UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC refuses to interfere with decision on Ritabrata

Q1. With reference to the proceedings before the Calcutta High Court on the recognition of the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The Single Bench declined to grant an interim stay of the Speaker's order, and on appeal the Division Bench declined to interfere with that position. 2. The Division Bench directed that the matter be finally disposed of by the Single Bench within a fixed period of two months. 3. Article 212 of the Constitution bars courts from inquiring into the validity of proceedings in a State Legislature on the ground of alleged irregularity of procedure, the corresponding provision for Parliament being Article 122. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Single Bench declined to grant an interim stay of the Speaker's order, and on appeal the Division Bench declined to interfere with that position.
  2. The Division Bench directed that the matter be finally disposed of by the Single Bench within a fixed period of two months.
  3. Article 212 of the Constitution bars courts from inquiring into the validity of proceedings in a State Legislature on the ground of alleged irregularity of procedure, the corresponding provision for Parliament being Article 122.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Under the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977, the expression 'Leader of the Opposition' is most precisely understood as which one of the following?

  • A. Leader of the opposition party with the greatest numerical strength, who is recognised as such by the Chairman or the Speaker
  • B. Leader of any opposition party holding not less than one-tenth of the total membership, such status accruing automatically upon that strength
  • C. Leader of the largest opposition party, who is entitled to the office irrespective of any recognition by the presiding officer
  • D. Leader of the largest pre-poll alliance in opposition, recognised as the sole spokesman of the entire opposition

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the West Bengal Legislative Assembly constituted after the 2026 general election to that Assembly: 1. Every one of the 294 members of the House recorded a vote in favour of the candidate elected Speaker, the principal opposition party having withdrawn its own candidate. 2. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 207 of the 294 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80. 3. The Speaker elected in May 2026 was chosen unopposed and was the first legislator from north Bengal to hold that office in the post-Independence history of the Assembly. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Every one of the 294 members of the House recorded a vote in favour of the candidate elected Speaker, the principal opposition party having withdrawn its own candidate.
  2. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 207 of the 294 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80.
  3. The Speaker elected in May 2026 was chosen unopposed and was the first legislator from north Bengal to hold that office in the post-Independence history of the Assembly.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. How many circuit benches does the Calcutta High Court have, and where are they located?

  • A. One, at Port Blair, serving the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • B. Two, at Port Blair and at Jalpaiguri in north Bengal
  • C. Two, at Jalpaiguri and at Siliguri, both in north Bengal
  • D. Three, at Port Blair, Jalpaiguri and Asansol in west Bengal

Q5. The Calcutta High Court was constituted under which one of the following?

  • A. Letters Patent issued under the Indian High Courts Act, 1861
  • B. The Regulating Act, 1773, which set up the Supreme Court at Fort William
  • C. The Government of India Act, 1915, which reconstituted the chartered High Courts
  • D. The Indian Councils Act, 1861, which enlarged the Governor-General's Council

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding a legislator expelled from the political party on whose ticket they were elected: 1. Under the Tenth Schedule, the question whether such a member has become subject to disqualification on ground of defection is decided by the Governor of the State acting on the opinion of the Election Commission. 2. Such a member is treated as 'unattached' in the House, but continues to be regarded as belonging to the original political party for the purposes of the Tenth Schedule. 3. This position on the status of an expelled member was settled by the Supreme Court in G. Vishwanathan vs Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Tenth Schedule, the question whether such a member has become subject to disqualification on ground of defection is decided by the Governor of the State acting on the opinion of the Election Commission.
  2. Such a member is treated as 'unattached' in the House, but continues to be regarded as belonging to the original political party for the purposes of the Tenth Schedule.
  3. This position on the status of an expelled member was settled by the Supreme Court in G. Vishwanathan vs Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. By virtue of which one of the following did Ritabrata Banerjee continue to hold the office of Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly in August 2026?

  • A. The Speaker's order of recognition, an interim stay of which the High Court had declined to grant
  • B. An interim order of the Calcutta High Court restoring him to the office pending final adjudication
  • C. A resolution of the party's legislature party ratified by the president of the political party
  • D. A notification issued by the Governor of West Bengal on the advice of the Speaker of the Assembly