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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper I

Which one of the following powers of the Supreme Court is also conferred on a High Court?

  1. A.Advisory power
  2. B.Power of doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before the court
  3. C.Power of court of record
  4. D.Power to allow/refuse Special Leave Petitions

Correct answer

C. Power of court of record

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Power of court of record. Article 129 makes the Supreme Court a court of record and Article 215 does the same for every High Court, with power to punish for its contempt.

A court of record has two features: its judgments and proceedings are kept as permanent records with evidentiary value that cannot be questioned in any court, and it can punish for contempt of itself. Both the Supreme Court and the High Courts enjoy this power under the Constitution. The other three powers in the list belong to the Supreme Court alone.

A is wrong: advisory jurisdiction under Article 143 lets the President seek the opinion of the Supreme Court only.

B is wrong: the power to pass any order for doing complete justice is given to the Supreme Court by Article 142.

D is wrong: special leave to appeal from any court or tribunal in India is granted only by the Supreme Court under Article 136.

Exam tip: Court of record = Article 129 (Supreme Court) and Article 215 (High Courts); 136, 142 and 143 are Supreme Court only.

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Practice Questions

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IHard

Which of the following statements about the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are correct? 1. The Convention was the culmination of more than thirty years of work by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. 2. The Convention devotes major attention to women's reproductive rights. 3. The implementation of the Convention is monitored by the Committee on Human Rights. Select the answer using the code given below.

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

CEDAW grew out of the Commission on the Status of Women and addresses reproductive rights, but it has its own monitoring committee.

Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IMedium

Which of the following are a part of the 'basic features' of the Constitution of India as drawn from various decisions of the Supreme Court? 1. Effective access to justice 2. Rule of Law 3. Limitations upon the amending power under Article 368 Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

The Supreme Court has counted all three among the basic features that Parliament cannot destroy. The basic structure doctrine was laid down in Kesavananda Bharati (1973): Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution under Article 368 but cannot alter its basic structure.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IHard

The Governor of a state may exercise discretionary powers when 1. he or she is not convinced by the advice of the Council of Ministers 2. the Constitution requires him/her to act in his/her discretion in certain matters 3. he or she is appointed as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

The Governor acts in discretion only where the Constitution allows it, which includes running an adjoining Union Territory. Article 163 says the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister aids and advises the Governor, except where the Constitution requires the Governor to act in discretion.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IHard

Which of the following statements in respect of the nature of the federal system in India is/are correct? 1. Since the States had an independent existence prior to the formation of the Federation, the Constitution of India provided for safeguards for protecting 'State rights', similar to the Constitution of the United States. 2. The residuary powers are reserved with the States under the Constitution of the United States, but these are with the Union under the Constitution of India. 3. The Constitution of India has followed the Irish Constitution in vesting the residuary powers. Select the answer using the code given below.

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

Only the statement about where residuary powers lie is correct. The American federation was formed by an agreement among states that already existed, so its Constitution guards 'State rights'.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements : 1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State. 2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 only

An MLA's vote value depends on the State's population, but every elected MP, in either House, has the same vote value.