Current Affairs · Micro-test
Supreme Court Judgments 2026
Ten questions on the Supreme Court's 2026 decisions, from new rights read into Articles 19 and 21 to the rules of criminal sentencing, arbitration and property law. Each one pairs a recent case with the principle it applies.
10 questions · 5 minutes · instant scoring
What this topic actually tests
Judgments are tested for their principle, not their party names. Learn the right or rule, the Article or section, and one line of reasoning: menstrual health is part of Article 21; only a constitutional court can impose life without remission; holding hearings in a city does not make it the seat of arbitration. The stories behind these questions, with their sources, are in the 30-day course: days 3, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
The common trap on this topic
Remembering the outcome but not the reason. A question may give you a new set of facts and ask which way the 2026 principle points, so know why each case was decided as it was.
Take the micro-test
In Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Government of India (January 2026), the Supreme Court held that the right to menstrual health is part of:
In June 2026 the Supreme Court located the right to walk on safe footpaths mainly in which freedom?
In Padam Mehta v. State of Rajasthan (May 2026), the Supreme Court grounded the right to education in one's mother language in:
Under Article 145(3), a case raising a substantial question of law on the interpretation of the Constitution must be heard by at least:
The 'rarest of rare' doctrine for the death penalty was laid down in:
Under Section 23 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (formerly Section 25 of the Evidence Act), a confession made to a police officer is:
Ordering a fresh probe in the Belthangady case, the Supreme Court held that the man already acquitted could not be prosecuted again because of:
In arbitration law, the 'seat' of arbitration determines:
Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act (part performance) is best described as:
Why did the Madhya Pradesh High Court strike down the 27% OBC quota in October 2026?
Supreme Court Judgments 2026: answers and explanations
In Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Government of India (January 2026), the Supreme Court held that the right to menstrual health is part of:
Answer: A. The right to life under Article 21
The Court read menstrual health into Article 21, and linked it with Article 14 and the right to education under Article 21A.
In June 2026 the Supreme Court located the right to walk on safe footpaths mainly in which freedom?
Answer: B. Freedom of movement under Article 19(1)(d)
The Court tied the right to Article 19(1)(d), read with Article 21, and gave pedestrians priority over motor vehicles on footpaths.
In Padam Mehta v. State of Rajasthan (May 2026), the Supreme Court grounded the right to education in one's mother language in:
Answer: C. Article 19(1)(a)
The Court said freedom of expression includes the right to receive information in a form one understands, and directed Rajasthan to introduce Rajasthani as a school subject in phases.
Under Article 145(3), a case raising a substantial question of law on the interpretation of the Constitution must be heard by at least:
Answer: D. Five judges
Article 145(3) requires a bench of at least five, known as a Constitution Bench.
The 'rarest of rare' doctrine for the death penalty was laid down in:
Answer: D. Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980)
Bachan Singh (1980) laid down the doctrine. Machhi Singh applied it; Mithu struck down the mandatory death sentence under Section 303 IPC.
Under Section 23 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (formerly Section 25 of the Evidence Act), a confession made to a police officer is:
Answer: B. Not admissible against the accused
A confession to a police officer cannot be proved against the accused. In September 2026 the Court held it also cannot alone ground preventive detention.
Ordering a fresh probe in the Belthangady case, the Supreme Court held that the man already acquitted could not be prosecuted again because of:
Answer: D. Article 20(2), the bar on double jeopardy
Article 20(2) bars prosecuting and punishing a person more than once for the same offence, reinforced by Section 300 CrPC.
In arbitration law, the 'seat' of arbitration determines:
Answer: B. Which courts have supervisory jurisdiction over the arbitration
The seat fixes the supervising courts; the venue is just the place of hearings. In September 2026 the Court held hearings at Cuttack did not make it the seat.
Section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act (part performance) is best described as:
Answer: B. A shield protecting a buyer in possession, not a basis to claim possession
Section 53A protects a transferee already in possession; it does not transfer title or create a cause of action to recover possession.
Why did the Madhya Pradesh High Court strike down the 27% OBC quota in October 2026?
Answer: D. Total reservation crossed 50% without extraordinary circumstances being shown
With 16% SC and 20% ST, a 27% OBC quota took the total to 63%, breaching the Indra Sawhney ceiling.
FAQ
Which 2026 judgment recognised a right to walk on footpaths?
Maniyar Iliyaz v. P. Ayyappan (19 June 2026) located it in Article 19(1)(d) read with Article 21, and gave pedestrians priority over vehicles on footpaths.
Can a Sessions Court order life imprisonment without remission?
No. In Naval Kishore v. State of Punjab (September 2026) the Court held that only a High Court or the Supreme Court can impose that special-category sentence.
What is the difference between the seat and the venue of an arbitration?
The seat decides which courts supervise the arbitration; the venue is only where hearings take place. Holding hearings in a city does not make it the seat.
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