Practice paper — IPC Chapter 9 — Offences By Or Relating To Public Servants

1.What is the legal status of Section 161 of the Indian Penal Code as stated in the provision text?

• (A) In force and operative
• (B) Repealed
• (C) Amended but operative
• (D) Temporarily suspended

2.Which enactment and provision repealed Section 161 of the Indian Penal Code according to the text?

• (A) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — S. 31
• (B) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1960 — S. 31
• (C) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988) — S. 31
• (D) Indian Evidence Act, 1872 — S. 31

3.Which statute and section is cited as having repealed Section 162 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860?

• (A) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S. 200
• (B) Representation of the People Act, 1951, S. 34
• (C) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988), S. 31
• (D) Indian Evidence Act, 1872, S. 10

4.Which enactment and specific provision repealed Section 163 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860?

• (A) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, S. 30
• (B) Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 1989, S. 31
• (C) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988), S. 31
• (D) Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1988, Sch.

5.Which specific enactment and provision effected the repeal of Section 164 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 as per the text?

• (A) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (S. 30)
• (B) Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 1990 (S. 31)
• (C) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988), S. 31
• (D) Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Section 164 retained)

6.According to the text, which enactment repealed Section 165 and where is that repeal cited?

• (A) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988), Section 31
• (B) Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 165
• (C) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988), Section 30
• (D) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Section 31

7.Under Section 166 IPC, which class of person is directly made liable for the offence described?

• (A) A public servant
• (B) Any private citizen
• (C) Only judges and magistrates
• (D) Employees of private companies

8.A public servant knowingly disobeys a direction of the law but neither intends nor knows it to be likely that his disobedience will cause injury to any person. Is he liable under Section 166 IPC?

• (A) Yes — knowing disobedience alone is enough
• (B) Yes — if any injury actually results
• (C) No — liability requires intent to cause, or knowledge that injury is likely
• (D) Only if departmental punishment is also imposed

9.If a public servant disobeys a legal direction that regulates general behaviour of all citizens but the direction is not about "the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant," does Section 166 IPC apply?

• (A) No — the law must direct how he is to conduct himself "as such public servant"
• (B) Yes — any statutory direction breached by a public servant attracts Section 166
• (C) Only if the breach occurred while performing official duties
• (D) Only if the employer specifically framed the direction for that office

10.What is the punishment prescribed by Section 166A, IPC for an offence under that section?

• (A) Rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than six months and which may extend to two years, and also liable to fine.
• (B) Simple imprisonment for up to six months or fine.
• (C) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years without fine.
• (D) Only departmental penalty; no criminal imprisonment specified.

11.An information is given to a public servant under s.154(1) CrPC about a case of theft (not listed among the offences in Section 166A). The public servant fails to record that information. Is Section 166A attracted?

• (A) Yes — Section 166A applies to failure to record information for any cognizable offence.
• (B) Yes — Section 166A applies to failure to record information for any offence reported under s.154(1).
• (C) Only if the accused is arrested as a consequence of the report.
• (D) No — Section 166A applies only when the information relates to the specific offences listed in the section.

12.If a complainant gives information under s.154(1) CrPC about an offence listed in Section 166A but the complaint later proves to be false, and the public servant failed to record it, is the public servant punishable under Section 166A?

• (A) Yes — Section 166A penalises failure to record any information given under s.154(1) CrPC relating to the listed offences regardless of the later outcome.
• (B) No — Section 166A applies only if the offence complained of actually occurred and a conviction follows.
• (C) No — Section 166A requires that the failure to record be intentional (knowingly) before punishment can follow.
• (D) Yes — but only if the complainant can prove the public servant acted with malafide intent.

13.What is the maximum term of imprisonment specified by Section 166B for contravention of section 357C CrPC?

• (A) Six months
• (B) One year
• (C) Three years
• (D) Two years

14.Can a person who is not "in charge of a hospital" be prosecuted under Section 166B for contravening section 357C?

