Q1. Which amendment allowed Parliament to establish a common High Court for multiple states or union territories?
- 7th Amendment
- 99th Amendment
- 42nd Amendment
- 44th Amendment
Correct Option: 1. 7th Amendment Act.
Explanation: The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 authorized Parliament to establish a common High Court for two or more states or UTs.
Q2. What did the Supreme Court declare in the Fourth Judges Case (2015)?
- NJAC is constitutional
- Collegium system should be abolished
- NJAC is unconstitutional
- High Court judges can be impeached easily
Correct Option: 3. NJAC is unconstitutional
Explanation: Fourth Judges Case (2015) – Key Highlights
🔹 Background:
-The 99th Constitutional Amendment Act and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, both passed in 2014, aimed to replace the Collegium system with a new body – the NJAC.
-The goal was to make judicial appointments more transparent and accountable.
🔹 Why was NJAC struck down?
-In the Fourth Judges Case, the Supreme Court ruled (with a 4:1 majority) that:
-The NJAC violated the basic structure of the Constitution.
-It posed a threat to judicial independence, especially because it gave non-judicial members (like the Law Minister and two eminent persons) a say in judge appointments.
-Since judicial independence is part of the basic structure doctrine, any law affecting it is unconstitutional.
🔹 Impact of the Judgment:
-Collegium System was reinstated.
-The judgment reaffirmed that judges will continue to be appointed and transferred by a Collegium consisting of the Chief Justice of India and senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
-However, the Court did acknowledge flaws in the collegium system and called for reforms within it to enhance transparency and accountability.
Q3. Who can initiate the removal process of a High Court judge in Parliament?
- Chief Justice of India
- President
- Prime Minister
- 100 Lok Sabha or 50 Rajya Sabha members
Correct Option: 4. 100 Lok Sabha or 50 Rajya Sabha members.
Explanation: Under the Judges Enquiry Act, 1968, a motion for removal must be signed by 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 of the Rajya Sabha and submitted to the Speaker or Chairman.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT a qualification to become a High Court judge?
- Must be a citizen of India
- Must have served as a Supreme Court judge
- Must have 10 years’ experience in judicial office or as advocate
- Must not be less than 10 years in practice in High Court(s)
Correct Option: 2. Must have served as a Supreme Court judge.
Explanation: Serving as a Supreme Court judge is not a requirement. A High Court judge must be a citizen of India and have 10 years’ experience in judicial service or advocacy.
Q5. How many High Courts in India have jurisdiction over more than one state or UTs (as of 2025)?
- 2
- 3
- 7
- 8
Correct Option: 3. 7.
Explanation: As of 2025, Seven High Courts in India have jurisdiction over more than one state or union territory. These are:
(1) Bombay High Court
Jurisdiction: Maharashtra, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa.
Seat: Mumbai.
Benches: Panaji, Aurangabad, and Nagpur.
(2) Calcutta High Court
Jurisdiction: West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Seat: Kolkata.
Bench: Port Blair.
(3) Madras High Court
Jurisdiction: Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Seat: Chennai.
Bench: Madurai.
(4) Guwahati High Court
Jurisdiction: Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Seat: Guwahati.
Benches: Kohima, Aizawl, and Itanagar.
(5) Kerala High Court
Jurisdiction: Kerala and Lakshadweep.
Seat: Ernakulam.
(6) Punjab and Haryana High Court
Jurisdiction: Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
Seat: Chandigarh.
Additionally, the (7) High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh serves as a common High Court for both union territories. This arrangement was established after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories in 2019.