ALL INDIA PRELIMS TEST SERIES 2019

Transcription

1 ALL INDIA PRELIMS TEST SERIES 2019 GENERAL STUDIES - 1 Answer Key Ans:1)(b) Explanation: Law Commission of India It is an executive body established by an order of the Government of India. Its major function is to work for legal reform. The First Law Commission was established in 1834 by the British Government under the Chairmanship of Lord Macaulay. The Commission is established for a fixed tenure and works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice. Ans:2)(b) Explanation: Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 The act extends to whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir. Under this Act special judges were to be appointed by the Central and State Government under the Code of Criminal Procedure, The act shifted the burden of proof from prosecution to the accused. Misappropriation, abusing official position, obtaining a pecuniary advantage etc. are being taken as offences under this act MPs and MLAs have been kept out of this act. Ans:3)(a) Explanation: Punjab cabinet has proposed to amend Section 295A of Indian Penal Code. Section 124A of IPC is related to sedition charges. Ans:4)(a) Explanation: Aadhaar: where's it required: Linking to PAN card I-T returns Welfare schemes (PDS, LPG, MGNREGA etc.) Where is not required: Banks accounts SIM cards School admissions Ans:5)(a) Explanation: The Parliament can amend fundamental rights without violating the basic structure of the constitution. Only those matters which seeks to amend the federal provisions of the constitutions requires ratification of the states. Hence statement (2) is incorrect. The president must give his assent to the bill. He can neither withhold his assent to the bill nor return the bill for reconsideration of the Parliament. Ans:6)(c) Explanation: The amendment in provision as stated in third statement requires special majority of parliament and also with the consent of half of the state legislatures by a simple majority. The provisions stated in first and second statement can be amended by simple majority of the two houses of Parliament. Ans:7)(b) Explanation: The Constitution of India is silent on the time frame within which the state legislatures should ratify or reject an amendment submitted to them. It is also silent on the issue whether the states can withdraw their approval after according the same. There is no provision for holding a joint sitting of both the houses of parliament if there is a dead lock over the passage of constitutional amendment bill. There is provision for a joint sitting in case of an ordinary bill. Ans:8)(a) Explanation: The selection committee of CIC consist of Prime Minister as chairman, The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The Selection Committee of CVC consist of Prime Minister as its Head, Union Minister of Home Affairs and The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. Ans:9)(d) Explanation: Separation of Power is a feature of presidential form of government. Written Constitution has nothing to do with form of government. Ans:10)(c) Explanation: The selection panel consists of the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice of India or his nominee, and an eminent jurist nominated by the President on the basis of recommendations of the first four members of the selection panel. Ans:11)(b) Explanation: The international day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th Session of UNESCO s General Conference in This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence. Ans:12)(c) Explanation: The National Human Rights Commission consist of four ex-officio members. They are the chairmen of the National Commission for Minorities, the National Commission for SCs, the National Commission for STs and the National Commission for Women. National Commission for SCs and STs are the Constitutional Bodies while other two are Statutory Bodies. 1

2 Ans:13)(d) Explanation: These states are with bicameral system of state legislature J&K, UP, Bihar, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Ans:14)(c) Explanation: According to the Constitution, the CM can be a member of the lower house or the upper house (where it exists). An MP given functions such as a CM or Ministership in a state will have to be elected to the state legislature within six months of appointment and they will have to resign from the LS or RS within 14 days of their election. Ans:15)(a) Explanation: The 97th Amendment to the Constitution made the right to form cooperative societies a fundamental right (under Article 19). Included a new DPSP on promotion of cooperative societies (Article 43-B). and Inserted a new Part IX-B to the Constitution (it did not make any changes to Part IX which is titled The Panchayats ). Ans:16)(d) Explanation: The Speaker vacates his office earlier than the life of the assembly in any of the following three cases: If he ceases to be a member of the assembly. If he resigns by writing to the deputy speaker. If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the assembly. