UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre seeks transfer of Transgender Act cases to SC
Q1. In which year did the Supreme Court, in National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India, recognise the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender as an aspect of the dignity and autonomy guaranteed under Article 21?
- A. 2011
- B. 2014
- C. 2017
- D. 2019
Q2. NALSA, the petitioner in the landmark 2014 transgender rights case, is a statutory authority primarily responsible for which of the following functions?
- A. Providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society
- B. Investigating complaints of human rights violations
- C. Advising the government on the welfare of Other Backward Classes
- D. Safeguarding the educational and cultural rights of minorities
Q3. Which of the following is the nodal Union ministry for the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019?
- A. Ministry of Home Affairs
- B. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- D. Ministry of Women and Child Development
Q4. With reference to the National Council for Transgender Persons constituted under the 2019 Act, consider the following:
1. The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment is its Chairperson.
2. It includes five members drawn from the transgender community.
3. The Chief Justice of India is an ex-officio member of the Council.
4. The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment is its Vice-Chairperson.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment is its Chairperson.
- It includes five members drawn from the transgender community.
- The Chief Justice of India is an ex-officio member of the Council.
- The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment is its Vice-Chairperson.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 4
- D. 1 and 4 only
Q5. With reference to Article 139A of the Constitution, consider the following statements:
1. It was inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
2. It empowers the Supreme Court to withdraw cases involving the same or substantially the same questions of law pending before it and one or more High Courts.
3. It permits the Supreme Court to transfer a case from one High Court to another High Court.
4. It was inserted by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It was inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
- It empowers the Supreme Court to withdraw cases involving the same or substantially the same questions of law pending before it and one or more High Courts.
- It permits the Supreme Court to transfer a case from one High Court to another High Court.
- It was inserted by the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 3 only
- D. 4 only
Q6. Consider the following statements distinguishing Article 139A from other provisions relating to the Supreme Court:
1. Article 139A enables transfer of cases involving common questions of law, whereas Article 32 provides the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights.
2. Unlike Article 139A, Article 136 confers a discretionary power of special leave to appeal from any court or tribunal.
3. Article 139A, unlike Article 139, empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Article 139A enables transfer of cases involving common questions of law, whereas Article 32 provides the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights.
- Unlike Article 139A, Article 136 confers a discretionary power of special leave to appeal from any court or tribunal.
- Article 139A, unlike Article 139, empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q7. With reference to the 2026 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act and the Centre's transfer plea, consider the following statements:
1. The Centre sought transfer of the petitions to the Supreme Court citing the risk of conflicting rulings by different High Courts.
2. The 2026 Amendment introduces a designated medical board's recommendation as a precondition for the District Magistrate's certification.
3. The 2026 Amendment Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in March 2026.
4. The 2026 Amendment abolished the office of the District Magistrate as the certifying authority.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- The Centre sought transfer of the petitions to the Supreme Court citing the risk of conflicting rulings by different High Courts.
- The 2026 Amendment introduces a designated medical board's recommendation as a precondition for the District Magistrate's certification.
- The 2026 Amendment Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in March 2026.
- The 2026 Amendment abolished the office of the District Magistrate as the certifying authority.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 4 only
Q8. The Centre has sought to have the petitions challenging the 2026 Amendment Act withdrawn from various High Courts and transferred to the Supreme Court on the ground that they raise substantially the same questions of law. This power of the Supreme Court is conferred by which Article?
- A. Article 136
- B. Article 138
- C. Article 139A
- D. Article 141
Q9. In the present matter the Centre has moved a 'transfer petition' before the Supreme Court. In this context, a transfer petition is best described as:
- A. A plea seeking withdrawal and transfer of cases pending before High Courts to the Supreme Court
- B. An appeal challenging a final judgment delivered by a High Court
- C. A petition seeking review of the Supreme Court's own earlier order
- D. A petition seeking the transfer of a sitting judge from one High Court to another
Q10. The Supreme Court Bench that, in 2026, stayed the proceedings before the High Courts and issued notice on the Centre's plea to transfer the transgender-rights petitions was headed by whom?
- A. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- B. Justice V. Mohana
- C. Justice B.R. Gavai
- D. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
Q11. Consider the following statements relating to the institutional framework for transgender welfare:
1. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry, whereas the National Council for Transgender Persons is the advisory body under the 2019 Act.
2. The National Council for Transgender Persons is chaired by the Union Minister for Social Justice, whereas its Vice-Chairperson is the Minister of State for Social Justice.
3. Unlike the National Human Rights Commission, the National Council for Transgender Persons is a body established directly under the Constitution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry, whereas the National Council for Transgender Persons is the advisory body under the 2019 Act.
- The National Council for Transgender Persons is chaired by the Union Minister for Social Justice, whereas its Vice-Chairperson is the Minister of State for Social Justice.
- Unlike the National Human Rights Commission, the National Council for Transgender Persons is a body established directly under the Constitution.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q12. The right to privacy affirmed in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) as a facet of Article 21 was subsequently given statutory shape through the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. This Act is administered by which ministry?
- A. Ministry of Home Affairs
- B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- C. Ministry of Law and Justice
- D. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting