09.07.2026

1. The constitutional guarantee of legal representation is an essential component of a fair trial and applies irrespective of the nature of the offence alleged against an accused.
2. Collective resolutions of Bar Associations preventing advocates from appearing for particular accused are inconsistent with the constitutional framework governing criminal justice.

III. The constitutional scheme recognises access to legal aid as an important means of ensuring equal access to justice.

Which of the following information/evidence support(s) the above statements?

1. Article 22(1) guarantees every arrested person the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his or her choice, while Article 39A directs the State to ensure equal justice through free legal aid.
2. In A.S. Mohammed Rafi v. State of Tamil Nadu (2010), the Supreme Court held that Bar Association resolutions prohibiting advocates from defending particular accused are illegal and contrary to professional ethics.
3. In Kuldeep Agarwal v. State of Uttarakhand (2019), the Uttarakhand High Court clarified that the Bar Council of India Rules permitting refusal in "special circumstances" apply only to an individual advocate's decision and not to collective action by Bar Associations.
4. Since advocates are not public servants, Bar Associations possess an unrestricted collective right to prohibit members from representing accused persons whenever public sentiment demands it.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights established a universal normative framework for protecting human dignity even though it was not adopted as a legally binding treaty.
2. The subsequent adoption of the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) transformed many principles of the UDHR into binding treaty obligations for ratifying States.

III. Since the UDHR itself is not legally binding, it has had little influence on the development of customary international law, constitutional jurisprudence, or the interpretation of human rights obligations.

Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct?

1. Statement II provides empirical and institutional support for Statement I by demonstrating how the principles of the UDHR evolved into binding international law.
2. Statement III contradicts the broader implication of Statement I regarding the normative influence of the UDHR.
3. Statements I and III together establish that legally binding status is a necessary condition for an international instrument to shape State practice and constitutional interpretation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. Wetlands act as natural sponges by storing excess rainwater and reducing floods.
2. Wetlands provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals.
3. All wetlands are permanently covered with water throughout the year.

Which of the statements given above are correct?