UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A textbook, criticism, the Court and contempt

Question 1

Under the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court's power to punish for contempt of itself—existing independently of any statute—is derived solely from which one of the following provisions?

Accepted Answer

Article 129

Answer

Article 215

Answer

Article 142

Answer

Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Question 2

With reference to the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, consider the following statements:
1. Civil contempt is the wilful disobedience of a court's order, whereas criminal contempt includes any publication that scandalises or tends to lower the authority of a court.
2. The maximum punishment for contempt under the Act is simple imprisonment up to six months, or a fine up to two thousand rupees, or both.
3. Truth was available as a valid defence to a charge of criminal contempt under the Act as originally enacted in 1971.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 3

In the law of contempt, the expression 'scandalising the court' is best defined as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

A publication or act that tends to undermine public confidence in, or lower the authority of, the judiciary

Answer

Wilful disobedience of a judgment, order or undertaking given to a court

Answer

Prejudicing or interfering with the due course of a particular pending judicial proceeding

Answer

Physically obstructing the functioning of a court during its sitting

Question 4

Under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, criminal contempt is constituted by how many distinct categories of acts or publications?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Question 5

The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 falls under the administrative purview of which one of the following Union ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Law and Justice

Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer

Ministry of Education

Answer

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Question 6

The grounds of 'reasonable restriction' on the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(2) were first widened by which one of the following constitutional amendments?

Accepted Answer

First Amendment Act, 1951

Answer

Sixteenth Amendment Act, 1963

Answer

Forty-second Amendment Act, 1976

Answer

Forty-fourth Amendment Act, 1978

Question 7

With reference to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), consider the following statements:
1. It was set up by the Government of India in 1961 as an autonomous organisation.
2. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
3. It is a statutory body constituted by a special Act of Parliament.
4. Preparing and publishing model school textbooks is among its mandated functions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 8

NCERT functions as an autonomous body under which one of the following Union ministries (as currently designated)?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Education

Answer

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Answer

Ministry of Human Resource Development

Answer

Ministry of Women and Child Development

Question 9

In 2026, the Supreme Court imposed a complete ban on the printing and circulation of an NCERT social science textbook of which single class, over its chapter dealing with the judiciary?

Accepted Answer

Class 8

Answer

Class 6

Answer

Class 7

Answer

Class 9

Question 10

The distribution of legislative powers in India—including the subject of 'education'—is organised under how many Lists in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Seven

Question 11

Within the Union government, the legislative drafting and custody of Central Acts such as the Contempt of Courts (Amendment) Act, 2006 is handled by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice

Answer

Department of Justice

Answer

Department of Legal Affairs

Answer

Department of Personnel and Training

Question 12

Under Article 21A read with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, free and compulsory education is guaranteed to children of which age group?

Accepted Answer

6 to 14 years

Answer

3 to 14 years

Answer

6 to 18 years

Answer

5 to 14 years

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A textbook, criticism, the Court and contempt

Q1. Under the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court's power to punish for contempt of itself—existing independently of any statute—is derived solely from which one of the following provisions?

Q3. In the law of contempt, the expression 'scandalising the court' is best defined as which one of the following?

Q4. Under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, criminal contempt is constituted by how many distinct categories of acts or publications?

Q5. The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 falls under the administrative purview of which one of the following Union ministries?

Q6. The grounds of 'reasonable restriction' on the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(2) were first widened by which one of the following constitutional amendments?

Q8. NCERT functions as an autonomous body under which one of the following Union ministries (as currently designated)?

Q9. In 2026, the Supreme Court imposed a complete ban on the printing and circulation of an NCERT social science textbook of which single class, over its chapter dealing with the judiciary?

Q10. The distribution of legislative powers in India—including the subject of 'education'—is organised under how many Lists in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution?

Q11. Within the Union government, the legislative drafting and custody of Central Acts such as the Contempt of Courts (Amendment) Act, 2006 is handled by which one of the following?

Q12. Under Article 21A read with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, free and compulsory education is guaranteed to children of which age group?