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days advance notice. Ans:17)(d) Explanation: An Advance Healthcare Directive also known as living will, personal directive, advance directive, medical directive or advance decision, is a legal document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity. Ans:18)(d) Explanation: In the Second House also, the bill passes through all the three stages, that is, first reading, second reading and third reading. If a deadlock is deemed to have taken place, a joint sitting of the two houses can be summoned by the President. Ans:19)(a) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. The second power of the SC is that, being a court of record, it has the power to punish for contempt of court (not only of itself but also of high courts, subordinate courts and tribunals functioning in the entire country). Statement 2 does not form the part of Court of Record. Ans:20)(c) Explanation: It is introduced in the Parliament to draw attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance, and needs the support of 50 members to be admitted. As it interrupts the normal business of the House, it is regarded as an extraordinary device. It involves an element of censure against the government and hence Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of this device. Ans:21)(c) Explanation: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting of the two houses. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and he is not the member of the house. When a resolution for his removal is under consideration he can speak and take part in the proceedings, without voting. Ans:22)(c) Explanation: In S.R. Bommai case Supreme court endorsed Sarkaria Commission's report finding and approved some of the situations which did not amount to "failure of constitutional machinery." Among them, the following two included (1) A situation of maladministration in a State where a duly constituted ministry enjoys the support of the Assembly. (2)This power cannot be invoked, merely on the ground that there are serious allegations of corruption against the Ministry. As on date, the judgment given by the Bench in the "S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India" stays. Ans:23)(c) Explanation: National Commission for Minorities was setup by an Act of the Parliament in Ans:24)(c) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The Act gives a constitutional status to the PRIs. In other words, the state governments are under constitutional obligation to adopt the new panchayati raj system in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Statement 2 is correct: It is a compulsory provision to fix the tenure of five years for Panchayats at all levels. Ans:25)(c) Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect : Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to Lok Sabha and individually responsible to President. Resignation or death of an incumbent Prime Minister automatically dissolves the Council of Ministers. Ans:26)(a) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. In the scheduled areas, atleast one-half of the seats in every panchayat are reserved for members of the scheduled tribes. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Gram Sabha or appropriate Panchayat shall be consulted before acquisition of land for development projects as well as rehabilitation and resettlement of affected persons in the Scheduled areas. The actual planning and coordination of projects shall be conducted at the state level. 2

3 Ans:27)(d) Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Indian judiciary is an integrated judiciary with High courts and Supreme Court as higher branch which are vested with power to secure constitutionalism in our country. Supreme Court and even High courts as well can review any legislative enactment and executive order of state and central government both. Statement 2 is incorrect. Article 13 and 226 require the High courts to look into the constitutionality of acts and orders passed by government. Hence even high courts can interpret the Constitution while reviewing any law or order passed government. Ans:28)(a) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Under Article 352, the President can declare a National Emergency when the security of India or a part of it is threatened by war or external aggression or armed rebellion. It may be noted that the President can declare a National Emergency even before the actual occurrence of war or external aggression or armed rebellion, if he is satisfied that there is an imminent danger. Statement 2 is incorrect. A proclamation of national emergency may be applicable to the entire country or only a part of it. Ans:29)(c) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Art 66(3) provides that a person should be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha to be eligible for election for Vice President. Statement 2 is correct: There is no specific provision in the Constitution making a Vice President eligible for re-election. The eligibility for re-election has been derived from the explanation of Art.66. Ans:30)(a) Explanation: The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was to be 389. Of these, 296 seats were to be allotted to British India and 93 seats to the Princely States. Out of 296 seats allotted to the British India, 292 members were to be drawn from the eleven governors provinces and four from the four chief commissioners provinces, one from each. Each province and princely state (or group of states in case of small states) were to be allotted seats in proportion to their respective population. Roughly, one seat was to be allotted for every million population. Seats allocated to each British province were to be decided among the three principal communities Muslims, Sikhs and general (all except Muslims and Sikhs), in proportion to their population. The representatives of each community were to be elected by members of that community in the provincial legislative assembly and voting