Which Chief Justice of India also officiated as President of India?
- A.S. M. Sikri
- B.A. N. Ray
- C.M. Hidayatullah
- D.K. Subba Rao
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, M. Hidayatullah. Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah, who was Chief Justice of India from 1968 to 1970, officiated as President of India from 20 July to 24 August 1969, in the gap between the death of President Zakir Husain and the election of V. V. Giri. He was also the first Muslim Chief Justice of India and later became Vice-President of India. Option A is wrong because Justice S. M. Sikri headed the bench in the Kesavananda Bharati case but never held presidential office. Option B is wrong because Justice A. N. Ray is remembered instead for being appointed over three senior judges in 1973. Option D is wrong because Justice K. Subba Rao resigned to contest the presidential election and lost it, which is a common trap in this question.
Read the full article: List of Chief Justices of India: Tenures and Articles
Practice Questions
View allWho was the first Chief Justice of India after the Constitution came into force?
- A.M. Patanjali Sastri
- B.Harilal Jekisundas Kania
- C.Mehr Chand Mahajan
- D.Bijan Kumar Mukherjea
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When the Federal Court of India became the Supreme Court of India on 26 January 1950, Justice H. J. Kania, who had been Chief Justice of the Federal Court, became the first Chief Justice of India.
Read the full explanation →The appointment of the Chief Justice of India and the other judges of the Supreme Court is provided for in which Article of the Constitution?
- A.Article 124
- B.Article 126
- C.Article 127
- D.Article 131
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Article 124 establishes the Supreme Court of India and lays down that every judge of the Court, including the Chief Justice of India, is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal; Article 124(2) fixes the retirement age at sixty-five years and Article 124(4) prescribes the procedure…
Read the full explanation →Who had the longest tenure as Chief Justice of India?
- A.Y. V. Chandrachud
- B.D. Y. Chandrachud
- C.A. N. Ray
- D.S. R. Das
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Justice Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud was Chief Justice of India from 22 February 1978 to 11 July 1985, a tenure of about seven years and four months, by far the longest any holder of the office has had.
Read the full explanation →Which Chief Justice of India had the shortest tenure in the office?
- A.K. N. Singh
- B.M. H. Kania
- C.L. M. Sharma
- D.Kamal Narain Sinha
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Justice Kamal Narain Singh was Chief Justice of India for only seventeen days, from 25 November to 12 December 1991, the shortest tenure in the history of the office.
Read the full explanation →Under the Constitution, the oath of office to the President of India is administered by whom?
- A.The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- B.The Vice-President of India
- C.The Chief Justice of India
- D.The Prime Minister of India
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Article 60 lays down the form of oath for the President and provides that it is made in the presence of the Chief Justice of India, or in his absence the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court available.
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