UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC rules in favour of former Speaker in land acquisition case

Q1. With reference to the right to property under Article 300A of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It bars the executive from depriving a person of property unless the deprivation is backed by a law.
  2. The 'property' it protects is not confined to land and can include intangible property such as copyright.
  3. Its text expressly guarantees compensation at market value for every deprivation of property.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A petition filed directly in the Supreme Court under Article 32, alleging only a violation of Article 300A, is not maintainable.
  2. Article 300A does not, in its text, mention the payment of compensation.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the High Courts in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The writ power of a High Court under Article 226 operates notwithstanding Article 32 and is not in derogation of the Supreme Court's power under Article 32(2).
  2. Parliament may, by an ordinary law, suspend the right to move the Supreme Court under Article 32 whenever it considers this necessary in the public interest.
  3. Since Article 32 is itself located in Part III, the right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcing Fundamental Rights is itself a Fundamental Right.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q4. A District Collector, hearing an appeal under a State revenue law, passes a final order cancelling a landholder's record-of-rights entry. He does so on a ground that the law does not empower him to consider. The landholder asks the High Court to set this order aside. Which writ is most appropriate for this relief?

  • A. Quo warranto
  • B. Prohibition
  • C. Certiorari
  • D. Mandamus

Q5. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A High Court can quash a Collector's order cancelling a land revenue entry if the Collector acted beyond the powers conferred on him by the revenue statute.
  2. A High Court can issue certiorari under Article 226 only where a Fundamental Right has been violated.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q6. Consider the following assertion: 'Land taken by a State government in 1976 and never paid for can today be compensated under the 2013 land acquisition Act, although the 1894 Act was in force when the land was taken.' Which of the statements given below support/supports the above assertion?

  1. The 2013 Act contains a transitional provision governing acquisition proceedings begun under the 1894 Act, including their being deemed to have lapsed in certain cases.
  2. The 2013 Act requires a solatium equal to 100 per cent of the compensation amount to be added to the award.
  3. The right to property was moved from Part III to Article 300A by a constitutional amendment in 1978.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. With reference to land records and titles in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Since nearly all records of rights have been computerised (as of 2026), India has already moved to a system of conclusive titles.
  2. Under a conclusive titling system, the government guarantees title and compensates those who suffer loss from ownership disputes.
  3. Under the present presumptive system, a registered sale deed records a transfer of property but is not a government-guaranteed title.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only