UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — NCW calls for legislation to codify Muslim personal law

Q1. Who among the following served as the FIRST Chairperson of the National Commission for Women when it was first constituted in January 1992?

  • A. Mohini Giri
  • B. Jayanti Patnaik
  • C. Girija Vyas
  • D. Lalitha Kumaramangalam

Q2. In the context of the functioning of the National Commission for Women, the expression that it may take 'suo motu' notice of a matter is best defined as which one of the following?

  • A. Taking cognizance of a matter on its own initiative, without waiting for a formal complaint
  • B. Referring every complaint received to a civil court for adjudication
  • C. Acting only upon a written reference made by the Union Government
  • D. Reviewing a matter jointly with the concerned State Commission for Women

Q3. Consider the following provisions that are claimed to belong to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986: 1. A reasonable and fair provision and maintenance to be paid to the divorced woman within the iddat period. 2. Payment of mahr (dower) agreed to be paid to her at the time of marriage. 3. Return of the properties given to the woman at or after her marriage. 4. Imprisonment of the husband for a term which may extend to three years for pronouncing divorce. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly attributed to the 1986 Act?

  1. A reasonable and fair provision and maintenance to be paid to the divorced woman within the iddat period.
  2. Payment of mahr (dower) agreed to be paid to her at the time of marriage.
  3. Return of the properties given to the woman at or after her marriage.
  4. Imprisonment of the husband for a term which may extend to three years for pronouncing divorce.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the Shah Bano case (1985) and the legislation that followed it, consider the following statements: 1. In the Shah Bano case, the Supreme Court held that a divorced Muslim woman could claim maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 2. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 was enacted in response to that judgment. 3. The 1986 Act extended the divorced husband's personal liability to maintain his former wife for the whole of her life. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In the Shah Bano case, the Supreme Court held that a divorced Muslim woman could claim maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
  2. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 was enacted in response to that judgment.
  3. The 1986 Act extended the divorced husband's personal liability to maintain his former wife for the whole of her life.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to Shayara Bano v. Union of India (2017) and the subsequent legislation, consider the following statements: 1. In Shayara Bano, the Supreme Court, by a majority verdict, set aside instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat). 2. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 declared instant triple talaq void and illegal and made it a punishable offence. 3. Under the 2019 Act, pronouncing instant triple talaq is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In Shayara Bano, the Supreme Court, by a majority verdict, set aside instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat).
  2. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 declared instant triple talaq void and illegal and made it a punishable offence.
  3. Under the 2019 Act, pronouncing instant triple talaq is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, upon whom is the subsistence allowance primarily payable by a husband who pronounces instant triple talaq?

  • A. The married Muslim woman upon whom talaq is pronounced and her dependent children
  • B. The State Wakf Board of the woman's district
  • C. The natal family of the woman
  • D. The State Legal Services Authority

Q7. The 2026 NCW report 'Rights of Muslim Women in India' recommends comprehensive codification of Muslim personal law. Which of the following subject-areas are, as per the report, proposed to be brought within such codification? 1. Marriage and divorce 2. Maintenance and custody of children 3. Inheritance 4. Regulation and management of Wakf properties Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Marriage and divorce
  2. Maintenance and custody of children
  3. Inheritance
  4. Regulation and management of Wakf properties
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. The 2026 NCW report 'Rights of Muslim Women in India' was submitted to how many Union Ministries?

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

Q9. At the Union level, the drafting and reform of personal laws and any move towards a Uniform Civil Code fall primarily within the administrative domain of which one of the following Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Ministry of Minority Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Women and Child Development

Q10. Consider the following pairs of Constitutional Articles and their subject-matter: 1. Article 44 — Uniform Civil Code 2. Article 25 — Freedom of conscience and free profession of religion 3. Article 15 — Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth 4. Article 21 — Uniform Civil Code Which of the above pairs is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Article 44 — Uniform Civil Code
  2. Article 25 — Freedom of conscience and free profession of religion
  3. Article 15 — Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth
  4. Article 21 — Uniform Civil Code
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q11. The National Commission for Minorities was constituted as a statutory body under which one of the following?

  • A. The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992
  • B. Article 338 of the Constitution
  • C. The National Commission for Women Act, 1990
  • D. A resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs

Q12. Under the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, which of the following matters, where the parties are Muslims, are to be decided in accordance with Muslim Personal Law (Shariat)? 1. Marriage and dissolution of marriage 2. Maintenance and dower (mahr) 3. Guardianship, gifts and wakfs 4. Adoption of a child registered under a common secular statute Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Marriage and dissolution of marriage
  2. Maintenance and dower (mahr)
  3. Guardianship, gifts and wakfs
  4. Adoption of a child registered under a common secular statute
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4