UPSC PracticeUPSC Practice
UPSC Notes

Judicial Review of Executive Actions

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

It is fundamental to understanding the Indian constitutional framework, the principle of separation of powers, and the judiciary's role in governance, protecting fundamental rights, and ensuring executive accountability.

Judicial review is the power of the Supreme Court and High Courts to examine the constitutionality and legality of executive orders and actions. It ensures that the executive branch operates within the bounds of the Constitution and statutory law, upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Basic Structure

An integral part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution (Kesavananda Bharati case).

Scope

Empowers courts to strike down executive actions that are ultra vires, arbitrary, or violate fundamental rights.

Constitutional Basis

Derived from various articles including 13, 32, 226, 136, 142.

Function

Serves as a crucial check on the executive's power, ensuring accountability and adherence to the rule of law.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaExercises judicial review
High CourtsExercises judicial review
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Power of SC/HC to examine executive orders.
  • Ensures constitutionality and legality.
  • Part of basic structure (Kesavananda Bharati).
  • Checks executive overreach, protects rights.
  • Derived from Articles 13, 32, 226.

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
2021Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Indian PolityOpen question

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
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Indian PolityOpen question

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
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and dem...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Indian PolityOpen question
2017Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions

In India, Judicial Review implies -

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

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
Prelims 2017· Conceptual understanding, Definition-based questions

In India, Judicial Review implies -

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and dem...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Open question

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 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Open question

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 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

Language decorum: On the three-language formula in CBSE schools

01 Jun 2026 · Judicial review of executive actions allows higher courts to scrutinize government policies and orders for their legality and constitutionality, acting as a crucial check on executive power and safeguarding the rule of law and citizens' rights.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Judicial Review of Executive Actions

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Judicial Review of Executive Actions in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer
Browse all topics