UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC refuses to hear plea against PM offering ‘chadar’

Q1. With reference to the January 2026 proceedings before the Supreme Court regarding the Prime Minister's offering of 'chadar' at Ajmer Sharif Dargah, consider the following statements: 1. The writ petition seeking to restrain the Prime Minister was dismissed by the Court on the ground that the issue was not justiciable. 2. A separate civil suit, claiming that the Ajmer Dargah was built over the ruins of a Shiva temple, was pending before a trial court at the time of the Supreme Court's order. 3. The Supreme Court held that the dismissal of the writ petition would also operate as a final disposal of the said civil suit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The writ petition seeking to restrain the Prime Minister was dismissed by the Court on the ground that the issue was not justiciable.
  2. A separate civil suit, claiming that the Ajmer Dargah was built over the ruins of a Shiva temple, was pending before a trial court at the time of the Supreme Court's order.
  3. The Supreme Court held that the dismissal of the writ petition would also operate as a final disposal of the said civil suit.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the Dargah Committee, Ajmer, which administers the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, consider the following statements: 1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955. 2. Its members are nominated by the State Government of Rajasthan in consultation with the Dargah's hereditary Khadims. 3. All members of the Committee are required, by statute, to be Hanafi Muslims. 4. The Committee functions administratively under the Union Ministry of Culture. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955.
  2. Its members are nominated by the State Government of Rajasthan in consultation with the Dargah's hereditary Khadims.
  3. All members of the Committee are required, by statute, to be Hanafi Muslims.
  4. The Committee functions administratively under the Union Ministry of Culture.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. As per the Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955, what is the maximum number of members that may be appointed to the Dargah Committee, Ajmer?

  • A. Five
  • B. Seven
  • C. Nine
  • D. Eleven

Q4. In the context of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the term 'Urs' most accurately refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The annual congregation marking the birth anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
  • B. The death anniversary of a Sufi saint, celebrated as the saint's symbolic union with the Divine
  • C. The ceremonial offering of a chadar by visiting heads of state and government
  • D. A pilgrimage undertaken to a Sufi shrine specifically during the month of Ramzan

Q5. The Dargah Committee that administers the Ajmer Sharif Dargah derives its statutory existence from which one of the following Acts of Parliament?

  • A. The Religious Endowments Act, 1863
  • B. The Charitable and Religious Trusts Act, 1920
  • C. The Dargah Khwaja Saheb Act, 1955
  • D. The Wakf Act, 1995