Supreme Court MCQ: Basic Structure Doctrine, PIL & Master of the Roster

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

1. Q1.Who can transfer a case from one High Court to another High Court?

   • A.The President
   • B.The Supreme Court✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The Parliament
   • D.Union Law Minister

   Explanation: The Supreme Court has the power to transfer any case, appeal, or other proceedings pending before any High Court to any other High Court.

2. Q2.The ultimate interpreter of the Constitution is?

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

   Explanation: The Supreme Court is the final interpreter and guardian of the Constitution.

3. Q3.Which doctrine allows the Supreme Court to check if a law violates the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution?

   • A.Doctrine of Eclipse
   • B.Doctrine of Severability
   • C.Kesavananda Bharati Doctrine✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Doctrine of Colorable Legislation

   Explanation: The Basic Structure doctrine, evolved in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), allows the SC to strike down amendments that violate the basic features of the Constitution.

4. Q4.An appeal to the Supreme Court in criminal matters lies if the High Court?

   • A.Has reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to death✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Has sentenced him to imprisonment for 10 years
   • C.Has fined him more than 5000 rupees
   • D.Has dismissed the bail plea

   Explanation: Appeal lies if the High Court has on appeal reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to death.

5. Q5.Who regulates the practice and procedure of the Supreme Court?

   • A.The Parliament by law
   • B.The Supreme Court with the approval of the President✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The Ministry of Law
   • D.The Bar Council of India

   Explanation: The Supreme Court can, with the approval of the President, make rules for regulating generally the practice and procedure of the Court.

6. Q6.Can the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court be curtailed by the Parliament?

   • A.Yes, completely
   • B.No, not the jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yes, during emergency only
   • D.Yes, with 2/3rd majority

   Explanation: The Parliament cannot curtail the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court which are conferred by the Constitution, though it can extend them.

7. Q7.The concept of 'Public Interest Litigation' (PIL) originated in which country?

   • A.UK
   • B.India
   • C.USA✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Australia

   Explanation: The concept of PIL originated and developed in the USA in the 1960s.

8. Q8.Which of the following disputes is EXCLUDED from the Supreme Court's Original Jurisdiction?

   • A.Dispute arising out of any pre-Constitution treaty✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Dispute between Centre and State
   • C.Dispute between two States
   • D.Dispute involving question of law on which existence of a legal right depends

   Explanation: Disputes arising out of any pre-Constitution treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanad, or other similar instruments are excluded from original jurisdiction.

9. Q9.The advice tendered by the Supreme Court to the President in a reference made regarding a 'pre-Constitution treaty' is?

   • A.Binding on the President
   • B.Not binding on the President✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Binding only if unanimous
   • D.Binding if accepted by Parliament

   Explanation: Even in cases of pre-Constitution treaties (where the SC *must* give its opinion), the opinion is not binding on the President.

10. Q10.Who is known as the 'Master of the Roster' in the Supreme Court?

    • A.The senior-most judge
    • B.The Chief Justice of India✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Registrar General
    • D.The President

    Explanation: The Chief Justice of India is the 'Master of the Roster' and has the prerogative to constitute benches and allocate cases.

11. Q11.Which Article of the Constitution prohibits the discussion of the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court in Parliament?

    • A.Article 121✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 122
    • C.Article 123
    • D.Article 124

    Explanation: Article 121 states that no discussion shall take place in Parliament with respect to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties, except upon a motion for presenting an address to the President praying for removal.

12. Q12.Who has the authority to appoint officers and servants of the Supreme Court?

    • A.The President
    • B.The Chief Justice of India✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Prime Minister
    • D.Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

    Explanation: Article 146 empowers the Chief Justice of India (or such other judge or officer directed by him) to appoint officers and servants of the Supreme Court.

13. Q13.The administrative expenses of the Supreme Court, including salaries and pensions of its officers, are charged on?

    • A.Contingency Fund of India
    • B.Consolidated Fund of India✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Public Account of India
    • D.Ministry of Law Budget

    Explanation: The administrative expenses of the Supreme Court are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and are not subject to vote by Parliament.

14. Q14.Which Article empowers the Supreme Court to pass such decree or order as is necessary for doing 'complete justice' in any cause or matter pending before it?

    • A.Article 140
    • B.Article 141
    • C.Article 142✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 143

    Explanation: Article 142 grants the Supreme Court the power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice, which is enforceable throughout the territory of India.

15. Q15.In the case of a conflict between the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (Article 32) and the High Court (Article 226), which is wider?

    • A.Supreme Court
    • B.High Court✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Both are equal
    • D.Depends on the case

    Explanation: The writ jurisdiction of the High Court is wider because it can issue writs not only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights but also for 'any other purpose' (ordinary legal rights), whereas the SC can issue writs only for Fundamental Rights.

16. Q16.Does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction in a dispute between the Government of India and a private individual?

    • A.Yes
    • B.No✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Only if amount > 1 Crore
    • D.Only if it involves a question of law

    Explanation: No, the original jurisdiction under Article 131 is strictly for federal disputes (Centre vs State or State vs State). Disputes with private citizens must go to ordinary courts.

17. Q17.Civil Contempt of Court means?

    • A.Scandalizing the court
    • B.Willful disobedience to any judgment or order✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lowering the authority of the court
    • D.Interfering with judicial proceedings

    Explanation: Civil contempt means willful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or willful breach of an undertaking given to a court.

18. Q18.Criminal Contempt of Court implies?

    • A.Willful disobedience of an order
    • B.Publication of any matter that scandalizes or lowers the authority of the court✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Delay in filing a case
    • D.Not appearing in court

    Explanation: Criminal contempt involves the publication of any matter or doing an act which scandalizes the court, prejudices a judicial proceeding, or obstructs the administration of justice.

19. Q19.Who was the first Chief Justice of India?

    • A.H.J. Kania✓ Correct Answer
    • B.M. Patanjali Sastri
    • C.Mehr Chand Mahajan
    • D.B.K. Mukherjea

    Explanation: Harilal J. Kania was the first Chief Justice of independent India.

20. Q20.Appeals in constitutional matters lie to the Supreme Court if the High Court certifies that?

    • A.The case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution✓ Correct Answer
    • B.The case involves a large sum of money
    • C.The case involves a political leader
    • D.The case is of international importance

    Explanation: Under Article 132, an appeal lies to the SC if the HC certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution.