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Judicial Scrutiny of Executive Actions Affecting Fundamental Rights

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Essential for understanding the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, and its role in safeguarding the constitutional rights and welfare of individuals against potential administrative overreach.

The Supreme Court's intervention in cases where executive orders infringe upon fundamental rights, such as the right to food and dignity, exemplifies its crucial role in judicial review and upholding the constitutional scheme of checks and balances.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

SC Intervention

SC issued notices to the state government and ECI, challenging orders linking electoral rolls to welfare.

Precedent

The Court reiterated its previous judgment (Bihar SIR case) barring such use of electoral outcomes.

Protection of Rights

SC emphasized the protection of universal human rights, even for non-citizens, against arbitrary state action.

Constitutional Role

The judiciary acts as a guardian of the Constitution and fundamental rights.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaFundamental Rights
Conceptual areaSeparation of Powers & Constitutional Ideals
Conceptual areaConstitutional & Statutory Bodies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaExercises judicial review, protects fundamental rights, issues directives
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • SC acts as guardian of Constitution and fundamental rights.
  • Judicial review checks executive/legislative overreach.
  • SC reiterated previous judgments to protect rights.
  • Emphasizes universal human rights for all persons.
  • Ensures state actions align with constitutional principles.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Fundamental RightsSeparation of Powers & Constitutional IdealsConstitutional & Statutory Bodies
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Open question

Lists of folly: On the Supreme Court, the SIR and benefits

22 Jul 2026 · The Supreme Court's consistent stance against executive orders that misuse electoral roll data to deny welfare benefits underscores its vital function in judicial review, ensuring state actions comply with constitutional principles and protect fundamental human rights.

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Related topics

Current topic

Judicial Scrutiny of Executive Actions Affecting Fundamental Rights

Often confused with

Judicial Independence and Constitutional Morality

Open notesOften confused with

Civil Liberties and State Overreach

Open notes

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