High Courts MCQ: Article 214 Establishment, Judge Appointment & District Judges

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The institution of High Court originated in India in which year?

   • A.1858
   • B.1860
   • C.1862✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1865

   Explanation: The institution of High Court originated in India in 1862 when the High Courts were set up at Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.

2. Q2.Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the Parliament to establish a common High Court for two or more states?

   • A.Article 230
   • B.Article 231✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 232
   • D.Article 226

   Explanation: Article 231 empowers the Parliament to establish a common High Court for two or more states or for two or more states and a union territory.

3. Q3.Who appoints the judges of a High Court?

   • A.The Governor of the State
   • B.The Chief Justice of India
   • C.The President of India✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The Chief Justice of the High Court

   Explanation: The judges of a High Court are appointed by the President. The Chief Justice is appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the state concerned.

4. Q4.What is the retirement age of a High Court judge?

   • A.60 years
   • B.62 years✓ Correct Answer
   • C.65 years
   • D.66 years

   Explanation: The retirement age of a High Court judge is 62 years. It was raised from 60 to 62 years by the 15th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1963.

5. Q5.Which of the following Union Territories has its own High Court?

   • A.Chandigarh
   • B.Puducherry
   • C.Delhi✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Lakshadweep

   Explanation: Delhi is the only Union Territory that has a separate High Court of its own (since 1966).

6. Q6.To whom does a judge of a High Court address his resignation letter?

   • A.The President✓ Correct Answer
   • B.The Chief Justice of India
   • C.The Chief Justice of the High Court
   • D.The Governor

   Explanation: A judge of a High Court may resign his office by writing to the President.

7. Q7.Under which Article can a High Court issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

   • A.Article 32
   • B.Article 226✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 227
   • D.Article 136

   Explanation: Article 226 of the Constitution empowers a High Court to issue writs including habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, and quo warranto.

8. Q8.Which High Court has the largest jurisdiction in terms of states?

   • A.Bombay High Court
   • B.Guwahati High Court✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Calcutta High Court
   • D.Madras High Court

   Explanation: The Guwahati High Court originally had the largest jurisdiction, covering all seven North-Eastern states. However, separate High Courts were later established for Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura, but it still covers Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.

9. Q9.The jurisdiction of a High Court can be extended to or excluded from any Union Territory by whom?

   • A.The President
   • B.The Supreme Court
   • C.The Parliament✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The Governor

   Explanation: The Parliament has the power to extend the jurisdiction of a High Court to any Union Territory or exclude the jurisdiction of a High Court from any Union Territory.

10. Q10.Who determines the strength of a High Court?

    • A.The Parliament
    • B.The President✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The State Legislature
    • D.The Chief Justice of India

    Explanation: The Constitution does not specify the strength of a High Court and leaves it to the discretion of the President.

11. Q11.Articles 233 to 237 of the Indian Constitution deal with which of the following?

    • A.High Courts
    • B.Subordinate Courts✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Supreme Court
    • D.Tribunals

    Explanation: Articles 233 to 237 in Part VI of the Constitution make provisions to regulate the organization of Subordinate Courts.

12. Q12.Who appoints the District Judges?

    • A.The President
    • B.The Governor✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Chief Justice of the High Court
    • D.The Chief Minister

    Explanation: The appointment, posting, and promotion of district judges in a state are made by the Governor of the state in consultation with the High Court.

13. Q13.Which authority has control over subordinate courts under Article 235?

    • A.Supreme Court
    • B.Governor
    • C.High Court✓ Correct Answer
    • D.State Public Service Commission

    Explanation: The control over district courts and other subordinate courts including the posting, promotion, and leave of persons belonging to the judicial service constitutes the High Court.

14. Q14.Who is the highest judicial authority in a district?

    • A.Chief Judicial Magistrate
    • B.District Judge✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Munsiff
    • D.District Collector

    Explanation: The District Judge is the highest judicial authority in the district. He possesses original and appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters.

15. Q15.A District Judge is also known as a 'Sessions Judge' when he deals with which type of cases?

    • A.Civil cases
    • B.Criminal cases✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Revenue cases
    • D.Constitutional cases

    Explanation: When the District Judge deals with civil cases, he is known as the District Judge, and when he deals with criminal cases, he is known as the Sessions Judge.

16. Q16.Which of the following sentences can a Sessions Judge impose?

    • A.Only life imprisonment
    • B.Any sentence including life imprisonment but not death sentence
    • C.Any sentence including capital punishment✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Maximum 10 years imprisonment

    Explanation: A Sessions Judge has the power to impose any sentence authorised by law, including life imprisonment and capital punishment (death sentence). However, a capital punishment passed by him is subject to confirmation by the High Court.

17. Q17.Who administers the oath of office to a High Court judge?

    • A.The President
    • B.The Chief Justice of India
    • C.The Governor of the State✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Chief Justice of the High Court

    Explanation: The oath of office to a High Court judge is administered by the Governor of the state or some person appointed by him for this purpose.

18. Q18.Can the writ jurisdiction of the High Court be wider than that of the Supreme Court?

    • A.No, Supreme Court is supreme
    • B.Yes, because High Court can issue writs for purposes other than Fundamental Rights✓ Correct Answer
    • C.No, both have equal jurisdiction
    • D.Yes, but only in criminal matters

    Explanation: Yes, the writ jurisdiction of the High Court (Article 226) is wider than that of the Supreme Court (Article 32) because the Supreme Court can issue writs only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, while the High Court can issue writs for other purposes (legal rights) as well.

19. Q19.Which Act established the High Courts in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras?

    • A.Government of India Act 1858
    • B.Indian High Courts Act 1861✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Indian Councils Act 1892
    • D.Regulating Act 1773

    Explanation: The Indian High Courts Act of 1861 authorized the Parliament to establish High Courts in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras in 1862.

20. Q20.A person to be appointed as a District Judge should have been an advocate or a pleader for not less than how many years?

    • A.5 years
    • B.7 years✓ Correct Answer
    • C.10 years
    • D.12 years

    Explanation: To be appointed as a District Judge, a person should have been an advocate or a pleader for not less than seven years and should be recommended by the High Court.