2026 · Q55
Which of the following statements about Article 20(1) of the Constitution of India is/are correct?
- 1It contains a provision against ex post facto legislation.
- 2A legislation shall not be competent to make a criminal law retrospective. Select the answer using the code given below.
indian-polity-economyfundamental-rights-duties
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Article 20(1) prohibits ex post facto criminal legislation — no person can be convicted for an act that was not an offence when committed, nor subjected to a penalty greater than what existed then — statement 1 is correct. It follows that a legislature is not competent to make a criminal law retrospective in operation — statement 2 is correct. Both statements are correct.