Explanation
- A
1 only
(a) 1 only. The 44th Amendment (1978) reversed Emergency distortions (e.g. Article 352, 356, 21–19 restoration); it did not insert an article placing the Prime Minister’s election beyond judicial review. So statement 1 is false and 1 only is not the key.
- B
2 only
(b) 2 only. The 99th Amendment created the National Judicial Appointments Commission; the Supreme Court in 2015 struck it down as damaging the independence of the judiciary and the basic structure. Statement 2 is true and statement 1 is not, so 2 only is the official key.
- C
Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 1 and 2. Statement 1 fails, so both-true is not the key.
- D
Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2. Statement 2 is a correct account of the NJAC judgment, so neither-true is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (b) 2 only. No 44th Amendment bar on reviewing the Prime Minister’s election exists as stated. The NJAC (99th Amendment) was invalidated to protect judicial independence. Honour the stored letter (b).
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.