Q50. The doctrine of judicial review originated in which country?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate) CBT-I, 18 June 2025, Shift 2]
(A) United States of America
(B) United Kingdom
(C) India
(D) France
Answer: (A) United States of America
Explanation: Modern constitutional judicial review is strongly associated with the United States and the 1803 Marbury v. Madison judgment. India adopted an adapted approach under its written Constitution, enabling its superior courts to test legislative and executive measures.
Q49. In India, judicial review is considered to be:
[RRB NTPC (Graduate) CBT-I, 13 June 2025, Shift 3]
(A) Power to determine constitutionality of laws and executive orders
(B) Power to question the wisdom of all Cabinet decisions
(C) Pre-assent examination of every Act
(D) Power to substitute courts for legislatures
Answer: (A) Power to determine constitutionality of laws and executive orders
Explanation: Judicial review concerns constitutional validity, not whether a judge considers legislation politically wise. A measure may be unwise yet constitutional. Courts intervene when legal or constitutional limits have been breached, subject to applicable doctrines and procedures.
Q48. Which is a key reason for judicial review in India?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate) CBT-I, 10 June 2025, Shift 2]
(A) To authorise judges to make laws
(B) To maintain federal balance only
(C) To make Parliament supreme
(D) To protect constitutional supremacy and fundamental rights
Answer: (D) To protect constitutional supremacy and fundamental rights
Explanation: Judicial review upholds constitutional supremacy and safeguards fundamental rights against unconstitutional government actions. It also preserves federal boundaries, but its purpose is broader than merely settling Centre–State relations. Neither Parliament nor the executive operates above constitutional limitations.
Q47. Judicial review in India refers to the power of the judiciary to:
[Punjab Police Constable, 5 June 2025, Shift 1]
(A) Enact new Union laws
(B) Examine constitutionality of legislative and executive actions
(C) Review decisions of international bodies
(D) Appoint ministers
Answer: (B) Examine constitutionality of legislative and executive actions
Explanation: Judicial review allows courts to check that governmental measures obey constitutional requirements. When a law or executive decision breaches constitutional boundaries, a competent court can grant relief or invalidate it. This does not confer executive appointment powers upon judges.
Q46. What is the principal objective of Public Interest Litigation in India?
[Punjab Police Constable, 2 June 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Ensure accountability on public welfare generally
(B) Raise awareness only
(C) Allow organisations to fight every private dispute
(D) Secure justice for backward and marginalised communities
Answer: (D) Secure justice for backward and marginalised communities
Explanation: PIL was developed particularly to help disadvantaged people whose rights could not otherwise be effectively enforced. Courts permit bona fide petitioners to represent broader public concerns, while scrutinising whether proceedings genuinely protect the vulnerable rather than private interests.
Q45. From which country was the idea of Public Interest Litigation in India borrowed?
[RPF Constable, 12 March 2025, Shift 1]
(A) United States of America
(B) Australia
(C) Canada
(D) United Kingdom
Answer: (A) United States of America
Explanation: Indian public-interest litigation developed through domestic judicial innovation but drew inspiration from American public-interest law. Justices V. R. Krishna Iyer and P. N. Bhagwati were influential in expanding standing and access to constitutional remedies in India.
Q44. Assertion: PIL is important for the rule of law in India.
Reason: PIL improves access to justice for socially and economically weaker sections.
Choose the correct relationship.
[UPPSC PCS Preliminary Examination, 2025]
(A) Both are true, and the Reason explains the Assertion
(B) Assertion true, Reason false
(C) Assertion false, Reason true
(D) Both true, but Reason does not explain Assertion
Answer: (A) Both are true, and the Reason explains the Assertion
Explanation: Both propositions are correct. PIL contributes to the rule of law by enabling people lacking effective legal access to seek protection of rights through genuine public-interest proceedings. Wider access helps hold public authorities to their constitutional obligations.
Q43. Which Article empowers the Supreme Court to review its own judgments or orders?
[RPF Sub-Inspector CBT-I, 9 December 2024, Shift 1]
(A) Article 137
(B) Article 140
(C) Article 150
(D) Article 138
Answer: (A) Article 137
Explanation: Article 137 authorises the Supreme Court to review its own judgments or orders according to applicable law and rules. This reconsideration power differs from constitutional judicial review, which examines the legality or constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.
Q42. The concept of Public Interest Litigation originated in:
[SSC CGL Tier-I, 12 September 2024, Shift 3]
(A) Switzerland
(B) Iceland
(C) USA
(D) New Zealand
Answer: (C) USA
Explanation: The expression public-interest litigation traces its modern development to American legal practice. India adapted the idea through an increasingly accessible judicial process, allowing sincere persons to bring certain public grievances affecting disadvantaged or unrepresented groups before constitutional courts.
Q41. Which principle is NOT directly a doctrine used to test the constitutional validity of a law in judicial review?
[RPSC Assistant Professor (Political Science), 11 September 2024]
(A) Doctrine of Severability
(B) Presumption of Constitutionality
(C) Doctrine of Progressive Interpretation
(D) Concept of Locus Standi
Answer: (D) Concept of Locus Standi
Explanation: Locus standi primarily concerns whether a person has sufficient standing to approach a court. Severability and the presumption of constitutionality, by contrast, address how courts assess legal validity. PIL notably broadened standing requirements for public-minded claimants.
