UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC hearing on pleas over NEET protests yet to reveal if police kept Ministry in the loop

Q1. With reference to the constitutional and statutory position of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, consider the following statements: 1. Where a law made by Parliament for Delhi and a law made by the Delhi Legislative Assembly on a State List subject are repugnant to each other, the law made by Parliament prevails. 2. The Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court in 2023 held that the Government of Delhi would have control over services, excluding police, public order and land. 3. In the National Capital Civil Services Authority created by the 2023 amendment, the Chief Secretary of Delhi is the Chairperson and the Chief Minister is the Member Secretary. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Where a law made by Parliament for Delhi and a law made by the Delhi Legislative Assembly on a State List subject are repugnant to each other, the law made by Parliament prevails.
  2. The Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court in 2023 held that the Government of Delhi would have control over services, excluding police, public order and land.
  3. In the National Capital Civil Services Authority created by the 2023 amendment, the Chief Secretary of Delhi is the Chairperson and the Chief Minister is the Member Secretary.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Under Article 239AA of the Constitution, how many subjects otherwise falling within the State List are kept outside the legislative competence of the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi?

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

Q3. Which one of the following best states the principle laid down by the Supreme Court in Ramlila Maidan Incident v. Home Secretary, Union of India (2012)?

  • A. The right to assemble peaceably is absolute in character and cannot be curtailed by any law made by the State
  • B. Peaceful assembly is a basic feature of democracy deserving constitutional protection, subject to reasonable restrictions
  • C. Every assembly in a public place is lawful only if the police have granted prior written permission in each case
  • D. Police action taken to enforce a prohibitory order is an executive act wholly immune from judicial review

Q4. With reference to the Ramlila Maidan Incident case and the events that gave rise to it, consider the following: 1. The case arose out of police action at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, against supporters of Baba Ramdev who were agitating against black money and corruption. 2. Rajbala, a woman supporter present at the site, sustained spinal injuries in the police action and later died. 3. The Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the matter in February 2012. 4. The police action at Ramlila Maidan that gave rise to the case took place in June 2013. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The case arose out of police action at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, against supporters of Baba Ramdev who were agitating against black money and corruption.
  2. Rajbala, a woman supporter present at the site, sustained spinal injuries in the police action and later died.
  3. The Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the matter in February 2012.
  4. The police action at Ramlila Maidan that gave rise to the case took place in June 2013.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q5. An order prohibiting public gatherings and processions in a specified area under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, of the kind repeatedly invoked in New Delhi during the 2026 protests, is issued by which one of the following?

  • A. An Executive Magistrate empowered in that behalf
  • B. The Commissioner of Police, Delhi, acting under the Delhi Police Act, 1978
  • C. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, acting in his discretion under Article 239AA
  • D. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs, through its Union Territories Division

Q6. According to the general diary entry recorded at the Parliament Street police station, how many rounds of plastic pellets did the Rapid Action Force fire during the march in New Delhi on July 20, 2026?

  • A. Two rounds
  • B. Five rounds
  • C. Fifteen rounds
  • D. Fifty-five rounds

Q7. On July 20, 2026, the Rapid Action Force fired less-lethal munitions in New Delhi under the direction of an officer of which one of the following?

  • A. A Deputy Commissioner of Police rank officer of the Delhi Police
  • B. The Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force
  • C. An Executive Magistrate deputed by the Government of NCT of Delhi
  • D. The Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Delhi Police

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the litigation arising from the 2026 NEET protests: 1. Two petitions on alleged police excesses were taken up by the Supreme Court, while three separate petitions arising from the same demonstrations were before the Delhi High Court. 2. Before the Delhi High Court, the Centre defended continuous police videography of the Jantar Mantar protest site as a routine law-and-order measure. 3. The Delhi High Court entertained a public interest litigation seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into the protests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Two petitions on alleged police excesses were taken up by the Supreme Court, while three separate petitions arising from the same demonstrations were before the Delhi High Court.
  2. Before the Delhi High Court, the Centre defended continuous police videography of the Jantar Mantar protest site as a routine law-and-order measure.
  3. The Delhi High Court entertained a public interest litigation seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into the protests.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. While hearing the pleas on police action during the NEET protests, the Supreme Court issued certain interim directions. Consider the following: 1. Preservation of CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage and wireless communications 2. Release of all arrested persons below 18 years of age who have no criminal antecedents 3. Protection of the digital data of protesters from public disclosure 4. Immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with its composition and members named by the Court in the same order Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Preservation of CCTV footage, drone recordings, body-camera footage and wireless communications
  2. Release of all arrested persons below 18 years of age who have no criminal antecedents
  3. Protection of the digital data of protesters from public disclosure
  4. Immediate constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with its composition and members named by the Court in the same order
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q10. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which carries the prohibitory-order provision invoked in Delhi, contains how many sections?

  • A. 358
  • B. 484
  • C. 511
  • D. 531

Q11. 'PAVA shells', cleared by an expert panel of the Union Home Ministry as an alternative to pellet guns, are shells filled with which one of the following?

  • A. Nonivamide, an organic compound characteristically found in natural chilli pepper
  • B. Ortho-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, the irritant agent used in standard tear-smoke shells
  • C. Rubber-coated metal spheres designed to break apart and disperse on impact
  • D. A compressed acoustic charge that disorients a crowd by generating intense sound