UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Consider requests on CCTV funds for police stations: SC

Q1. In enforcing its 2020 direction to install CCTV cameras in all police stations, the Supreme Court has repeatedly relied on the device of a 'continuing mandamus'. In this context, a continuing mandamus refers to:

  • A. A single, final writ that quashes the executive order under challenge and disposes of the petition
  • B. The court's retention of the matter to issue successive directions and monitor compliance until the mandate is actually fulfilled
  • C. A direction that automatically lapses if the government fails to comply within the stipulated time
  • D. An order transferring implementation entirely to a court-appointed receiver in place of the executive

Q2. As per the 2020 Supreme Court judgment on CCTV cameras in police stations, footage should ideally be preserved for a maximum period of how many months?

  • A. 6 months
  • B. 12 months
  • C. 18 months
  • D. 24 months

Q3. Under the umbrella 'Modernisation of Police Forces' scheme for 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a total outlay of ₹25,060 crore, what was the single largest component, namely the Central Government's share?

  • A. ₹6,424 crore
  • B. ₹18,636 crore
  • C. ₹25,060 crore
  • D. ₹26,275 crore

Q4. Consider the following components in relation to the umbrella Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme: 1. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) 2. E-Prisons project 3. Hiring of helicopters for mobility of police forces 4. Recruitment of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme Which of the above is/are correctly identified as being provided for under the MPF scheme?

  1. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)
  2. E-Prisons project
  3. Hiring of helicopters for mobility of police forces
  4. Recruitment of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q5. In the 2026 Supreme Court proceedings, the disbursal of central funds to States for installing CCTV cameras in police stations is to be operationalised by which of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs (Police Modernisation Division)
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Justice)
  • C. Ministry of Defence
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q6. The 2026 CCTV proceedings saw senior advocate Siddhartha Dave assist the Court as an 'amicus curiae'. In this context, an amicus curiae is best described as:

  • A. A counsel formally representing the petitioner's interests in the litigation
  • B. An impartial person appointed to assist the court, without representing any party to the dispute
  • C. A government law officer defending the executive's position
  • D. A court-appointed commissioner authorised to record evidence on oath

Q7. Among the safeguards laid down in D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal (1997), an 'arrest memo' is best described as:

  • A. A memorandum prepared at the time of arrest, attested by at least one witness and countersigned by the arrestee, recording the fact and time of arrest
  • B. A magistrate's written authorisation that must be obtained before any arrest is made
  • C. The First Information Report registered against the accused
  • D. A medical certificate confirming the arrestee's fitness for interrogation

Q8. Consider the following statements comparing D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal (1997) and Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh (2020): 1. D.K. Basu laid down procedural safeguards at the time of arrest and detention, whereas Paramvir Singh Saini mandated CCTV surveillance inside police stations. 2. Paramvir Singh Saini derived its authority from Article 22, whereas D.K. Basu relied on Article 21. 3. Both judgments were aimed at curbing custodial violence and protecting persons in police custody. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. D.K. Basu laid down procedural safeguards at the time of arrest and detention, whereas Paramvir Singh Saini mandated CCTV surveillance inside police stations.
  2. Paramvir Singh Saini derived its authority from Article 22, whereas D.K. Basu relied on Article 21.
  3. Both judgments were aimed at curbing custodial violence and protecting persons in police custody.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The Supreme Court's extension of the CCTV-installation mandate to the premises of central investigating agencies such as the CBI and NIA is anchored, above all, in which single constitutional provision?

  • A. Article 20(3)
  • B. Article 21
  • C. Article 22
  • D. Article 19(1)(a)

Q10. Among the seven directives in Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006), the 'Police Establishment Board' is best described as a body that:

  • A. Lays down broad policy guidelines and acts as a buffer between the government and the police
  • B. Decides postings, transfers and service matters of police officers, insulating them from political interference
  • C. Inquires into public complaints of custodial violence and abuse of power by the police
  • D. Selects and appoints the chiefs of Central Police Organisations at the Union level