UPSC PracticeUPSC Practice
UPSC Notes

Judicial Transparency and Accountability

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC examines the foundational principles of governance, and judicial transparency and accountability are cornerstones of a democratic system. The challenges and reforms in this area are critical for understanding the functioning of the Indian judiciary.

Judicial transparency refers to the openness of judicial processes and decisions to public scrutiny, while accountability ensures that the judiciary is answerable for its actions and decisions. These principles are crucial for maintaining public trust in the justice delivery system and upholding the rule of law.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Importance

Essential for maintaining public trust, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring good governance.

Initiatives

Live streaming of court proceedings is a key initiative aimed at enhancing judicial transparency.

Challenges

Debate exists on balancing transparency with preventing misuse of information and maintaining judicial dignity.

Advocacy

Activists advocate for open access to court proceedings to ensure accountability and safeguard against arbitrariness.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaConstitutional Ideals
Conceptual areaGood Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaUpholds and implements
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Crucial for public trust and rule of law.
  • Live streaming is a major transparency initiative.
  • Balance with preventing misuse and maintaining dignity.
  • Activists argue for open access for accountability.
  • Part of broader good governance principles.

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
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
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, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

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
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, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

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
2019Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

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, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

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
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

Topic timeline

Constitutional IdealsGood Governance
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 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, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

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· 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, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

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· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

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, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

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 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

CJI flags ‘misuse’ of live-streamed court proceedings on social media

14 Aug 2026 · Judicial transparency and accountability are vital for public trust. Initiatives like live streaming aim to enhance them, but challenges like misuse necessitate regulatory frameworks, balancing openness with judicial integrity.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Judicial Transparency and Accountability

Often confused with

Live-streaming of Court Proceedings

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

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

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Judicial Transparency and Accountability

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

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...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

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 the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

In India, Judicial Review implies -

2017·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

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

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

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

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