Split verdict on s.17A, Prevention of Corruption Act

1. Question 1Answer B

   On 14 January 2026 a two-judge Supreme Court bench split on the validity of which section of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988?

   • ASection 13
   • BCorrect answer: Section 17A
   • CSection 7
   • DSection 19

   Core Trigger: On 14 January 2026 a two-judge Supreme Court bench split on the validity of section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 1

2. Question 2Answer D

   Consider: 1. Section 17A bars enquiry into a public servant's official decisions without prior judicial approval. 2. It applies only to retired public servants. Which of the statements is/are correct?

   • AOnly 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DCorrect answer: Neither 1 nor 2

   Focus: Section 17A bars any enquiry or investigation into a public servant's official decisions without prior government approval.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 2

3. Question 3Answer D

   Which judge upheld section 17A provided the Lokpal or Lokayukta decides on sanction?

   • AJustice B V Nagarathna
   • BJustice Surya Kant
   • CJustice Vikram Nath
   • DCorrect answer: Justice K V Viswanathan

   Judges' Views: Justice B V Nagarathna struck it down under Article 14; Justice K V Viswanathan upheld it if the Lokpal or Lokayukta decides sanction.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 3

4. Question 4Answer C

   Which case, reported as 2026 INSC 55, recorded the split on section 17A?

   • ACommon Cause v Union of India
   • BVineet Narain v Union of India
   • CCorrect answer: Centre for Public Interest Litigation v Union of India
   • DLalita Kumari v Government of Uttar Pradesh

   Case Name: Centre for Public Interest Litigation v Union of India, 2026 INSC 55.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 4

5. Question 5Answer B

   Section 17A was inserted by an amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act in which year?

   • A2013
   • BCorrect answer: 2018
   • C2015
   • D2016

   Data: Section 17A was inserted by the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 5

6. Question 6Answer D

   To whom does the matter go to arrange a larger bench to resolve the split?

   • AAttorney-General
   • BLaw Commission of India
   • CUnion Law Minister
   • DCorrect answer: Chief Justice of India

   Next Step: The matter goes to the Chief Justice of India for a larger bench to resolve the split.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 6

7. Question 7Answer A

   Where does the Supreme Court of India, which delivered the split verdict, sit?

   • ACorrect answer: New Delhi
   • BMumbai
   • CKolkata
   • DChennai

   Seat: The Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 8

8. Question 8Answer B

   The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 replaced which earlier Act?

   • AIndian Penal Code, 1860
   • BCorrect answer: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947
   • CCriminal Law Amendment Act, 1952
   • DPublic Servants Inquiries Act, 1850

   Founded: The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 replaced the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 9

9. Question 9Answer D

   Which provision did Subramanian Swamy v CBI (2014) strike down?

   • ASection 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act
   • BSection 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act
   • CSection 197 of the CrPC
   • DCorrect answer: Section 6A of the DSPE Act, 1946

   Landmark: Subramanian Swamy v CBI (2014) struck down section 6A of the DSPE Act, 1946 under Article 14.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 10

10. Question 10Answer A

    Consider: 1. Article 14 guarantees equality before law. 2. Article 14 protects only citizens. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    • ACorrect answer: Only 1
    • BOnly 2
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2

    Articles: Article 14 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of the laws.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 033, point 11

Open these answers in the app (sign-in needed)