UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC tells States to frame policy on police media briefing in 3 months

Q1. The January 2026 Supreme Court order directing all States to frame a police media briefing policy within three months was passed by a Bench headed by which one of the following judges?

  • A. Justice M.M. Sundresh
  • B. Justice Surya Kant
  • C. Justice B.R. Gavai
  • D. Justice Sanjiv Khanna

Q2. As per the Supreme Court-commissioned 'Police Manual for Media Briefing' (2026), the manual's stated purpose is best described as establishing which one of the following?

  • A. A principled, rights-compatible and investigation-safe framework for communications between police, public and media
  • B. A binding statutory code regulating press accreditation of crime reporters in India
  • C. A self-regulatory mechanism through which the Press Council of India can sanction errant news outlets
  • D. A uniform pan-India protocol for live telecast of police press conferences during ongoing trials

Q3. In 2023, when the Supreme Court first directed preparation of a comprehensive manual on best practices for media briefings by police in ongoing criminal investigations, the task was originally assigned to which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  • D. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Q4. With reference to the Supreme Court's January 2026 directive on police media briefing as compared with the earlier PUCL v. State of Maharashtra (2014) judgment, consider the following statements: 1. The 2014 judgment in PUCL v. State of Maharashtra laid down 16 mandatory guidelines governing investigation of deaths in police encounters. 2. The 2026 order required States to frame their respective media briefing policies within six months of the order. 3. Unlike the 2014 guidelines, which were framed by the Supreme Court itself, the 2026 manual was drafted by an amicus curiae after considering the Centre's views and international practices. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2014 judgment in PUCL v. State of Maharashtra laid down 16 mandatory guidelines governing investigation of deaths in police encounters.
  2. The 2026 order required States to frame their respective media briefing policies within six months of the order.
  3. Unlike the 2014 guidelines, which were framed by the Supreme Court itself, the 2026 manual was drafted by an amicus curiae after considering the Centre's views and international practices.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Who was the amicus curiae who prepared the 60-page, four-part 'Police Manual for Media Briefing' that was taken on record by the Supreme Court in January 2026?

  • A. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan
  • B. Senior Advocate Harish Salve
  • C. Senior Advocate K.K. Venugopal
  • D. Senior Advocate Fali S. Nariman