• (A) Yes, any hospital employee can be prosecuted under Section 166B
• (B) Yes, any person present in the hospital can be prosecuted under Section 166B
• (C) Yes, but only if authorised by the State Government
• (D) No — Section 166B applies only to a person who is "being in charge of a hospital" and contravenes section 357C

15.Which mental state regarding the correctness of the document is required for offence under Section 167?

• (A) The public servant must know or believe the document to be incorrect.
• (B) The public servant must merely be negligent about the document's correctness.
• (C) The public servant may be unaware of any incorrectness; strict liability applies.
• (D) The public servant must have honest doubt about the document's correctness.

16.A public servant, charged with preparing an official electronic record, knowingly frames it incorrectly but honestly believes it will not cause injury to anyone. Is he punishable under Section 167?

• (A) Yes, because knowing incorrectness alone is sufficient regardless of consequences.
• (B) Yes, but only if the incorrectness causes actual injury.
• (C) No, because the provision also requires intention to cause or knowledge that it is likely to cause injury.
• (D) No, because electronic records are excluded from the section.

17.A public servant charged with translating a record believes the translation is incorrect and knows that it is likely to cause injury to some person, but he does not actually intend to cause injury. Under Section 167, is he punishable?

• (A) No — actual intention to cause injury is required, so mere likelihood is insufficient.
• (B) Yes — either intending to cause injury or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury suffices.
• (C) No — the section requires both intention and knowledge of likelihood together.
• (D) Only if the injury actually occurs will the section be attracted.

18.Which of the following is an essential factual requirement for punishment under Section 168?

• (A) The person is a private citizen
• (B) The person is a public servant
• (C) The person is an elected representative only
• (D) The person is a contractor for the government

19.Which of the following accurately describes the sentencing options under Section 168?

• (A) Simple imprisonment for up to one year only
• (B) Fine only
• (C) Simple imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or both
• (D) Rigorous imprisonment exceeding one year

20.Under Section 169 IPC, what is the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed for a public servant who unlawfully purchases or bids for property when legally bound not to do so?

• (A) Simple imprisonment which may extend to two years
• (B) Rigorous imprisonment which may extend to seven years
• (C) Life imprisonment
• (D) No imprisonment, only fine

21.Does Section 169 IPC apply to a public servant who is not "legally bound as such public servant" not to purchase or bid for the property?

• (A) Yes, it applies to all public servants regardless of any legal prohibition
• (B) No, it applies only to a public servant who is legally bound not to purchase or bid for that property
• (C) Yes, but only if the public servant purchases (not merely bids)
• (D) Yes, but only if purchase is in the public servant's own name

22.If a public servant merely bids for a property (but does not purchase it) despite being legally bound not to, what does Section 169 IPC provide?

• (A) He is not punishable because only purchase is prohibited
• (B) He will only be liable to confiscation of the property
• (C) He is liable only to a fine and not to imprisonment
• (D) He can be punished with imprisonment, or fine, or both, but the property is confiscated only if purchased

23.Which mental state does Section 170 (Personating a public servant) expressly require for a person who 'pretends to hold any particular office as public servant'?

• (A) Intention to defraud
• (B) Negligence
• (C) Recklessness
• (D) Knowing that he does not hold such office

24.A person knowingly claims to be a public servant but never 'does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office.' Under Section 170, is that person punishable?

• (A) Yes — a knowing false claim alone suffices
• (B) No — the person must do or attempt an act under the assumed character
• (C) Yes, but only if the claim is made to a government official
• (D) Yes, but only if the false claim causes loss or injury

25.Which of the following scenarios would fall within the scope of Section 170?

• (A) A person, knowing he is not a police officer, wears a police uniform and issues orders to clear a shop, attempting to exercise authority under that assumed character.
• (B) A person posts on social media that he is a magistrate but never tries to exercise any authority in that character.
• (C) A person actually appointed to a public office but acting beyond his powers is prosecuted under Section 170.
• (D) A person honestly but mistakenly believes he has been appointed to an office and attempts to exercise authority.

