UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — On the importance of satire

Q1. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025 notified by MeitY have been framed under which one of the following parent statutes?

  • A. The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867
  • B. The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995
  • C. The Cinematograph Act, 1952
  • D. The Information Technology Act, 2000

Q2. Under Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India, on how many specific grounds can the State impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression?

  • A. Six
  • B. Seven
  • C. Eight
  • D. Nine

Q3. Which one of the following is the landmark Supreme Court judgment that first struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 as unconstitutional, thereby becoming the leading precedent for protection of online expression (including satire) in India?

  • A. Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras (1950)
  • B. S. Rangarajan v. P. Jagjivan Ram (1989)
  • C. Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)
  • D. Kunal Kamra v. Union of India (2024)

Q4. With reference to the legal framework governing satirical and other expressive content in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, under which satire is a protected form of expression.
  2. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025 amend Rule 3(1)(d) of the parent 2021 Rules.
  3. Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 continues to operate as the principal penal provision against 'grossly offensive' online content.
  4. The Bombay High Court in 2024 struck down the 2023 amendment to the IT Rules that had established a government Fact Check Unit.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only