UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC in ‘disagreement’ with Justice Varma’s claims on LS Speaker
Q1. How many Members of Parliament signed the notice of motion seeking removal of Justice Yashwant Varma that was admitted by the Lok Sabha Speaker on 12 August 2025?
Q2. In the context of the proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma, the term 'special majority' required under Article 124(4) of the Constitution refers to:
- A. A majority of two-thirds of the members present and voting in each House
- B. A majority of the total membership of each House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting
- C. A majority of the total membership of both Houses sitting together
- D. A simple majority of members present and voting, provided the quorum is met
Q3. Who is the sole sitting Supreme Court judge member of the three-member inquiry committee constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 12 August 2025 to probe the charges against Justice Yashwant Varma?
- A. Justice Aravind Kumar
- B. Justice Surya Kant
- C. Justice B.V. Nagarathna
- D. Justice Hrishikesh Roy
Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma (2025–26) with earlier judges' removal proceedings in independent India:
1. The Justice V. Ramaswami case (1993) was the only instance prior to the Varma proceedings in which an inquiry committee constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 found the charges proved against the judge.
2. Justice Soumitra Sen resigned after the Rajya Sabha passed the removal motion but before the Lok Sabha could vote on it.
3. In the Justice Varma proceedings, notices of motion were submitted simultaneously in both Houses on 21 July 2025, but the Rajya Sabha notice was rejected by its Deputy Chairman.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Justice V. Ramaswami case (1993) was the only instance prior to the Varma proceedings in which an inquiry committee constituted under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 found the charges proved against the judge.
- Justice Soumitra Sen resigned after the Rajya Sabha passed the removal motion but before the Lok Sabha could vote on it.
- In the Justice Varma proceedings, notices of motion were submitted simultaneously in both Houses on 21 July 2025, but the Rajya Sabha notice was rejected by its Deputy Chairman.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3