UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Judicial removal — tough law with a loophole

Q1. In December 2025, the INDIA bloc submitted a notice of motion in the Lok Sabha seeking the removal of Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court. Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, what is the minimum number of Lok Sabha members required to sign such a notice of motion before it can be considered for admission by the Speaker?

  • A. 50 members
  • B. 75 members
  • C. 100 members
  • D. One-third of the total membership of the House

Q2. With reference to a notice of motion for the removal of a High Court judge originating in the Lok Sabha, under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, who is empowered to constitute the three-member committee to investigate the charges framed against the judge?

  • A. The President of India, on the advice of the Council of Ministers
  • B. The Chief Justice of India
  • C. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
  • D. The Union Minister of Law and Justice

Q3. Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, a three-member committee is constituted to investigate the charges against a judge whose removal is sought. With reference to the composition of this committee, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified as a member of this statutory inquiry committee?

  1. 1. The Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice of India
  2. 2. The Chief Justice of one of the High Courts
  3. 3. A distinguished jurist
  4. 4. The Attorney General of India
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. In the constitutional scheme of India, the term 'impeachment' as used in the Constitution refers strictly to the formal process for the removal of which one of the following functionaries?

  • A. A judge of the Supreme Court
  • B. A judge of a High Court
  • C. The President of India
  • D. The Vice-President of India