UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC considers guidelines for police during mass protests

Q1. The right of citizens to assemble peaceably and without arms may be curtailed by the State on which one of the following bases under the Constitution of India?

  • A. Absolute prohibition wherever an executive magistrate apprehends a danger to public tranquillity, under Article 19(6)
  • B. Any restriction whatsoever that the State considers necessary in the interests of decency or morality, under Article 19(2)
  • C. Reasonable restrictions in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order, under Article 19(3)
  • D. Reasonable restrictions on every ground available against freedom of speech, including defamation and contempt of court, under Article 19(2)

Q2. How many distinct grounds are specified in the Constitution as permitting reasonable restrictions on the freedom guaranteed by Article 19(1)(b)?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Six
  • D. Eight

Q3. In the batch of petitions heard by the Supreme Court on 27 July 2026 arising out of police action against demonstrators, what was the principal relief sought?

  • A. A complete and permanent bar on invoking any prohibitory order against a demonstration anywhere in the country
  • B. Uniform nationwide protocols for managing protests, with designated protest spaces and minimal restrictions
  • C. Transfer of the entire responsibility for law-and-order policing of demonstrations from the States to a central agency
  • D. An unconditional immunity from criminal prosecution for every person who participates in a public demonstration

Q4. The 'Cockroach Janta Party', whose call in June 2026 led to the Jantar Mantar demonstrations later examined by the Supreme Court, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. An online collective founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to campaign against examination malpractice
  • B. A registered political party of examination aspirants formed after the Jantar Mantar sit-in of June 2026
  • C. An online collective that called for protests against the National Education Policy's examination reforms
  • D. An online collective that called for protests against repeated question paper leaks

Q5. The repeated invocation of which one of the following provisions to impose blanket curbs on demonstrations was challenged in the pleas before the Supreme Court in July 2026?

  • A. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  • B. Section 144 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  • C. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
  • D. Section 129 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Q6. An order restricting public gatherings and processions in an area under the prohibitory-order provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is issued by which authority?

  • A. A Judicial Magistrate of the first class, upon a written application made by the police
  • B. The Home Department of the State Government, by a notification published in the official gazette
  • C. An Executive Magistrate empowered in this behalf, such as a District Magistrate
  • D. The Commissioner of Police for the area concerned, under the applicable police Act

Q7. Under the Delhi Police guidelines framed after the Supreme Court lifted the blanket ban on demonstrations in central Delhi, which venue is earmarked for the largest gatherings, and what is its stated capacity?

  • A. Jantar Mantar; about 1,000 persons
  • B. Ramlila Maidan; about 50,000 persons
  • C. Boat Club; about 5,000 persons
  • D. Jantar Mantar; about 50,000 persons

Q8. Consider the following, with reference to the Delhi Police guidelines for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar issued after the Supreme Court lifted the blanket ban on protests in central Delhi: 1. Protests are permitted only between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. 2. A public address system may be used only with the specific permission of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi). 3. Vehicle-mounted public address systems are permitted where the gathering exceeds 1,000 participants. 4. Bullock-carts, tractor-trolleys and cycle-rickshaws may be brought to the protest site. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Protests are permitted only between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  2. A public address system may be used only with the specific permission of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi).
  3. Vehicle-mounted public address systems are permitted where the gathering exceeds 1,000 participants.
  4. Bullock-carts, tractor-trolleys and cycle-rickshaws may be brought to the protest site.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 and 4

Q9. Consider the following statements comparing two United Nations instruments on law enforcement conduct: 1. The Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials was adopted by a resolution of the General Assembly, whereas the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms were adopted by a United Nations congress on crime prevention. 2. The Basic Principles were adopted at Havana, Cuba, and were welcomed by the General Assembly in the same year in which they were adopted. 3. Unlike the Code of Conduct, the Basic Principles expressly permit firearms to be used to disperse an assembly once other means of dispersal have failed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials was adopted by a resolution of the General Assembly, whereas the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms were adopted by a United Nations congress on crime prevention.
  2. The Basic Principles were adopted at Havana, Cuba, and were welcomed by the General Assembly in the same year in which they were adopted.
  3. Unlike the Code of Conduct, the Basic Principles expressly permit firearms to be used to disperse an assembly once other means of dispersal have failed.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Under the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, what is the foremost requirement placed on an official confronted with a situation calling for intervention?

  • A. Prior written authorisation of a superior officer must be obtained in each instance of intervention
  • B. The gathering must first be declared an unlawful assembly by a competent magistrate of the area
  • C. Medical assistance must be arranged and stationed at the site before any deployment is undertaken
  • D. Non-violent means must be applied as far as possible before force is resorted to

Q11. In the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 approved by the Union Cabinet, the figure of thirty-seven denotes which one of the following?

  • A. The maximum number of Judges of the Supreme Court other than the Chief Justice of India
  • B. The maximum number of Judges of the Supreme Court inclusive of the Chief Justice of India
  • C. The number of Judges holding office in the Supreme Court immediately before the Cabinet's approval
  • D. The number of Judges fixed for the Supreme Court by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956

Q12. In Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court laid down which one of the following propositions?

  • A. The right to protest is absolute and is not amenable to regulation by the executive in any manner
  • B. Public roads and open public spaces may never be used for an assembly or a procession of any kind
  • C. Citizens have a constitutional right to protest, but the time, place and manner of demonstrations may be regulated
  • D. A demonstration in the national capital may be held only after a court has permitted it in each individual case