UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC recalls ‘harsh’ remarks made over textbook row

Q1. After the Supreme Court dismisses a review petition against its own final judgment, which one of the following is the last judicial remedy still available to the aggrieved party?

  • A. A fresh special leave petition
  • B. A curative petition
  • C. A second review petition on the same grounds
  • D. A mercy petition

Q2. The Supreme Court's power to review any judgment pronounced or order made by it is expressly conferred by which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Article 32
  • B. Article 136
  • C. Article 137
  • D. Article 142

Q3. The academics sought recall of the Supreme Court's March 2026 order chiefly because it had been passed ex parte. This objection rests primarily on which one of the following principles of natural justice?

  • A. Nemo judex in causa sua (rule against bias)
  • B. Audi alteram partem (right to be heard)
  • C. Doctrine of proportionality
  • D. Doctrine of legitimate expectation

Q4. Which one of the following maxims of natural justice embodies the 'rule against bias' — that no person shall be a judge in his or her own cause?

  • A. Audi alteram partem
  • B. Nemo judex in causa sua
  • C. Ubi jus ibi remedium
  • D. Res judicata

Q5. With reference to the 2026 Supreme Court proceedings over the NCERT textbook on the judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. The disputed content appeared in a Class 8 Social Science textbook. 2. The academics named in the original order were Michel Danino, Suparna Diwakar and Alok Prasanna Kumar. 3. The original order directing disassociation from the academics was passed by a Bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai. 4. The disputed section was titled 'Corruption in the Judiciary'. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. The disputed content appeared in a Class 8 Social Science textbook.
  2. The academics named in the original order were Michel Danino, Suparna Diwakar and Alok Prasanna Kumar.
  3. The original order directing disassociation from the academics was passed by a Bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai.
  4. The disputed section was titled 'Corruption in the Judiciary'.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q6. The Class 8 Social Science textbook whose chapter on the judiciary triggered the 2026 Supreme Court proceedings was published by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • B. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
  • C. University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • D. National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)

Q7. In its original suo motu order of March 2026 in the NCERT textbook matter, the Supreme Court directed the Centre and States to disassociate from how many named academics?

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

Q8. In the 2026 textbook controversy, suo motu cognizance of the chapter's content was taken by which one of the following institutions?

  • A. The Ministry of Education
  • B. The National Human Rights Commission
  • C. The Supreme Court of India
  • D. The National Council of Educational Research and Training

Q9. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) functions as an autonomous organisation under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Culture
  • B. Ministry of Education
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Law and Justice

Q10. In 2026, NCERT was granted 'deemed-to-be university' status along with how many of its constituent units?

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

Q11. With reference to Justice Surya Kant, consider the following statements: 1. He took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. 2. He succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai as Chief Justice of India. 3. He is scheduled to demit office on 9 February 2027. 4. He was the first Buddhist to be appointed Chief Justice of India. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. He took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
  2. He succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai as Chief Justice of India.
  3. He is scheduled to demit office on 9 February 2027.
  4. He was the first Buddhist to be appointed Chief Justice of India.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q12. With reference to the law of contempt of court in India, consider the following statements: 1. Criminal contempt includes any act that scandalises or lowers the authority of a court. 2. The governing statute is the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. 3. Following a 2006 amendment, truth is available as a defence in contempt proceedings if it is bona fide and in public interest. 4. Fair and bona fide criticism of the merits of a judicial decision, by itself, constitutes criminal contempt. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Criminal contempt includes any act that scandalises or lowers the authority of a court.
  2. The governing statute is the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
  3. Following a 2006 amendment, truth is available as a defence in contempt proceedings if it is bona fide and in public interest.
  4. Fair and bona fide criticism of the merits of a judicial decision, by itself, constitutes criminal contempt.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4