UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC verdicts say state has the duty to preserve life of a person on indefinite fast

Q1. With reference to the indefinite fasts of Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sonam Wangchuk, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Dallewal's fast was conducted at the Khanauri border and was heard by the Supreme Court, whereas Wangchuk's fast at Jantar Mantar was taken up by the Delhi High Court.
  2. Dallewal demanded a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price, whereas Wangchuk demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister over a NEET paper leak.
  3. The Supreme Court Bench in the Dallewal matter was headed by Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, while the Delhi High Court Bench hearing Wangchuk was headed by Justice Surya Kant.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Which of the following judges are correctly identified as members of the Supreme Court Bench that heard the contempt proceedings concerning Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast?

  1. Justice Surya Kant
  2. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
  3. Justice Dipankar Datta
  4. Justice Tejas Karia
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the legal status of fasting and attempted suicide in India, which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. No dedicated statute in India specifically prohibits or criminalises hunger strikes.
  2. Attempting suicide is penalised under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.
  3. The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 presumes a person attempting suicide to be under severe stress and bars trial or punishment under that provision.
  4. Hunger striking is expressly criminalised as a distinct offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Which one of the following best describes the effect of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 on a person who attempts suicide?

  • A. The person is presumed to be under severe stress and shall not be tried or punished under Section 309 of the IPC
  • B. The person must always be prosecuted under Section 309 of the IPC without any exception
  • C. The person is never entitled to any medical treatment or rehabilitation from the government
  • D. The person is automatically detained in a mental health establishment in every case

Q5. With reference to the Supreme Court's approach in the Dallewal matter, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Court held it to be the 'bounden duty' of the State to provide adequate medical aid without forcing Dallewal to break his fast, unless imperative to save his life.
  2. The Court had directed Dallewal to break his fast as a precondition for receiving any medical aid.
  3. The Court observed that the State's inaction in the matter was tantamount to abetting suicide.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. In the matter heard by the Supreme Court, Jagjit Singh Dallewal's indefinite fast at the Khanauri border had reportedly reached which one of the following milestones (number of days) around early January 2025?

  • A. 42nd day
  • B. 20th day
  • C. 30th day
  • D. 52nd day

Q7. With reference to Sonam Wangchuk's 2026 fast and the Delhi High Court's response, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on 28 June 2026, whereas the Delhi High Court passed its health-monitoring order on 16 July 2026.
  2. The protest was organised in association with the Cockroach Janta Party, whereas its demands included Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh.
  3. The Delhi High Court directed that Wangchuk be force-fed by government doctors, departing from the general principle applied in such cases.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Consider the following as reported demands or features associated with Sonam Wangchuk's 2026 fast. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correctly identified as such a demand?

  1. Resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
  2. A probe into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak
  3. Inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule
  4. Repeal of Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q9. In Common Cause v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court directed that its guidelines on passive euthanasia and living wills would remain in force until which one of the following enacts legislation on the subject?

  • A. Parliament
  • B. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. The Law Commission of India
  • D. The State Legislative Assemblies

Q10. The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court that held the right to die with dignity to be an intrinsic facet of Article 21 in Common Cause (2018) comprised how many judges?

  • A. Five
  • B. Three
  • C. Seven
  • D. Nine

Q11. With reference to the WMA Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Declaration was adopted in 1991 and revised in 2006.
  2. It characterises the forcible feeding of a competent hunger striker who has voluntarily refused nourishment as inhuman and degrading.
  3. Under the Declaration, artificial feeding is acceptable only for competent hunger strikers who have given an unpressured advance refusal.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. In Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police (the Shaheen Bagh case, 2020), the Supreme Court traced the right to peaceful protest to how many clauses of Article 19(1) of the Constitution?

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