UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC asks NIA to check political background in Malda gherao case
Q1. With reference to recent invocations of Article 142 of the Constitution by the Supreme Court, consider the following statements:
1. In the 2025 Tamil Nadu Governor matter, the Court deemed assent to have been granted to Bills long pending before the Governor.
2. In the 2024 case on demolitions, the Court framed guidelines against arbitrary demolition of properties.
3. In the 2024 Electoral Bonds case, the Court struck down the scheme itself by invoking Article 142.
4. In the Malda judicial officers' gherao case, the Court transferred the FIRs to the NIA.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- In the 2025 Tamil Nadu Governor matter, the Court deemed assent to have been granted to Bills long pending before the Governor.
- In the 2024 case on demolitions, the Court framed guidelines against arbitrary demolition of properties.
- In the 2024 Electoral Bonds case, the Court struck down the scheme itself by invoking Article 142.
- In the Malda judicial officers' gherao case, the Court transferred the FIRs to the NIA.
- A. 3 only
- B. 1 and 3
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 3 and 4
Q2. With reference to the scope of Article 142 as compared with ordinary statutory law, consider the following statements:
1. Orders passed under Article 142 are enforceable throughout the territory of India.
2. As held in Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India, Article 142 can supplement but not supplant substantive statutory law.
3. Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to override fundamental rights in order to do complete justice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Orders passed under Article 142 are enforceable throughout the territory of India.
- As held in Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India, Article 142 can supplement but not supplant substantive statutory law.
- Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to override fundamental rights in order to do complete justice.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), consider the following statements:
1. It was constituted under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
2. Offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 are Scheduled Offences investigable by it.
3. Its officers have the powers of police officers throughout India for the investigation of Scheduled Offences.
4. It can take over a State-registered case only after obtaining the consent of the State Government concerned.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It was constituted under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
- Offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 are Scheduled Offences investigable by it.
- Its officers have the powers of police officers throughout India for the investigation of Scheduled Offences.
- It can take over a State-registered case only after obtaining the consent of the State Government concerned.
- A. 1 only
- B. 4 only
- C. 2 and 3
- D. 3 and 4
Q4. Consider the following pairs regarding the National Investigation Agency framework:
1. Appointment of the Director-General of the NIA — Central Government
2. Determination of whether a reported offence is a fit case for the NIA — Central Government
3. Constitution of Special Courts for trial of NIA cases — Central Government
4. Ministry administering the NIA — Ministry of Law and Justice
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- Appointment of the Director-General of the NIA — Central Government
- Determination of whether a reported offence is a fit case for the NIA — Central Government
- Constitution of Special Courts for trial of NIA cases — Central Government
- Ministry administering the NIA — Ministry of Law and Justice
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q5. In the Malda judicial officers' gherao case, of the 12 FIRs transferred to the NIA, the largest number were originally registered at which one of the following police stations?
- A. PS Mothabari
- B. PS Kaliachak
- C. PS Malda Town
- D. PS English Bazar
Q6. With reference to the Malda judicial officers' gherao case, consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to transfer the FIRs to the NIA.
2. The NIA re-registered a total of 12 FIRs in the matter.
3. The Bench that directed the NIA to probe the political background of the accused was led by CJI Surya Kant.
4. The judicial officers had been deployed for duties relating to the delimitation of constituencies.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to transfer the FIRs to the NIA.
- The NIA re-registered a total of 12 FIRs in the matter.
- The Bench that directed the NIA to probe the political background of the accused was led by CJI Surya Kant.
- The judicial officers had been deployed for duties relating to the delimitation of constituencies.
- A. 4 only
- B. 1 and 4
- C. 2 only
- D. 3 and 4
Q7. In the West Bengal Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of 2026, the largest category among the entries removed from the electoral roll comprised which one of the following?
- A. Persons classified as absentee or deceased
- B. Entries pending before tribunals
- C. Duplicate entries
- D. Persons who had migrated abroad
Q8. The Election Commission's power to order a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is traceable to Article 324 read with which one of the following provisions?
- A. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
- B. Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
- C. Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
- D. Section 30 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
Q9. With reference to the contempt jurisdiction protecting the judiciary in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court and the High Courts are courts of record under Articles 129 and 215 respectively.
2. A High Court may punish for contempt of courts subordinate to it.
3. Contempt of court is classified into civil contempt and criminal contempt.
4. Subordinate courts are empowered to independently punish for their own contempt.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- The Supreme Court and the High Courts are courts of record under Articles 129 and 215 respectively.
- A High Court may punish for contempt of courts subordinate to it.
- Contempt of court is classified into civil contempt and criminal contempt.
- Subordinate courts are empowered to independently punish for their own contempt.
- A. 4 only
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1 only
- D. 3 and 4
Q10. The contempt power of the Supreme Court, being the primary constitutional basis for it to function as a court of record, is derived from which one of the following Articles?
- A. Article 129
- B. Article 215
- C. Article 142
- D. Article 144
Q11. With reference to the investigation of offences by central agencies within a State, consider the following statements:
1. 'Police' and 'Public Order' are entries in the State List of the Seventh Schedule.
2. Under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the CBI requires the consent of a State to investigate within it.
3. The Supreme Court cannot direct an investigation within a State without that State's consent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 'Police' and 'Public Order' are entries in the State List of the Seventh Schedule.
- Under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the CBI requires the consent of a State to investigate within it.
- The Supreme Court cannot direct an investigation within a State without that State's consent.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q12. With reference to Justice Surya Kant's assumption of office as Chief Justice of India, consider the following statements:
1. He was appointed the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
2. His appointment was made under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
3. He succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai as Chief Justice of India.
4. He is due to retire as Chief Justice of India on 9 February 2028.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- He was appointed the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
- His appointment was made under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
- He succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai as Chief Justice of India.
- He is due to retire as Chief Justice of India on 9 February 2028.
- A. 4 only
- B. 1 and 4
- C. 3 only
- D. 2 and 4