Laxmikanth MCQs: Public Interest Litigation | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Statement 1: PIL in India was introduced in the early 1980s.
Statement 2: The concept of PIL originated in the USA in the 1960s.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (a)
PIL indeed originated in the USA in the 1960s and was introduced in India in the early 1980s by the Supreme Court.

Q2: Statement 1: In PIL cases, the court plays a passive role similar to traditional cases.
Statement 2: PIL is primarily focused on individual disputes.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (d)
In PIL, the court plays an active role, and it focuses on broader public interest rather than individual disputes.

Q3: Which of the following is NOT a category under which the Supreme Court usually entertains PIL?
(a) Environmental Issues
(b) Admission to educational institutions
(c) Atrocities on Villagers
(d) Minimum Wage Violations
Ans: (b)
Admission to medical and other educational institutions is not usually a category for PIL as per the Supreme Court's guidelines.

Q4: Assertion (A): The concept of 'locus standi' is relaxed in PIL cases.
Reason (R): PIL allows any public-spirited person to approach the court on behalf of those who cannot represent themselves.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, and R is true.
Ans: (a)
The relaxation of 'locus standi' in PIL cases is because it allows anyone to represent those who are unable to do so.

Q5: Sequence the following events in the development of PIL in India:
1. Introduction of PIL in the early 1980s.
2. Supreme Court updates PIL guidelines in 1993 and 2003.
3. Origin of PIL concept in the USA during the 1960s.
(a) 3, 1, 2
(b) 1, 3, 2
(c) 2, 1, 3
(d) 3, 2, 1
Ans: (a)
The PIL concept originated in the USA in the 1960s, was introduced in India in the early 1980s, and the Supreme Court updated the guidelines in 1993 and 2003.

Q6: Statement 1: PIL is used as a tool to ensure effective access to justice for the wealthy.
Statement 2: The Supreme Court has set boundaries to avoid PIL turning into 'Publicity Interest Litigation' or 'Private Interest Litigation'.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (c)
PIL is meant for socially and economically weaker sections, not the wealthy. The Supreme Court has indeed set boundaries to prevent the misuse of PIL, including avoiding it turning into 'Publicity Interest Litigation' or 'Private Interest Litigation'.

Q7: Which of the following is a key principle of PIL as established by the Supreme Court of India?
(a) The court should strictly adhere to the principle of locus standi in all cases.
(b) The court should not intervene in matters affecting a large number of people.
(c) The court can treat a letter or telegram as a PIL in matters of public importance.
(d) Private disputes between two parties are encouraged in PIL.
Ans: (c)
One of the key principles of PIL is that the court can treat even a letter or telegram as a PIL when it concerns matters of public importance.

Q8: Assertion (A): PIL can be misused for personal gain or publicity.
Reason (R): The Supreme Court has established guidelines to prevent the misuse of PIL and ensure it is used for genuine public interest cases.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, and R is true.
Ans: (a)
PIL can indeed be misused, which is why the Supreme Court has established guidelines to prevent such misuse and ensure PIL is used appropriately.

Q9: Which of the following is not a characteristic of the role of the judiciary in PIL?
(a) Acting as a policymaker.
(b) Ensuring the rule of law is upheld.
(c) Protecting the fundamental rights of people.
(d) Taking a proactive approach in cases of public interest.
Ans: (a)
In PIL, the judiciary's role is not to act as a policymaker but to ensure the rule of law, protect fundamental rights, and take a proactive approach in cases concerning the public interest.

Q10: Statement 1: PIL cases in India are restricted to environmental and human rights issues only.
Statement 2: The Supreme Court of India has played a pivotal role in the development of PIL in the country.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (c)
PIL in India covers a wide range of issues, not just environmental and human rights. The Supreme Court has indeed been instrumental in developing PIL.

Q11: Which of the following is true regarding the role of the court in PIL?
(a) The court strictly adheres to procedural laws in PIL cases.
(b) The court has a passive role similar to that in traditional litigation.
(c) The court may appoint commissions to investigate in PIL cases.
(d) The court's intervention in PIL is limited to cases involving government bodies only.
Ans: (c)
The court plays an active role in PIL cases and can appoint commissions for investigations, demonstrating its proactive approach in such matters.

Q12: In the context of PIL, what does the term 'locus standi' refer to?
(a) The right of the court to intervene in public matters.
(b) The legal standing or capacity to file a lawsuit.
(c) The ability of a petitioner to demonstrate personal harm.
(d) The jurisdiction of the court over public interest issues.
Ans: (b)
'Locus standi' refers to the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court.

Q13: Which of the following is not a characteristic feature of PIL in India?
(a) Aimed at redressing private grievances.
(b) Ensuring access to justice for underprivileged groups.
(c) Involvement of collective interest over individual disputes.
(d) Court's proactive role in addressing public issues.
Ans: (a)
PIL is not about individual or private grievances but focuses on broader public interest and collective rights.

Q14: Assertion (A): PIL has led to the expansion of the concept of locus standi in Indian jurisprudence.
Reason (R): PIL allows any individual or organization to file a case on behalf of those unable to do so, broadening the traditional scope of legal standing.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, and R is true.
Ans: (a)
PIL has indeed expanded the concept of locus standi by allowing wider participation in legal matters, especially for the marginalized.

Q15: Which of the following areas is not typically addressed through PIL in India?
(a) Environmental conservation.
(b) Violations of labor laws.
(c) Personal matrimonial disputes.
(d) Atrocities against marginalized communities.
Ans: (c)
PIL generally does not cover personal matrimonial disputes as it focuses on broader issues affecting public interest.

Q16: What does the term 'Judicial Activism' imply in the context of PIL in India?
(a) Judges avoiding involvement in policy-making.
(b) Judges actively interpreting and shaping legal doctrines.
(c) Judges strictly adhering to the letter of the law.
(d) Judges limiting their role to dispute resolution between two parties.
Ans: (b)
Judicial activism in the context of PIL refers to judges playing a proactive role in interpreting and shaping legal doctrines and policies.

Q17: In PIL, what is the significance of relaxing the rule of 'locus standi'?
(a) It restricts the filing of cases to only those directly affected.
(b) It allows a broader range of people to file cases in public interest.
(c) It limits the court's ability to address public issues.
(d) It simplifies legal procedures for traditional litigation.
Ans: (b)
Relaxing the rule of 'locus standi' in PIL allows individuals or organizations to file cases on behalf of those who are unable to do so themselves, thus broadening the access to justice for a wider range of public issues.

Q18: Which of the following is a potential issue associated with PIL?
(a) It can lead to an overload of cases in the judiciary.
(b) It strictly adheres to the principle of legal standing.
(c) It only allows government bodies to file petitions.
(d) It restricts the scope of judicial review.
Ans: (a)
One of the potential issues with PIL is that it can lead to an overload of cases in the judiciary, as it broadens the scope of who can file a case.

Q19: Statement 1: PIL in India is restricted to addressing issues within the central government's jurisdiction only.
Statement 2: PIL has been used to address a wide range of issues including environmental concerns, human rights violations, and corruption.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Only Statement 1 is true.
(c) Only Statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (c)
PIL in India is not restricted to central government issues; it has been used to address a wide variety of public concerns, including environmental issues, human rights violations, and corruption.

Q20: What is the primary focus of Public Interest Litigation (PIL)?
(a) To provide a platform for political debates.
(b) To settle private disputes between individuals.
(c) To enforce the rights and legal interests of the publi(c)
(d) To focus on the personal interests of the litigants.
Ans: (c)
PIL is primarily focused on enforcing the rights and legal interests of the public, particularly those of marginalized and underprivileged groups.