English - II : Previous Year Questions (2024)

PART – A

Q1. What is real secularism according to Mr. Chagla?

Ans. Chagla’s view on secularism was that real secularism means judging a person on merit and ability, not on community or religion; therefore, a less qualified person should not be preferred merely because he belongs to a minority community.

Q2. Which kind of racial discrimination prevailed at Byculla Club?

Ans. Byculla Club was one the prestigious clubs of that era. It was meant exclusively for the Europeans. As an elite, restrictive space, it embodied the "whites only" policy common in social clubs of that era. Indians were not allowed to enter through the front gate, instead, they had to take back door entry. Such was the racial discrimination that prevailed at Byculla Club.

Q3. Which instructions were issued to District Judges before Mr. Chagla's visit to District Court?

Ans. Chagla instructed the District Judges that no lavish entertainment should be arranged involving heavy expenditure, and that any address from the Bar should not be presented in an expensive silver or other costly casket.

Q4. Why was Mr. Chagla not interested in writing the Epilogue?

Ans. In Roses in December, M. C. Chagla was not initially interested in writing the epilogue because he felt that after narrating his long public life and experiences, there was nothing more important left to add. He also believed that his autobiography had already covered the essential events and ideas of his life.

Q5. Name the judges who were superseded in order to make Mr. Ray Chief Justice of India.

Ans. Justice A. N. Ray was appointed Chief Justice of India, superseding Shelat, Hegde, and Grover.

Q6. Where is the International Court of Justice housed?

Ans. The International Court is housed in the Peace Palace Hague, which was built as a result of a Peace Conference convened by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia in 1899.

Q7. Which title did Mr. Chagla give to M.S. Subbulakshmi?

Ans. In April 1955, Chagla presided over a very large meeting in Bombay to felicitate M. S. Subbulakshmi when she was awarded the title of “Padma Bhushan”. Chagla called her the Mira Bai of South India.

Q8. Which writ was based during Emergency?

Ans. The writ of Habeas Corpus was based during emergency.

Q9. What is key to success according to Mr. Chagla?

Ans. According to M. C. Chagla, the key to success is the ability to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant, along with maintaining fairness and a sense of justice, since a lawyer’s true role is to assist in the administration of justice, not merely to fight a client’s case.

Q10. Write two traits of great advocacy according to Mr. Chagla.

Ans. According to Mr. Chagla, two traits of great advocacy are:

1. Ability to distinguish relevant from irrelevant facts – A good advocate must focus only on what is important to the case.
2. Fairness and sense of justice – An advocate should not merely fight for a client, but also assist in the proper administration of justice.

PART – B

Q11. Explain the following terms:

1. Post meridian (P.M.) – After noon; the time from 12:00 noon to midnight.
   Sentence: The meeting was scheduled at 3:00 post meridian.
2. Jus soli – A legal principle by which citizenship is determined by the place of birth.
   Sentence: Under jus soli, a child born in the country is granted citizenship.
3. Milieu – The social and physical environment in which a person lives or grows up.
   Sentence: He developed his ideas in an intellectual milieu.
4. Summum bonum – The highest or ultimate good in life.
   Sentence: According to philosophers, happiness is considered the summum bonum of human life.

Q12. Write two words using the following affixes:

1. Prefixes:

Anti – antisocial, antibiotic

Tri – triangle, tricycle

Semi – semicircle, semi-final

Vice – vice-president, vice-chancellor

2. Suffixes:

some – handsome, awesome

dom – kingdom, freedom

ly – quickly, slowly

wise – otherwise, clockwise

Q13. Write one word for the following sentences:

1. Speaking or using two languages – Bilingual
2. Not having made a will before death occurs – Intestate
3. Being the only one of its type – Unique
4. A written statement given under oath – Affidavit

Q14. Explain the following idioms:

1. Ad hoc – Created or arranged for a specific purpose or situation.

Sentence: The committee was formed on an ad hoc basis to handle the crisis.

2. To the letter – Exactly as instructed or written; very strictly.

Sentence: He followed the judge’s orders to the letter.

3. Man of the word – A person who keeps his promises and is reliable.

Sentence: He is a man of his word and always fulfills his commitments.

4. Bring to light – To reveal or expose something hidden.

Sentence: The investigation brought to light several irregularities in the system.

PART – C

Q15. Write in detail -Mr. Chagla's association with the International Court of Justice.

Ans. M. C. Chagla was appointed as an ad hoc judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in September 1957. He served 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 describes the International Court of Justice as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. He observed that international law was still in the process of development, and although certain principles had been established by the United Nations and its International Law Commission, they were still evolving. These principles, according to him, formed a body of rules that nations were expected to follow in international relations.

He found the system of appointing judges to the International Court to be somewhat political in nature. In particular, he was critical of the system of electing judges and felt that it did not fully ensure judicial independence. He suggested that one important reform would be to appoint judges for a fixed term without allowing them to seek re-election, which would help maintain impartiality.

