UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 81
What is the provision to safeguard the autonomy of the Supreme Court of India?
- While appointing the Supreme Court Judges, the President of India has to consult the Chief Justice of India.
- The Supreme Court Judges can be removed by the Chief Justice of India only.
- The salaries of the Judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India to which the legislature does not have to vote.
- All appointments of officers and staffs of the Supreme Court of India are made by the Government only after consulting the Chief Justice of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A
Explanation: Judicial independence is protected through constitutionally structured appointments and removal, charged judicial salaries and court administrative powers.
Statement/Item-wise Analysis:
1: Correct - The constitutional judicial-appointment process involves consultation with the Chief Justice of India (as interpreted in case law).
2: Incorrect - Removal requires the constitutional parliamentary process, not a Chief Justice’s unilateral decision.
3: Correct - Supreme Court judges’ salaries are charged on the Consolidated Fund and not voted annually.
4: Incorrect - Appointments of Supreme Court staff are principally under the Chief Justice/authorised officer, not wholly government-controlled.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Correct - includes exactly the valid statements/items and excludes the invalid ones.
B: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 4; omits correct item 1.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 4; omits correct items 1, 3.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect items 2, 4.
Review Note: Judicial appointments have evolved under collegium case law; the question uses the constitutional consultation description.