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Fundamental Rights

Writs Practice Questions

37 free Writs practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

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Question 1 of 37 Medium

Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

  1. A Article 19
  2. B Article 21
  3. C Article 32
  4. D Article 226

Correct answer: Article 32

Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. It is considered the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution.

Question 2 of 37 Medium

Which Article empowers High Courts to issue writs?

  1. A Article 32
  2. B Article 136
  3. C Article 142
  4. D Article 226

Correct answer: Article 226

Article 226 empowers High Courts to issue writs not only for Fundamental Rights but also for other legal rights. This makes their jurisdiction broader than that of the Supreme Court.

Question 3 of 37 Medium

Which writ is used to produce a person unlawfully detained before the court?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Quo Warranto
  4. D Habeas Corpus

Correct answer: Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus means 'to have the body'. It is used to secure the release of a person unlawfully detained.

Question 4 of 37 Medium

Which writ directs a public authority to perform its duty?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Prohibition
  3. C Certiorari
  4. D Habeas Corpus

Correct answer: Mandamus

Mandamus means 'we command'. It directs a public authority to perform a duty that it has failed or refused to perform.

Question 5 of 37 Medium

Which writ is issued to prevent a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction?

  1. A Prohibition
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Mandamus
  4. D Quo Warranto

Correct answer: Prohibition

Prohibition is issued to stop a lower court or tribunal from acting beyond its jurisdiction. It is preventive in nature.

Question 6 of 37 Medium

Which writ is used to question the legality of a person's claim to a public office?

  1. A Habeas Corpus
  2. B Mandamus
  3. C Certiorari
  4. D Quo Warranto

Correct answer: Quo Warranto

Quo Warranto means 'by what authority'. It is used to challenge a person's right to hold a public office.

Question 7 of 37 Medium

Which of the following writs can be issued against private individuals?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Prohibition
  4. D Habeas Corpus

Correct answer: Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus can be issued against both public authorities and private individuals. It ensures protection against illegal detention.

Question 8 of 37 Medium

Which writ cannot be issued against a private individual?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Habeas Corpus
  3. C Quo Warranto
  4. D Certiorari

Correct answer: Mandamus

Mandamus cannot be issued against private individuals. It applies only to public authorities or bodies performing public duties.

Question 9 of 37 Medium

Which writ is corrective and issued after the act is completed?

  1. A Prohibition
  2. B Mandamus
  3. C Habeas Corpus
  4. D Certiorari

Correct answer: Certiorari

Certiorari is corrective and issued after the lower court has passed an order. It nullifies illegal decisions.

Question 10 of 37 Medium

Which of the following is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution?

  1. A Right to constitutional remedies
  2. B Right to property ownership and possession
  3. C Right to work
  4. D Right to education only

Correct answer: Right to constitutional remedies

The right to constitutional remedies under Article 32 is a Fundamental Right. It allows citizens to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement.

Question 11 of 37 Medium

Which authority described Article 32 as the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution?

  1. A Jawaharlal Nehru
  2. B B.R. Ambedkar
  3. C M.K. Gandhi
  4. D Rajendra Prasad

Correct answer: B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described Article 32 as the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution. It ensures protection of Fundamental Rights.

Question 12 of 37 Medium

Which court has wider jurisdiction in issuing writs?

  1. A Supreme Court
  2. B The High Courts
  3. C District Courts
  4. D Sessions Courts

Correct answer: The High Courts

High Courts have wider jurisdiction under Article 226 as they can issue writs for both Fundamental Rights and other legal rights. The Supreme Court is limited to Fundamental Rights.

Question 13 of 37 Medium

Which of the following writs ensures that a person is not illegally detained?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Habeas Corpus
  4. D Prohibition

Correct answer: Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus ensures that no person is unlawfully detained. It is a safeguard of personal liberty.

Question 14 of 37 Medium

Which writ can be issued against judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative bodies?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Quo Warranto
  4. D Prohibition

Correct answer: Certiorari

Certiorari can be issued against judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative bodies. It ensures legality of their actions.

Question 15 of 37 Medium

Which of the following is NOT a type of writ?

  1. A Habeas Corpus
  2. B Mandamus
  3. C Injunction
  4. D Quo Warranto

Correct answer: Injunction

Injunction is not a constitutional writ. The five writs are Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto.

Question 16 of 37 Medium

Which writ challenges the authority of a person holding a public office?

  1. A Habeas Corpus
  2. B Mandamus
  3. C Quo Warranto
  4. D Prohibition

Correct answer: Quo Warranto

Quo Warranto questions the authority under which a person holds a public office. It ensures that only eligible persons occupy such positions.

Question 17 of 37 Medium

Which of the following best describes the purpose of writ jurisdiction?

