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Topic 033 · Law, Judiciary & Landmark Judgments

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

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Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA

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.
Focus: Section 17A bars any enquiry or investigation into a public servant's official decisions without prior government approval.
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.
Case Name: Centre for Public Interest Litigation v Union of India, 2026 INSC 55.
Data: Section 17A was inserted by the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Next Step: The matter goes to the Chief Justice of India for a larger bench to resolve the split.
India Link: The case weighs protecting honest officers against equality before law.
Seat: The Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
Founded: The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 replaced the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
Landmark: Subramanian Swamy v CBI (2014) struck down section 6A of the DSPE Act, 1946 under Article 14.
Articles: Article 14 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of the laws.
Doctrine: Split verdict: when two judges of a bench disagree, the case is referred to a larger bench by the Chief Justice.

Question 1 of 10

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

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Answer: (B) Section 17A

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

Question 2 of 10

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?

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Answer: (D) 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

Question 3 of 10

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

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Answer: (D) 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

Question 4 of 10

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

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Answer: (C) Centre for Public Interest Litigation v Union of India

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

Question 5 of 10

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

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Answer: (B) 2018

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

Question 6 of 10

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

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Answer: (D) 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

Question 7 of 10

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

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Answer: (A) New Delhi

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

Question 8 of 10

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

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Answer: (B) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947

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

Question 9 of 10

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

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Answer: (D) 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

Question 10 of 10

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

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Answer: (A) Only 1

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

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