Supreme Court MCQ: Indra Sawhney Case, Puttaswamy Judgment & E-Courts

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

1. Q1.Who represents the Government of India in the Supreme Court?

   • A.Law Minister
   • B.Attorney General of India✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Solicitor General
   • D.Comptroller and Auditor General

   Explanation: The Attorney General of India has the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India and represents the GOI in the Supreme Court.

2. Q2.Can the Supreme Court strike down a constitutional amendment?

   • A.No, never
   • B.Yes, if it violates the Basic Structure✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yes, if the President agrees
   • D.Yes, if 50% states agree

   Explanation: Yes, if the amendment violates the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution (Kesavananda Bharati doctrine).

3. Q3.The concept of 'Integrated Judiciary' in India implies?

   • A.State courts are independent of the Centre
   • B.Single system of courts enforces both Central and State laws✓ Correct Answer
   • C.High Courts are supreme in states
   • D.District courts are not under High Courts

   Explanation: Integrated judiciary means a single hierarchy of courts (SC at top, HCs below) enforces both Central laws and State laws.

4. Q4.Which Article provides that all authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall act in aid of the Supreme Court?

   • A.Article 142
   • B.Article 144✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 146
   • D.Article 148

   Explanation: Article 144 mandates that all authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall act in aid of the Supreme Court.

5. Q5.What happens if there is a conflict between a decision of a former bench and a later bench of the Supreme Court?

   • A.The later decision prevails
   • B.The former decision prevails
   • C.The matter is referred to a larger bench✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The President decides

   Explanation: Usually, the matter is referred to a larger bench to resolve the conflict.

6. Q6.Are the proceedings of the Supreme Court open to the public?

   • A.No, strictly confidential
   • B.Yes, open court unless directed otherwise✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Only for lawyers
   • D.Only for media

   Explanation: Article 145(4) states that no judgment shall be delivered by the Supreme Court save in open court. Proceedings are generally open unless the court decides otherwise for sensitive cases.

7. Q7.The 'E-Courts Project' involves which technology for the Supreme Court?

   • A.Digitization of case records
   • B.Virtual hearings
   • C.E-filing
   • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The E-Courts project aims to ICT enable the judiciary, involving digitization, virtual courts, e-filing, and online case status tracking.

8. Q8.Which of the following is NOT a writ issued by the Supreme Court?

   • A.Injunction✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Certiorari
   • C.Mandamus
   • D.Prohibition

   Explanation: Injunction is a judicial order, but not one of the five prerogative writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo-Warranto) mentioned in the Constitution.

9. Q9.The Supreme Court judgment in the 'Indra Sawhney Case' (1992) is related to?

   • A.Reservations for OBCs✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Fundamental Rights vs DPSP
   • C.Basic Structure
   • D.Uniform Civil Code

   Explanation: The Indra Sawhney case upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs but capped total reservation at 50%.

10. Q10.Under which jurisdiction does the Supreme Court hear appeals against the judgments of High Courts in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters?

    • A.Original Jurisdiction
    • B.Appellate Jurisdiction✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Advisory Jurisdiction
    • D.Writ Jurisdiction

    Explanation: This falls under the Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

11. Q11.The Supreme Court has the power to grant bail under?

    • A.Its inherent powers
    • B.Criminal Procedure Code
    • C.Appellate Jurisdiction
    • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The SC can grant bail under its appellate jurisdiction, writ jurisdiction, and special leave jurisdiction.

12. Q12.Which language is used in the proceedings of the Supreme Court?

    • A.Hindi only
    • B.English only✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Hindi and English both
    • D.Any scheduled language

    Explanation: Article 348 states that all proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in the English language.

13. Q13.Can a person who is not a citizen of India be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court?

    • A.Yes, if he is a jurist
    • B.No✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Yes, with President's approval
    • D.Yes, if he is of Indian origin

    Explanation: Citizenship of India is a mandatory qualification for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.

14. Q14.The 'Puttaswamy Case' (2017) declared which right as a Fundamental Right?

    • A.Right to Internet
    • B.Right to Privacy✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Right to Health
    • D.Right to Education

    Explanation: Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs. Union of India (2017) declared the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.

15. Q15.Who was the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India?

    • A.Sujata Manohar
    • B.Ruma Pal
    • C.Fathima Beevi✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Indu Malhotra

    Explanation: Justice M. Fathima Beevi was the first woman to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India in 1989.

16. Q16.Does the Supreme Court have the power to punish for the contempt of High Courts?

    • A.Yes✓ Correct Answer
    • B.No
    • C.High Courts punish themselves
    • D.Only if requested by HC
    • E.Only in appeal

    Explanation: Under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, the Supreme Court has the power to punish for contempt of itself as well as subordinate courts, including High Courts.

17. Q17.The 'Basic Structure' doctrine prevents the Parliament from?

    • A.Amending the Constitution
    • B.Altering the fundamental features of the Constitution✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Passing ordinary laws
    • D.Imposing taxes

    Explanation: It prevents the Parliament from using its constituent power to alter or destroy the basic features or framework of the Constitution.

18. Q18.Which Article deals with the seat of the Supreme Court?

    • A.Article 130✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 131
    • C.Article 132
    • D.Article 133

    Explanation: Article 130 states that the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places, as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.

19. Q19.If the office of the CJI is vacant, who performs the duties of the office?

    • A.Senior-most judge
    • B.Any judge appointed by the President✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Attorney General
    • D.Retired CJI

    Explanation: The duties are performed by such other judge of the Court as the President may appoint for the purpose (Acting CJI). Conventionally, it is the senior-most judge.

20. Q20.Who provides the secretariat assistance and staff to the Supreme Court?

    • A.Ministry of Law
    • B.Registry of the Supreme Court✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Prime Minister's Office
    • D.UPSC

    Explanation: The Registry of the Supreme Court, headed by the Secretary-General/Registrars, provides administrative and secretarial support.