct. The Commission has the power to determine their own procedure and has all powers of the civil court as per the Court of Civil Procedure, 1908.The Commission can summon and enforce the attendance of any witness or ask any person to deliver information or produce a document, which deems relevant to it.

Multiple choice

The salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Court are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India to ensure that

  1. they get their salaries temporarily

  2. the Parliament does not reduce their salaries

  3. they get their salaries on the basis of their duty

  4. they dispense justice impartially
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 The Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) has two ways of meeting finances for the Government. The Expenditure Charged on CFI which generally deals with expenditures mentioned in the constitution itself. For example the salary and allowances. The reason why Parliament isn't allowed to vote on this 'charged' expenditure is to allow financial independence and security to the executive and judiciary during the term of their office.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding the advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is/are correct?

I. It is binding on the Supreme Court to give its opinion on any matter referred to it by the President. II. The full bench of the Supreme Court hears any reference made to it under its power of advisory jurisdiction. III. The opinion given by the Supreme Court on a reference under advisory jurisdiction is not binding on the government. IV. Not more than one reference at a time can be made to the Supreme Court under its power of advisory jurisdiction.

  1. Only I

  2. Only II

  3. I and III

  4. II and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Supreme Court has special advisory jurisdiction in matters which may specifically be referred to it by the President of India under Article 143 of the Constitution.

Multiple choice

An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any judgment of a High Court if the High Court

  1. has, on appeal, reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to death
  2. certifies that the case is a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court
  3. has withdrawn for trial before itself any case from any subordinate court and has convicted the accused person and sentenced him to death

Which of the following reasons/conditions hold(s) true?

  1. Only 2

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 1 and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In criminal cases, an appeal lies to the Supreme Court if the High Court

(1) has, on appeal, reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to death or to imprisonment for life or for a period of not less than 10 years, or

(2) has withdrawn for trial before itself any case from any Court subordinate to its authority and has in such trial convicted the accused and sentenced him to death or to imprisonment for life or for a period of not less than 10 years, or
(3) certified that the case is a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court. The Parliament is authorised to confer on the Supreme Court any further powers to entertain and hear appeals from any judgment, final order or sentence in a criminal proceeding of a High Court.