Forensic psychiatry: legal insanity: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Forensic psychiatry: legal insanity

Sample item

In Indian law, the defence of unsoundness of mind (formerly Section 84 IPC, now Section 22 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) applies when, at the time of the act, the person because of unsoundness of mind was incapable of:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law

The test, derived from the M'Naghten rules, is cognitive: the accused did not know the nature of the act, or that it was wrong or contrary to law. Irresistible impulse and later amnesia are not accepted as defences by themselves.

Option by option

  • A. Remembering the act afterwards

    Later amnesia does not establish insanity.

  • B. Knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law (correct)

    Correct. The test is cognitive incapacity at the time of the act.

  • C. Paying for legal representation

    Legal representation is unrelated.

  • D. Controlling any urge, with full knowledge of wrongfulness

    Irresistible impulse with knowledge of wrongfulness is not accepted.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law. The test, derived from the M'Naghten rules, is cognitive: the accused did not know the nature of the act, or that it was wrong or contrary to law.

Why is "Remembering the act afterwards" not the answer?

Later amnesia does not establish insanity.

Why is "Paying for legal representation" not the answer?

Legal representation is unrelated.

Why is "Controlling any urge, with full knowledge of wrongfulness" not the answer?

Irresistible impulse with knowledge of wrongfulness is not accepted.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic psychiatry: legal insanity in Psychiatry. Irresistible impulse and later amnesia are not accepted as defences by themselves.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Forensic psychiatry: legal insanity?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.