Ministry Of Law & Justice
Official policy releases, schemes, circulars, and Prelims practice questions from Ministry Of Law & Justice distilled for UPSC Civil Services Examination.
🎯 Ministry Of Law & Justice UPSC Practice Questions
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to India's banking and monetary statistics framework, consider the following statements: 1. As per the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, the definition of a banking fortnight has been revised from alternate Fridays to the 15th and the last calendar day of a month, effective December 15, 2025. 2. India's Foreign Exchange Reserves are structurally categorized into Foreign Currency Assets, Gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and the Reserve Position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is correct because the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 officially revised the definition of a banking fortnight from alternate Fridays to the 15th and the last calendar day of a month, effective December 15, 2025. Statement 2 is also correct as India's Foreign Exchange Reserves comprise Foreign Currency Assets, Gold, Special Drawing Rights, and the Reserve Position in the IMF as per standard Reserve Bank of India reporting.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the recent implementation of criminal justice reforms and state administration targets highlighted by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding Goa, consider the following statements: 1. The implementation of the three new criminal laws along with the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) contributed to raising Goa's conviction rate from 22% to 53%. 2. These structural and technological measures have enabled courts in many instances to resolve criminal cases within a period of 6 to 8 months. 3. The Ministry of Home Affairs aims to assist smaller states in administrative capacity building to help them develop into model states by 2047. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
All three statements are correct. Official government data indicates that implementing the three new criminal codes alongside the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) boosted Goa's conviction rate from 22% to 53%. These reforms have enabled courts to decide criminal cases within 6 to 8 months in many instances. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced assistance for smaller states in administrative capacity building to help achieve the goal of becoming model states by 2047 under the 'Viksit Bharat' framework.
Official Policy Notifications & Dossiers
3 Briefs-
PIB
Legislative Department Reviews Office Cleanliness and Pendency Reduction Under Special Campaign 6 for Enhanced Workplace Efficiency
- The Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice conducted a comprehensive review and inspection of its offices at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi, under 'Special Campaign 6' on October 23, 2026.
- The campaign aims to institutionalize cleanliness in government offices, reduce pending references, and promote a culture of work efficiency, discipline, and optimal workspace management.
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PRS
The Tribunal Rules, 2021 contradict the Supreme Court rulings
- Supreme Court rulings (1986, 2014, 2019) mandate that tribunals supplanting High Courts must have the same independence and judicial experience as High Courts, and that the Executive should not administer them; the 2021 Ordinance and Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021, replicated provisions struck down by the Court, including a four‑year term for members and central government control of leave and appointments; the Bill is currently challenged in the Supreme Court for violating these principles.
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PRS
Understanding vacancies in the Indian judiciary
- Supreme Court collegium has recommended 11 judges for High Courts, but appointments have been delayed; vacancy rates rose from 18% to 21% (Supreme Court 6% to 12%, High Courts 33% to 38%, subordinate courts 18% to 20%) between 2010‑2020, contributing to 4 crore pending cases.
- As of 1 Nov 2021, the Supreme Court had 1 vacancy out of 34 sanctioned posts; High Courts had 37% vacancies (406/1,098) and subordinate courts 21% vacancies (5,146/24,018) as of 20 Feb 2020, with average appointment time 5‑7 months after collegium recommendation.