UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Freedom of press and accountability are important: HC

Question 1

How many distinct grounds of reasonable restriction are enumerated under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, on the basis of which the freedom of the press flowing from Article 19(1)(a) may be curtailed?

Accepted Answer

Eight

Answer

Six

Answer

Seven

Answer

Nine

Question 2

The grounds 'public order', 'friendly relations with foreign States' and 'incitement to an offence' were introduced into Article 19(2) by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951

Answer

The Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963

Answer

The Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976

Answer

The Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978

Question 3

With reference to the Delhi High Court's July 2026 order (Justice Girish Kathpalia) granting bail in the Seemapuri assault case, consider the following statements:
1. The order was passed by the Delhi High Court.
2. Bail was granted to persons accused of assaulting freelance video reporters.
3. The Court found that the assaulted reporters were affiliated with an accredited news organisation.
4. The Court urged the legislature to frame a regulatory framework balancing press freedom with professional accountability.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

4 only

Question 4

The kind of regulatory oversight of digital news publishers that the Delhi High Court urged the legislature to strengthen is, at present, exercised at the apex (third) tier under the IT (Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by which one of the following ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Answer

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer

Ministry of Law and Justice

Question 5

In Sakal Papers Ltd. v. Union of India (1961), the Supreme Court, upholding the freedom of the press under Article 19(1)(a), struck down which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Newspaper (Price and Page) Act, 1956

Answer

The Newsprint Control Order

Answer

The Madras Maintenance of Public Order Act, 1949

Answer

The Press (Objectionable Matter) Act, 1951

Question 6

Which one of the following was the first case in which the Supreme Court of India struck down a legislation as violative of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression?

Accepted Answer

Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras (1950)

Answer

Sakal Papers Ltd. v. Union of India (1961)

Answer

Bennett Coleman & Co. v. Union of India (1973)

Answer

Indian Express Newspapers v. Union of India (1985)

Question 7

The ground 'sovereignty and integrity of India' was added to the list of reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) by which one of the following constitutional amendments?

Accepted Answer

The Sixteenth Amendment, 1963

Answer

The First Amendment, 1951

Answer

The Forty-second Amendment, 1976

Answer

The Forty-fourth Amendment, 1978

Question 8

In the context of restrictions under Article 19(2), the expression 'public order' as a ground for restricting press freedom has been judicially understood to mean which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

A state of public tranquillity and absence of disturbances affecting the community or the public at large

Answer

Threats to the very existence or security of the State through rebellion or war

Answer

The maintenance of India's cordial diplomatic relations with foreign governments

Answer

Protection of the reputation of an individual against false imputations

Question 9

Under the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism established by the IT (Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the third and apex tier of oversight is vested in which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

An oversight mechanism of the Central Government, including an inter-departmental committee

Answer

The grievance officer appointed by the individual publisher

Answer

The self-regulating body constituted by associations of publishers

Answer

The Press Council of India

Question 10

With reference to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, consider the following statements:
1. They establish a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for digital news and current affairs publishers.
2. A publisher must appoint a grievance officer based in India who addresses complaints within 15 days.
3. Apex oversight of digital news publishers is vested in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
4. The second-tier self-regulating body of publishers is to be headed by a retired judge or an independent eminent person.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 11

By established convention, the Chairman of the Press Council of India — the statutory body under the Press Council Act, 1978 — is drawn from which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

A retired judge of the Supreme Court of India

Answer

A sitting judge of a High Court nominated by the Chief Justice of India

Answer

The Attorney-General for India, ex officio

Answer

A serving officer of the Press Information Bureau

Question 12

With reference to India's position in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, consider the following statements:
1. In the 2025 Index, India was ranked 151 out of 180 countries.
2. India's 2025 rank marked an improvement over its rank of 159 in the previous edition.
3. With a 2025 score of 32.96, India was placed in RSF's 'good' situation category.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Freedom of press and accountability are important: HC

Q1. How many distinct grounds of reasonable restriction are enumerated under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, on the basis of which the freedom of the press flowing from Article 19(1)(a) may be curtailed?

Q2. The grounds 'public order', 'friendly relations with foreign States' and 'incitement to an offence' were introduced into Article 19(2) by which one of the following?

Q4. The kind of regulatory oversight of digital news publishers that the Delhi High Court urged the legislature to strengthen is, at present, exercised at the apex (third) tier under the IT (Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 by which one of the following ministries?

Q5. In Sakal Papers Ltd. v. Union of India (1961), the Supreme Court, upholding the freedom of the press under Article 19(1)(a), struck down which one of the following?

Q6. Which one of the following was the first case in which the Supreme Court of India struck down a legislation as violative of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression?

Q7. The ground 'sovereignty and integrity of India' was added to the list of reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) by which one of the following constitutional amendments?

Q8. In the context of restrictions under Article 19(2), the expression 'public order' as a ground for restricting press freedom has been judicially understood to mean which one of the following?

Q9. Under the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism established by the IT (Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the third and apex tier of oversight is vested in which one of the following?

Q11. By established convention, the Chairman of the Press Council of India — the statutory body under the Press Council Act, 1978 — is drawn from which one of the following?