UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC refuses to entertain plea to curb social media content

Q1. With reference to Article 32 of the Constitution of India, consider the following: 1. It is itself a Fundamental Right located in Part III of the Constitution. 2. Under it, the Supreme Court can issue writs only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. 3. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described it as the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution. 4. The right it guarantees cannot be suspended under any circumstances, including a Proclamation of Emergency. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is itself a Fundamental Right located in Part III of the Constitution.
  2. Under it, the Supreme Court can issue writs only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
  3. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described it as the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution.
  4. The right it guarantees cannot be suspended under any circumstances, including a Proclamation of Emergency.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. In the context of Article 32, the expression 'Right to Constitutional Remedies' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The right to move the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights conferred by Part III
  • B. The right to appeal to the Supreme Court against any final order passed by a High Court
  • C. The right of every citizen to move the Supreme Court to seek amendment of the Constitution
  • D. The right to seek judicial enforcement of the Directive Principles of State Policy

Q3. With reference to the Supreme Court's July 2026 refusal to entertain the petition seeking removal of allegedly derogatory social-media/podcast content, consider the following statements: 1. The petition invoked the Supreme Court's writ jurisdiction under Article 32 directly, rather than approaching a High Court under Article 226. 2. The Bench held that Article 32 can never be invoked in any matter concerning social-media content. 3. The Court directed the petitioner to pursue existing remedies such as a police complaint and mechanisms available under the IT Rules. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The petition invoked the Supreme Court's writ jurisdiction under Article 32 directly, rather than approaching a High Court under Article 226.
  2. The Bench held that Article 32 can never be invoked in any matter concerning social-media content.
  3. The Court directed the petitioner to pursue existing remedies such as a police complaint and mechanisms available under the IT Rules.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The writ petition that the Supreme Court declined to entertain in July 2026, seeking identification and removal of allegedly derogatory social-media content, was filed under which one of the following provisions of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 32
  • B. Article 226
  • C. Article 136
  • D. Article 143

Q5. Under Article 32, the Supreme Court is empowered to issue how many distinct types of writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Six

Q6. Which one of the following writs is issued to secure the release of a person who has been unlawfully detained and is regarded as the foremost safeguard of individual liberty?

  • A. Habeas corpus
  • B. Mandamus
  • C. Quo warranto
  • D. Certiorari

Q7. Under the three-tier regulatory structure for digital news and OTT/online-curated content publishers in the IT Rules, 2021, the top tier (Level III) oversight mechanism is vested in which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  • B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • C. The Press Council of India
  • D. A self-regulating body of the publishers themselves

Q8. With reference to the Supreme Court's 2026 observations on the misuse of Public Interest Litigation, consider the following statements: 1. A Constitution Bench remarked that PIL has increasingly become 'Private, Publicity, Paisa and Political Interest Litigation'. 2. The Court held that any petition supported by newspaper articles automatically qualifies as a genuine public interest litigation. 3. The Court reiterated that only real and genuine public interest litigation would be entertained. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A Constitution Bench remarked that PIL has increasingly become 'Private, Publicity, Paisa and Political Interest Litigation'.
  2. The Court held that any petition supported by newspaper articles automatically qualifies as a genuine public interest litigation.
  3. The Court reiterated that only real and genuine public interest litigation would be entertained.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The 2026 Supreme Court observation that public interest litigation has become 'Private, Publicity, Paisa and Political Interest Litigation' was made by a Constitution Bench headed by which one of the following?

  • A. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
  • B. Justice B.V. Nagarathna
  • C. Justice P.S. Narasimha
  • D. Justice Alok Aradhe

Q10. Pre-certification of films for public exhibition, which gives effect to reasonable restrictions on freedom of expression under Article 19(2) on grounds such as decency and morality, is carried out by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Central Board of Film Certification
  • B. Press Council of India
  • C. National Human Rights Commission
  • D. Prasar Bharati

Q11. Offences relating to deliberate and malicious insult of religious beliefs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (the successor to Section 295A IPC) are investigated and enforced by the police, which at the Union level fall under the administrative purview of which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • D. Ministry of Minority Affairs