  1. A To enforce commercial contracts
  2. B To protect Fundamental Rights
  3. C To regulate elections
  4. D To collect taxes

Correct answer: To protect Fundamental Rights

Writ jurisdiction primarily aims to protect and enforce Fundamental Rights. It provides a mechanism for judicial intervention against violations.

Question 18 of 37 Medium

Which of the following writs is literally translated as 'We Command'?

  1. A Habeas Corpus
  2. B Quo-Warranto
  3. C Certiorari
  4. D Mandamus

Correct answer: Mandamus

Mandamus is a Latin word meaning 'We Command'. It is an order issued by a court to a public official asking him to perform his official duties that he has failed or refused to perform.

Question 19 of 37 Medium

The writ of 'Habeas Corpus' cannot be issued in which of the following circumstances?

  1. A When the detention is outside the jurisdiction of the court
  2. B When the detention is by a private individual
  3. C When the detention is unlawful
  4. D When the person is not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours

Correct answer: When the detention is outside the jurisdiction of the court

Habeas Corpus cannot be issued where the detention is lawful, the proceeding is for contempt of a legislature or a court, detention is by a competent court, or detention is outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Question 20 of 37 Medium

Which writ is colloquially known as the 'Bulwark of Personal Liberty'?

  1. A Certiorari
  2. B Mandamus
  3. C Habeas Corpus
  4. D Writ of Prohibition

Correct answer: Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus is considered the most important writ for personal liberty as it protects an individual against arbitrary detention by the state or private individuals.

Question 21 of 37 Medium

The writ of Mandamus cannot be issued against which of the following authorities?

  1. A A Governor of a State
  2. B An inferior court
  3. C A statutory corporation
  4. D A government department

Correct answer: A Governor of a State

Mandamus cannot be issued against the President of India or the State Governors, or against a Chief Justice of a High Court acting in a judicial capacity.

Question 22 of 37 Medium

Which writ is issued by a higher court to a lower court to prevent it from exceeding its jurisdiction or usurping a jurisdiction that it does not possess?

  1. A Quo-Warranto
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Prohibition
  4. D Mandamus

Correct answer: Prohibition

Prohibition is an 'active' writ issued during the pendency of proceedings to stop a lower court or quasi-judicial body from continuing a case beyond its legal authority.

Question 23 of 37 Medium

Which of the following is a key difference between the writs of Prohibition and Certiorari?

  1. A Prohibition is only against individuals; Certiorari is against courts.
  2. B Prohibition is issued by the Supreme Court; Certiorari only by High Courts.
  3. C There is no functional difference between them.
  4. D Prohibition is preventive; Certiorari is both preventive and curative.

Correct answer: Prohibition is preventive; Certiorari is both preventive and curative.

Prohibition is issued while the case is pending (preventive), whereas Certiorari is issued after the order has been passed to quash it (curative), though it can also be preventive in some contexts.

Question 24 of 37 Medium

Under the writ of 'Quo-Warranto', the court examines the legality of a person's claim to which type of office?

  1. A Private office
  2. B A ministerial office created without any statutory backing
  3. C Office of a private club
  4. D Substantive public office of a permanent character

Correct answer: Substantive public office of a permanent character

Quo-Warranto can be issued only in case of a substantive public office of a permanent character created by a statute or by the Constitution. It cannot be issued against a ministerial office or private office.

Question 25 of 37 Medium

Unlike the other four writs, which writ can be sought by any interested person and not necessarily by the aggrieved person?

  1. A Habeas Corpus
  2. B Mandamus
  3. C Quo-Warranto
  4. D Certiorari

Correct answer: Quo-Warranto

Generally, only an aggrieved person can move the court. However, in the case of Quo-Warranto, any person (public-spirited citizen) can challenge the legality of a person holding a public office.

Question 26 of 37 Medium

By which Constitutional Amendment was the power of High Courts to issue writs for 'any other purpose' briefly curtailed and then restored?

  1. A 24th and 25th Amendments
  2. B 73rd and 74th Amendments
  3. C 52nd and 61st Amendments
  4. D 42nd and 44th Amendments

Correct answer: 42nd and 44th Amendments

The 42nd Amendment (1976) restricted the writ jurisdiction of High Courts, but the 44th Amendment (1978) restored it to its original position under Article 226.

Question 27 of 37 Medium

Which of the following is true regarding the 'Territorial Jurisdiction' of the Supreme Court's writ power?

  1. A It is limited to the National Capital Region.
  2. B It is narrower than that of a High Court.
  3. C It depends on the state where the petitioner resides.
  4. D It extends throughout the territory of India.

Correct answer: It extends throughout the territory of India.

The Supreme Court can issue writs against a person or government throughout the territory of India, whereas a High Court can generally only issue them within its own territorial jurisdiction.

Question 28 of 37 Medium

A High Court can issue writs under Article 226 for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and for 'any other purpose'. What does 'any other purpose' signify?

