UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC tells Centre to take steps to stop misuse of court feeds

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the framework for live streaming approved by the Supreme Court, the presiding judge can suspend or prohibit the live streaming of a particular case.
  2. Live streaming of court proceedings in India was introduced through a parliamentary enactment that amended the procedural codes governing courts.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. With reference to the power of superior courts in India to punish for contempt, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Supreme Court's power to punish for contempt of itself flows from the Constitution, and the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 mainly regulates the procedure for exercising it.
  2. High Courts can punish for contempt of themselves only because Parliament conferred this power on them through the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
  3. The Constitution declares both the Supreme Court and every High Court to be courts of record.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following assertion: The Supreme Court can itself act against persons who circulate footage of its proceedings in breach of its orders, and those orders bind persons anywhere in the country. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. The Supreme Court is a court of record with the power to punish for contempt of itself.
  2. An order made by the Supreme Court to do complete justice in a matter pending before it is enforceable throughout the territory of India.
  3. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 empowers the Central Government to direct the blocking of online information on specified grounds.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the regulation of online content under the Information Technology Act, 2000, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Central Government may direct the blocking of online information under Section 69A to protect the commercial interests of a person who owns that content.
  2. Section 69A is a power exercised by the government in its executive capacity to block content.
  3. Section 79 is a conditional exemption from liability for third-party content, and the intermediary loses it if it fails to remove unlawful material after receiving actual knowledge or a government notification.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q5. It has been proposed that every official clip of court proceedings carry a verifiable digital signature. With reference to digital signatures as recognised under the Information Technology Act, 2000, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A digital signature is created with the signer's private key and verified with the corresponding public key.
  2. Signing a clip digitally hides its contents, so that only holders of the signer's key can view the footage.
  3. Anyone holding the public key can check a signature, but that key does not let them create a valid signature in the signer's name.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Like the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General of India has a constitutional right to speak in either House of Parliament.
  2. The Constitution gives Ministers and the Attorney-General the right to speak in and take part in the proceedings of either House of Parliament, but not to vote by virtue of that provision.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct