Based on Chapter XXIX (The Judgment) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), here are the 30 preliminary examination questions with the  answer key.

Chapter XXIX: The Judgment (Sections 392–406)

Q1. According to Section 392(1), a judgment in every trial in a Criminal Court of original jurisdiction must be pronounced as soon as possible and no later than how many days after the termination of the trial?

A) Fifteen days
B) Thirty days
C) Sixty days
D) Ninety days

Q2. Under Section 392(1), a Court may extend the time for pronouncing a judgment from thirty days to a maximum of how many days, provided reasons are recorded in writing?

A) Forty-five days
B) Sixty days
C) Seventy-five days
D) One hundred days

Q3. Which of the following is NOT a prescribed method for a presiding officer to pronounce a judgment under Section 392(1)?

A) By delivering the whole of the judgment
B) By reading out the whole of the judgment
C) By reading out the operative part and explaining the substance in a language understood by the accused
D) By sending a digital link to the parties via a private messaging application only

Q4. Under Section 392(2), if a judgment is delivered by being taken down in shorthand, the presiding officer is specifically required to:

A) Sign only the final page of the transcript
B) Sign the transcript and every page thereof as soon as it is made ready
C) Record only the date on the final page
D) Attest the transcript before the High Court Registrar

Q5. According to Section 393(1), what are the three essential components that every judgment (except as provided by the Sanhita) must contain?

A) Name of the judge, date of FIR, and list of witnesses
B) Point or points for determination, the decision thereon, and the reasons for the decision
C) Total cost of the trial, victim's address, and police officer’s rank
D) Number of adjournments granted, summary of oral arguments, and a copy of the FIR

Q6. Under Section 393(2), if the Court is doubtful as to which of two sections or two parts of the same section of the BNS, 2023 an offence falls under, the Court shall:

A) Pass judgment under the less severe section
B) Distinctly express the same and pass judgment in the alternative
C) Refer the matter to the Supreme Court
D) Postpone the judgment until the doubt is cleared by the State Government

Q7. Section 394(1) empowers certain Courts to order a previously convicted offender to notify their address for a period not exceeding five years. Which Court is EXCLUDED from this power?

A) High Court
B) Court of Session
C) Magistrate of the first class
D) Magistrate of the second class

Q8. Under Section 395(1), when a Court imposes a sentence of fine, it may order the fine recovered to be applied in paying compensation to any person for any loss or injury caused by the offence, provided:

A) The compensation is recoverable by such person in a Civil Court
B) The person is a public servant
C) The accused gives consent to the payment
D) The fine exceeds fifty thousand rupees

Q9. According to Section 395(2), if a sentence is appealable, no payment of compensation from the fine shall be made to the person entitled to it until:

A) The accused is released from prison
B) The period allowed for presenting the appeal has elapsed or, if presented, the appeal is decided
C) The State Government issues a notification for payment
D) The High Court confirms the fine amount

Q10. Under Section 395(3), if a fine does NOT form part of the sentence, can the Court still order the accused to pay compensation to the victim?

A) No, compensation can only be paid out of a fine
B) Yes, the Court may order the person to pay a specified amount by way of compensation
C) Only if the victim is a woman or a child
D) Only if the District Magistrate authorizes it

Q11. Section 396(1) mandates that every State Government, in coordination with the Central Government, shall prepare a scheme for providing funds for the purpose of compensation to the victim or his dependents. This is called the:

A) Victim Rehabilitation Fund
B) Witness Protection Scheme
C) Victim Compensation Scheme
D) Criminal Justice Support Fund

Q12. Under Section 396(2), which authority is responsible for deciding the quantum of compensation to be awarded under the Victim Compensation Scheme?

A) The Trial Court Judge
B) The State Government’s Home Department
C) The District or the State Legal Service Authority
D) The Superintendent of Police

Q13. According to Section 396(5), if the trial court acquits or discharges the accused but is satisfied that the victim has suffered loss or injury and requires rehabilitation, it may:

A) Force the acquitted person to pay a fine
B) Make a recommendation for compensation
C) Order the victim to pay the costs of the trial
D) Dismiss the matter entirely

Q14. Under Section 397, all hospitals (public or private) are mandated to provide free first-aid or medical treatment to victims of which specific offences?

A) Only petty theft
B) All non-cognizable offences
C) Offences covered under Sections 64 to 71 and Section 124 of the BNS, 2023 or the POCSO Act
D) Only if the victim is a Government employee

Q15. Section 398 of the BNSS requires every State Government to prepare and notify what type of scheme?

A) Judicial Salary Scheme
B) Prison Reform Scheme
C) Witness Protection Scheme
D) Police Promotion Scheme

Q16. Under Section 399(1), what is the maximum amount of compensation a Magistrate may award to a person groundlessly arrested, to be paid by the person who caused the arrest?

