English - II : Previous Year Questions (2017)

PART – A

Q1. What is the name of M.C. Chagla's autobiography?

Ans. The autobiography of M.C. Chagla is titled ‘Roses in December’. It was published on 30^th September, 1973.

Q2. What advice Inverarity gave to Bhulabhai Desai?

Ans. Inverarity advised Bhulabhai Desai to trust his own memory. Bhulabhai took this advice to heart, and throughout his career as a lawyer he never made a single note, however long and complicated the case might be. M.C.

Q3. For how many years Chagla served as Chief Justice?

Ans. M.C. Chagla served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court for 11 years, from 15 August 1947 to 26 October 1958.

Q4. Who was Paul Robeson?

Ans. Paul Robeson was a famous African-American athlete, singer, actor, and advocate for the civil rights of people around the world.

Q5. Name the two languages spoken at the International Court of Justice?

Ans. English and French were the two languages, spoken in the international court.

Q6. Which Articles were suspended during Emergency?

Ans. Article 14, 21 and 22 were suspended during the emergency.

Q7. Give difference between arts and politics.

Ans. M.C. Chagla distinguishes the two by stating that politics deals with the particular and the ephemeral (temporary), whereas arts seek to express the universal and the eternal.

Q8. Why Pritt, an eminent English counsel charged heavy fees to his capitalist clients?

Ans. Pritt was a communist, and practised the communist faith openly. He liked charging heavy fees to his capitalist clients, in order to make their capital go down. He used fees collected from them to further the communist cause.

Q9. What news Justice Sikri gave to Chagla?

Ans. Justice Sikri gave Chagla the news that Justice A. N. Ray had been appointed Chief Justice of India, superseding Shelat, Hegde, and Grover.

Q10. Who was Zafrullah Khan?

Ans. Sir Mohamed Zafrullah Khan of Pakistan was an extremely able and astute lawyer, but not a friendly character, and not very popular with his colleagues. He was a representative of Pakistan at the International Court of Justice.

PART – B

Q11. Explain the following terms:

1. en masse - All together and at the same time, in large numbers.

Sentence: The students entered the auditorium en masse.

2. Monsieur - A Frenchman of high rank or station; used as a title equivalent to Mr. and prefixed to the name of a Frenchman.

Sentence: The hotel staff greeted Monsieur Dupont politely at the entrance.

3. Judicature - Administration of justice as by judges or courts.

Sentence: The independence of the judicature is essential for ensuring fair justice in a democratic country.

4. Axiom - a statement accepted to be true by all, without any proof.

Sentence: It is an axiom that honesty is the best policy.

Q12. Explain the following idioms:

1. Bone of contention - A matter or issue that causes disagreement or argument between people.

Sentence: The division of property has always been a bone of contention between the two brothers.

2. Half baked – Not well planned or considered

Sentence: His half baked plan failed because it was not properly thought out.

3. To bark at the moon - To complain or protest in vain, without producing any result or effect.

Sentence: Complaining about the decision after it has been implemented is like barking at the moon.

4. Against the tide - To think, act, or behave in opposition to the prevailing opinion, trend, or majority

Sentence: She went against the tide and chose a simple government job instead of a high-paying private one.

Q13. Give one word for:

1. Life history of a person written by himself – Autobiography
2. Exclusive right to publish something – Copyright
3. A place where one lives permanently – Domicile
4. A person deprived of protection of law – Outlaw

Q14. Make two words from each of the following suffixes:

1. hood – childhood, motherhood
2. ship – internship, fellowship
3. ness – sweetness, happiness
4. less – helpless, timeless

PART – C

Q15. Write a letter to the Municipal commissioner on the necessity of public park innovation in a posh locality of Bapu Nagar of Jaipur.

Ans.

