Q110. Who was the petitioner in the Supreme Court case that established privacy as a Fundamental Right in 2017?
[UPSC CDS (I) 2024]
(A) P.N. Bhagwati
(B) R.F. Nariman
(C) K.S. Puttaswamy
(D) Anil R. Dave
Answer: (C) K.S. Puttaswamy
Explanation: Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (retired) brought the petition leading to the nine-judge bench judgment in 2017. The Supreme Court unanimously recognized privacy as constitutionally protected, rooted chiefly in Article 21 and related liberties.
Q109. How many Supreme Court judges other than the Chief Justice could be appointed under the sanctioned strength in 2024?
[SSC CPO, 28 June 2024, Shift 2]
(A) 35
(B) 33
(C) 30
(D) 28
Answer: (B) 33
Explanation: The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019, raised the sanctioned strength to 33 judges besides the Chief Justice. Thus the total sanctioned strength became 34, regardless of the number of vacancies at any moment.
Q108. What was the maximum sanctioned number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice, in 2024?
[SSC CGL, 13 September 2024, Shift 1]
(A) 37
(B) 35
(C) 38
(D) 33
Answer: (D) 33
Explanation: The amended statutory ceiling comprises 33 puisne judges plus the Chief Justice, making 34 seats in all. The maximum sanctioned number differs from the actual sitting strength, which can be smaller if posts remain vacant.
Q107. The Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Article 131 includes which matter?
[SSC CHSL Tier-II, 18 November 2024]
(A) Ordinary divorce proceedings
(B) First appeal from a subordinate court
(C) Certain disputes between the Union and States
(D) All private property disputes
Answer: (C) Certain disputes between the Union and States
Explanation: Qualifying federal disputes concerning legal rights may be instituted directly in the Supreme Court under Article 131. This original jurisdiction differs from the Court’s appellate powers and does not cover routine private civil suits.
Q106. Which court stated that there cannot be separate justice systems for the rich and the poor?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 9 July 2024, Shift 1]
(A) Kerala High Court
(B) Himachal Pradesh High Court
(C) Supreme Court of India
(D) Gujarat High Court
Answer: (C) Supreme Court of India
Explanation: The examination refers to the Supreme Court’s insistence on equal access to justice. Article 14 protects equality, while Article 39A directs the State to promote equal justice and free legal aid for those facing economic barriers.
Q105. Which of the following is NOT part of the Union Executive?
[SSC Selection Post, 24 June 2024, Shift 2]
(A) President of India
(B) Council of Ministers
(C) Supreme Court
(D) Prime Minister
Answer: (C) Supreme Court
Explanation: The Union Executive includes the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers and Attorney General in the constitutional scheme. The Supreme Court belongs to the judiciary and must remain institutionally independent of executive control.
Q104. Who determines the salaries of Supreme Court judges through legislation?
[SSC GD Constable, 24 February 2024, Shift 4]
(A) President
(B) Parliament
(C) Chief Justice of India
(D) Prime Minister
Answer: (B) Parliament
Explanation: Parliament determines judicial salaries by law, subject to constitutional safeguards. Judges’ pay and service conditions are protected against disadvantageous changes after appointment, helping secure judicial independence from executive pressure.
Q103. Which institution is the highest judicial court in India?
[SSC MTS, 11 November 2024, Shift 2]
(A) District Court
(B) Supreme Court
(C) High Court
(D) Parliament
Answer: (B) Supreme Court
Explanation: The Supreme Court stands at the apex of India’s integrated judicial hierarchy. Parliament is the national legislature, while High Courts supervise their respective jurisdictions and District Courts function at a subordinate level.
Q102. Which Article chiefly provides for the establishment and constitution of India’s Supreme Court?
[SSC Selection Post, 24 June 2024, Shift 3]
(A) Article 123
(B) Article 121
(C) Article 122
(D) Article 124
Answer: (D) Article 124
Explanation: Article 124 establishes the Supreme Court and governs core matters concerning its composition and appointment of judges. Articles 121 and 122 concern parliamentary proceedings, while Article 123 authorizes presidential ordinances.
Q101. Which Article grants the Supreme Court original writ jurisdiction for enforcement of Fundamental Rights?
[SSC GD Constable, 23 February 2024, Shift 1]
(A) Article 31
(B) Article 226
(C) Article 13
(D) Article 32
Answer: (D) Article 32
Explanation: Article 32 provides direct Supreme Court remedies for infringement of Fundamental Rights. Article 226 gives High Courts their own, wider writ jurisdiction. Article 13 deals with laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights, not direct access to the Supreme Court.
