UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC disposes of Wangchuk’s pleas against NSA detention

Q1. The Supreme Court in 2026 disposed of petitions challenging the preventive detention of Sonam Wangchuk. Under which law was he detained?

  • A. The National Security Act, 1980
  • B. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
  • C. The Public Safety Act
  • D. The Maintenance of Internal Security Act, 1971

Q2. Once the Advisory Board reports sufficient cause and the appropriate Government confirms the order, what is the maximum period of preventive detention permissible under the National Security Act, 1980?

  • A. 3 months
  • B. 6 months
  • C. 12 months
  • D. 24 months

Q3. The Supreme Court bench that disposed of the habeas corpus petitions concerning Sonam Wangchuk's NSA detention was headed by which judge?

  • A. Justice Aravind Kumar
  • B. Justice P. B. Varale
  • C. Justice Sanjiv Khanna
  • D. Justice B. R. Gavai

Q4. With reference to the National Security Act, 1980 and its predecessor preventive-detention regime, consider the following statements: 1. The National Security Act, 1980 replaced the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, which had been repealed in the wake of the Emergency. 2. Unlike its predecessor, the National Security Act is administered by the Ministry of Defence. 3. Like earlier preventive-detention laws, the National Security Act draws upon the preventive-detention provisions of Article 22 of the Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The National Security Act, 1980 replaced the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, which had been repealed in the wake of the Emergency.
  2. Unlike its predecessor, the National Security Act is administered by the Ministry of Defence.
  3. Like earlier preventive-detention laws, the National Security Act draws upon the preventive-detention provisions of Article 22 of the Constitution.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The detention of Sonam Wangchuk was challenged before the Supreme Court through a writ of habeas corpus. In this context, the writ of habeas corpus is best described as:

  • A. An order directing that a detained person be produced before the court so it can examine the legality of the detention
  • B. An order commanding a public authority to perform a duty it has failed to discharge
  • C. An order to a lower court or authority to halt proceedings in excess of its jurisdiction
  • D. An order calling for the records of a case to quash a decision of a subordinate authority