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Question

Which of the following statements about Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is/are correct?

1. In India, it adheres to the strict requirements imposed by the doctrine of locus standi.

2. Letters to judges may be treated as petitions.

3. M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India was a PIL that expanded the scope of Article 21 and Article 32 of the Constitution of India.

Select the answer using the code given below.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF 2026 General Ability and Intelligence Question Paper (19-Jul-2026)
The correct answer is

2 and 3 only

Statement 1: PIL in India developed precisely by relaxing, not strictly enforcing, the traditional doctrine of locus standi, allowing any public-spirited person to move the court on behalf of those unable to approach it themselves. This statement is incorrect.

Statement 2: Under the epistolary jurisdiction pioneered by Justices P. N. Bhagwati and V. R. Krishna Iyer, even informal letters addressed to judges highlighting violations of rights could be converted into writ petitions. This statement is correct.

Statement 3: M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India is a landmark series of PILs on environmental protection that significantly broadened the interpretation of the right to life under Article 21 and reinforced the remedy under Article 32. This statement is correct.

Hence, statements 2 and 3 only are correct.

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Similar Questions

  1. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

    List–I
    (Landmark Judgment)
    List–II
    (Issue)
    A. A. K. Gopalan vs. State of Madras1. Whether Preventive Detention Act ultra vires the Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of India
    B. K. M. Nanavati vs. State of Bombay2. Whether the National Anthem must be played before movies in theatres
    C. Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India3. Examining the power of suspension of sentence by the Governor under Article 161 of the Constitution of India
    D. Shyam Narayan Chouksey vs. Union of India4. Whether right to go abroad is included in right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India

    Code :


Important Questions from Judiciary-Supreme Court & High Courts

  1. With reference to India, consider the following statements :

    1. Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers and patent attorneys are excluded from recognition as advocates.

    2. Bar Councils have the power to lay down the rules relating to legal education and recognition of law colleges.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  2. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
    (a) The Supreme Court of India is a Court of Record.
    (b) High Courts in India are Courts of Record.
    (c) Subordinate Courts in India are Courts of Record.
    (d) All Courts in India are not Courts of Record.

  3. Consider the following pairs : 

    1. Enlargement of Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court: Article 138A of Constitution of India. 

    2. Conferment on the Supreme Court of powers to issue certain writs : Article 139A of Constitution of India.

     3. Civil and judicial authority to act in aid of the Supreme Court : Article 144A of the Constitution of India. 

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  4. Which one of the following judgements is associated with the primacy of the Chief Justice of India and the Collegium of Judges in the appointment and transfer of the higher judiciary?
  5. The locus standi rule to move the court was liberalized by the case of:
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