Q70. Which Constitutional Amendment introduced the Ninth Schedule, later scrutinised in I. R. Coelho (2007)?
[SSC Selection Post (Graduate Level), 23 September 2026, Shift 1]
(A) 24th Amendment
(B) 42nd Amendment
(C) 44th Amendment
(D) 1st Amendment
Answer: (D) 1st Amendment
Explanation: The First Amendment Act, 1951 inserted Articles 31A and 31B and created the Ninth Schedule. In I. R. Coelho (2007), the Supreme Court confirmed that laws inserted after 24 April 1973 can be examined for violations of the Constitution’s basic structure.
Q69. Which of the following has NOT been explicitly recognised as part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution?
[SSC Selection Post (Graduate Level), 21 September 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Judicial Review
(B) Federalism
(C) Secularism
(D) Uniform Civil Code
Answer: (D) Uniform Civil Code
Explanation: Judicial review, federalism and secularism have been recognised by the Supreme Court as basic constitutional features. A Uniform Civil Code appears as a Directive Principle under Article 44, but has not itself been identified as a basic-structure component.
Q68. Judicial review in India allows the judiciary to:
[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent, 4 July 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Examine the constitutionality of laws and executive orders
(B) Amend the Constitution
(C) Suspend the Constitution
(D) Review the speeches of parliamentarians
Answer: (A) Examine the constitutionality of laws and executive orders
Explanation: Judicial review lets constitutional courts test legislation and executive action against constitutional limits. Articles 13, 32 and 226 are central to this authority. Courts may invalidate unconstitutional measures, but they do not themselves acquire the legislature’s constitutional amending power.
Q67. Judicial review in India refers to the power of the judiciary to:
[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent, 2 July 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Enact new laws
(B) Directly manage administrative functions
(C) Conduct local governance
(D) Assess the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions
Answer: (D) Assess the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions
Explanation: A court exercising judicial review evaluates whether governmental laws and decisions are consistent with constitutional provisions. It does not function as a municipal administrator or substitute legislature. Judicial review therefore upholds constitutional supremacy while respecting the different roles of state institutions.
Q66. What term describes the judiciary’s proactive role in protecting constitutional rights when the legislature or executive fails to act?
[DSSSB Court Attendant, 30 June 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Judicial Review
(B) Judicial Activism
(C) Legislative Supremacy
(D) Executive Action
Answer: (B) Judicial Activism
Explanation: Judicial activism refers to an assertive judicial approach to enforcing rights and securing justice. Courts may employ innovative remedies or liberal standing rules. It is related to, but not identical with, the power of judicial review to assess constitutional validity.
Q65. In India, judicial activism involving innovative constitutional interpretation became prominent during which period?
[RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I, 18 June 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Mid-1970s
(B) Early 1950s
(C) Late 1990s
(D) After 2010
Answer: (A) Mid-1970s
Explanation: Judicial activism gathered momentum during the mid-1970s and developed strongly thereafter. Judges such as V. R. Krishna Iyer and P. N. Bhagwati broadened access to justice, giving special attention to disadvantaged groups and expanding rights-oriented judicial remedies.
Q64. Which case is associated with relaxation of locus standi and the growth of Public Interest Litigation in India?
[RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I, 15 June 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Minerva Mills v. Union of India
(B) Golaknath v. State of Punjab
(C) Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
(D) S. P. Gupta v. Union of India
Answer: (D) S. P. Gupta v. Union of India
Explanation: In S. P. Gupta v. Union of India (1981), the Supreme Court articulated broader standing rules for bona fide persons representing those unable to approach the court themselves. This helped establish Public Interest Litigation as a means of securing collective justice.
Q63. What is the purpose of judicial activism?
[DSSSB Court Attendant, 2 June 2026, Shift 2]
(A) To increase the powers of the legislature
(B) To expand the judicial role in protecting rights
(C) To enforce existing executive orders
(D) To place limits on court jurisdiction
Answer: (B) To expand the judicial role in protecting rights
Explanation: Judicial activism emphasises an active judicial role in enforcing constitutional rights, especially when inaction or abuse of power prevents effective remedies. Such intervention must still observe judicial discipline and constitutional boundaries to avoid substituting courts for elected institutions.
Q62. Who among the following helped establish judicial activism in India?
A. Justice P. N. Bhagwati;
B. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer;
C. Justice Hidayatullah.
[Bihar Police SI Mains, 17 May 2026 (memory-based paper)]
(A) A and C
(B) B and C
(C) C and A
(D) A and B
Answer: (D) A and B
Explanation: Justices V. R. Krishna Iyer and P. N. Bhagwati are especially associated with expansive standing, social-action litigation and access to justice. Their judgments helped individuals and public-minded organisations seek protection for workers, prisoners and vulnerable communities.
Q61. Public Interest Litigation is an example of which doctrine?
[RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-I, 9 May 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Judicial Activism
(B) Executive Action
(C) Judicial Review
(D) Judicial Neutrality
Answer: (A) Judicial Activism
Explanation: Public Interest Litigation is closely associated with judicial activism because it relaxes traditional standing requirements and enables courts to address significant public grievances. It permits sincere representatives to seek relief where directly affected persons cannot effectively approach the judiciary.