UPSC Prelims 2005 Q3: Indian Polity – Judiciary
Consider the following statements :
1. There are 25 High Courts in India
2. Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have a common High Court.
3. National Capital Territory of Delhi has a High Court of its own.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 2 and 3
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (a) 2 and 3
Explanation
Statements on High Courts in India (as in 2005)
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 1. 25 High Courts in India | False: there were 21 High Courts in 2005 |
| 2. Common High Court for Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh | True — Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh |
| 3. Delhi has its own High Court | True — Delhi High Court since 1966 |
Only statements 2 and 3 are correct. The count of High Courts at the time was 21, not 25.
Answer: (a) 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Statements 2 and 3 are correct; statement 1 is wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 about 25 High Courts is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false, so 1, 2 and 3 together cannot be right.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also correct, so 3 alone is incomplete.
Key point
There were 21 High Courts in 2005; Punjab & Haryana share one at Chandigarh; Delhi has its own.
Remember
Delhi has its own High Court; Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh share one.
Common mistakes
- Treating the number of High Courts as 25 by confusing it with the number of States.
- Forgetting that a Union Territory (Delhi) can have its own High Court.
- Missing that a High Court can serve two States and a UT together.
Exam tip
Common High Courts serve more than one State: Punjab-Haryana-Chandigarh, Assam-Nagaland-Mizoram-Arunachal (Guwahati).
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 214 to 231
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (High Court)