Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on the topic “Judicial Independence in India: Necessity and Safeguards” suitable for the Civil Services Examination.
- Which Article of the Indian Constitution guarantees the independence of the judiciary?
- A) Article 14
- B) Article 21
- C) Article 50
- D) Article 32
Answer: C) Article 50
- What does the term “judicial independence” primarily refer to?
- A) The power of the judiciary to legislate
- B) The ability of the judiciary to operate free from external pressures
- C) The financial independence of courts
- D) The right of judges to make political decisions
Answer: B) The ability of the judiciary to operate free from external pressures
- Which of the following is NOT a safeguard for judicial independence in India?
- A) Security of Tenure
- B) Fixed Salary
- C) Appointment by the Executive
- D) The ability to review laws
Answer: C) Appointment by the Executive
- Judicial review is a power exercised by the Supreme Court to:
- A) Make laws
- B) Review the constitutionality of legislative acts
- C) Appoint judges
- D) Conduct elections
Answer: B) Review the constitutionality of legislative acts
- Which body has the authority to impeach a High Court or Supreme Court judge?
- A) The Prime Minister
- B) The Parliament
- C) The President
- D) The Chief Justice
Answer: B) The Parliament
- Which article provides for the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts?
- A) Article 124
- B) Article 126
- C) Article 217
- D) Article 231
Answer: A) Article 124
- Judges of the Supreme Court can be removed from office on grounds of:
- A) Misbehavior and incapacity
- B) Political affiliations
- C) Failure to deliver judgments on time
- D) Public protests
Answer: A) Misbehavior and incapacity
- Which of the following Articles prohibits the government from interfering in the functioning of the judiciary?
- A) Article 14
- B) Article 19
- C) Article 50
- D) Article 21
Answer: C) Article 50
- What is the minimum age required to become a High Court judge in India?
- A) 30 years
- B) 35 years
- C) 40 years
- D) 45 years
Answer: A) 35 years
- The principle of separation of powers in India helps to maintain judicial independence by:
- A) Allowing judicial review
- B) Preventing executive interference in judicial functions
- C) Empowering the judiciary to legislate
- D) Enforcing strict penalties on judges
Answer: B) Preventing executive interference in judicial functions
- Which constitutional amendment provided for the establishment of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)?
- A) 99th Amendment
- B) 100th Amendment
- C) 101st Amendment
- D) 102nd Amendment
Answer: A) 99th Amendment
- The concept of judicial independence is crucial for:
- A) Ensuring governmental power is unlimited
- B) Upholding the rule of law
- C) Promoting political accountability
- D) Enhancing public administration
Answer: B) Upholding the rule of law
- Which of the following is an example of judicial activism in India?
- A) Keshavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
- B) Minerva Mills v. Union of India
- C) Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
- Judicial independence is vital for:
- A) Maintaining law and order
- B) Protecting human rights
- C) Limiting executive power
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
- Which of the following articles empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs?
- A) Article 32
- B) Article 226
- C) Article 136
- D) Article 141
Answer: A) Article 32
- The judiciary’s power to review laws is derived from:
- A) The Constitution
- B) Legislative enactments
- C) Judicial precedents
- D) Executive orders
Answer: A) The Constitution
- The term “Judicial Accountability” refers to:
- A) Judges being answerable for their decisions
- B) The judiciary being accountable to the executive
- C) The legislature’s oversight of judicial appointments
- D) The Supreme Court’s oversight of High Courts
Answer: A) Judges being answerable for their decisions
- What is the significance of the landmark case “Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala”?
- A) It established judicial supremacy
- B) It introduced the basic structure doctrine
- C) It abolished the death penalty
- D) It redefined the powers of the President
Answer: B) It introduced the basic structure doctrine
- In India, the appointment of Supreme Court judges is done by:
- A) The Prime Minister alone
- B) The President based on the advice of the Prime Minister
- C) The Parliament
- D) The Chief Justice alone
Answer: B) The President based on the advice of the Prime Minister
- Which of the following acts as a check on judicial independence?
- A) Judicial appointments
- B) Judicial review
- C) The impeachment process
- D) The rule of law
Answer: C) The impeachment process
- Which Article states that every High Court shall have the power to issue writs?
- A) Article 226
- B) Article 32
- C) Article 136
- D) Article 131
Answer: A) Article 226
- The ‘Judicial Appointments Commission’ was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in:
- A) 2014
- B) 2015
- C) 2016
- D) 2017
Answer: B) 2015
- Judicial independence contributes to the protection of:
- A) Executive authority
- B) Legislative supremacy
- C) Fundamental rights
- D) Electoral integrity
Answer: C) Fundamental rights
- Which of the following does NOT directly threaten judicial independence?
- A) Political pressure
- B) Public scrutiny
- C) Judicial review
- D) Impeachment
Answer: C) Judicial review
- The principle that “no man can be a judge in his own cause” emphasizes:
- A) Judicial independence
- B) Natural justice
- C) Legislative authority
- D) Executive privilege
Answer: B) Natural justice
- Which of the following is an essential feature of judicial independence?
- A) Financial security for judges
- B) Unrestricted powers of the executive
- C) Legislative interference
- D) Public appointments of judges
Answer: A) Financial security for judges
- The principle of “judicial restraint” implies that:
- A) The judiciary should not interfere in legislative matters
- B) The judiciary should actively legislate
- C) The judiciary should take a proactive role in governance
- D) The judiciary should disregard public opinion
Answer: A) The judiciary should not interfere in legislative matters
- Which of the following is NOT a consequence of undermining judicial independence?
- A) Erosion of the rule of law
- B) Enhanced public trust
- C) Increased government accountability
- D) Violation of human rights
Answer: B) Enhanced public trust
- Judicial independence is often considered a prerequisite for:
- A) Political stability
- B) Economic development
- C) Social justice
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
- What is the role of public interest litigations (PILs) in the context of judicial independence?
- A) They restrict judicial power
- B) They enhance access to justice for marginalized groups
- C) They politicize the judiciary
- D) They undermine executive authority
Answer: B) They enhance access to justice for marginalized groups
These MCQs cover various aspects of judicial independence in India, including its necessity, safeguards, and related concepts.