54, Mahesh Marg

Bapu Nagar

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Date: 8 May 2026

To

The Municipal Commissioner

Jaipur Municipal Corporation

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Subject: Need for upgradation of public park in Bapu Nagar

Respected Sir,

I would like to draw your kind attention towards the urgent need for the development and innovation of the public park located in Bapu Nagar, Jaipur. Being a well-developed residential area, the park is frequently used by children, senior citizens, and families for recreation and health-related activities.

At present, the condition of the park is not satisfactory. Basic facilities such as proper walking tracks, modern play equipment for children, adequate seating arrangements, clean drinking water, and proper lighting are either lacking or poorly maintained. The park also lacks modern and innovative features that could enhance its usefulness to the community.

It is therefore requested that the Municipal Corporation take necessary steps to upgrade the park by introducing facilities such as open-air gym equipment, improved landscaping, eco-friendly lighting systems, rainwater harvesting units, and regular maintenance drives. These improvements will greatly enhance the beauty of the locality and promote a healthier lifestyle among residents.

A well-developed and innovative park will serve as an important social and environmental asset for Bapu Nagar and reflect the city’s commitment to sustainable urban development.

Kindly consider this request and take appropriate action at the earliest in public interest.

Yours faithfully,

XYZ

Q16. Describe M.C. Chagla's journey as an ad hoc judge in the International Court of Justice.

Ans. M. C. Chagla’s journey as an ad hoc judge in the International Court of Justice reflects his valuable engagement with international law, along with his critical understanding of its functioning. He was appointed as an ad hoc judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in September 1957. He participated in a case involving Portugal, which claimed the right of passage through Indian territory to maintain communication between its mainland territory of Daman and its enclaves of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Chagla described the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. He observed that international law was still in a developing stage, and its principles were gradually being shaped by the United Nations and its International Law Commission. According to him, these evolving principles formed a framework of rules that guided relations between nations.

He was, however, critical of the method of appointment of judges to the Court. He felt that the system was influenced by political considerations and did not fully guarantee judicial independence. He suggested that judges should be appointed for a fixed term without the possibility of re-election, which would ensure greater impartiality and fairness.

Chagla also provided a vivid description of the Peace Palace at The Hague, where the Court is situated. He appreciated its dignity, calm atmosphere, and international significance, which symbolized the idea of global justice. However, he was not fully satisfied with the working procedure of the Court. He found it extremely slow, formal, and complicated. Proceedings were conducted in both English and French, requiring continuous translation, which caused delays and reduced efficiency.

He further observed that even the preparation of judgments was a lengthy process involving private discussions and detailed deliberations. He felt that the Court’s procedures were overly rigid and ritualistic, which affected the speed of justice delivery.

During his tenure, Chagla interacted with several distinguished judges, including President Hackworth, Vice-President Badawi, Guerrero of El Salvador, Basdevant of France, and Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan of Pakistan. He also developed friendly relations with judges like Zoričić of Yugoslavia and Armand Ugo of Uruguay, and they often met informally after court sessions.

Initially, Chagla was hesitant to accept the appointment. When consulted by Jawaharlal Nehru, he jokingly expressed that he did not wish to “be buried alive at The Hague,” as he feared the work would be slow and restrictive.

Despite his criticism of the system, he also had meaningful professional experiences. He later appeared before the Court as counsel for India in a case concerning United Nations action against South Africa, which he regarded as a matter of great honour and international importance.

Overall, Chagla’s journey as an ad hoc judge was intellectually enriching and insightful. While he appreciated the dignity and global importance of the International Court of Justice, he remained critical of its slow procedures and the political nature of judicial appointments.

Q17. Describe M.C. Chagla's tenure as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

Ans. M. C. Chagla is presented as a deeply committed, independent, and reform-oriented Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He assumed office on 15 August 1947, succeeding Sir Leonard Stone, at a crucial moment when India had just attained independence. Chagla describes that although he initially felt anxious and burdened by the immense responsibilities of the office, he approached his duties with determination, sincerity, and complete dedication.