was to be by the method of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. The representatives of princely states were to be nominated by the heads of the princely states. Ans:31)(d) Explanation: The Constituent Assembly was not directly elected by the people of India on the basis 3 of adult franchise, the Assembly comprised representatives of all sections of Indian Society Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Anglo Indians, Indian Christians, SCs, STs including women of all these sections. The Assembly included all important personalities of India at that time, with the exception of Mahatma Gandhi and M A Jinnah. Ans:32)(a) Explanation: The three-tier panchayati raj system was established on the recommendations of Balwant Rai Mehta Committee. Ashok Mehta Committee had recommended that the three-tier system of panchayati raj should be replaced by the two-tier system. Panchayat Samiti is second tier above the Gram Panchayat and under the Zilla Parishad. So it is middle or linked tier of Panchayat Raj System. This institutes plans for Taluka or Block area. The long programmes are organized by officials and non-officials of Panchayat Samiti with the help of voluntary Institution at Block level. Panchayat Samiti is the executive body while the Zila Parishad is advisory, coordinating and supervisory body. The administrative formal body of the Panchayat Samiti constitutes by including following members: Sarpanchas of all Village Panchayats coming under the jurisdiction of the Development Block. Local M.L. as and M.L.Cs. with right to vote but not to hold the office. One person nominated by District Collector for every Panchayat for which no Sarpanch has been elected. Ans:33)(c) Explanation: In 1976, ten fundamental duties of citizens were added in the Constitution. In 2002, one more Fundamental Duty was added. Ans:34)(b) Explanation: The strength of any council shall not exceed 1/3rd of the strength of the state assembly. But for smaller states, the minimum strength of the council can be 40. The members of the Legislative Councils comprise of people elected through five different constituencies. One third (1/3rd) of the members are elected by representatives of the Local Authorities (like Municipalities, Zilla Parishads, Block Parishads etc) One third (1/3rd) of the members are elected by members of the Legislative Assembly (the same person can t be a member of both the houses) One-twelfth (1/12th) of the members are elected by the Graduates in the state One-twelfth (1/12th) of the members are elected by the Teachers in the state The remaining members are nominated by the Governor. Those nominated by the Governor should have special knowledge or practical experience in Literature, science, art, co-operative movement and social service. Ans:35)(a) Explanation: The institution of high court originated in India in 1862 when the high courts were set up at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. The

4 Parliament can extend the jurisdiction of a high court to any union territory or exclude the jurisdiction of a high court from any union territory. The judges of a high court are appointed by the President. Ans:36)(c) Explanation: In assembly, the governor can nominate one member from the Anglo-Indian community, if the community is not adequately represented in the assembly. The Constitution has provided for the reservation of seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the assembly of each state. 87th Amendment Act of 2003 Amend articles 81, 82, 170 and 330 and extended the usage of 2001 national census population figures for state wise distribution of parliamentary seats provided for the delimitation of constituencies. Ans:37)(a) Explanation: Cooperative federalism is a concept of federalism in which national, state, and local governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems. Inter State Council offers a platform to solve common problems. Prime Minister is the chairman of council. Ans:38)(a) Explanation: Regulation of Labour and safety in mines & oilfields is listed as the item no. 55 of Union List. Rest are listed in List II of Schedule VII. Public Health-Item no. 6, Agriculture-Item no 14, Fisheries-Item No. 21. Ans:39)(d) Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as a retired judge of a High Court can plead in any other High Court or Supreme Court (Art 20) as amended by 7 th Amendment Act A person is not qualified for appointment as a judge of a high court in India unless he has for at least ten years held a judicial office in the territory of India. So statement 2 is incorrect. Ans:40)(d) Explanation: The Chairman of the committee on Public Accounts is appointed by the Speakers. The committee consists of 22 members-15 from Lok Sabha and seven from the Rajya Sabha. Generally, the chairman is elected from the opposition party. It doesn t comprises of any eminent personalities from industry and trade. Ans:41)(a) Explanation: Barring, Directive Principles of State Policy, all other provisions can be amended by simple majority. Ans:42)(a) Explanation: All India Services and the Integrated Judiciary forms the part of unitary features of the Constitution. Ans:43)(c) Ans:44)(b) Explanation: The President is elected not directly by the people but by members of Electoral College consisting of: 1) The elected members of both the Houses of Parliament; 2) The elected members of the legislative assemblies of the states; and 3) The elected members of the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. Thus, the nominated members