A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) the lower court prohibiting continuation of proceedings in a case.
The writ of prohibition is issued by a higher court, that is the Supreme Court or a High Court, to a lower court that has taken up a case going beyond its jurisdiction. Its effect is to stop that lower court from continuing the proceedings.
- ✓ (c) A lower court that has considered a case beyond its jurisdiction is the target of this writ. The higher court orders it to stop the proceedings.
- ✗ (a) A writ aimed at an office holder who is not doing his legal duty is mandamus, which orders him to act. Prohibition is not addressed to an officer.
- ✗ (d) This writ is not aimed at the Government or at a legislature, as in options (d) and (b). It is directed at a lower court acting beyond its jurisdiction.
Remember · Prohibition: a higher court stops a lower court that has taken up a case beyond its jurisdiction. Mandamus is issued when an office holder neglects a legal duty.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 2 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 11 · Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 2 “Prohibition: This writ is issued by a higher court (High Court or Supreme Court) when a lower court has considered a case going beyond its jurisdiction.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2024, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·