Q60. Which constitutional provision related to cooperative societies was struck down in part by the Supreme Court?
[SSC CGL Tier-I, 17 July 2023, Shift 1]
(A) Part IVA
(B) Part IXA
(C) Part IXB
(D) Part XI
Answer: (C) Part IXB
Explanation: The Supreme Court invalidated the application of Part IXB to State cooperative societies because the constitutional amendment lacked required State ratification. The decision preserved the portion applicable to multi-State cooperative societies.
Q59. What is the name of the Supreme Court’s electronic communication system for rapid transmission of judicial orders?
[SSC CGL Tier-I, 26 July 2023, Shift 4]
(A) INSTANT
(B) FASTER
(C) RAPID
(D) QUICKER
Answer: (B) FASTER
Explanation: FASTER stands for Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records. It helps courts and prison authorities receive authenticated judicial directions quickly, addressing delays between pronouncement of an order and its practical implementation.
Q58. In which Schedule are the salaries of Supreme Court judges listed alongside those of several high constitutional functionaries?
[MPPSC State Services Prelims 2022, held 21 May 2023]
(A) First Schedule
(B) Second Schedule
(C) Third Schedule
(D) Fourth Schedule
Answer: (B) Second Schedule
Explanation: The Second Schedule covers salaries and allowances of specified constitutional office-holders, including the Supreme Court judiciary. These provisions should be read together with Article 125 and legislation governing judicial service conditions.
Q57. Which institutional features were provided under the Government of India Act, 1935:
A Federal Court
A Federal Public Service Commission?
[RPSC Senior Teacher Grade II 2022, held 12 February 2023]
(A) Only the second
(B) Both institutions
(C) Only the first
(D) Neither institution
Answer: (B) Both institutions
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935, provided for the Federal Court and a Federal Public Service Commission. The Federal Court began operating in 1937 and was an institutional precursor to the Supreme Court established in 1950.
Q56. Regarding contempt of court, which statements are correct:
Parliament may legislate on contempt;
The Supreme Court may punish contempt of itself;
The Constitution defines civil and criminal contempt;
Parliament has legislated on contempt?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2022]
(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 1, 2 and 4 only
(C) 3 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (B) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: The Constitution makes the Supreme Court a court of record and empowers punishment for contempt. Parliament enacted the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, which defines civil and criminal contempt; those definitions are statutory, not set out in the Constitution.
Q55. Consider:
1. The Bar Council of India regulates law education and standards.
2. Bar Councils have a role in advocating rights of lawyers.
Which statement is correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2022]
(A) Statement 1 only
(B) Both statements
(C) Statement 2 only
(D) Neither statement
Answer: (B) Both statements
Explanation: The Advocates Act provides a regulatory structure for the legal profession and standards of legal education, with the Bar Council of India having a central role. Bar councils also address professional interests and standards of conduct.
Q54. Regarding writs, consider:
1. Mandamus lies against a private body to enforce purely private duties.
2. Mandamus lies when a public duty is not performed.
3. Quo warranto may be sought by a person without personal injury.
Which are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2022]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) All three
Answer: (C) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Mandamus generally compels performance of a public duty, not ordinary private obligations. Quo warranto challenges a person’s legal right to public office and generally does not require the petitioner to show personal injury.
Q53. Which Article authorizes the President to seek the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion?
[RRB Group D, 28 September 2022]
(A) Article 133
(B) Article 142
(C) Article 143
(D) Article 132
Answer: (C) Article 143
Explanation: Under Article 143, the President can refer certain questions of law or fact of public importance for the Supreme Court’s opinion. This advisory function is separate from ordinary appeals and original disputes.
Q52. How many judges other than the Chief Justice constituted the Supreme Court at its commencement in 1950?
[RRB Group D, 18 September 2022]
(A) Seven
(B) Eleven
(C) Fourteen
(D) Seventeen
Answer: (A) Seven
Explanation: At commencement, the Supreme Court comprised the Chief Justice and seven other judges, for a total of eight. Parliament subsequently increased its sanctioned strength by statute to deal with a growing caseload.
Q51. Initially, how many puisne judges were provided for the Supreme Court besides the Chief Justice?
[RRB Group D, 18 August 2022]
(A) Seven
(B) Fourteen
(C) Eleven
(D) Seventeen
Answer: (A) Seven
Explanation: Article 124 originally envisaged seven judges besides the Chief Justice, unless Parliament provided for more. Later statutes expanded the sanctioned bench, eventually to a total of thirty-four including the Chief Justice.