One of the most striking aspects of Chagla’s personality as Chief Justice was his extraordinary sense of duty and discipline. He believed that the administration of justice required constant commitment and punctuality. In his autobiography, he proudly notes that he never absented himself from court even for a single day. To him, the satisfaction of performing judicial duties honestly was more valuable than any financial reward or additional salary. This reflects his deep respect for the judiciary and his belief that judges must serve as guardians of justice rather than seekers of privilege.

Chagla also displayed remarkable administrative insight and practical wisdom. Upon becoming Chief Justice, he carefully observed the weaknesses within the judicial system. He noticed that several judges lacked adequate judicial experience or had remained disconnected from actual judicial work for a long period. Chagla strongly believed that judges should either be selected from experienced practising advocates or from district judges actively engaged in judicial administration. According to him, only such persons could understand the realities of litigation and dispense effective justice. This reveals his practical and reformist approach towards the judiciary.

Another important feature of Chagla’s personality was his fearless independence. He firmly believed that the judiciary must remain impartial and should never function under government influence. Consequently, he delivered several judgments against the government whenever he felt that citizens’ rights or constitutional principles were being violated. He considered the judiciary to be the protector of individual liberty and democratic values.

His liberal and humanitarian outlook became particularly visible in matters relating to preventive detention. Chagla openly disliked and criticized the Preventive Detention Act because he believed that such laws could easily threaten personal freedom in a democratic society. Whenever he found loopholes, procedural irregularities, or misuse of power by the government, he did not hesitate to release detainees. This demonstrated his courage, compassion, and unwavering faith in civil liberties and the rule of law.

Chagla was also a great judicial reformer who sought to modernise and democratise the Bombay High Court. At that time, there existed distinctions and tensions between the Appellate Side and the Original Side of the court. Chagla attempted to remove these divisions and foster harmony within the legal profession. He emphasized that every advocate should have the right to practise on both sides of the court without discrimination. This reflected his belief in equality, professional unity, and fairness.

Furthermore, he worked to simplify and improve the judicial structure. He abolished the distinction between “pleaders” and “advocates,” thereby promoting equality among legal practitioners. He also changed the designation of subordinate judges to “Civil Judges,” which gave greater dignity and uniformity to the subordinate judiciary. These reforms indicate his progressive outlook and administrative efficiency.

Thus, as portrayed in Roses in December, M. C. Chagla emerges as a disciplined, fearless, liberal, and reform-minded Chief Justice. His integrity, devotion to duty, concern for civil liberties, and efforts to strengthen the judiciary made him one of the most respected judges in independent India.

Q18. You are Abhinav Sharma, a newspaper reporter. Write a report giving details of a blood donation camp organised in the University campus.

Ans.

Blood Donation Camp

By: Abhinav Sharma

Delhi, 25 April: A Blood Donation Camp was organised by the students of NLU Delhi on 24 April 2026 in the University Auditorium from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event was conducted with the objective of promoting voluntary blood donation and addressing the growing shortage of blood in hospitals.

The camp witnessed an excellent response from students, faculty members, and members of the general public. A large number of volunteers enthusiastically participated in this noble cause. The theme of the camp was “Blood for All”, which aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of saving lives through voluntary blood donation.

Proper arrangements were made by the organisers to ensure smooth functioning of the event. All donors were first registered and then medically examined by a team of experienced doctors and nurses from Fortis Hospital. Only those found fit were allowed to donate blood. Special care was taken to ensure hygiene and safety throughout the process.

After the donation, the participants were provided with refreshments and certificates of appreciation as a token of gratitude. The atmosphere throughout the camp remained disciplined, well-managed, and encouraging.

The students and faculty members of NLU Delhi worked in close coordination to ensure the success of the programme. Their dedicated efforts, along with active participation from donors, made the camp highly successful. The event not only fulfilled a critical social need but also helped in spreading awareness about the importance of blood donation among the youth.