UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC asks U.P. to consider risks of sale of liquor in cartons

Q1. Under the scheme of the Seventh Schedule, which of the following legislative/taxation subjects is/are correctly identified as falling within the powers of the States?

  1. Manufacture, transport, purchase and sale of intoxicating liquors
  2. Excise duty on alcoholic liquors for human consumption manufactured in the State
  3. Excise duty on tobacco manufactured or produced in India
  4. Regulation of industries declared by Parliament by law to be under Union control in the public interest
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q2. Which of the following is/are NOT a correct feature or holding of the Supreme Court's 2024 nine-judge ruling in State of U.P. v. Lalta Prasad Vaish?

  1. It held that States can regulate industrial alcohol under Entry 8 of the State List.
  2. It overruled the 1990 seven-judge decision in Synthetics & Chemicals Ltd. v. State of U.P.
  3. It was decided by a majority of 8:1.
  4. It held that the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 completely denudes the States of legislative power over intoxicating liquor.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q3. Which one of the following is expressly described in Article 47 of the Constitution as being among the 'primary duties' of the State?

  • A. Raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living and improvement of public health
  • B. Securing a uniform civil code for citizens throughout India
  • C. Organising village panchayats as units of self-government
  • D. Protecting monuments and places of national importance

Q4. How many types of writs can be issued by the Supreme Court and the High Courts under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution?

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

Q5. The April 2026 Supreme Court order asking the Uttar Pradesh government to consider the risks of sale of liquor in tetra packs/cartons was passed by a Bench headed by which Chief Justice of India?

  • A. D.Y. Chandrachud
  • B. B.R. Gavai
  • C. Surya Kant
  • D. Sanjiv Khanna

Q6. The prohibition on the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions under Section 6(b) of the COTPA, 2003 is administered at the central level by which Ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Ministry of Education
  • D. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Q7. With reference to the Supreme Court of India, which of the following is/are correctly identified?

  1. Surya Kant — the 53rd Chief Justice of India
  2. Joymalya Bagchi — elevated to the Supreme Court in 2025
  3. Vipul Pancholi — elevated to the Supreme Court in 2025
  4. B.V. Nagarathna — the incumbent Chief Justice of India
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only