UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC asks petitioner to turn in first-generation copy of leaked Manipur audio to forensic lab

Q1. With reference to the origins of the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The immediate trigger was a Manipur High Court order relating to the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
  2. The Meitei community is concentrated mainly in the Imphal Valley.
  3. The Kuki-Zo communities are concentrated mainly in the hill districts.
  4. The violence began with a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised by the Meitei community.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q2. In its monitoring of the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence, the Supreme Court sought a status report on the probe from the State police and the CBI, along with which one of the following central agencies?

  • A. National Investigation Agency (NIA)
  • B. Enforcement Directorate (ED)
  • C. Intelligence Bureau (IB)
  • D. Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)

Q3. In 2026, the Supreme Court directed that the full leaked Manipur audio recording be sent for forensic examination to which one of the following institutions?

  • A. National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar
  • B. Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh
  • C. Directorate of Forensic Science Services, New Delhi
  • D. Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Hyderabad

Q4. With reference to the Supreme Court's 2026 direction on the leaked Manipur audio, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Bench that ordered the fresh forensic test was headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar.
  2. The disputed recording allegedly captures the voice of former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
  3. Earlier forensic examination had reported that the submitted clips showed signs of editing/tampering.
  4. The Court held that a 'first-generation copy' is inferior in evidentiary value to a copy made several generations later.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q5. With reference to the law governing electronic evidence such as the leaked audio, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
  2. The Adhiniyam came into force on 1 July 2024.
  3. Under the Adhiniyam, electronic records are classified as primary evidence.
  4. Admissibility of electronic records is dealt with under Section 65B of the Adhiniyam.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q6. The statute now governing the admissibility of the leaked audio as electronic evidence, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, is officially designated as which one of the following?

  • A. Act No. 47 of 2023
  • B. Act No. 45 of 2023
  • C. Act No. 47 of 2024
  • D. Act No. 23 of 2023

Q7. With reference to the Supreme Court proceedings on the leaked Manipur audio, which of the following is/are correctly identified?

  1. The petitioner is the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR).
  2. The petitioner is represented by Advocate Prashant Bhushan.
  3. The petition seeks an independent, court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
  4. The petition was filed by the Government of Manipur.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. In the context of the Supreme Court's direction to the petitioner, the term 'first-generation copy' of the leaked audio most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The first copy taken directly from the original recording device
  • B. A copy generated from an earlier copy of the original recording
  • C. The earliest version of the clip circulated publicly on social media
  • D. A copy certified by the first forensic laboratory to examine it

Q9. After N. Biren Singh's resignation, President's Rule imposed in Manipur was extended, by a resolution approving continuance of the 13 February 2025 proclamation, for a further period of how many months with effect from 13 August 2025?

  • A. 6 months
  • B. 3 months
  • C. 12 months
  • D. 18 months

Q10. President's Rule in Manipur was imposed through a proclamation issued under Article 356 of the Constitution. Such a proclamation can be issued only by which one of the following?

  • A. The President of India
  • B. The Governor of Manipur
  • C. The Union Home Minister
  • D. The Union Council of Ministers by its own order

Q11. Within the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The apex body that administers the Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs)
  • B. A deemed university that awards degrees in forensic science
  • C. The investigating agency responsible for all cyber-crime cases in India
  • D. The statutory accreditation board for private forensic laboratories

Q12. In a 'court-monitored' Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe of the kind sought in the Manipur audio case, the investigating team ordinarily reports the progress of its investigation directly to which one of the following?

  • A. The Supreme Court (the monitoring court)
  • B. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. The concerned State Government
  • D. The National Human Rights Commission