Q1. Which of the following does NOT fall under the advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
- Questions of law or fact of public importance
- Disputes arising from pre-Constitution agreements
- Providing legal opinion on matters related to election law
- Disputes over interpretation of state laws
Correct Option: 4. Disputes over interpretation of state laws
Explanation: Under advisory jurisdiction (Article 143), the President can seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on questions of law or fact of public importance or on disputes arising out of pre-Constitution treaties. However, disputes regarding the interpretation of state laws do not fall under this jurisdiction.
Q2. Which of the following powers is associated with the Supreme Court being a Court of Record?
- The Supreme Court can issue orders for contempt of court.
- The Supreme Court can review its own judgments.
- Judgments of the Supreme Court are recorded and serve as legal precedents.
- All of the above
Correct Option: 4. All of the above
Explanation: As a Court of Record, the Supreme Court’s judgments and proceedings are permanently recorded and hold evidentiary value in any court of law. The Court also has the power to punish for contempt of court and can review its own judgments, reflecting its role as a self-correcting authority.
Q3. What is the binding effect of the Supreme Court’s judgments?
- They are binding on all courts in India
- They are binding only on high courts
- They are only binding on the parties to the case
- They are not binding on any other court
Correct Option: 1. They are binding on all courts in India
Explanation: The judgments and decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all courts in India. This means that the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the law or the Constitution is final and authoritative, and its orders are enforceable throughout the country.
Q4. Which of the following is a doctrine applied by the Supreme Court while interpreting the Constitution?
- Doctrine of Severability
- Doctrine of Waiver
- Doctrine of Pith and Substance
- All of the above
Correct Option: 4. All of the above
Explanation: The Supreme Court uses several doctrines when interpreting the Constitution, including:
Doctrine of Severability (separating valid parts of laws from invalid ones),
Doctrine of Waiver (allowing certain rights to be voluntarily relinquished),
Doctrine of Pith and Substance (determining the true nature of a law).
These doctrines help the Court navigate complex constitutional issues.
Q5. Which of the following actions is within the power of the Supreme Court regarding its own judgments?
- It can modify its judgments as per Parliament’s instructions.
- It can review and modify its own judgment in the interest of justice.
- It can delegate the review of its judgments to the High Courts.
- It has no power to review its judgments.
Correct Option: 2. It can review and modify its own judgment in the interest of justice.
Explanation: The Supreme Court has the power to review its own judgments in the interest of justice or when it identifies an error. This reflects the self-correcting nature of the Court, ensuring that justice is served even after a judgment is passed. For example, in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the Court overruled its earlier decision in the Golak Nath case (1967).