UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC allows withdrawal of Savarkar portraits plea

Q1. In Indian constitutional jurisprudence, the term 'Public Interest Litigation' (PIL), under which the Savarkar portraits plea was brought before the Supreme Court, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A civil suit instituted by an aggrieved private party seeking monetary compensation for personal injury
  • B. A writ petition that can be entertained at the instance of any public-spirited person on behalf of those who are unable to approach the court themselves
  • C. A criminal complaint filed by the State for offences affecting public order and tranquility
  • D. A statutory appeal filed directly in the Supreme Court bypassing the jurisdiction of the High Court

Q2. Who headed the Supreme Court Bench that, in January 2026, permitted withdrawal of the Public Interest Litigation seeking removal of V.D. Savarkar's portraits from the Central Hall of Parliament?

  • A. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
  • B. Justice B.R. Gavai
  • C. Justice Surya Kant
  • D. Justice Joymalya Bagchi

Q3. With reference to the resolution of the General Purposes Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly (2025) relating to installation of portraits within the Vidhan Sabha premises, consider the following names: 1. V.D. Savarkar 2. Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati 3. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya 4. Bal Gangadhar Tilak Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as among the icons approved by the Committee?

  1. V.D. Savarkar
  2. Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati
  3. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
  4. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the Public Interest Litigation in B. Balamurugan v. Union of India (January 2026) before the Supreme Court, consider the following statements: 1. The petitioner sought removal of V.D. Savarkar's portrait from the Central Hall of Parliament and from official accommodations. 2. The petitioner additionally sought a direction barring the Union Government from honouring individuals charge-sheeted for heinous or anti-national offences and not honourably acquitted. 3. The Bench rejected the petition outright on merits without permitting the petitioner to withdraw it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The petitioner sought removal of V.D. Savarkar's portrait from the Central Hall of Parliament and from official accommodations.
  2. The petitioner additionally sought a direction barring the Union Government from honouring individuals charge-sheeted for heinous or anti-national offences and not honourably acquitted.
  3. The Bench rejected the petition outright on merits without permitting the petitioner to withdraw it.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Consider the following persons in the context of the Supreme Court hearing on the Savarkar portraits PIL on January 13, 2026: 1. Chief Justice Surya Kant 2. Justice Joymalya Bagchi 3. Justice Vipul M. Pancholi 4. Justice B.R. Gavai Which of the above are correctly identified as judges who sat on the Bench that heard the plea?

  1. Chief Justice Surya Kant
  2. Justice Joymalya Bagchi
  3. Justice Vipul M. Pancholi
  4. Justice B.R. Gavai
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4