26.What is the maximum punishment prescribed by Section 171 IPC for the offence described?

• (A) Imprisonment up to six months or fine up to five hundred rupees
• (B) Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or both
• (C) Imprisonment for life or fine
• (D) Only a fine not exceeding two hundred rupees

27.Does Section 171 IPC apply when the person actually belongs to the class of public servants whose garb or token is worn?

• (A) Yes, it applies whether or not the person belongs to that class
• (B) No, the offence only applies to persons not belonging to that class
• (C) Yes, but only if the public servant wears the garb outside duty hours
• (D) No, unless the public servant uses the garb with fraudulent intent

28.According to Section 171A of the IPC, who is a 'candidate'?

• (A) A person who has been nominated as a candidate at any election
• (B) Any person who expresses an intention to contest an election
• (C) Any elector who votes in an election
• (D) A person appointed to office after an election

29.A person was nominated as a candidate and subsequently withdrew from the election. Under Section 171A, is that person still encompassed by the definition of 'candidate'?

• (A) No — withdrawal revokes the status of candidate
• (B) Yes — 'candidate' means a person who has been nominated as a candidate at any election
• (C) Only if the withdrawal is later rescinded
• (D) Only if the person re-files nomination papers

30.Which of the following is NOT explicitly listed as part of 'electoral right' in Section 171A?

• (A) The right to be nominated as a candidate
• (B) The right to withdraw from being a candidate
• (C) The right to stand or not to stand as a candidate
• (D) The right to vote or refrain from voting

31.Which of the following is expressly declared NOT to be an offence under Section 171B?

• (A) A declaration of public policy or a promise of public action
• (B) Giving money to induce a person to exercise an electoral right
• (C) Attempting to procure a gratification to influence voting
• (D) Agreeing to accept a gratification as a reward for inducing a voter

32.Which statement correctly reflects how Section 171B treats an offer or agreement to give a gratification?

• (A) It is not an offence unless the gratification is actually given
• (B) An offer is punishable only if the person actually accepts the gratification
• (C) An offer, an agreement to give, or an offer/attempt to procure a gratification is deemed to be giving a gratification
• (D) Only the completed transfer of gratification counts as giving under this section

33.If a person agrees to accept a gratification as a reward for inducing someone to exercise an electoral right but no money or benefit is ever transferred, does Section 171B treat that as the offence of bribery?

• (A) Yes — because a person who agrees to accept a gratification is deemed to accept a gratification
• (B) No — actual transfer of the gratification is required for the offence
• (C) Yes — but only if the agreement was made on behalf of another person
• (D) No — such an agreement is covered by the proviso on declarations of public policy

34.Which of the following acts is specifically stated in Section 171C to be deemed interference with a person's electoral right?

• (A) Offering monetary inducements for voting.
• (B) Making public policy announcements in a campaign speech.
• (C) Exercising a legal right during an election campaign.
• (D) Threatening any candidate or voter, or any person in whom a candidate or voter is interested, with injury of any kind.

35.If a person attempts to induce a voter to believe that the voter will be object of 'Divine displeasure or of spiritual censure', does Section 171C treat that as interference?

• (A) No; spiritual matters are outside the scope of electoral offences.
• (B) Only if the inducement is accompanied by a material threat.
• (C) Yes; inducing or attempting to induce belief of Divine displeasure is deemed interference.
• (D) Only if the voter is a candidate as well.

36.Which of the following acts is expressly described as personation at an election under Section 171D?

• (A) Applying for a voting paper in a fictitious name
• (B) Failing to present identity documents at the polling station
• (C) Challenging another voter’s eligibility
• (D) Disrupting the polling proceedings

37.If a person has already voted once at an election and then applies at the same election for a voting paper in his own name, does Section 171D make that conduct an offence?

