Based on Chapter XII (Preventive Action of the Police) of the Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), here are 30 smart preliminary-style questions designed to test your memory, logic, and analytical understanding of sections 168 to 172.

​

Chapter XII: Smart Prelims Practice Set

​

I. Memory & Fact-Based Questions

1. Under Section 168, every police officer is empowered to interpose for the purpose of preventing the commission of which category of offences?
A) Non-cognizable offences
B) Cognizable offences
C) Bailable offences only
D) Only offences against the State

​

2. According to Section 169, when a police officer receives information of a design to commit a cognizable offence, to whom must they communicate this information?
A) The nearest Judicial Magistrate
B) The District Magistrate
C) Their subordinate officers
D) The officer to whom they are subordinate and any other officer whose duty is to prevent the offence

​

3. Under Section 170, a police officer may arrest a person designing to commit a cognizable offence without a warrant and without orders from:
A) The Superintendent of Police
B) A Magistrate
C) The State Government
D) The High Court

​

4. What is the maximum duration for which a person arrested under Section 170 can be detained in custody without a special order of a Magistrate?
A) 12 hours
B) 24 hours
C) 48 hours
D) 72 hours

​

5. Section 171 empowers a police officer to interpose of his own authority to prevent injury to which type of property?
A) Private property
B) Public property (movable or immovable)
C) Only property belonging to the Armed Forces
D) Only religious property

​

6. Which of the following objects is specifically protected under Section 171?
A) Private fences
B) Public landmarks, buoys, or marks used for navigation
C) Private vehicles
D) Personal computers of government employees

​

7. Section 172(1) mandates that all persons shall be bound to conform to the ______ of a police officer given in fulfillment of his duty.
A) Verbal requests
B) Written suggestions
C) Lawful directions
D) Requests for signatures

​

8. If a person resists or ignores a direction under Section 172, a police officer may:
A) Fine them immediately
B) Detain or remove them
C) Forfeit their property
D) Only report them to the Magistrate

​

9. In "petty cases" under Section 172(2), a person detained for disregarding directions must be released as soon as possible within a maximum period of:
A) 6 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours

​

10. Which section number in BNSS corresponds to the police duty to prevent injury to public property?
A) Section 168
B) Section 170
C) Section 171
D) Section 172

​

II. Understanding & Logic Based Questions

​

11. The term "interpose" as used in Section 168 implies that a police officer:
A) Must wait for a formal complaint
B) Must seek a warrant first
C) May intervene or place themselves between the offender and the crime
D) Should only record the incident in a diary

​

12. Section 168 states that a police officer "shall, to the best of his ability, prevent" a cognizable offence. This indicates that the duty is:
A) Discretionary
B) Mandatory
C) Optional for officers below the rank of SI
D) Applicable only during the day

​

13. A police officer can arrest someone under Section 170 ONLY if it appears to the officer that the commission of the offence:
A) Is likely to cause a loss of ₹10,000 or more
B) Cannot be otherwise prevented
C) Involves more than five persons
D) Will occur outside India

​

14. Logical Application: If an officer receives information of a design to commit a non-cognizable offence, can they arrest the person under Section 170?
A) Yes, if the officer is an SHO
B) No, Section 170 specifically applies to cognizable offences
C) Yes, if it is a "petty case"
D) Only with the permission of a DM

​

15. Under Section 171, can a police officer intervene to prevent someone from removing a navigational buoy without waiting for a superior's order?
A) No, they must wait for instructions
B) Yes, they may act "of their own authority"
C) Only if the buoy is in a coastal area
D) Only if the offender is already a proclaimed offender

​

16. Section 172(1) applies to "All persons." Does this include a public servant who is not on duty?
A) No, only private citizens
B) Yes, the obligation to conform to lawful directions applies to everyone
C) Only if the public servant is an accused
D) Only if the Magistrate directs so

​

17. Assertion (A): The 24-hour limit in Section 170(2) is absolute unless authorized by other provisions.
Reason (R): This ensures that preventive detention does not bypass the constitutional and statutory safeguards of being produced before a Magistrate.
A) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
C) A is true, R is false
D) A is false, R is true

