UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The mystery of Court 10

Q1. Under which Article of the Constitution of India is the Supreme Court of India established and constituted?

  • A. Article 124
  • B. Article 130
  • C. Article 131
  • D. Article 143

Q2. With reference to the establishment and early seat of the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements: 1. The Supreme Court of India came into existence on 26 January 1950, but its formal inauguration was held two days later, on 28 January 1950. 2. On its inauguration the Court first sat in the Chamber of Princes in the Parliament House, and it shifted to its present building on Tilak Marg only in 1958. 3. The present Supreme Court building on Tilak Marg was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India rather than by the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Supreme Court of India came into existence on 26 January 1950, but its formal inauguration was held two days later, on 28 January 1950.
  2. On its inauguration the Court first sat in the Chamber of Princes in the Parliament House, and it shifted to its present building on Tilak Marg only in 1958.
  3. The present Supreme Court building on Tilak Marg was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India rather than by the President of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the composition and appointment of judges of the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements: 1. The original Constitution provided for a Chief Justice and seven puisne judges. 2. The current sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 34 including the Chief Justice of India. 3. Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India. 4. The Constitution fixes the maximum number of judges and bars Parliament from altering it. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The original Constitution provided for a Chief Justice and seven puisne judges.
  2. The current sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 34 including the Chief Justice of India.
  3. Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India.
  4. The Constitution fixes the maximum number of judges and bars Parliament from altering it.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. How many High Courts are there in India, across which the bulk of higher-judiciary case pendency is distributed?

  • A. 21
  • B. 24
  • C. 25
  • D. 28

Q5. With reference to the pendency of cases in the Indian judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. District and subordinate courts account for the largest share of pending cases. 2. The Supreme Court accounts for the smallest share of pending cases among the three tiers. 3. Cases are pending across 24 High Courts in the country. 4. The total number of cases pending across all courts in India is less than one crore. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. District and subordinate courts account for the largest share of pending cases.
  2. The Supreme Court accounts for the smallest share of pending cases among the three tiers.
  3. Cases are pending across 24 High Courts in the country.
  4. The total number of cases pending across all courts in India is less than one crore.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q6. With reference to Phase-III of the e-Courts Mission Mode Project, consider the following statements: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet with a financial outlay of Rs 7,210 crore. 2. It is being implemented over a four-year period. 3. It provides for digitisation of legacy court records and the setting up of e-Sewa Kendras in court complexes. 4. It is funded entirely by the World Bank. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet with a financial outlay of Rs 7,210 crore.
  2. It is being implemented over a four-year period.
  3. It provides for digitisation of legacy court records and the setting up of e-Sewa Kendras in court complexes.
  4. It is funded entirely by the World Bank.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The e-Courts Mission Mode Project is being implemented as a national e-governance project for the Indian judiciary. Which one of the following is the lead/nodal Ministry for the project?

  • A. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Q8. With reference to the buildings and physical infrastructure of the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements: 1. The present Supreme Court building on Tilak Marg was inaugurated in 1958. 2. An Additional Office Complex for the Supreme Court was developed near Pragati Maidan as a green building. 3. In January 2024, Rs 800 crore was approved for the expansion of the Supreme Court. 4. The Supreme Court building was designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The present Supreme Court building on Tilak Marg was inaugurated in 1958.
  2. An Additional Office Complex for the Supreme Court was developed near Pragati Maidan as a green building.
  3. In January 2024, Rs 800 crore was approved for the expansion of the Supreme Court.
  4. The Supreme Court building was designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. The Additional Office Complex developed for the Supreme Court of India adjoining Pragati Maidan was sanctioned at an estimated cost of approximately how much?

  • A. Rs 800 crore
  • B. Rs 884 crore
  • C. Rs 7,210 crore
  • D. Rs 53.57 crore

Q10. With reference to the Chief Justice of India as the 'Master of the Roster', consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Justice of India has the exclusive prerogative to constitute Benches of the Supreme Court. 2. The Chief Justice of India decides the allocation of cases among the Benches. 3. A two-judge or three-judge Bench may allocate a matter to itself without reference to the Chief Justice of India. 4. As the head of the institution, the administrative position of the Chief Justice of India is recognised under the Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Chief Justice of India has the exclusive prerogative to constitute Benches of the Supreme Court.
  2. The Chief Justice of India decides the allocation of cases among the Benches.
  3. A two-judge or three-judge Bench may allocate a matter to itself without reference to the Chief Justice of India.
  4. As the head of the institution, the administrative position of the Chief Justice of India is recognised under the Constitution.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the composition of apex courts in different countries, consider the following statements: 1. The Supreme Court of the United States has had nine justices since 1869. 2. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is composed of 12 justices. 3. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India is 34 judges including the Chief Justice. 4. The number of justices in the Supreme Court of the United States has been fixed at eleven since the late nineteenth century. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Supreme Court of the United States has had nine justices since 1869.
  2. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is composed of 12 justices.
  3. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India is 34 judges including the Chief Justice.
  4. The number of justices in the Supreme Court of the United States has been fixed at eleven since the late nineteenth century.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4