UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Medical negligence claims can be pursued against a dead doctor’s heirs, says SC

Q1. How many judges constituted the Supreme Court bench that delivered the judgment in Kumud Lall v. Suresh Chandra Roy (Dead) Through LRs (2026 INSC 443) holding that medical negligence claims survive the death of the accused doctor?

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

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court ruling in Kumud Lall v. Suresh Chandra Roy (Dead) Through LRs (2026): 1. Compensation claims in medical negligence cases abate entirely upon the death of the accused doctor. 2. The pecuniary liability of the deceased doctor's legal heirs is confined to the value of the estate inherited by them. 3. The Court anchored survival of the cause of action in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. 4. The complaint was originally instituted before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Compensation claims in medical negligence cases abate entirely upon the death of the accused doctor.
  2. The pecuniary liability of the deceased doctor's legal heirs is confined to the value of the estate inherited by them.
  3. The Court anchored survival of the cause of action in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925.
  4. The complaint was originally instituted before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Which one of the following is the apex quasi-judicial body for consumer dispute redressal in India under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019?

  • A. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)
  • B. Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
  • C. State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
  • D. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Q4. In the context of Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, which one of the following best describes a 'pecuniary cause of action' that survives the death of a party?

  • A. A claim seeking monetary compensation that, if granted, would augment or diminish the estate of the deceased
  • B. A claim arising from defamation suffered by the deceased during his lifetime
  • C. A claim for assault as defined in the Indian Penal Code committed against the deceased
  • D. A claim for personal injuries that did not cause the death of the party

Q5. Which one of the following is the nodal Union ministry for administering the Consumer Protection Act, 2019?

  • A. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • D. Ministry of Corporate Affairs