Q10. Regarding Lok Adalats:
(1) their awards are deemed civil-court decrees and are not appealable;
(2) matrimonial or family disputes are excluded entirely.
Which is true?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2009]
A. Statement 1 only
B. Statement 2 only
C. Both statements
D. Neither statement
Answer: (A) Statement 1 only
Explanation: Section 21 gives a settlement award the effect of a civil-court decree and bars appeals against that award. Eligible family or matrimonial disputes may also be settled in Lok Adalats, so they are not excluded categorically.
Q9. In 2008, how many High Courts exercised jurisdiction over more than one state, excluding arrangements concerning Union territories alone?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2008]
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Answer: (B) Three
Explanation: The 2008 examination counted three such courts: Bombay, Gauhati, and Punjab and Haryana High Courts. These arrangements illustrated how a single High Court could serve more than one state rather than each state possessing a separate court.
Q8. Which statement is right:
(1) a High Court judge is removed by the same method as a Supreme Court judge;
(2) a retired permanent High Court judge cannot practise before any court in India without exception?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2007]
A. 1 alone
B. 2 alone
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: (A) 1 alone
Explanation: High Court and Supreme Court judges face constitutionally equivalent removal procedures. Article 220, however, permits a retired permanent High Court judge to practise before the Supreme Court and other High Courts, excluding the court in which the judge served.
Q7. Assertion: Every state physically contains a distinct High Court.
Reason: Article 214 provides that each state shall have a High Court.
Choose the correct combination.
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2006]
A. Both true, reason explains assertion
B. Both true, reason unrelated
C. Assertion true, reason false
D. Assertion false, reason true
Answer: (D) Assertion false, reason true
Explanation: Article 214 provides for a High Court for each state, but Article 231 permits common High Courts for multiple states. Therefore the constitutional statement is true while the claim of a physically separate court in every state is false.
Q6. Consider:
(1) retired permanent High Court judges may practise only in the Supreme Court;
(2) five years in judicial office suffices for High Court judgeship.
Which is correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2006]
A. Statement 1 only
B. Statement 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: (D) Neither
Explanation: Article 220 allows former permanent High Court judges to practise before the Supreme Court and other High Courts, subject to restrictions. Article 217 requires ten years of judicial office or High Court advocacy, not merely five years in judicial office.
Q5. Lok Adalats may be organized for which disputes:
(1) mobile-phone service,
(2) motor-accident cases,
(3) pension matters?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2005]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2
C. 2 only
D. All three
Answer: (D) All three
Explanation: Suitable telecommunications, motor-accident compensation and pension disputes may be brought before Lok Adalats for amicable settlement, subject to statutory requirements. Their jurisdiction is not confined to one narrow category of private civil disagreements.
Q4. Consider:
(1) Parliament can never expand Supreme Court jurisdiction beyond the Constitution’s initial grant;
(2) Supreme Court and High Court staff costs are both charged to India’s Consolidated Fund.
Which is correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2005]
A. Statement 1 alone
B. Statement 2 alone
C. Both statements
D. Neither statement
Answer: (D) Neither statement
Explanation: Parliament can confer certain additional jurisdiction on the Supreme Court within constitutional limits. Financial treatment also differs: Supreme Court expenses are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India, while High Court administrative expenses generally charge the state fund.
Q3. Which are correct:
(1) Sessions Court heads district criminal judiciary;
(2) Governor appoints District Judges after consulting High Court;
(3) seven years’ advocacy is an eligibility route;
(4) High Court must confirm Sessions Court death sentences?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2004]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. All four
Answer: (D) All four
Explanation: District and Sessions Judges lead the district-level judiciary. Article 233 governs appointment and the seven-year advocacy eligibility route for persons outside judicial service. A Sessions Court death sentence needs confirmation by the High Court before execution.
Q2. Which High Court exercises territorial jurisdiction over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2003]
A. Andhra Pradesh High Court
B. Calcutta High Court
C. Madras High Court
D. Orissa High Court
Answer: (B) Calcutta High Court
Explanation: The Calcutta High Court’s territorial jurisdiction extends to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The arrangement shows how a Union territory may fall under a High Court based in another territorial unit rather than possessing a separate High Court.
Q1. The salaries and allowances of judges of a state High Court are charged upon which fund?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary, 2002]
A. Consolidated Fund of India
B. Consolidated Fund of the State
C. Contingency Fund of India
D. Contingency Fund of the State
Answer: (B) Consolidated Fund of the State
Explanation: Article 221 and the relevant financial provisions protect judicial remuneration. Salaries and allowances of High Court judges are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of the state, insulating them from an ordinary legislative vote on those expenditure items.
