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

Which of the following can request the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion?

  1. State

  2. General Assembly

  3. International Law Commission

  4. Individual
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Under the Statute of the International Court of Justice and the UN Charter, advisory opinions can be requested by the General Assembly, the Security Council, and other authorized UN organs and specialized agencies. Individual states, individuals, and bodies like the International Law Commission lack the standing to request advisory opinions directly.

Multiple choice

Ryland.Vs. Fletcher was decided by:

  1. the Privy Council

  2. the Kings Division Bench

  3. the House of Lords

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ryland v. Fletcher (1868) is a foundational case in English tort law establishing the rule of strict liability for escape of dangerous things from land. The case was decided by the House of Lords, which was then the highest court in the UK. However, at that time, appeals from certain colonies went to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which was the final appellate body for many British territories.

Multiple choice

In which of the following case, the Supreme Court held that “The three talaq would be treated as a single talaq and not a valid talaq”:

  1. Shamim Ara Vs. State of U.P., AIR 2002 SCW 4162

  2. Mohammad Ahmad Khan Vs. Shah Bano AIR 1985 SC 365

  3. Bai Tahira Vs. Ali Hussain, AIR 1979 SC 362

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Shamim Ara v. State of U.P., the Supreme Court examined the practice of triple talaq and held that a mere plea of talaq in written statements or statements made during proceedings does not constitute valid talaq, and arbitrary triple pronouncements do not effect a valid dissolution. This landmark ruling addressed the misuse of instantaneous forms of divorce.

Multiple choice

Which of the following Articles do not contain the power of the highest Court of the Country to punish for the contempts of the Court:

  1. Article 141

  2. Article 129

  3. Article 142

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

Article 129 explicitly empowers the Supreme Court to punish contempt of court, while Article 141 deals with binding precedents (law declaration) and does not contain contempt powers. Article 142 provides enforcement powers but is primarily about remedial jurisdiction, not contempt per se. The question asks which articles do NOT contain contempt powers.

Multiple choice

Consider the following Judgements of the Supreme Court, which dealt with the appointment and transfer of Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts: (i) S.P. Gupta Vs. Union of India (ii) Sankal Chand Vs. Union of India (iii) President's Special Reference No. 1 (iv) Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association Vs. Union of India

Which one of the following is correct chronological order in which the above judgements were delivered?

  1. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

  2. (ii) (i) (iii) (iv)

  3. (ii) (i) (iv) (iii)

  4. (i) (ii) (iv) (iii)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The chronological order is: Sankal Chand (1979), S.P. Gupta (1981 - First Judges Case), President's Special Reference No. 1 (October 1993), Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record (December 1993 - Second Judges Case). Option B correctly represents this sequence.

Multiple choice

Consider the following judicial decisions I. Hindustan Steel Ltd. Vs. Presiding Officer II. Management of KSRT Corp., Bangalore Vs. M. Boraih III. Pipraich Sugar Mills Vs. Mazdoor Union IV. Management of V.B. India Ltd. Vs. Jaganath The correct sequence in which these judicial decisions were rendered is

  1. I, IV, Il and III

  2. IV, II, lll and l

  3. II, Ill, I and IV

  4. Ill, IV, I and II

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

Pipraich Sugar Mills vs. Mazdoor Union 1956 Management of V.B. India Ltd. vs. Jaganath 1973 Hindustan Steel Ltd. vs. Presiding Officer 1976 Management of KSRT Corp., Bangalore vs. M. Boraih 1983

Multiple choice

An application for maintenance can be made to

  1. a trial court

  2. an appellate court

  3. the High Court

  4. the Supreme Court

  5. Both (1) and (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Maintenance during the pendency of proceedings is known as maintenance pendent lite. An application for interim maintenance can be made both at a trial court as well as at an appellate court.

Multiple choice

The retirement age of a High Court Judge

  1. is the same as the retirement age of a District judge

  2. is the same as the retirement age of a Supreme Court judge

  3. is lower than the retirement age of a District judge

  4. is lower than the retirement age of a Supreme Court judge
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 The retirement age of a High Court judge is 62 years and the retirement age of a Supreme Court judge is 65 years.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is not correct?

  1. Judgement of a High Court is not binding on other High Courts.

  2. Judgement of a High Court is binding on all the courts within its jurisdiction.

  3. Judgement of the same bench is of the co-equal strength.

  4. Judgement of the double bench is binding on single bench.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Judgement of a same Bench are not of the co-equal strength. The analysis of English and Indian Law clearly leads to the irresistible conclusion that not only the judgment of a larger strength is binding on a judgment of smaller strength but the judgment of a co-equal strength is also binding on a bench of judges of co-equal strength. 

Multiple choice

Besides its permanent seat in Delhi, Supreme Court can also meet at

  1. any other union territory

  2. any other place as decided by the Chief Justice with the approval of the President

  3. any other major city

  4. any other metropolitan city
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or at such other place or places, as decided by Chief Justice of India with the approval of the President.

Multiple choice

Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court means that it has got jurisdiction in any dispute:

  1. between the Government of India and one or more states

  2. between states on interstate river water

  3. between two or more states

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

Under Article 131 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction extends to disputes between the Government of India and one or more states, AND between two or more states. This includes Centre-State disputes and inter-state disputes. Interstate river water disputes typically go to special tribunals, not the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction.

Multiple choice

In view of the change in economic policy of the country it might not now be proper to allow the employees to break the discipline. The Supreme Court held so in:

  1. Management of Pandian Roadways Corporation Vs. Labour Court

  2. B. Srinivasa Reddy Vs. Karnataka Urban water supply and Drainage Board Employees Association

  3. Electronics Corporation ol India Vs.Service Engineering Ltd.

  4. Hombegowda Educational Trust Vs. State of Karnataka
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In ECI vs. Service Engineering Ltd. (1999), the Supreme Court held that economic liberalization does not justify breaking industrial discipline. The court emphasized that employees must follow established procedures and cannot disrupt work, balancing worker rights with organizational needs in a changing economy.

Multiple choice

In the matter if appointment of high court judges, the CJI is required to consult:

  1. Two senior most judges of the Supreme Court

  2. Two senior most judges of the concerned high court

  3. The Chief Justice of the concerned high Court

  4. Governor of the state
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

As per Article 217 of the Constitution and the Second Judges Case (Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India, 1993), the CJI must consult the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court for High Court appointments. However, among the given options, the correct requirement is consultation with two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the concerned High Court and the Governor are also consulted, but the mandatory collegium consultation begins with Supreme Court judges.

Multiple choice

The judgment of the International Court of Justice is to be signed

  1. by the President and the Registrar of the Court

  2. by all the judges who heard the case

  3. only by the Registrar of the Court

  4. only by the President of the Court
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The judgment shall be signed by the President and the Registrar. It shall be read in open court. Due notice shall be given to the agents.