  1. A Enforcement of ordinary legal rights
  2. B Religious purposes
  3. C Political propaganda
  4. D Resolution of international treaty disputes

Correct answer: Enforcement of ordinary legal rights

The phrase 'for any other purpose' means that High Courts have the power to issue writs for the enforcement of ordinary legal rights, making their writ jurisdiction wider than that of the Supreme Court.

Question 29 of 37 Medium

In the context of 'Certiorari', the Supreme Court ruled in 1991 that this writ can also be issued against:

  1. A Private companies performing purely commercial functions
  2. B Foreign sovereign states and their diplomatic missions
  3. C Military tribunals conducting court-martial proceedings
  4. D Administrative authorities affecting individual rights

Correct answer: Administrative authorities affecting individual rights

Initially, Certiorari was only against judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. However, the SC in 1991 ruled that it can be issued even against administrative authorities that affect the rights of individuals.

Question 30 of 37 Medium

The writ of 'Prohibition' is NOT available against which of the following entities?

  1. A Judicial bodies exercising original jurisdiction
  2. B Quasi-judicial bodies performing adjudicatory functions
  3. C Administrative, legislative, or purely private bodies
  4. D Subordinate courts acting within their jurisdiction

Correct answer: Administrative, legislative, or purely private bodies

Prohibition is issued by a superior court to prevent an inferior judicial or quasi-judicial body -- including subordinate courts and tribunals -- from exceeding its jurisdiction. It cannot be issued against administrative, legislative, or purely private bodies, since they do not perform judicial functions.

Question 31 of 37 Medium

Which writ literally means 'to be certified' or 'to be informed'?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Quo-Warranto
  3. C Certiorari
  4. D Habeas Corpus

Correct answer: Certiorari

Certiorari means 'to be certified' or 'to be informed'. It is issued by a higher court to a lower court to transfer a matter pending there to itself or to quash an order.

Question 32 of 37 Medium

Can the Supreme Court refuse to exercise its writ jurisdiction under Article 32 on the grounds of an 'alternative remedy' being available?

  1. A Yes, since the Court has discretionary power.
  2. B Yes, but only if the petitioner is a foreign national.
  3. C Only during the proclamation of a National Emergency.
  4. D No, Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right.

Correct answer: No, Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right.

Because Article 32 is a Fundamental Right, the Supreme Court is the protector and guarantor of Fundamental Rights and cannot refuse to entertain a petition for their enforcement.

Question 33 of 37 Medium

Which writ is used to ensure that the 'Rule of Law' is maintained by preventing the illegal usurpation of public office by a person?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Quo-Warranto
  4. D Prohibition

Correct answer: Quo-Warranto

Quo-Warranto prevents illegal 'usurpation' of public office by an individual. It asks the holder 'by what authority' they are holding the office.

Question 34 of 37 Medium

In which case did the Supreme Court hold that the power of Judicial Review (including writ jurisdiction) is a 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution?

  1. A Golaknath Case
  2. B Minerva Mills Case
  3. C S.R. Bommai Case
  4. D L. Chandra Kumar Case

Correct answer: L. Chandra Kumar Case

In the L. Chandra Kumar case (1997), the SC declared that the writ jurisdiction of both the Supreme Court (Art 32) and High Courts (Art 226) constitutes a part of the basic structure.

Question 35 of 37 Medium

Which writ can be issued to a 'Quasi-judicial' body like a Tribunal?

  1. A Mandamus
  2. B Certiorari
  3. C Prohibition
  4. D All of the above

Correct answer: All of the above

Mandamus (to perform duty), Prohibition (to stop proceedings), and Certiorari (to quash an order) can all be issued against quasi-judicial bodies depending on the stage of the case.

Question 36 of 37 Medium

Under which conditions can 'Mandamus' be issued for a 'contractual obligation'?

  1. A Yes, for any legally binding contractual obligation
  2. B Only if the contract involves a private party
  3. C Generally not, unless backed by a statutory duty
  4. D Only if the contract exceeds a specified monetary value

Correct answer: Generally not, unless backed by a statutory duty

Mandamus is generally not issued to enforce a purely private contractual obligation. It applies only when the duty in question is backed by a statute, rather than arising solely from the contract itself.

Question 37 of 37 Medium

Why is the writ jurisdiction of the High Court considered 'wider' than that of the Supreme Court?

  1. A High Courts alone are empowered to issue all five constitutional writs.
  2. B The Supreme Court can only issue writs against the Union Government.
  3. C High Courts can override, stay, or modify the Supreme Court's writs.
  4. D High Courts can issue writs for both Fundamental Rights and legal rights.

Correct answer: High Courts can issue writs for both Fundamental Rights and legal rights.

While the SC can only issue writs to enforce Fundamental Rights (Article 32), High Courts can issue them for Fundamental Rights AND any other legal rights (Article 226).

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