Chagla also described the Peace Palace at The Hague, where the International Court is housed. He admired its international character and dignity, which reflected the idea of global justice.

However, he was not fully satisfied with the working procedure of the Court. According to him, the procedure was extremely slow, complicated, and highly formal. The hearings began in open court, where advocates from different countries presented their arguments in English or French. Every statement had to be translated into the other language, making the process time-consuming. He felt that during translations, judges often had little productive work to do.

He further observed that the process of preparing judgments was even slower, involving lengthy private sessions and formal discussions. He described the entire procedure as overly ritualistic and cumbersome, which affected the efficiency of justice delivery.

During his tenure, he came into contact with several distinguished judges, including the President of the Court Hackworth, Vice-President Badawi, Guerrero of El Salvador, Basdevant of France, and Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan of Pakistan. He also developed friendly relations with some judges such as Zoričić of Yugoslavia and Armand Ugo of Uruguay. They often met informally after court sessions and shared moments of friendship.

Initially, Chagla was hesitant to accept the offer of becoming an ad hoc judge. When asked by Jawaharlal Nehru, he expressed that he did not wish to “be buried alive at The Hague,” as he felt the work would be slow and restrictive.

Despite his criticism of the system, he also had meaningful experiences. He appeared before the International Court later as counsel for India in a case related to the action taken by the United Nations against South Africa. He considered it a great honour and privilege to represent India in a matter of international importance and moral significance.

Overall, Chagla’s experience at the International Court was both intellectually enriching and personally revealing. While he appreciated its dignity and global importance, he was critical of its slow procedures and political elements in judicial appointments.

Q16. Explain Mr. Chagla's experience at the Bar.

Ans. M.C. Chagla’s journey at the Bombay Bar, is a classic story of struggle, learning, and final success. When he returned to India in 1922 after studying at Oxford, he didn't have any clients or family connections in the legal world. He went through a long "briefless" period where he had no work. Instead of giving up, he treated the High Court like a classroom, sitting in the galleries to watch great lawyers like Sir Jamshedji Kanga and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. He believed that even if you don't have cases, you must remain "attached" to the court to learn the art of advocacy.

A major turning point in his early career was the sensational Trunk Murder Case. While many thought of Chagla as mainly a civil lawyer, this famous criminal case proved his skills to everyone. A man had been murdered, and his body was found packed in a trunk that was left in a taxi and later dumped in a well. Chagla represented the second accused person in the trial. Despite the "overwhelming evidence" and the gruesome nature of the crime, he managed to secure an acquittal for his client. This victory was a huge boost to his reputation and showed that he was a methodical lawyer who could handle high-pressure situations. In fact, the title of his book, Roses in December, comes from a moment after a murder trial when a grateful client brought him roses in the winter; a symbol of unexpected success.

Another key part of his experience was his time in Jinnah’s chambers. Chagla spent six years as Jinnah's junior, which he called a "truly transformative experience." He was fascinated by Jinnah's clear logic and "artistic" way of presenting a case. From Jinnah, he learned that a lawyer’s first duty is to his client, but he must never lose his dignity or suck up to the judges. This period taught him that the independence of the Bar is the most important thing in a democracy. He also worked on other big cases like the Meerut Conspiracy case, where he stood alongside legendary figures like Motilal Nehru.

Ultimately, Chagla’s time at the Bar wasn't just about winning cases; it was about building a character of integrity and hard work. He was known for being incredibly thorough and for his "quick grasp" of legal points. These years of hard practice at the Bombay High Court prepared him to eventually become a judge in 1941 and, later, the first Indian Chief Justice of that same court. His story shows that for a student of law, the Bar is a place where you develop the courage and discipline needed to serve the cause of justice for a lifetime.

Q17. Write about Mr. Chagla's tenure as Chief Justice of Bombav.

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. Write a letter to the editor about corruption in public life.

Ans.

To

The Editor

The Hindu

Date: 8 May 2026

Subject: Rising Corruption in Public Life

Respected Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to express my deep concern over the growing corruption in public life. Corruption has now become a serious problem affecting almost every sector of society, including government offices, public services, and even educational institutions.

Today, people often find that honest work does not get done without bribes or personal influence. Files are delayed, public services are misused, and many officials misuse their power for personal gain. This has led to a loss of trust among citizens in public institutions.

The common man suffers the most due to this situation. Even basic services like issuing certificates, getting licenses, or accessing welfare schemes become difficult without paying extra money. Corruption not only slows down development but also increases inequality in society.

To control this problem, strict laws should be implemented and corruption cases should be dealt with firmly. Transparency in government work, digitalisation of services, and regular monitoring of officials can help reduce corruption. Public awareness and active participation of citizens are also essential.

I hope the concerned authorities will take strong and immediate steps to eliminate corruption from public life and restore honesty and fairness in the system.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

ABC