UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC refuses to intervene in HC decision on CPV tenders

Q1. As settled in Tata Cellular v. Union of India, adopting Lord Diplock's classification, judicial review of administrative action (including tender decisions) is available on how many principal grounds?

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

Q2. The extraordinary writ jurisdiction exercised by the Delhi High Court to quash the MEA's CPV tender evaluation is derived from which one of the following Articles of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 32
  • B. Article 226
  • C. Article 227
  • D. Article 136

Q3. With reference to the Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, consider the following statements: 1. It handles policy matters relating to consular, passport and visa services. 2. It comprises two parts, one headed by Joint Secretary (PSP & CPO) and the other by Joint Secretary (CPV). 3. It exclusively issues all passports and visas directly, with no role whatsoever for outsourced private service providers. 4. It administers Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) services and consular services to Indian nationals. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It handles policy matters relating to consular, passport and visa services.
  2. It comprises two parts, one headed by Joint Secretary (PSP & CPO) and the other by Joint Secretary (CPV).
  3. It exclusively issues all passports and visas directly, with no role whatsoever for outsourced private service providers.
  4. It administers Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) services and consular services to Indian nationals.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Within the CPV Division, court cases pertaining to foreign nationals on the provision of visa and OCI services are led by which one of the following officers?

  • A. Joint Secretary (PSP & CPO)
  • B. Joint Secretary (CPV)
  • C. Chief Passport Officer
  • D. Protector General of Emigrants

Q5. Which one of the following private outsourcing companies engaged in Indian passport and visa services abroad was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Dubai?

  • A. BLS International
  • B. VFS Global
  • C. IVS Global
  • D. SGIVS Global

Q6. The Delhi High Court's 2026 order (upheld by the Supreme Court) quashed the MEA's CPV technical evaluation in respect of Indian missions located in how many different countries?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Six

Q7. The Delhi High Court judgment quashing the MEA's CPV tenders was delivered by a Division Bench comprising which of the following judges?

  • A. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi
  • B. Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Shail Jain
  • C. Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana
  • D. Justices V. Mohana and Surya Kant

Q8. The core principle that all government purchases must be made in a transparent, competitive and fair manner to secure the best value for money is laid down in which one of the following?

  • A. Rule 160 of the General Financial Rules, 2017
  • B. Rule 173 of the General Financial Rules, 2017
  • C. Section 173 of the Public Procurement Act, 2012
  • D. Rule 173 of the Central Vigilance Commission Manual

Q9. With reference to public procurement in India, consider the following statements: 1. The General Financial Rules, 2017 require procurements above Rs 25 lakh to be carried out through e-procurement. 2. Rule 173 of the GFR, 2017 lays down the fundamental principles of transparency, competition and fairness in procurement. 3. Rule 160 of the GFR, 2017 sets out the objectives of transparency, competition and economy in procurement. 4. The General Financial Rules, 2017 were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The General Financial Rules, 2017 require procurements above Rs 25 lakh to be carried out through e-procurement.
  2. Rule 173 of the GFR, 2017 lays down the fundamental principles of transparency, competition and fairness in procurement.
  3. Rule 160 of the GFR, 2017 sets out the objectives of transparency, competition and economy in procurement.
  4. The General Financial Rules, 2017 were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q10. Consider the following statements about the four Indian missions involved in the CPV tender case: 1. The Indian mission in Canberra (Australia) is a High Commission. 2. The Indian mission in Singapore is a High Commission. 3. The Indian mission in Abu Dhabi (UAE) is an Embassy. 4. The Indian mission in Kuwait is a High Commission. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Indian mission in Canberra (Australia) is a High Commission.
  2. The Indian mission in Singapore is a High Commission.
  3. The Indian mission in Abu Dhabi (UAE) is an Embassy.
  4. The Indian mission in Kuwait is a High Commission.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. Which one of the following best describes a Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution, of the kind filed by the Centre in the CPV tender case?

  • A. An appeal that lies to the Supreme Court as a matter of absolute right against every final judgment of a High Court in civil and criminal matters
  • B. A petition which the Supreme Court is constitutionally bound to admit and decide whenever any substantial question of law of general importance is raised
  • C. A discretionary leave to appeal which the Supreme Court may, in its discretion, grant against any judgment or order of any court or tribunal in India
  • D. A petition filed directly before the Supreme Court exclusively for the enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed under Part III