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UPSC Notes

Judicial Accountability and Integrity

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the challenges to judicial integrity and the existing accountability mechanisms is crucial for analyzing the health of India's democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the need for judicial reforms. It directly relates to governance and public trust.

Judicial accountability refers to the mechanisms and principles that ensure judges uphold ethical standards, perform their duties impartially, and are subject to scrutiny for misconduct. Judicial integrity is the bedrock of public trust in the justice system, requiring judges to be free from corruption, bias, and undue influence.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Allegations of misconduct

Allegations of misconduct (victimisation, maladministration, nepotism, misuse of 'master of the roster' power) against higher judiciary judges are not uncommon.

Trust deficit

Transparency International reports indicate a growing trust deficit in the Indian judiciary regarding corruption.

CJI's responsibility

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) holds significant responsibility in addressing allegations of judicial misconduct and maintaining institutional integrity.

Ineffective mechanisms

Lack of effective mechanisms to deal with corruption in the higher judiciary perpetuates the menace.

Reference table

Mechanisms for Judicial Discipline in India

MechanismEffectiveness/Challenges
Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968Inadequate, practically defunct; requires CJI's permission for FIR against judges (K. Veeraswami case).
Impeachment (Articles 124(4), 217(1)(b))Proved to be a failure due to political considerations (e.g., Justice V. Ramaswami case).
In-house mechanism (1999)Not fault-free or effective in practice.
Judicial Standards and Accountability BillLapsed in 2014, subsequent efforts stalled.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaOversees judicial conduct, ultimate authority in judicial administration
High CourtsSubject to judicial conduct standards
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Judicial integrity is fundamental for public trust.
  • Allegations of misconduct, nepotism, and misuse of power are concerns.
  • Existing accountability mechanisms (Judges Inquiry Act, impeachment, in-house) are largely ineffective.
  • CJI's role in addressing misconduct is critical for institutional health.
  • Transparency International reports highlight a trust deficit in the judiciary.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Open question

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Open question

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Open question

Judicial integrity — a case the Court cannot ignore

07 Sep 2026 · Judicial accountability and integrity are vital for public trust in the justice system. India faces challenges due to allegations of misconduct, a perceived trust deficit, and the inadequacy of existing mechanisms like the Judges (Inquiry) Act, impeachment, and the in-house process, highlighting the need for robust reforms.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Judicial Accountability and Integrity

Often confused with

Judicial Oversight of Executive Action

Open notesOften confused with

Judicial Appointments (Collegium System)

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Judicial Accountability and Integrity in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Judicial Accountability and Integrity

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental ...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

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