MCQs on Administrative Law for CLAT PG [Part 6]

Q1. The modern justification for judicial review of administrative action primarily rests on the idea that:
a. Courts are superior policy-making bodies
b. Administration must conform to constitutional discipline
c. Efficiency outweighs legality
d. Executive discretion is absolute

Q2. The doctrine of ultra vires in administrative law is best understood as a control over:
a. Legislative supremacy
b. Judicial activism
c. Administrative authority exceeding legal limits
d. Policy irrationality alone

Q3. Which of the following most accurately distinguishes delegated legislation from administrative discretion?
a. Delegated legislation is exercised by courts
b. Administrative discretion is always unguided
c. Delegated legislation involves rule-making of general application
d. Administrative discretion cannot be judicially reviewed

Q4. The requirement of reasoned orders by administrative authorities primarily advances which constitutional value?
a. Parliamentary sovereignty
b. Federal balance
c. Transparency and accountability
d. Executive privilege

Q5. Which situation most clearly attracts the application of the doctrine of legitimate expectation?
a. A statutory benefit withdrawn by Parliament
b. A policy consistently followed but changed without notice
c. A purely contractual promise by the State
d. A judicial precedent being overruled

Q6. Promissory estoppel against the State cannot operate where:
a. The promise lacks consideration
b. The promise contradicts a statutory mandate
c. The promise causes administrative inconvenience
d. The promise benefits a private individual

Q7. The principle that “power must not be exercised for an improper purpose” is most closely linked to:
a. Error of law
b. Colourable exercise of power
c. Procedural impropriety
d. Jurisdictional fact

Q8. In administrative law, Wednesbury unreasonableness primarily addresses:
a. Procedural lapses
b. Absence of jurisdiction
c. Extreme irrationality in decision-making
d. Violation of natural justice

Q9. Which of the following best explains why natural justice is not an inflexible rule?
a. It is a statutory creation
b. Administrative efficiency overrides fairness
c. Its content varies with context and necessity
d. It applies only to judicial bodies

Q10. A post-decisional hearing is constitutionally acceptable mainly because it:
a. Eliminates judicial review
b. Replaces legislative safeguards
c. Restores fairness after urgent action
d. Cures lack of jurisdiction

Q11. The doctrine of administrative necessity permits deviation from natural justice when:
a. The authority prefers speed
b. No alternative decision-maker is available
c. The statute is silent
d. The decision involves policy

Q12. Which of the following is the strongest justification for judicial review of policy decisions?
a. Courts prefer different policies
b. Policy outcomes are inefficient
c. Policy violates constitutional limitations
d. Policy is politically unpopular

Q13. The concept of jurisdictional fact allows courts to:
a. Replace administrative decisions
b. Review subjective satisfaction of authorities
c. Examine foundational facts enabling jurisdiction
d. Control merits of policy

Q14. A delegated legislation may be struck down if it:
a. Is unpopular
b. Conflicts with parent statute
c. Is made without consultation
d. Affects economic interests

Q15. The evolution of administrative law reflects a shift from:
a. Rule-based governance to judicial supremacy
b. Absolute discretion to structured discretion
c. Parliamentary control to executive dominance
d. Constitutionalism to pragmatism

1. Correct Answer: B – Administration must conform to constitutional discipline
Explanation: Judicial review exists not to govern, but to ensure that administrative power operates within constitutional boundaries of legality, fairness, and reasonableness.

2. Correct Answer: C – Administrative authority exceeding legal limits
Explanation: Ultra vires literally means “beyond powers.” It is the foundational doctrine ensuring that administrative bodies act only within authority conferred by law.

3. Correct Answer: C – Delegated legislation involves rule-making of general application
Explanation: Delegated legislation creates norms of general applicability, while administrative discretion applies existing norms to individual situations.

4. Correct Answer: C – Transparency and accountability
Explanation: Reasoned decisions enable affected persons to understand outcomes and allow courts to review legality, reinforcing democratic accountability.

5. Correct Answer: B – A policy consistently followed but changed without notice
Explanation: Legitimate expectation arises from consistent administrative conduct, protecting procedural fairness when such practice is abruptly altered.

6. Correct Answer: B – The promise contradicts a statutory mandate
Explanation: No equitable doctrine can compel the State to act contrary to law. Statutory supremacy overrides promissory estoppel.

7. Correct Answer: B – Colourable exercise of power
Explanation: Even lawful power becomes invalid if used for an improper or collateral purpose unrelated to its statutory objective.

8. Correct Answer: C – Extreme irrationality in decision-making
Explanation: Wednesbury unreasonableness targets decisions so absurd that no reasonable authority could have made them.

9. Correct Answer: C – Its content varies with context and necessity
Explanation: Natural justice adapts to circumstances; urgency or public interest may justify modified or postponed hearings.

10. Correct Answer: C – Restores fairness after urgent action
Explanation: Post-decisional hearings reconcile administrative urgency with constitutional fairness.

11. Correct Answer: B – No alternative decision-maker is available
Explanation: The doctrine prevents governance paralysis when bias or conflict is unavoidable, allowing necessity to override ideal procedure.

12. Correct Answer: C -Policy violates constitutional limitations
Explanation: Courts do not assess wisdom of policy, but intervene when policy transgresses constitutional or statutory boundaries.

13. Correct Answer: C – Examine foundational facts enabling jurisdiction
Explanation: Courts can independently verify jurisdictional facts that condition the authority’s power to act.

14. Correct Answer: B – Conflicts with parent statute
Explanation: Delegated legislation derives validity from its parent Act and must conform strictly to it.

15. Correct Answer: B – Absolute discretion to structured discretion
Explanation: Modern administrative law does not abolish discretion but subjects it to legal standards of fairness, reason, and accountability.