Direction: In the sentence given below, a part is highlighted and suggestions for its correction are given below the sentence. Choose the correct option, which can improve the original sentence without changing its meaning. If the highlighted part is correct, select ‘No improvement required’ as your answer. Several petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which split the erstwhile State into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh was referred to a Constitution Bench in 2019 .
A. were referred to a Constitution Bench in 2019
B. referred a Constitution Bench in 2019
C. were referred to Constitution Bench in 2019

The subject of the sentence is "Several petitions," which is plural. However, the verb "was referred" is in the singular form, which is incorrect. It should be "were referred" to match the plural subject. Option A ("were referred to a Constitution Bench in 2019") correctly uses the past tense "were referred" to indicate the action that happened in 2019. Option B ("referred a Constitution Bench in 2019") is not grammatically correct because it lacks the appropriate auxiliary verb "were" to indicate the past tense. Option C ("were referred to Constitution Bench in 2019") is incorrect because it is missing the article "a" before "Constitution Bench." The correct phrasing is "a Constitution Bench."