UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Collegium proposes 3 HC Chief Justices for elevation to SC

Q1. With reference to the collegium system of appointing judges to the higher judiciary in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The collegium is not mentioned anywhere in the text of the Constitution; it emerged from the Supreme Court's interpretation of the requirement of 'consultation' in the articles on appointment of judges.
  2. The Third Judges Case was an advisory opinion given on a reference made by the President, not a judgment delivered in a contested suit between parties.
  3. Before the collegium came into being, the Supreme Court had held that 'consultation' with the Chief Justice of India did not amount to his 'concurrence'.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

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

  1. Under the procedure currently followed, only persons whose names have been recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium are appointed as Judges of the High Courts.
  2. Article 217(1) of the Constitution expressly provides that the President shall appoint a High Court Judge with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of India.
  • 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. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The Supreme Court declared the Constitution (Ninety-ninth Amendment) Act, 2014 void even though Parliament had passed it by following the amending procedure under Article 368.
  2. An amendment that damages the basic structure of the Constitution, of which the independence of the judiciary is a part, is liable to be struck down by the courts.
  • 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

Q4. Consider the following facts: Article 124(1) originally provided for a Chief Justice of India and 'not more than seven other Judges' until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number. This number has since been raised several times by Acts of Parliament, most recently from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice) in 2026. The salaries of Supreme Court judges are expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. Which of the following inferences can validly be drawn from the above?

  1. Enlarging the Supreme Court does not require an amendment of the Constitution under Article 368.
  2. Raising the sanctioned strength will by itself reduce the pendency of cases before the Supreme Court.
  3. The Lok Sabha cannot vote on the salaries of the additional judges, although it may discuss them.
  4. The Constitution fixes an upper ceiling on the strength of the Supreme Court beyond which Parliament cannot go.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q5. With reference to the eligibility of persons for appointment to the higher judiciary in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A person who is, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist can be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court, but the Constitution provides no such route for appointment as a Judge of a High Court.
  2. An advocate can be appointed directly as a Judge of the Supreme Court only if he or she has been designated a Senior Advocate.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q6. With reference to the removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court under Article 124(4) and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The committee that investigates the charges is composed entirely of sitting judges of the higher judiciary.
  2. Notice of a motion for removal may be given in either House of Parliament.
  3. A Judge can be removed only by an order of the President made after an address by both Houses on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 only

Q7. With reference to High Court judges as distinct from Supreme Court judges, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The President may transfer a Judge from one High Court to another after consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
  2. A High Court Chief Justice who is elevated to the Supreme Court becomes entitled to hold office up to the age of sixty-five instead of sixty-two.
  3. A person who has retired as a permanent Judge of a High Court is barred from pleading before any court in India.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 only

Q8. Consider the following assertion: Appointments to the Supreme Court continue to be made through the collegium, even though Articles 124A to 124C, dealing with the National Judicial Appointments Commission, still appear in the official text of the Constitution. Which of the statements given below support/supports the above assertion?

  1. The Memorandum of Procedure that governs collegium appointments is a statute enacted by Parliament to entrench the collegium.
  2. The Supreme Court declared the Ninety-ninth Amendment and the NJAC Act unconstitutional, which revived the system that had operated before them.
  3. Parliament repealed Articles 124A to 124C by a later constitutional amendment after the NJAC was found to be unworkable.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only