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Indian PolityEasyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper I

In India, Judicial Review implies

  1. A.the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders.
  2. B.the power of the Judiciary to question the wisdom of the laws enacted by the Legislatures.
  3. C.the power of the Judiciary to review all the legislative enactments before they are assented to by the President.
  4. D.the power of the Judiciary to review its own judgements given earlier in similar or different cases.

Correct answer

A. the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders.

Explanation

The correct answer is A, the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders. Judicial review lets the Supreme Court and the High Courts strike down any law or executive action that violates the Constitution. Its basis lies in Article 13, which voids laws inconsistent with the fundamental rights, and in Articles 32 and 226, which let citizens approach the courts. In Kesavananda Bharati (1973) and later in L. Chandra Kumar (1997), the Supreme Court held that judicial review is part of the basic structure, so it cannot be removed even by a constitutional amendment. Option B is wrong because courts test only whether a law is constitutional, not whether it is wise or good policy; that belongs to the legislature. Option C is wrong because Indian courts do not examine bills before the President's assent; they review laws after enactment, apart from the advisory route of Article 143. Option D is wrong because a court reconsidering its own judgement is the review power under Article 137, a different thing. Exam tip: Judicial review — Articles 13, 32, 226; part of the basic structure; idea borrowed from the USA.

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Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2022, GATMedium

Who among the following had the shortest span in office as the Prime Minister of India?

  1. A.Lal Bahadur Shastri
  2. B.Chaudhary Charan Singh
  3. C.Chandra Shekhar
  4. D.H. D. Deve Gowda
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Correct answer: B. Chaudhary Charan Singh

Among the four, Charan Singh held office for the shortest time, about 170 days. He became Prime Minister on 28 July 1979 after the Janata government of Morarji Desai fell, but resigned on 20 August 1979 without ever facing Parliament, when the Congress withdrew its support.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GKMedium

Who among the following was the Chairman of the National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution (2000)?

  1. A.Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
  2. B.Justice J.S. Verma
  3. C.Justice Ranganath Mishra
  4. D.Justice Y.K. Sabharwal
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah

Venkatachaliah. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution was set up by the Union government in February 2000 under Justice M.N.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. In India, the Special Marriage Act protects an individual if one enters into an interreligious marriage.

2. Right to marry a person of one's choice is an integral aspect of one's Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

3. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also resonates marital rights of every adult consenting individuals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.2 and 3 only
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.1,2 and 3
  4. D.1 only
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Correct answer: C. 1,2 and 3

All three statements are correct. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 lets any two Indians marry by civil registration whatever their religion, without either partner having to convert, so it is the law that covers inter-religious marriages.