UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Textbook row: academics ask President to intervene

Question 1

The Supreme Court's suo motu jurisdiction is commonly traced to Articles 32, 129 and 142 of the Constitution. Of these three Articles, how many fall within Part III (Fundamental Rights)?

Accepted Answer

One

Answer

Two

Answer

Three

Answer

None

Question 2

Which one of the following best describes the legal status of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)?

Accepted Answer

An autonomous organisation registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860

Answer

A statutory body created wholly by a special Act of Parliament

Answer

A constitutional body established under a specific Article of the Constitution

Answer

A permanent attached department directly forming part of the Ministry of Education

Question 3

NCERT functions as an autonomous organisation administratively under which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy)

Answer

Ministry of Culture

Answer

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Answer

Ministry of Women and Child Development

Question 4

Under the Constitution, in whom is the executive power of the Union vested, making that office the supreme (de jure) head of the Union executive?

Accepted Answer

The President of India

Answer

The Prime Minister of India

Answer

The Chief Justice of India

Answer

The Attorney-General of India

Question 5

The duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers and to furnish information the President may call for is laid down in which Article of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 78

Answer

Article 74

Answer

Article 75

Answer

Article 53

Question 6

In the context of the separation of powers, which one of the following most precisely describes 'judicial overreach'?

Accepted Answer

The judiciary exceeding its constitutional authority and encroaching upon legislative or executive domains

Answer

The judiciary's power to declare a law or executive action unconstitutional

Answer

The judiciary declining to decide matters it considers to be political questions

Answer

The judiciary proactively protecting citizens' rights while staying within interpretive limits

Question 7

The Class 8 Social Science textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond', at the centre of the 2026 controversy, was prepared and published by which body?

Accepted Answer

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

Answer

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Answer

National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)

Answer

A State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT)

Question 8

How many grounds of 'reasonable restriction' on the freedom of speech and expression are enumerated in Article 19(2) of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Eight

Answer

Six

Answer

Seven

Answer

Nine

Question 9

Under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, the maximum term of simple imprisonment that may be imposed for contempt of court is how many months?

Accepted Answer

Six months

Answer

Three months

Answer

Twelve months

Answer

Twenty-four months

Question 10

In their letter of 7 April 2026 to President Droupadi Murmu, the academics sought how many specific reliefs — namely withdrawal of the ban, online publication of the book minus the judiciary chapter, and waiver of the punishment on the barred educationists?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Textbook row: academics ask President to intervene

Q1. The Supreme Court's suo motu jurisdiction is commonly traced to Articles 32, 129 and 142 of the Constitution. Of these three Articles, how many fall within Part III (Fundamental Rights)?

Q2. Which one of the following best describes the legal status of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)?

Q3. NCERT functions as an autonomous organisation administratively under which one of the following?

Q4. Under the Constitution, in whom is the executive power of the Union vested, making that office the supreme (de jure) head of the Union executive?

Q5. The duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers and to furnish information the President may call for is laid down in which Article of the Constitution?

Q6. In the context of the separation of powers, which one of the following most precisely describes 'judicial overreach'?

Q7. The Class 8 Social Science textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond', at the centre of the 2026 controversy, was prepared and published by which body?

Q8. How many grounds of 'reasonable restriction' on the freedom of speech and expression are enumerated in Article 19(2) of the Constitution?

Q9. Under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, the maximum term of simple imprisonment that may be imposed for contempt of court is how many months?

Q10. In their letter of 7 April 2026 to President Droupadi Murmu, the academics sought how many specific reliefs — namely withdrawal of the ban, online publication of the book minus the judiciary chapter, and waiver of the punishment on the barred educationists?