High Courts — Set 1
Indian Polity · उच्च न्यायालय · Questions 1–10 of 50
Which Articles in the Indian Constitution deal with the organization, independence, and jurisdiction of High Courts?
Correct Answer: A. Articles 214 to 231
• **Articles 214–231** = the constitutional provisions in Part VI governing all aspects of High Courts. • **Part VI** — covers State Government including the High Court; Part V covers the Union (Supreme Court). • 💡 Option B (Articles 124–147) covers the Supreme Court, not High Courts. Option C (Articles 152–167) relates to the Governor. Option D (Articles 233–237) deals with subordinate courts, not the HC itself.
Which Part of the Indian Constitution contains the provisions regarding High Courts?
Correct Answer: B. Part VI
• **Part VI** = contains provisions for the State Government including High Courts (Articles 214–231). • **Part V** — deals with the Union and the Supreme Court; Part VI is its state-level counterpart. • 💡 Option A (Part IX) relates to Panchayats. Option C (Part V) covers the Supreme Court/Union. Option D (Part VIII) pertains to Union Territories, not states.
The institution of High Court in India originated in 1862 under which Act?
Correct Answer: A. Indian High Courts Act 1861
• **Indian High Courts Act 1861** = the legislation that created the institution of High Courts in India. • **1862** — the year Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras High Courts were formally established under this Act. • 💡 Option B (Regulating Act 1773) set up the Supreme Court at Calcutta, not High Courts. Option C (Charter Act 1833) reorganised the East India Company. Option D (Government of India Act 1858) transferred rule to the Crown but did not create High Courts.
Which Article of the Constitution states that there shall be a High Court for each State?
Correct Answer: C. Article 214
• **Article 214** = mandates that there shall be a High Court for each state of India. • **Parliament's power** — under Article 231, Parliament can establish a common HC for two or more states (e.g., Punjab and Haryana HC). • 💡 Option A (Article 216) deals with the composition/strength of the HC. Option B (Article 217) covers appointment of HC judges. Option D (Article 226) relates to HC's power to issue writs.
Who appoints the judges of a High Court?
Correct Answer: B. The President
• **President** = the appointing authority for all High Court judges under Article 217. • **Consultations required** — President consults the CJI, the state Governor, and (for puisne judges) the Chief Justice of the HC concerned. • 💡 Option A (Chief Justice of India) only recommends via Collegium but does not formally appoint. Option C (Governor) administers the oath but does not appoint. Option D (Chief Minister) has no constitutional role in HC appointments.
For the appointment of High Court judges, the Collegium consists of the CJI and how many senior-most judges of the Supreme Court?
Correct Answer: C. Two
• **Two senior-most SC judges** = the composition of the Collegium for HC appointments (CJI + 2 senior judges). • **SC Collegium for SC judges** — requires CJI + 4 senior-most judges, a larger body than for HC appointments. • 💡 Option A (Five) is the number in no recognised collegium. Option B (Three) is incorrect — CJI plus 2 means 3 total, but the answer refers to the 2 additional judges. Option D (Four) applies to the SC appointment collegium, not HC.
To be eligible for appointment as a High Court judge, a person must have held a judicial office or been an advocate for how many years?
Correct Answer: D. 10 years
• **10 years** = minimum experience required — either as a judicial officer or as an advocate of a High Court. • **No minimum age** — unlike some constitutional posts, the Constitution prescribes no minimum age for HC judge appointment. • 💡 Option A (15 years) is not prescribed anywhere in the Constitution. Option B (7 years) is incorrect — the requirement is strictly 10 years. Option C (5 years) is too short and not constitutionally recognised for HC judges.
Which of the following is NOT a qualification for appointment as a High Court judge?
Correct Answer: B. Must be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President
• **Distinguished jurist clause** = applies only to Supreme Court judges (Article 124), NOT to High Court judges. • **Article 217** — lists HC judge qualifications: Indian citizen + 10 years judicial office OR 10 years HC advocate. • 💡 Option A (judicial office for 10 years) is a valid HC qualification. Option C (citizen of India) is a valid HC qualification. Option D (HC advocate for 10 years) is a valid HC qualification — only Option B is NOT applicable to HCs.
Who administers the oath of office to a High Court judge?
Correct Answer: A. The Governor of the State
• **Governor of the State** = the authority who administers the oath of office and secrecy to a HC judge. • **Article 219** — prescribes the form of oath and that it must be administered by the State Governor. • 💡 Option B (President) appoints but does not administer the oath for HC judges. Option C (Chief Justice of India) is part of the Collegium but does not administer the oath. Option D (Speaker of State Assembly) has no role in judicial appointments or oaths.
To whom does a High Court judge address his letter of resignation?
Correct Answer: B. The President
• **President of India** = the addressee of a High Court judge's resignation letter under Article 217. • **Appointing authority = removing authority** — since the President appoints HC judges, resignation also goes to the President. • 💡 Option A (Governor) administers the oath but is not the resignation authority. Option C (Chief Justice of the High Court) has administrative roles but no power to accept resignations. Option D (Chief Justice of India) leads the Collegium but is not the resignation addressee.