UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC rejects Justice Varma’s challenge to formation of House inquiry committee

Q1. With reference to the three-member committee originally constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker in August 2025 to inquire into the charges against Justice Yashwant Varma under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, consider the following persons: 1. A sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India 2. The then Chief Justice of the Madras High Court 3. A senior advocate nominated as a distinguished jurist 4. The Attorney General for India in his ex-officio capacity Which of the above were correctly included as members of the committee?

  1. A sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India
  2. The then Chief Justice of the Madras High Court
  3. A senior advocate nominated as a distinguished jurist
  4. The Attorney General for India in his ex-officio capacity
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The three-member inquiry committee whose constitution by the Lok Sabha Speaker was upheld by the Supreme Court in January 2026 in the Justice Yashwant Varma case was set up under which one of the following provisions?

  • A. Section 3(2) of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968
  • B. Section 4 of the Judges (Protection) Act, 1985
  • C. Article 124(5) of the Constitution of India read with Rule 9 of the Judges (Inquiry) Rules, 1969
  • D. Section 5(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Q3. With reference to the in-house procedure of the judiciary and the statutory inquiry under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, consider the following statements: 1. The in-house inquiry procedure derives its authority from the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, whereas the parliamentary inquiry committee is constituted directly under Article 124 of the Constitution. 2. While the in-house procedure can, at most, recommend that a judge be asked to resign or not be assigned judicial work, only the statutory procedure can culminate in removal of the judge by the President. 3. The committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 must include a distinguished jurist along with judges, whereas the in-house committee is composed only of sitting judges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The in-house inquiry procedure derives its authority from the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, whereas the parliamentary inquiry committee is constituted directly under Article 124 of the Constitution.
  2. While the in-house procedure can, at most, recommend that a judge be asked to resign or not be assigned judicial work, only the statutory procedure can culminate in removal of the judge by the President.
  3. The committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 must include a distinguished jurist along with judges, whereas the in-house committee is composed only of sitting judges.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Which one of the following is the nodal administrative agency at the Union level for matters relating to the appointment, conditions of service and procedure for removal of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts in India?

  • A. Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • D. Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
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