High Courts MCQ: Gram Nyayalayas Act, Family Courts & Permanent Lok Adalat

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

1. Q1.What is the maximum sentence a Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) can impose?

   • A.3 years imprisonment
   • B.7 years imprisonment✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Life imprisonment
   • D.10 years imprisonment

   Explanation: A Chief Judicial Magistrate can pass any sentence authorized by law except a sentence of death or of imprisonment for life or of imprisonment for a term exceeding seven years.

2. Q2.Which court lies immediately below the Court of District Judge on the Civil Side?

   • A.Munsiff's Court
   • B.Subordinate Judge's Court✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Nyaya Panchayat
   • D.Small Causes Court

   Explanation: Below the District Judge’s Court lies the Court of Subordinate Judge. It has unlimited pecuniary jurisdiction in civil suits.

3. Q3.A Judicial Magistrate of the First Class can impose a fine up to what amount?

   • A.₹5,000
   • B.₹10,000✓ Correct Answer
   • C.₹15,000
   • D.Any amount

   Explanation: A Judicial Magistrate of the First Class can pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or of fine not exceeding ₹10,000 (as per CrPC amendment), or both.

4. Q4.Separation of Judiciary from Executive is mentioned in which Article of the Constitution?

   • A.Article 40
   • B.Article 44
   • C.Article 50✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 51

   Explanation: Article 50 (Directive Principles of State Policy) directs the State to take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.

5. Q5.The Gram Nyayalayas Act was enacted in which year?

   • A.2005
   • B.2008✓ Correct Answer
   • C.2009
   • D.2010

   Explanation: The Gram Nyayalayas Act was enacted in 2008 to provide for the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas at the grass-roots level.

6. Q6.Who acts as the presiding officer of a Gram Nyayalaya?

   • A.Sarpanch
   • B.Nyayadhikari✓ Correct Answer
   • C.District Magistrate
   • D.Tehsildar

   Explanation: The Gram Nyayalaya shall be presided over by a Nyayadhikari, who shall be appointed by the State Government in consultation with the High Court.

7. Q7.Which of the following is NOT true about Lok Adalats?

   • A.There is no court fee
   • B.Its award is binding
   • C.An appeal lies against its award in High Court✓ Correct Answer
   • D.It can deal with compoundable criminal offences

   Explanation: There is no provision for an appeal against the award of the Lok Adalat. Its award is final and binding on all parties.

8. Q8.Under the Family Courts Act 1984, it is obligatory to establish a Family Court in every city or town with a population exceeding?

   • A.5 Lakhs
   • B.10 Lakhs
   • C.1 Million✓ Correct Answer
   • D.2 Million

   Explanation: It is obligatory for the State Government to establish a Family Court in every city or town with a population exceeding one million.

9. Q9.Can the High Court review its own judgment?

   • A.Yes, specifically mentioned in Constitution
   • B.No, only Supreme Court can
   • C.Yes, as a Court of Record✓ Correct Answer
   • D.No, it becomes functus officio

   Explanation: As a Court of Record, the High Court has the power to review and correct its own judgment, order or decision, although there is no specific provision in the Constitution like Article 137 for the Supreme Court.

10. Q10.Which Article allows the transfer of a case from a subordinate court to the High Court if it involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution?

    • A.Article 226
    • B.Article 228✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 229
    • D.Article 230

    Explanation: Article 228 empowers the High Court to transfer a case to itself from a subordinate court if it is satisfied that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution.

11. Q11.Which of the following is NOT a qualification to be appointed as a judge of a High Court?

    • A.He should be a citizen of India
    • B.He should have held a judicial office in the territory of India for 10 years
    • C.He should have been an advocate of a High Court for 10 years
    • D.He should be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Unlike the Supreme Court, the Constitution does not provide for the appointment of a distinguished jurist as a judge of a High Court.

12. Q12.The pension of a High Court judge is charged to which fund?

    • A.Consolidated Fund of the State
    • B.Contingency Fund of India
    • C.Consolidated Fund of India✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Public Account of India

    Explanation: While the salaries and allowances are charged to the Consolidated Fund of the State, the pension of a High Court judge is charged to the Consolidated Fund of India.

13. Q13.The oath or affirmation for a High Court judge is mentioned in which Schedule of the Constitution?

    • A.First Schedule
    • B.Second Schedule
    • C.Third Schedule✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Fourth Schedule

    Explanation: A person appointed as a judge of a High Court has to make and subscribe an oath or affirmation as per the form prescribed in the Third Schedule.

14. Q14.Under Article 226, the power of the High Court to issue writs is?

    • A.Mandatory
    • B.Discretionary✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Binding on Supreme Court
    • D.Restricted only to Fundamental Rights

    Explanation: The remedy under Article 226 is discretionary in nature. The High Court may refuse to exercise its writ jurisdiction if there is an alternative remedy available.

15. Q15.Who has the authority to extend the jurisdiction of a High Court to a Union Territory?

    • A.The President
    • B.The Parliament✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Supreme Court
    • D.The Governor of the neighboring state

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

16. Q16.Which High Court was the first to be established in independent India?

    • A.Orissa High Court✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Rajasthan High Court
    • C.Kerala High Court
    • D.Andhra Pradesh High Court

    Explanation: The Orissa High Court was established in 1948, making it the first High Court to be established in independent India (along with Guwahati High Court in the same year).

17. Q17.In the appointment of High Court judges, whose opinion is binding on the President?

    • A.The Governor
    • B.The Chief Justice of the High Court
    • C.The Collegium headed by the CJI✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Law Minister

    Explanation: According to the Third Judges Case (1998), the opinion of the Collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India is binding on the President in matters of appointment of judges.

18. Q18.Does the High Court have the power of judicial review?

    • A.No, only Supreme Court has it
    • B.Yes, to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Yes, but only for State laws, not Central laws
    • D.No, it was removed by the 42nd Amendment

    Explanation: The High Court has the power of judicial review to examine the constitutionality of both legislative enactments and executive orders of both the Central and State governments.

19. Q19.The 'Permanent Lok Adalat' was introduced by which amendment to the Legal Services Authorities Act?

    • A.Amendment Act, 1994
    • B.Amendment Act, 2002✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Amendment Act, 2005
    • D.Amendment Act, 2010

    Explanation: The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was amended in 2002 to provide for the establishment of Permanent Lok Adalats to deal with cases relating to public utility services.

20. Q20.Which of the following is NOT considered a 'Public Utility Service' under the Permanent Lok Adalat?

    • A.Transport service
    • B.Postal service
    • C.Insurance service
    • D.Banking service for private loans✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Transport, postal, telegraph, power, light, water, insurance, and sanitation are public utility services. Private loans generally do not fall under this strictly unless part of a broader banking service dispute defined under the act.