​

18. If a person is "removed" under Section 172(2) for ignoring a direction, does this always count as an arrest for the purpose of a trial?
A) Yes, always
B) No, the section distinguishes between removing/detaining and taking before a Magistrate
C) Only if the person is a woman
D) Only if the fine exceeds ₹5,000

​

19. Section 169 requires information of a design to be communicated "forthwith." What does "forthwith" typically mean in this legal context?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Immediately or without unnecessary delay
C) By the end of the shift
D) Only after verifying the info with two witnesses

​

20. Logic Check: Does Section 170(1) require a Magistrate's order for a preventive arrest?
A) Yes, in all cases
B) No, it specifically allows arrest "without orders from a Magistrate"
C) Only if the offence is bailable
D) Only for offences punishable with death

​

III. Problem-Solving & Analytical Questions

​

21. A police officer sees a group of people about to demolish a public heritage landmark. Under which section can he intervene to protect this property on his own authority?
A) Section 168
B) Section 169
C) Section 171
D) Section 173

​

22. 'A' is arrested at 10:00 AM on Monday under Section 170 for designing a robbery. By what time must 'A' be released or produced before a Magistrate if no further detention is authorized?
A) 10:00 PM Monday
B) 10:00 AM Tuesday
C) 10:00 AM Wednesday
D) 10:00 PM Tuesday

​

23. During a high-security event, a police officer directs the crowd to move 50 meters back. 'B' ignores this and stays put. The officer detains 'B'. Is this detention valid?
A) No, directions must be in writing
B) Yes, under Section 172, persons are bound to conform to lawful directions
C) Only if 'B' was carrying a weapon
D) No, the officer must call a Magistrate first

​

24. Analytical Comparison: How does Section 170(2) differ from Section 58 regarding detention?
A) Section 170 is for past crimes; 58 is for preventive action
B) Section 170(2) does not explicitly mention the "journey time" exclusion found in Section 58
C) Section 58 allows 48 hours; 170 allows 24 hours
D) There is no difference

​

25. A police officer has "reason to believe" that 'X' is going to commit a murder. He arrests 'X'. If 'X' claims the arrest is illegal because no crime was committed yet, what is the legal position?
A) 'X' is right; arrest requires a committed crime
B) The arrest is legal under Section 170 as preventive action
C) The arrest is only legal if 'X' has a criminal record
D) The arrest is legal only if a Magistrate was present

​

26. Under Section 172(2), if 'C' ignores a direction in a "petty case" and is detained, what is the maximum time 'C' can be held before release?
A) 2 hours
B) 12 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours

​

27. Reasoning: Why does Section 171 focus on landmarks and buoys?
A) Because they are expensive
B) Because their removal/injury can endanger public safety or navigation
C) Because they are owned by the Central Government
D) Because they are non-movable

​

28. True or False: Every person is legally bound to conform to a police officer’s direction even if that direction is not related to a duty under Chapter XII.
A) True
B) False (Section 172 specifies "given in fulfilment of any of his duty under this Chapter")

​

29. Analytical: If a police officer receives information about a design to commit a crime, can he wait until the crime is committed to arrest?
A) Yes, he has discretion
B) No, Section 168 says he "shall" prevent the commission to the best of his ability
C) Only if the offender is a minor
D) Only if the Magistrate is unavailable

​

30. Logic: Does the power of "removal" in Section 172(2) necessarily imply taking the person to a police station?
A) Yes, in all cases
B) No, removal can simply mean clearing the person from a specific spot to ensure conformity to a direction
C) Removal requires a written order from an SI
D) Removal can only be done by a woman police officer

​

Answer Key

1-B, 2-D, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-B, 7-C, 8-B, 9-C, 10-C, 11-C, 12-B, 13-B, 14-B, 15-B, 16-B, 17-A, 18-B, 19-B, 20-B, 21-C, 22-B, 23-B, 24-B, 25-B, 26-C, 27-B, 28-B, 29-B, 30-B.

​

​