UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Lok Sabha passes SC judges Bill without any discussion

Q1. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was moved for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha by which one of the following Union Ministers?

  • A. The Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman
  • B. The Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah
  • C. The Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal
  • D. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the change in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India effected in 2026: 1. The number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India was raised from thirty-three to thirty-seven. 2. Counting the Chief Justice of India, the sanctioned strength rose from thirty-four to thirty-eight. 3. The addition of four Judges is the largest single increase ever effected under the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India was raised from thirty-three to thirty-seven.
  2. Counting the Chief Justice of India, the sanctioned strength rose from thirty-four to thirty-eight.
  3. The addition of four Judges is the largest single increase ever effected under the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to successive amendments to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, consider the following statements about the maximum number of Judges excluding the Chief Justice of India: 1. The 1960 amendment raised the number from ten to thirteen. 2. The 1977 amendment raised the number from thirteen to seventeen. 3. The 1986 amendment raised the number from seventeen to twenty-six. 4. The 2008 amendment raised the number from twenty-five to thirty-one. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The 1960 amendment raised the number from ten to thirteen.
  2. The 1977 amendment raised the number from thirteen to seventeen.
  3. The 1986 amendment raised the number from seventeen to twenty-six.
  4. The 2008 amendment raised the number from twenty-five to thirty-one.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 as it stood before the 2026 amendment: 1. As originally enacted in 1956, the Act fixed the maximum number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India at ten. 2. The increase effected in 2019 took the number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India from thirty to thirty-three. 3. Between the amendments of 2008 and 2019, the maximum number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India remained unchanged. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. As originally enacted in 1956, the Act fixed the maximum number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India at ten.
  2. The increase effected in 2019 took the number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India from thirty to thirty-three.
  3. Between the amendments of 2008 and 2019, the maximum number of Judges other than the Chief Justice of India remained unchanged.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The enhanced sanctioned strength of Supreme Court Judges first took legal effect in 2026 on which one of the following dates, from which the amending legislation operates?

  • A. 5 May 2026
  • B. 16 May 2026
  • C. 20 July 2026
  • D. 3 August 2026

Q6. The instrument by which the Supreme Court's judge strength was raised in May 2026, before Parliament enacted the corresponding law, was promulgated in exercise of the power conferred by which one of the following Articles?

  • A. Article 213 of the Constitution of India
  • B. Article 124(2) of the Constitution of India
  • C. Article 356 of the Constitution of India
  • D. Article 123 of the Constitution of India

Q7. In the Lok Sabha on 3 August 2026, the Chair invited members to speak on which one of the following items, listed alongside the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, before putting the Bill to vote?

  • A. A motion of thanks on the address of the President
  • B. A statutory resolution disapproving the Ordinance that the Bill sought to replace
  • C. A calling-attention motion on pendency of cases in the higher judiciary
  • D. An adjournment motion on the conduct of the police at a public protest

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the manner in which the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha, as compared with other legislative business of the same Monsoon Session: 1. The Bill was cleared by a voice vote rather than by a recorded division. 2. In the preceding week the House had similarly passed, without debate, a Bill amending the law relating to registration of births and deaths. 3. That earlier Bill, unlike the present one, was carried only after a division was demanded and the votes were recorded. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Bill was cleared by a voice vote rather than by a recorded division.
  2. In the preceding week the House had similarly passed, without debate, a Bill amending the law relating to registration of births and deaths.
  3. That earlier Bill, unlike the present one, was carried only after a division was demanded and the votes were recorded.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. An Ordinance promulgated by the President ceases to operate at the expiration of how many weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, unless a replacing law is enacted or it is otherwise approved?

  • A. Four weeks
  • B. Eight weeks
  • C. Twelve weeks
  • D. Six weeks

Q10. With reference to the procedure governing an Ordinance and the Bill that replaces it, consider the following statements: 1. Every Ordinance promulgated by the President must be laid before each House of Parliament. 2. If both Houses pass resolutions disapproving an Ordinance, it ceases to operate on the passing of the second of those resolutions. 3. A Bill replacing an Ordinance must be ratified by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States before it is presented for assent. 4. Raising the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court Judges requires a constitutional amendment passed by a special majority in each House. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Every Ordinance promulgated by the President must be laid before each House of Parliament.
  2. If both Houses pass resolutions disapproving an Ordinance, it ceases to operate on the passing of the second of those resolutions.
  3. A Bill replacing an Ordinance must be ratified by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States before it is presented for assent.
  4. Raising the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court Judges requires a constitutional amendment passed by a special majority in each House.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 4

Q11. With reference to the other Bills taken up in the Lok Sabha on the day the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed, consider the following: 1. The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 — seeks to replace the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891. 2. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 — seeks to replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959. 3. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 — provides for a Board of Governors composed entirely of nominees of the Central Government. 4. The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 — makes bound physical ledgers the only form of banking record admissible in evidence. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 — seeks to replace the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891.
  2. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 — seeks to replace the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959.
  3. The Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026 — provides for a Board of Governors composed entirely of nominees of the Central Government.
  4. The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 — makes bound physical ledgers the only form of banking record admissible in evidence.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 2 and 4

Q12. With reference to the constitutional provisions governing the composition of the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements: 1. Article 124(1) itself provides for a Chief Justice of India and not more than seven other Judges, until Parliament prescribes a larger number. 2. Parliament may enlarge the number of Judges of the Supreme Court by ordinary law, without amending the Constitution. 3. Expenditure on the salaries of Supreme Court Judges and on the Court's establishment is met from the Consolidated Fund of India. 4. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is fixed by the Chief Justice of India in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Article 124(1) itself provides for a Chief Justice of India and not more than seven other Judges, until Parliament prescribes a larger number.
  2. Parliament may enlarge the number of Judges of the Supreme Court by ordinary law, without amending the Constitution.
  3. Expenditure on the salaries of Supreme Court Judges and on the Court's establishment is met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
  4. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is fixed by the Chief Justice of India in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3 only