UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC asks panel to review cartoons in textbooks

Q1. With reference to the Supreme Court's proceedings on NCERT textbooks in 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The February 2026 order concerned a Class 8 Social Science textbook, whereas the May 2026 direction extended the Court's scrutiny to cartoons in NCERT textbooks.
  2. The review of cartoons in NCERT textbooks was entrusted to a panel headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra.
  3. The February 2026 proceedings were initiated on a public interest litigation filed by the Solicitor General.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. The body whose textbooks the Supreme Court in May 2026 directed a retired-judge panel to review for cartoons is:

  • A. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • B. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
  • C. National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA)
  • D. University Grants Commission (UGC)

Q3. Shankar Pillai's 1949 Ambedkar cartoon was removed from the NCERT Class 11 Political Science textbook in which year and on whose direction?

  • A. 2006, on the direction of the HRD Ministry
  • B. 2012, on the direction of the HRD Ministry
  • C. 2011, on the direction of the Ministry of Education
  • D. 2012, on the direction of the Supreme Court

Q4. In Shankar Pillai's 1949 cartoon featuring B.R. Ambedkar, the snail labelled 'Constitution' was intended to symbolise:

  • A. The slow pace of drafting the Constitution
  • B. The fragility of the constitutional framework
  • C. The burden of colonial legacy on the Constitution
  • D. The federal structure crawling towards centralisation

Q5. With reference to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was established in 1961 as an autonomous organisation.
  2. It functions under the Ministry of Education.
  3. It conducts the board examinations for Classes 10 and 12.
  4. It acts as a nodal agency for the Universalisation of Elementary Education.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q6. With reference to the respective roles of the NCERT and the CBSE, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NCERT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, whereas the CBSE is a board that affiliates schools.
  2. NCERT trains teachers and prepares model textbooks, while the CBSE prescribes and publishes the National Curriculum Framework.
  3. NCERT was established on 27 July 1961.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. The Supreme Court's suo motu and contempt jurisdiction, as invoked in the NCERT textbook case, is commonly traced to how many Articles of the Constitution among Articles 32, 129 and 142?

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

Q8. With reference to the Supreme Court's suo motu jurisdiction, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Suo motu means the court acting 'on its own motion' without a formal petition.
  2. Article 142 empowers the Court to pass any order necessary to do complete justice.
  3. Article 129 makes the Supreme Court a court of record with power to punish for contempt of itself.
  4. Suo motu proceedings can be initiated only after a written petition is filed under Article 32.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. Which one of the following is regarded as the primary constitutional source of the Supreme Court's power to punish for contempt of itself?

  • A. Article 32
  • B. Article 129
  • C. Article 142
  • D. Article 215

Q10. Comparing the 2012 Ambedkar cartoon episode with the 2026 NCERT cartoon review, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In 2012 the cartoon was removed through executive action by the HRD Ministry, whereas the 2026 cartoon review was directed by the Supreme Court.
  2. The 2026 review was entrusted to a panel headed by a former Supreme Court judge, whereas in 2012 the removal followed a demand raised in Parliament.
  3. In both 2012 and 2026 the Supreme Court initiated contempt proceedings over the textbook content.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NCF 2005 was prepared under the chairpersonship of Prof. Yash Pal, whereas NCF-SE 2023 is aligned to the NEP 2020.
  2. NCF-SE 2023 replaces NCF 2005 and restructures schooling into a 5+3+3+4 design.
  3. The National Curriculum Framework was first introduced by the CBSE in 1975.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3