Question 1

Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides the power to the Supreme Court to issue writs for enforcement of fundamental rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court the power to issue writs for the enforcement of fundamental rights. This article itself is considered a fundamental right and is sometimes called the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Supreme Court can issue Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto writs under this article.

Question 2

Under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following is NOT a writ that can be issued by the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 grants the Supreme Court power to issue five writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto. These are remedies for enforcement of fundamental rights. Injunction is a civil remedy issued by civil courts, not a constitutional writ under Article 32.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the jurisdiction of High Courts is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

High Courts have both original and appellate jurisdiction. Under Article 226, High Courts can issue writs for enforcement of fundamental rights and other legal rights. High Courts also have appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals from lower courts. The territorial jurisdiction of a High Court extends to the state(s) specified in the Constitution.

Question 4

The Supreme Court of India can exercise original jurisdiction in cases involving disputes between which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Article 131 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court exclusive original jurisdiction in disputes between the Union and one or more States, or between two or more States. This is a unique power that only the Supreme Court possesses. The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction in matters involving fundamental rights under Article 32.

Question 5

Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, and has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to live with human dignity?

Accepted Answer

Article 21 explicitly states: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' The Supreme Court has expanded this through landmark judgments (Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India, 1978) to include rights like right to privacy, right to education, and right to clean environment.

Question 6

Which of the following statements regarding the jurisdiction of High Courts under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Article 226 grants High Courts the power to issue writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto, and in some cases Directions/Orders) for enforcement of fundamental rights and for any other purpose. High Courts have wider jurisdiction than the Supreme Court under Article 32—they can issue writs not only for Fundamental Rights but also for any legal right. Additionally, High Courts can issue writs against private persons in certain circumstances (e.g., PIL cases), whereas Article 32 is primarily for Fundamental Rights violations.

Question 7

In which landmark Supreme Court judgment was it held that the 'procedure established by law' under Article 21 must be 'just, fair, and reasonable,' thereby expanding the scope of the Right to Life?

Accepted Answer

In Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978), the Supreme Court held that the procedure under Article 21 must be just, fair, and reasonable—not merely procedurally correct. This judgment overruled the earlier narrow interpretation from A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950) and significantly expanded Article 21 to include rights like livelihood, privacy, and dignity. This is a watershed moment in Indian constitutional jurisprudence.

Question 8

Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs including habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, and quo warranto for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court the power to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. This is a constitutional remedy and is itself considered a Fundamental Right under Article 32(1). The writs—habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, and quo warranto—are judicial remedies that protect citizens from arbitrary state action. This article was a cornerstone of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's vision of constitutional safeguards and has been extensively used in landmark cases like Menaka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) and Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973).

Question 9

Which article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to constitutional remedies and empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs in case of violation of fundamental rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution is the constitutional remedy provision that grants citizens the right to move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of fundamental rights. It is often called the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Question 10

Under which article can the President of India suspend the Fundamental Rights of citizens during a national emergency, and this power was later restricted by which amendment?

Accepted Answer

Article 358 allows the President to suspend the rights guaranteed under Article 19 during a national emergency. The 44th Amendment (1978) restricted this power by making it applicable only during a proclamation of national emergency due to war or external aggression, excluding internal disturbances.

Question 11

In the landmark case Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court established the doctrine of 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution. Which of the following is NOT considered part of the Basic Structure?

Accepted Answer

The Kesavananda Bharati case established that certain features of the Constitution (like sovereignty, federalism, secularism, separation of powers, judicial review) are part of its 'Basic Structure' and cannot be amended. However, specific statutory provisions, procedural rules, and non-fundamental aspects can be amended.

Question 12

Article 226 of the Indian Constitution empowers High Courts to issue writs. In which case did the Supreme Court expand the scope of Article 226 to include 'public interest litigation' (PIL)?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court expanded the scope of Article 226 through the landmark case S.P. Gupta v. Union of India (1981), which introduced Public Interest Litigation (PIL). This allowed any citizen to file a petition in the public interest, not just the aggrieved party.

Question 13

Which article of the Indian Constitution defines the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court, and under which article can the Supreme Court exercise appellate jurisdiction over High Court decisions?

Accepted Answer

Article 131 defines the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (disputes between states or between state and Union). Article 133 (for civil cases) and Article 134 (for criminal cases) grant the Supreme Court appellate jurisdiction over High Court decisions. Article 136 provides the Supreme Court with discretionary jurisdiction to hear any case.

Question 14

Under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, which of the following writs can be issued by a High Court to compel a public official to perform a mandatory statutory duty that they have unlawfully refused or neglected to perform?

Accepted Answer

Article 226 empowers High Courts to issue writs including Mandamus (or Mandamaus), which compels performance of a legal duty. This is distinct from Prohibition (which stops illegal action) and Certiorari (which quashes an order). The question tests precise understanding of writ jurisdiction and the specific remedy for non-performance of duty.

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