The Power Of Article 142
The power of Article 142 of the Indian Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India was enacted. This provision grants the Supreme Court of India extreme power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice” in any case or matter pending before it.
Test your knowledge of Article 142’s powers with these MCQs designed for judiciary aspirants Given Below :-
Multiple Choice Questions on Article 142 of the Indian Constitution
1. What is the primary purpose of Article 142 of the Indian Constitution?
a) To grant the Supreme Court authority to review state laws
b) To empower the Supreme Court to pass orders for complete justice
c) To allow the Supreme Court to amend the Constitution
d) To provide the Supreme Court with legislative powers
Answer: b) To empower the Supreme Court to pass orders for complete justice
Explanation: Article 142 enables the Supreme Court to issue any decree or order necessary to achieve complete justice in cases before it, often filling legal gaps.
2. In which 2024 case did the Supreme Court invoke Article 142 to secure admission for a Dalit student to IIT Dhanbad?
a) High Court Bar Association, Allahabad v. State of U.P.
b) Atul Kumar v. Indian Institute of Technology
c) State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor R.N. Ravi
d) Chandigarh Mayoral Election Case
Answer: b) Atul Kumar v. Indian Institute of Technology
Explanation: The Supreme Court used Article 142 to grant Atul Kumar admission to IIT Dhanbad, citing his talent and marginalized background, as he missed the fee payment deadline.
3.Which of the following limits the use of Article 142 as per the Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India (1998)?
a) It can override fundamental rights
b) It cannot supplant substantive law
c) It allows the court to ignore judicial precedents
d) It can be used to bypass parliamentary approval
Answer: b) It cannot supplant substantive law
Explanation: The 1998 ruling clarified that Article 142 is supplementary and cannot override existing substantive laws, ensuring it remains curative.
4. In the 2025 case of Gayatri Balasamy v. ISG Novasoft Technologies, how did the Supreme Court use Article 142?
a) To nullify a state law
b) To modify an arbitral award
c) To grant a divorce
d) To issue environmental guidelines
Answer: b) To modify an arbitral award
Explanation: A 4:1 majority held that Article 142 could be used to modify arbitral awards to end prolonged litigation, though Justice Viswanathan dissented.
5. What criticism is associated with the use of Article 142, as seen in the State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor R.N. Ravi (2024)?
a) It undermines judicial independence
b) It risks judicial overreach into executive functions
c) It restricts the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction
d) It violates international law
Answer: b) It risks judicial overreach into executive functions
Explanation: The use of Article 142 to deem bills passed in this case raised concerns about judicial overreach, as it bypassed the Governor’s constitutional role.
Conclusion-
We Hope You Now Easily understand The Power of Article 142 .
Article 142 grants the Supreme Court the authority to pass any order necessary for complete justice.
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