UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC halts demolition drive in Rajasthan border districts

Question 1

In the 2024 judgment In Re: Directions in the matter of Demolition of Structures, the Supreme Court declared 'bulldozer justice' unconstitutional. Which one of the following best describes the type of demolition the Court held to be impermissible?

Accepted Answer

Demolition of a property solely on the ground that its owner or occupant is an accused or convict in a criminal case

Answer

Demolition of an unauthorised structure encroaching upon a public road after due notice

Answer

Demolition carried out in compliance with an order of a court of law

Answer

Demolition of a dangerously dilapidated building threatening public safety

Question 2

As per the operational safeguards laid down in the 2024 Supreme Court demolition guidelines, the authority proposing a demolition must send prior intimation of the show-cause notice to which one of the following officials?

Accepted Answer

The District Magistrate / Collector

Answer

The Superintendent of Police of the district

Answer

The Registrar of the concerned High Court

Answer

The State Chief Secretary

Question 3

The international boundary between the Indian state of Rajasthan and Pakistan follows which one of the following demarcation lines, drawn at the time of the 1947 Partition?

Accepted Answer

Radcliffe Line

Answer

Durand Line

Answer

McMahon Line

Answer

Line of Control

Question 4

In the July 2026 proceedings before the Supreme Court challenging the demolition drive in Rajasthan's border districts, who led the arguments as the senior advocate for the petitioners?

Accepted Answer

Kapil Sibal

Answer

Huzefa Ahmadi

Answer

Ejaz Maqbool

Answer

Saqib Ansari

Question 5

For what duration did the Supreme Court, in its July 2026 interim order, stay the demolition of the petitioners' properties in Rajasthan's border districts?

Accepted Answer

Two weeks

Answer

Four weeks

Answer

Six weeks

Answer

Three months

Question 6

After the 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978), the right to property in India is no longer a fundamental right but is protected as a constitutional/legal right under which Article?

Accepted Answer

Article 300A

Answer

Article 19(1)(f)

Answer

Article 31

Answer

Article 21

Question 7

The Supreme Court Bench that granted the interim stay on demolitions in Rajasthan's border districts in July 2026 comprised how many judges?

Accepted Answer

Two

Answer

Three

Answer

Five

Answer

One

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC halts demolition drive in Rajasthan border districts

Q1. In the 2024 judgment In Re: Directions in the matter of Demolition of Structures, the Supreme Court declared 'bulldozer justice' unconstitutional. Which one of the following best describes the type of demolition the Court held to be impermissible?

Q2. As per the operational safeguards laid down in the 2024 Supreme Court demolition guidelines, the authority proposing a demolition must send prior intimation of the show-cause notice to which one of the following officials?

Q3. The international boundary between the Indian state of Rajasthan and Pakistan follows which one of the following demarcation lines, drawn at the time of the 1947 Partition?

Q4. In the July 2026 proceedings before the Supreme Court challenging the demolition drive in Rajasthan's border districts, who led the arguments as the senior advocate for the petitioners?

Q5. For what duration did the Supreme Court, in its July 2026 interim order, stay the demolition of the petitioners' properties in Rajasthan's border districts?

Q6. After the 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978), the right to property in India is no longer a fundamental right but is protected as a constitutional/legal right under which Article?

Q7. The Supreme Court Bench that granted the interim stay on demolitions in Rajasthan's border districts in July 2026 comprised how many judges?