Illustrations appended to sections of a statute (for example, in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) are generally treated as:

A useful aid to understanding that cannot override the section's text

Legally binding and superior to the text of the section

Irrelevant and never used in interpretation

Applicable only when construing civil statutes

"Ejusdem generis" means general words following specific words are interpreted as:

Limited to things of the same kind as the specific words

Given their broadest possible meaning

Interpreted independently of context

A preamble to a statute is generally used by courts to:

Understand the object and purpose of the statute

Override the operative provisions

Determine the statute's date of commencement

A non-obstante clause (beginning with "notwithstanding") in a statute is generally interpreted to:

Override conflicting provisions elsewhere

Require separate judicial approval

Penal statutes are generally construed:

Strictly, in favour of the accused in case of genuine ambiguity

Liberally, in favour of the prosecution

Retrospectively, regardless of the accused's rights

Identically to welfare legislation

All subjects

Interpretation of Statutes MCQs and mock tests

76 distinct Interpretation of Statutes questions are in live Law Maker papers, used across 9 exams. Each was checked against the official text and comes with the answer and an explanation once you submit.

Build a Interpretation of Statutes test10 to 100 questions, your timer and marking, new questions first. Free account needed.

Read the Act: The General Clauses Act, 1897 (official text, section by section).

Interpretation of Statutes practice sets

3 sets, 2 free.

Exams with Interpretation of Statutes questions

Sample Interpretation of Statutes questions

From free papers. Try each one before you open the answer.

Question 1 · Interpretation of Statutes Practice Set 2 — Aids & Doctrines
Illustrations appended to sections of a statute (for example, in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) are generally treated as:
1. A. Legally binding and superior to the text of the section
2. B. A useful aid to understanding that cannot override the section's text
3. C. Irrelevant and never used in interpretation
4. D. Applicable only when construing civil statutes
Show the answer
B. A useful aid to understanding that cannot override the section's text
Illustrations, as in the BNS, are part of the statute and useful in understanding a section, but they cannot curtail or enlarge its plain words (Shambhu Nath Mehra v. State of Ajmer, 1956).
Question 2 · Interpretation of Statutes Practice Set 1
"Ejusdem generis" means general words following specific words are interpreted as:
1. A. Limited to things of the same kind as the specific words
2. B. Given their broadest possible meaning
3. C. Ignored entirely
4. D. Interpreted independently of context
Show the answer
A. Limited to things of the same kind as the specific words
Under ejusdem generis, general words following a list of specific words of a distinct genus are confined to things of the same kind as those specified.
Question 3 · Interpretation of Statutes Practice Set 1
A preamble to a statute is generally used by courts to:
1. A. Override the operative provisions
2. B. Determine the statute's date of commencement
3. C. Understand the object and purpose of the statute
4. D. Replace ambiguous definitions
Show the answer
C. Understand the object and purpose of the statute
The preamble is an internal aid that shows the object and purpose of the statute; it helps resolve ambiguity but cannot override clear operative provisions.
Question 4 · Interpretation of Statutes Practice Set 1
A non-obstante clause (beginning with "notwithstanding") in a statute is generally interpreted to:
1. A. Have no legal effect
2. B. Apply only prospectively
3. C. Override conflicting provisions elsewhere
4. D. Require separate judicial approval
Show the answer
C. Override conflicting provisions elsewhere
A non obstante clause gives the provision overriding effect over the provisions or laws it names in case of conflict (Chandavarkar Sita Ratna Rao v. Ashalata S. Guram, 1986).
Question 5 · Interpretation of Statutes Practice Set 2 — Aids & Doctrines
Penal statutes are generally construed:
1. A. Strictly, in favour of the accused in case of genuine ambiguity
2. B. Liberally, in favour of the prosecution
3. C. Retrospectively, regardless of the accused's rights
4. D. Identically to welfare legislation
Show the answer
A. Strictly, in favour of the accused in case of genuine ambiguity
Penal statutes are construed strictly; where two reasonable readings are possible, the one favouring the accused is adopted (Tolaram Relumal v. State of Bombay, 1954).