Who was appointed as the first Chief Justice of independent India?
- A.Bijan Mukherjee
- B.A R Sarkar
- C.Harilal Kania
- D.Y V Chandrachud
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is Harilal Kania. Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania, who had been the last Chief Justice of the Federal Court, became the first Chief Justice of India when the Supreme Court began on 26 January 1950, and presided over its inauguration on 28 January. He died in office in November 1951 and was succeeded by M. Patanjali Sastri.
The other options are also Chief Justices, which is exactly why they appear. B.K. Mukherjea and A.K. Sarkar became Chief Justice later, in the 1950s and 1960s. Y.V. Chandrachud is the longest-serving Chief Justice, from 1978 to 1985, and a favourite answer to a different question. To keep the Supreme Court firsts together: first Chief Justice H.J. Kania; first woman judge M. Fathima Beevi (1989); longest-serving Chief Justice Y.V. Chandrachud. The present Chief Justice, Justice Surya Kant, is the 53rd, and took office in November 2025.
Read the full article: Supreme Court and High Courts of India: Notes, Articles and PYQs
Practice Questions
View allIn 1950, besides the chief justice of India, what was the number of other judges in the Supreme Court of India?
- A.Six
- B.Eight
- C.Seven
- D.Five
Show answer
When the Supreme Court began in 1950, Article 124(1) provided for a Chief Justice of India and not more than seven other judges, eight in all, "until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number".
Read the full explanation →According to a provision in Article 124 of the Constitution of India, a Supreme Court judge can hold office till the age of ______ years.
- A.62
- B.60
- C.65
- D.67
Show answer
Article 124(2) says a judge of the Supreme Court shall hold office until he or she attains the age of 65 years.
Read the full explanation →A judge of the Supreme Court can be removed only on the grounds of ______.
- A.disrespect of the Constitution
- B.proven misbehaviour or incapacity
- C.murder charges
- D.lack of knowledge
Show answer
Under Article 124(4), a judge of the Supreme Court can be removed by an order of the President only after each House of Parliament, in the same session, presents an address supported by a majority of its total membership and by two-thirds of the members present and voting, on the…
Read the full explanation →Under which jurisdiction of the Supreme Court the dispute between the centre and states are included?
- A.Original Jurisdiction
- B.Appellate Jurisdiction
- C.Advisory Jurisdiction
- D.Residuary Jurisdiction
Show answer
Under Article 131, the Supreme Court alone can hear, as a court of first instance, disputes between the Government of India and one or more States, between the Government of India and a State on one side and other States on the other, or between two or more States.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following articles of the Indian Constitution mentions the Supreme Court as a court of record?
- A.Article 129
- B.Article 123
- C.Article 127
- D.Article 125
Show answer
It declares that the Supreme Court shall be a court of record and shall have all the powers of such a court, including the power to punish for contempt of itself.
Read the full explanation →