• (A) Only if the first vote was in a false name
• (B) Only if the second application is in a fictitious name
• (C) Yes, it is an offence under Section 171D
• (D) No, Section 171D does not cover applying in one’s own name

38.Must the person actually cast a vote under another person's name for Section 171D to apply, or is merely applying for a voting paper in another's name sufficient?

• (A) Merely applying for a voting paper in another's name is sufficient
• (B) Section 171D requires that a vote be cast under another person's name
• (C) Section 171D only applies if the false vote is counted
• (D) Only if the person also signs another person’s declaration

39.Which of the following punishments does Section 171E expressly provide for the offence of bribery?

• (A) Only imprisonment
• (B) Imprisonment for life or fine
• (C) Imprisonment of either description, or fine, or both
• (D) Only fine

40.Can an offender under Section 171E be punished with a fine alone (i.e., without any imprisonment)?

• (A) No — imprisonment is mandatory
• (B) Only if imprisonment is not imposed
• (C) Only if the court orders fine in addition to imprisonment
• (D) Yes — fine alone is an option

41.What is the maximum term of imprisonment that Section 171F provides for undue influence or personation at an election?

• (A) Six months
• (B) One year
• (C) Two years
• (D) Three years

42.Which form of imprisonment does Section 171F allow for the offence of undue influence or personation at an election?

• (A) Imprisonment of either description
• (B) Death penalty
• (C) Community service only
• (D) Forfeiture of property only

43.Is a sentence of imprisonment for eighteen months permissible under Section 171F?

• (A) Yes, provided the court specifies the description of imprisonment
• (B) No, because the provision limits imprisonment to a term which may extend to one year
• (C) Yes, but only if accompanied by a fine
• (D) No, unless Parliament grants special sanction

44.Which of the following actions is directly criminalized by Section 171G of the IPC?

• (A) Making or publishing a false statement of fact about the personal character or conduct of a candidate with intent to affect the result of an election.
• (B) Criticizing a candidate's political views during a campaign.
• (C) Publishing true information that harms a candidate's reputation.
• (D) Expressing an opinion about a candidate's character without asserting it as fact.

45.If someone publishes a strong personal opinion about a candidate's conduct but clearly frames it as opinion (not as a fact), does Section 171G apply?

• (A) Yes — any damaging statement about conduct falls under Section 171G.
• (B) Yes — opinions about conduct are treated as statements of fact for election law.
• (C) No — the provision applies to statements purporting to be statements of fact, so a clearly framed opinion is not covered.
• (D) Only if the opinion was widely republished by others.

46.What is the maximum punishment specified by Section 171H for incurring or authorizing election-related expenses without the candidate's written authority?

• (A) Fine which may extend to five hundred rupees
• (B) Imprisonment for up to six months
• (C) Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees
• (D) Community service and fine

47.A person incurs expenses for an advertisement to promote a candidate after receiving only oral consent from that candidate (no written authority). Under Section 171H, is the person punishable?

• (A) No — oral consent from the candidate is sufficient
• (B) Yes — written (general or special) authority is required from the candidate
• (C) Only if the advertisement is also a public meeting expense
• (D) Only if the fine exceeds five hundred rupees

48.Which essential element must be present for punishment under Section 171H when someone incurs expenses relating to election publicity?

• (A) That the expenses actually increased the candidate's votes
• (B) That the expenses were incurred for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of the candidate
• (C) That the total amount exceeded five hundred rupees
• (D) That the election authorities approved the expenditure

49.Who is liable under Section 171I for failing to keep election expense accounts?

• (A) Only a contesting candidate
• (B) Only election officials appointed under statute
• (C) Anyone who is required by any law or any rule having the force of law to keep such accounts
• (D) Only registered political parties

50.Does Section 171I apply to failure to keep accounts of expenditures that are unrelated to an election (for example, general party office expenses)?

• (A) Yes, it covers all political expenditures irrespective of connection to elections
• (B) No, it applies only to expenses "incurred at or in connection with an election"
• (C) Yes, but only if the amount exceeds five hundred rupees
• (D) No, unless a court declares the expenses connected to an election