A) Five hundred rupees
B) One thousand rupees
C) Five thousand rupees
D) Ten thousand rupees

Q17. According to Section 399(3), if the compensation for groundless arrest cannot be recovered, the person ordered to pay shall be sentenced to simple imprisonment for a term up to:

A) Seven days
B) Fifteen days
C) Thirty days
D) Three months

Q18. Section 400(1) allows a Court to order the complainant or informant to pay the costs of the prosecution in addition to any other penalty, but only in:

A) Cognizable cases
B) Non-cognizable cases
C) Only murder trials
D) Only drug-related cases

Q19. Under Section 401(1), a person convicted of an offence punishable with imprisonment for seven years or less (who is 21+ years old) may be released on probation of good conduct if:

A) No previous conviction is proved against them
B) The victim forgives them in writing
C) They pay a double fine
D) They agree to join the police force

Q20. If a Magistrate of the second class (not specially empowered) believes an offender should be released on probation under Section 401, they shall:

A) Release the offender anyway
B) Record their opinion and submit the proceedings to a Magistrate of the first class
C) Sentence the offender to the maximum imprisonment
D) Commit the case to the High Court

Q21. According to Section 402, if a Court could have dealt with an accused under Section 401 or the Juvenile Justice Act but chose not to, it must:

A) Record in its judgment the special reasons for not having done so
B) Pay a fine to the High Court
C) Transfer the case to a different district
D) Seek approval from the State Government

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Q22. Under Section 403, once a Court has signed its judgment or final order, it cannot alter or review the same except to:

A) Re-examine the witnesses
B) Correct a clerical or arithmetical error
C) Change the acquittal into a conviction
D) Reduce the sentence upon a mercy petition

Q23. According to Section 404(1), when an accused is sentenced to imprisonment, a copy of the judgment shall be given to them:

A) Within 30 days of the application
B) Free of cost immediately after the pronouncement
C) Only if they pay the prescribed fee
D) Only if their lawyer requests it

Q24. Under the Proviso to Section 404(2), if a sentence of death is passed or confirmed by the High Court, a certified copy of the judgment shall be:

A) Given to the accused only upon a written application
B) Sent to the State Governor only
C) Immediately given to the accused free of cost whether he applies or not
D) Kept in the Court’s vault for 10 years

Q25. When an accused is sentenced to death, the Court is mandated under Section 404(4) to inform them of:

A) The date of execution
B) The period within which an appeal should be preferred
C) The name of the hangman
D) Their right to be buried or cremated

Q26. Under Section 404(5), a person "affected" by a judgment (other than the accused or victim) can obtain a copy of the judgment or part of the record:

A) Free of cost by right
B) On application and payment of prescribed charges
C) Only after the appeal period expires
D) Only if authorized by the District Magistrate

Q27. According to Section 405, when must a translation of the judgment into the language of the Court be added to the record?

A) In every case automatically
B) When the original is in a different language and either party so requires
C) Only in cases involving foreign nationals
D) Only if the High Court orders it

Q28. Under Section 406, a Court of Session or Chief Judicial Magistrate shall forward a copy of its finding and sentence (if any) to whom?

A) The Superintendent of Police
B) The High Court Registrar
C) The District Magistrate within whose local jurisdiction the trial was held
D) The Central Government

Q29. (Analysis) Why does Section 395(4) allow an Appellate Court or a High Court in revision to make an order for compensation?

A) To ensure victims can access compensation even if the Trial Court failed to order it
B) To increase the revenue of the Judiciary
C) Because only higher courts have the power to handle money
D) Only when the acquittal is overturned into a conviction

Q30. (Statement Based) Consider the following statements regarding Section 394: Statement I: An order for notifying the address of a released convict remains in force for life. Statement II: This order becomes void if the conviction is set aside on appeal.

A) Only Statement I is correct
B) Only Statement II is correct
C) Both are correct
D) Neither is correct

Answer Key

Q1. B (S. 392(1))
Q2. A (S. 392(1))
Q3. D (S. 392(1))
Q4. B (S. 392(2))
Q5. B (S. 393(1))
Q6. B (S. 393(2))
Q7. D (S. 394(1))
Q8. A (S. 395(1)(b))
Q9. B (S. 395(2))
Q10. B (S. 395(3))
Q11. C (S. 396(1))
Q12. C (S. 396(2))
Q13. B (S. 396(5))
Q14. C (S. 397)
Q15. C (S. 398)
Q16. B (S. 399(1))
Q17. C (S. 399(3))
Q18. B (S. 400(1))
Q19. A (S. 401(1))
Q20. B (S. 401(1) Proviso)
Q21. A (S. 402)
Q22. B (S. 403)
Q23. B (S. 404(1))
Q24. C (S. 404(2) Proviso)
Q25. B (S. 404(4))
Q26. B (S. 404(5))
Q27. B (S. 405)
Q28. C (S. 406)
Q29. A (S. 395(4) Analysis)
Q30. B (Statement I is false because the maximum term is five years under S. 394(1))