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IPC · Chapter 21

Defamation — MCQs with answers

20 exam-style questions on this chapter, written from the actual legal text and tagged for UPSC, Judiciary and CLAT. Five are shown below with answers and explanations — the rest are in the free interactive drill.

Q1 · easy · IPC S.499

Which of the following combinations of modes is expressly covered by Section 499 of the IPC as ways of making or publishing an imputation?

  1. A.Words spoken only
  2. B.Words intended to be read only
  3. C.Signs or visible representations only
  4. D.Words either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by visible representations✓ correct

Why: Section 499 states that an imputation may be made 'by words either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by visible representations.' The provision therefore expressly lists all those modes together.

Read Section 499 — Defamation →

Q2 · easy · IPC S.499

Under Section 499, which mental element suffices to constitute defamation?

  1. A.A mere desire to insult the person
  2. B.Either intending to harm the person's reputation or knowing or having reason to believe the imputation will harm the person's reputation✓ correct
  3. C.Only actual knowledge that the imputation will harm the reputation
  4. D.Only reckless disregard for whether the statement is true

Why: Section 499 requires that the imputer be 'intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the reputation of such person.' Thus either intention to harm or knowledge/reason to believe harm suffices.

Read Section 499 — Defamation →

Q3 · medium · IPC S.499

A person publishes an imputation concerning someone but neither intended to harm nor knew or had reason to believe it would harm the person's reputation. Under Section 499, is this conduct described as defamation?

  1. A.No, because the statute requires intending to harm or knowing/having reason to believe it will harm✓ correct
  2. B.Yes, publication of any imputation is defamation regardless of mental state
  3. C.Yes, if the imputation is untrue it is automatically defamation
  4. D.No, unless the imputation is in writing

Why: Section 499 defines defamation as making or publishing an imputation 'intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm' a person's reputation. If neither intention nor such knowledge/reason exists, the provision's stated mental element is not satisfied.

Read Section 499 — Defamation →

Q4 · medium · IPC S.499

If an imputation is conveyed by a caricature or other visible representation without any words, can it fall within Section 499?

  1. A.No, Section 499 applies only to spoken or written words
  2. B.Yes, because Section 499 expressly includes 'visible representations' as a mode✓ correct
  3. C.Only if the caricature is accompanied by publication in a newspaper
  4. D.Only if the person who made it also wrote explanatory words

Why: Section 499 covers imputation made 'by signs or by visible representations' in addition to words spoken or intended to be read. Thus a visible representation that imputes and meets the mental element can fall within Section 499.

Read Section 499 — Defamation →

Q5 · hard · IPC S.499

Does Section 499 require proof that the person's reputation was actually harmed before an act can be said to be defamation?

  1. A.Yes — actual harm to reputation must be demonstrated in all cases
  2. B.No — the section requires only intention to harm or knowledge/reason to believe the imputation will harm the reputation, not proof of actual harm✓ correct
  3. C.Yes — unless the imputation is by visible representation
  4. D.No — proof of harm is irrelevant and never considered under Section 499

Why: Section 499 defines defamation by the maker's state of mind: 'intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the reputation.' The text therefore focuses on intention or knowledge/reason to believe harm, not on proof that harm actually occurred.

Read Section 499 — Defamation →

15 more questions on Defamation

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Questions are AI-generated from the legal text, machine-verified against the provision, and editorially reviewable. Education, not legal advice.