UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Unions question SC comment on industrial stagnation

Q1. With reference to the Public Interest Litigation disposed of by the Supreme Court in January 2026 that triggered protests by central trade unions, consider the following statements: 1. The PIL was filed by an industry association representing manufacturing employers. 2. The Bench held that fixing minimum wages for domestic workers falls within the policy domain of the executive and the legislatures. 3. The Bench orally observed that trade unionism was responsible for stalling industrial growth in the country. 4. The PIL had specifically sought statutory recognition of minimum wages for domestic workers. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. The PIL was filed by an industry association representing manufacturing employers.
2. The Bench held that fixing minimum wages for domestic workers falls within the policy domain of the executive and the legislatures.
3. The Bench orally observed that trade unionism was responsible for stalling industrial growth in the country.
4. The PIL had specifically sought statutory recognition of minimum wages for domestic workers.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 4 only
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q2. The Government of India between 2019 and 2020 consolidated 29 central labour laws — including the Trade Unions Act, 1926 — into how many Labour Codes?

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

Q3. With reference to the constitutional and statutory framework underlying the trade unions' response to the Supreme Court's January 2026 observation on industrial stagnation, consider the following statements: 1. Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution guarantees the right to form associations or unions as a Fundamental Right. 2. Reasonable restrictions on this right can be imposed by the State under Article 19(4). 3. The Trade Unions Act, 1926 provides legal immunity to registered trade union office-bearers for bonafide trade-union activities. 4. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 places an absolute and permanent prohibition on strikes in all private-sector industries. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

1. Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution guarantees the right to form associations or unions as a Fundamental Right.
2. Reasonable restrictions on this right can be imposed by the State under Article 19(4).
3. The Trade Unions Act, 1926 provides legal immunity to registered trade union office-bearers for bonafide trade-union activities.
4. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 places an absolute and permanent prohibition on strikes in all private-sector industries.

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 1, 2 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. With reference to how the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 differs from the Trade Unions Act, 1926 (which it subsumes), consider the following statements: 1. While the 1926 Act was enacted in the colonial period, the 2020 Code is part of the post-2019 consolidation of central labour laws. 2. The 2020 Code introduces the concept of a 'negotiating union' or 'negotiating council' for collective bargaining, which was absent in the 1926 Act. 3. Unlike the 1926 Act, the 2020 Code withdraws the protection of the right to form associations or unions guaranteed under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. While the 1926 Act was enacted in the colonial period, the 2020 Code is part of the post-2019 consolidation of central labour laws.
2. The 2020 Code introduces the concept of a 'negotiating union' or 'negotiating council' for collective bargaining, which was absent in the 1926 Act.
3. Unlike the 1926 Act, the 2020 Code withdraws the protection of the right to form associations or unions guaranteed under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. At the Union level, the Trade Unions Act, 1926 and the consolidated Labour Codes (2019–2020) governing the rights of trade unions whose protests followed the Supreme Court's January 2026 observation are administered by which one of the following?

• A. Ministry of Labour and Employment
• B. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• D. Ministry of Home Affairs