UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Plea in Delhi HC seeks steps to save Sonam Wangchuk

Q1. In the context of the plea filed before the Delhi High Court to protect the life of Sonam Wangchuk, the term 'Public Interest Litigation (PIL)' is best described as:

  • A. litigation initiated by a public-spirited person for the enforcement of a public interest, in which the strict requirement of locus standi is relaxed
  • B. a civil suit that can be filed only by a person who has personally suffered a legal injury
  • C. a reference made by a High Court to the Supreme Court on a substantial question of law of public importance
  • D. a class-action proceeding maintainable only after obtaining the prior sanction of the Attorney-General

Q2. In which year did Sonam Wangchuk found the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL)?

  • A. 1978
  • B. 1988
  • C. 1998
  • D. 2008

Q3. Sonam Wangchuk founded SECMOL in 1988 and later received the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Exactly how many years separated the founding of SECMOL from his receipt of the Magsaysay Award?

  • A. 20 years
  • B. 25 years
  • C. 30 years
  • D. 35 years

Q4. In the context of Ladakh's ongoing agitation, the 'Leh Apex Body (LAB)' is best described as:

  • A. an umbrella conglomerate of socio-religious, political and student organisations of Leh spearheading the statehood and Sixth Schedule demand
  • B. a statutory autonomous hill development council created under an Act of Parliament
  • C. the elected legislative assembly of the Union Territory of Ladakh
  • D. a bench of the Union Home Ministry's High Powered Committee for Ladakh

Q5. At the Union level, constitutional and administrative matters relating to the Autonomous District Councils under the Sixth Schedule are handled primarily by which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
  • D. Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q6. Which one of the following Indian activists is associated with what is frequently described as the world's longest hunger strike?

  • A. Irom Sharmila
  • B. Medha Patkar
  • C. Anna Hazare
  • D. Sonam Wangchuk

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the legal position on fasting/attempt to suicide in India: 1. Attempt to commit suicide was punishable under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. 2. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 presumes that a person attempting suicide is under severe stress and shall ordinarily not be tried and punished. 3. The right to life under Article 21 has been judicially interpreted to include a 'right to die'. 4. Irom Sharmila was kept in custody and force-fed during her prolonged hunger strike. Which of the above is NOT correct?

  1. Attempt to commit suicide was punishable under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.
  2. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 presumes that a person attempting suicide is under severe stress and shall ordinarily not be tried and punished.
  3. The right to life under Article 21 has been judicially interpreted to include a 'right to die'.
  4. Irom Sharmila was kept in custody and force-fed during her prolonged hunger strike.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q8. With reference to the governance of the Union Territory of Ladakh, consider the following statements: 1. Ladakh is a Union Territory without a legislative assembly. 2. Ladakh is administered by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President. 3. Ladakh elects two members to the Lok Sabha. 4. Ladakh was constituted as a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Ladakh is a Union Territory without a legislative assembly.
  2. Ladakh is administered by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President.
  3. Ladakh elects two members to the Lok Sabha.
  4. Ladakh was constituted as a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. Consider the following statements relating to the Delhi High Court: 1. Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya was transferred to the Delhi High Court from the Bombay High Court. 2. The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President of India. 3. Judges of the Delhi High Court are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. 4. The Delhi High Court exercises writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution. Which of the above is NOT correct?

  1. Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya was transferred to the Delhi High Court from the Bombay High Court.
  2. The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President of India.
  3. Judges of the Delhi High Court are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
  4. The Delhi High Court exercises writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3