UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC wants practical SOP to combat human trafficking

Q1. With reference to the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It criminalises trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
  2. Following the 1986 amendment its protection extends to male victims exploited for commercial purposes.
  3. It defines a 'child' as a person who has not completed eighteen years of age.
  4. It comprehensively criminalises trafficking for forced labour and forced removal of organs.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. Consider the following statements about the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was originally enacted as the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956.
  2. It was enacted in pursuance of an International Convention signed at New York in 1950.
  3. The 1986 amendment widened its scope to cover sexually exploited persons of any sex.
  4. It is implemented solely by the Union with no enforcement role for State governments.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding constitutional safeguards relevant to human trafficking. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Article 23 prohibits traffic in human beings and begar.
  2. Article 24 bars employment of children below fourteen years in factories, mines or hazardous work.
  3. Article 23 permits the State to impose compulsory service for public purposes without discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste or class.
  4. The prohibition under Article 23 operates only against the State and not against private individuals.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Under which Article of the Constitution is 'traffic in human beings and forced labour' expressly prohibited as a fundamental right?

  • A. Article 23
  • B. Article 19
  • C. Article 21
  • D. Article 17

Q5. Consider the following statements about Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The first AHTUs were set up in 2006 in five states in partnership with the UNODC.
  2. The Ministry of Home Affairs formalised AHTUs through a Comprehensive Scheme in 2010.
  3. AHTUs are funded entirely by State governments without any central assistance.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Which agency partnered with the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish India's first Anti-Human Trafficking Units in 2006?

  • A. UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
  • B. UNICEF
  • C. UN Development Programme (UNDP)
  • D. UN Women

Q7. In the context of missing-person and trafficking investigations cited in the Supreme Court's 2026 directive, the 'golden hour' principle refers to:

  • A. the brief, time-critical window immediately after a person goes missing, when swift action sharply improves the chances of detection and rescue
  • B. the first hour after registration of an FIR within which a charge-sheet must be filed
  • C. the statutory 24-hour period within which an arrested person must be produced before a magistrate
  • D. the period within which mandatory victim compensation must be disbursed

Q8. With reference to the national committee constituted following the Supreme Court's 2026 directive on a uniform anti-trafficking SOP, consider the following persons. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a member of that committee?

  1. P.M. Nair, former IPS officer
  2. Veerendra Kumar Mishra, MHA Director
  3. S.D. Sanjay, Additional Solicitor General and Convenor
  4. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, presiding judge
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q9. Which is the nodal Union ministry that operationalises India's anti-human-trafficking measures, including the Anti-Trafficking Cell and AHTUs?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • C. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • D. Ministry of Law and Justice

Q10. Annual statistics on human trafficking and ITPA cases in India are compiled and published by which agency?

  • A. National Crime Records Bureau
  • B. National Investigation Agency
  • C. Bureau of Police Research and Development
  • D. Intelligence Bureau

Q11. Consider the following statements on Centre–State coordination in anti-trafficking governance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Ministry of Home Affairs issues advisories to States/UTs on combating human trafficking, while policing remains a State subject.
  2. The Anti-Trafficking Cell in the MHA acts as the nodal point coordinating with State police.
  3. Under the Constitution, 'police' and 'public order' are subjects in the Union List.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. Consider the following statements about international instruments relevant to human trafficking and India's obligations. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Palermo Protocol (2000) supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
  2. The SAARC Convention (2002) targets trafficking in women and children for prostitution.
  3. India has ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Trafficking Protocol.
  4. The Palermo Protocol was adopted under the auspices of the International Labour Organization.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4