Question 1: Choose the appropriate option.
a) The Supreme Court came into existence on ______
- i) 15 August 1947
- ii) 28 January 1950
- iii) 26 January 1950
- iv) 26 January 1947
- Answer: iii) 26 January 1950
b) There are ______ Supreme Court and ______ High Courts in India.
- i) 24,1
- ii) 1, 21
- iii) 2, 21
- iv) 1, 25
- Answer: iv) 1, 25 (There is 1 Supreme Court and 25 High Courts in India)
c) Judges of the Supreme Court retire at the age of ______
- i) 65
- ii) 64
- iii) 63
- iv) 62
Answer: i) 65
Question 2: Match the columns.
| Column A | Column B |
| a) Revenue Court | (i) deals with criminal cases |
| b) Supreme Court | (ii) deals with civil cases |
| c) High Court | (iii) cases that deal with land revenue, etc. |
| d) Court of the District Judge | (iv) judges retire at the age of 62 |
| e) Court of the Sessions Judge | (v) apex Court |
| Column A | Column B |
| a) Revenue Court | (iii) cases that deal with land revenue, etc. |
| b) Supreme Court | (v) apex Court |
| c) High Court | (iv) judges retire at the age of 62 |
| d) Court of the District Judge | (ii) deals with civil cases |
| e) Court of the Sessions Judge | (i) deals with criminal cases |
Question 3: Answer the questions in 10 to 20 words.
a) What is a legal case?
A legal case is a dispute or a matter brought before a court of law for a decision or settlement.
b) What are subordinate courts?
Subordinate courts are lower courts that function at the district and sub-divisional levels, below the High Court.
c) What is the procedure for the removal of a Supreme Court judge?
A Supreme Court judge can be removed by Parliament through impeachment for proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
d) What are Nyaya Panchayats?
Nyaya Panchayats are traditional village-level councils that resolve minor local disputes and petty civil and criminal cases.
e) What do you mean by “access to justice”?
“Access to justice” means that every person should be able to seek and obtain a fair legal remedy through the judicial system.
f) What is a Lok Adalat?
A Lok Adalat is a “People’s Court” that provides a platform for the speedy and voluntary settlement of disputes outside the formal court system.
Question 4: Answer the questions in 50 to 70 words.
a) Write in brief about the role of the judiciary.
The judiciary plays a crucial role in any democracy. Its primary functions include interpreting the Constitution and laws, settling disputes between citizens or between citizens and the state, and protecting the Fundamental Rights of individuals. It also acts as a guardian of the Constitution, ensuring that the legislative and executive branches do not exceed their powers, thereby upholding the rule of law.
b) The structure of the Indian judiciary is pyramidal in nature. Give reasons. To support your answer.
The Indian judiciary is pyramidal because the Supreme Court stands at the apex, followed by the High Courts in each state, and then the numerous District and Subordinate Courts at the base. This structure allows for a clear hierarchy where lower courts handle most cases, and higher courts hear appeals. It ensures uniformity in the application of laws and provides every citizen with a path to seek justice from the highest authority.
c) What are the qualifications required to be a judge of the High Court?
To be a judge of a High Court, a person must be a citizen of India. They must have held a judicial office in India for at least ten years, or have been an advocate of a High Court (or two or more such courts in succession) for at least ten years. There is no specific age limit mentioned in the Constitution for a High Court judge.
d) What do you know about the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court allows it to hear appeals against the judgments of High Courts. It is the highest court of appeal in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters. This means that if a person is unsatisfied with a High Court’s decision, they can approach the Supreme Court. Its decision in such appeals is final and binding on all courts across India.
e) What are the powers and functions of the High Court?
High Courts have extensive powers and functions. They have original jurisdiction in certain cases and appellate jurisdiction over decisions of subordinate courts. They can issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. High Courts also supervise and control all subordinate courts within their territory. Furthermore, they have the power of judicial review to examine the constitutionality of state laws and executive actions.
f) What do you know about lok adalats?
Lok Adalats, or “People’s Courts,” are informal forums for resolving disputes through conciliation and compromise. They are organized by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to provide speedy and economical justice. The awards (decisions) passed by Lok Adalats are legally binding and cannot be appealed in a regular court. They primarily handle pending and pre-litigation cases, especially related to motor accidents, matrimonial disputes, and public utility services.
g) Write about the independence of the judiciary.
The independence of the judiciary means that the judiciary is free from the control and influence of the executive and legislative branches of government. This is ensured through measures like security of tenure for judges (they can only be removed via impeachment), a fixed and non-variable salary, and a ban on practice after retirement. This independence is vital for judges to deliver impartial judgments and protect the rights of citizens without any fear or favour.
h) Write a note on PILs in India.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a legal action initiated in a court of law for the enforcement of public interest. It allows any public-spirited individual or organization to file a petition on behalf of those whose rights are affected, especially the poor and marginalized. PILs have been a powerful tool for protecting human rights, ensuring environmental protection, and promoting good governance by making justice more accessible to the common people.
Question 5: Despite having such a detailed and organised judicial administration, justice has been delayed in many cases in India. Why? Suggest ways in which we can improve our judicial administration.
Justice is often delayed in India due to a combination of factors. The primary reason is a massive backlog of cases caused by a huge judge-to-population ratio, leading to overburdened courts. Other reasons include frequent adjournments, complex legal procedures, and inadequate court infrastructure. To improve this, we can appoint more judges to fill vacancies, promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like Lok Adalats and mediation to reduce the caseload, and leverage technology for e-filing and virtual hearings to make the process faster and more efficient.
Question 6: Life Skills – ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons.
Yes, I strongly agree with the statement “Justice delayed is justice denied.” When a legal resolution takes an excessively long time, the very purpose of justice is defeated. For an accused awaiting trial, prolonged incarceration without a verdict is a punishment in itself. For a victim, a delayed judgment denies them closure and compensation when they need it most. The prolonged legal process also erodes public faith in the judicial system, making it an ineffective tool for delivering redressal and upholding the rule of law.