Supreme Court MCQ: Judge Appointment, Retirement Age & Removal Process

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

1. Q1.Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court?

   • A.Article 124✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 129
   • C.Article 143
   • D.Article 214

   Explanation: Article 124 of the Constitution provides for the establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court of India.

2. Q2.At present (2025), what is the maximum sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice?

   • A.31
   • B.34✓ Correct Answer
   • C.33
   • D.30

   Explanation: The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019 increased the strength from 31 to 34 (including the CJI).

3. Q3.Who appoints the judges of the Supreme Court?

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

   Explanation: The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President. The Chief Justice is appointed by the President after consultation with such judges of the SC and HCs as he deems necessary.

4. Q4.In which case did the Supreme Court declare that the 'consultation' with the Chief Justice of India means 'concurrence'?

   • A.First Judges Case (1982)
   • B.Second Judges Case (1993)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Third Judges Case (1998)
   • D.Fourth Judges Case (2015)

   Explanation: In the Second Judges Case (1993), the SC reversed its earlier ruling and held that advice tendered by the CJI is binding on the President.

5. Q5.The 99th Constitutional Amendment Act was related to which of the following?

   • A.Goods and Services Tax (GST)
   • B.National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Reservation for EWS
   • D.Anti-Defection Law

   Explanation: The 99th Constitutional Amendment Act established the NJAC, which was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2015.

6. Q6.Which of the following is NOT a qualification to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court?

   • A.Must be a citizen of India
   • B.Judge of a High Court for 5 years
   • C.Advocate of a High Court for 10 years
   • D.Minimum age of 35 years✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Constitution has not prescribed a minimum age for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.

7. Q7.A person can be appointed as a Supreme Court judge if he/she is a distinguished jurist in the opinion of whom?

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

   Explanation: A distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President can be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court.

8. Q8.Who administers the oath of office to a judge of the Supreme Court?

   • A.Chief Justice of India
   • B.President✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Vice-President
   • D.Prime Minister

   Explanation: The oath to a judge of the Supreme Court is administered by the President or some person appointed by him for this purpose.

9. Q9.What is the retirement age of a Supreme Court judge?

   • A.60 years
   • B.62 years
   • C.65 years✓ Correct Answer
   • D.70 years

   Explanation: A judge of the Supreme Court holds office until he attains the age of 65 years.

10. Q10.To whom does a judge of the Supreme Court address his resignation letter?

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

    Explanation: A judge of the Supreme Court can resign his office by writing to the President.

11. Q11.On what grounds can a judge of the Supreme Court be removed from office?

    • A.Violation of Constitution
    • B.Proved misbehavior or incapacity✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Corruption
    • D.Insanity

    Explanation: A judge can be removed from office by order of the President only on the grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity.

12. Q12.A motion for the removal of a Supreme Court judge signed by 100 members is required if introduced in which House?

    • A.Rajya Sabha
    • B.Lok Sabha✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Any State Assembly
    • D.Both Houses Jointly

    Explanation: A removal motion signed by 100 members is required if introduced in the Lok Sabha (and 50 members if in the Rajya Sabha).

13. Q13.Under the Judges Enquiry Act (1968), the committee constituted to investigate charges against a judge consists of how many members?

    • A.2
    • B.3✓ Correct Answer
    • C.4
    • D.5

    Explanation: The committee consists of 3 members: (a) CJI or a SC judge, (b) Chief Justice of a High Court, and (c) a distinguished jurist.

14. Q14.Who determines the salaries, allowances, and privileges of the Supreme Court judges?

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

    Explanation: They are determined from time to time by the Parliament and cannot be varied to their disadvantage after appointment.

15. Q15.The salaries of the Supreme Court judges are charged on which fund?

    • A.Consolidated Fund of India✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Contingency Fund of India
    • C.Public Accounts of India
    • D.PM CARES Fund

    Explanation: The salaries, allowances, and pensions of the judges and the staff as well as all administrative expenses are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

16. Q16.Who has the power to appoint 'Ad-hoc Judges' in the Supreme Court?

    • A.The President
    • B.The Chief Justice of India✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Parliament
    • D.Union Law Minister

    Explanation: The Chief Justice of India can appoint a judge of a High Court as an ad-hoc judge of the SC for a temporary period, with the previous consent of the President.

17. Q17.Ad-hoc judges are appointed in the Supreme Court when?

    • A.There is a vacancy in the permanent strength
    • B.There is lack of quorum of permanent judges✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The CJI is on leave
    • D.Workload increases significantly

    Explanation: Ad-hoc judges are appointed when there is a lack of quorum of the permanent judges to hold or continue any session of the Supreme Court.

18. Q18.The Supreme Court sits in Delhi, but it can sit in other places if authorized by whom?

    • A.Parliament
    • B.President
    • C.Chief Justice of India✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Prime Minister

    Explanation: The Chief Justice of India can appoint other places as the seat of the Supreme Court, but only with the approval of the President.

19. Q19.Which of the following disputes is NOT covered under the Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

    • A.Between the Centre and one or more states
    • B.Between two or more states
    • C.Inter-state water disputes✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Between Centre and states on one side and states on other

    Explanation: Inter-state water disputes are excluded from the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 262.

20. Q20.Under which Article can the Supreme Court issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

    • A.Article 32✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 226
    • C.Article 136
    • D.Article 142

    Explanation: Article 32 confers power on the Supreme Court to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.