of both of Houses of Parliament, the nominated members of the state legislative assemblies, the members (both elected and nominated) of the state legislative councils (in case of the bicameral legislature) and the nominated members of the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry do not participate in the election of the President. Ans:45)(d) Explanation: A person to be eligible for election as President should have completed 35 years of age and should be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha. The nomination of a candidate for election to the office of President must be subscribed by at least 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders. Before entering upon his office, the President has to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation. In his oath, the President swears: 1) to faithfully execute the office; 2) to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law; 3) to devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of India. Ans:46)(d) Explanation: Perhaps the best summary of the principles that the nationalist movement brought to the Constituent Assembly is the Objectives Resolution (the resolution that defined the aims of the Assembly) moved by Nehru in This resolution encapsulated the aspirations and values behind the Constitution. All powers and authority of sovereign and independent India and its constitution shall flow from the people Based on this resolution, our Constitution gave institutional expression to these fundamental commitments: equality, liberty, democracy, sovereignty and a cosmopolitan identity. Thus, our Constitution is not merely a maze of rules and procedures, but a moral commitment to establish a government that will fulfil the many promises that the nationalist movement held before the people. Ans:47)(b) Ans:48)(b) Explanation: Only a minister takes the oath of secrecy. You might have observed during oath taking ceremony that minister takes two oaths - one is for office and other for secrecy. Ans:49)(d) Explanation: The right to property was deleted from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th amendment act, Now it is just a legal right 4

5 Under Article 300-A in part XII and not a Fundamental Right. Fundamental Rights are constraints and obligations upon the actions of both the state and individuals or groups. Ans:50)(b) Explanation: The Constitution recognizes the rights of religious and linguistic minorities. The scope of Article 29 is not restricted to minorities only. It includes minorities as well as majority i.e. any section of people with a distinct language, script or culture. Ans:51)(c) Explanation: It can be retained by the Rajya Sabha for maximum period of fourteen days only. Ans:52)(c) Explanation: The nominated members of either House of Parliament can participate in the impeachment of the President though they do not participate in his/her election. Ans:53)(b) Explanation: Under Article 352 of the Constitution if the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists, whereby the security of India or any part of the Territory thereof is threatened, whether, by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, he can declare the National Emergency. The word Internal disturbance has been replaced by Armed rebellion in 44 th Amendment (1978) of the Constitution. Ans:54)(b) Explanation: According to Article 359 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India can suspend the enforcement of the Rights conferred by Part III (Fundamental Rights) except Article 20 and 21. The President may by order declare the rights conferred by Part III (except 20 & 21) and rights to move any court for the enforcement of the rights shall remain suspended. Whereas Under Article 358 after 44 th Amendment, Article 19 shall be suspended, if any part of the territory is threatened by war or external aggression, not by armed rebellion. Ans:55)(a) Explanation: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 ( Aadhaar Act 2016 ) on 12 July 2016 by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Ans:56)(d) Explanation: Article 280 of the Constitution provides for the formation of the Finance Commission after the expiration of every fifth year of at such earlier time as President considers necessary. Its main function is to submit recommendations to the President regarding the allocation of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the States and the method of distribution among the States. It may be mentioned that the first Finance Commission was wet up on November 22, 1951, in the Chairmanship of K.C. Niyogi. The Committee submitted its recommendations in Ans:57)(c) Explanation: Seventh Schedule of the Constitution is for distribution of powers between the Union and the States. There are 3 lists under this- Union List, State List and Concurrent List. According to the question, the tax imposed on the stock market and futures market belong to the Union List. However, under Article 268 of the Constitution, such taxes are imposed by the Union Government but are collected and appropriated by the States. Ans:58)(d) Explanation: Article 371 to 371-J of the Indian Constitution deal with special provisions in relation to States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa and Karnataka. Ans:59)(a) Explanation: The powers, salaries, allowances of Chief Election Commissions and other Election Commissioners are equal; they are entitled to the same salary as is provided to a Judge of the Supreme Court. The term of the Chief Election Commissioner is 6 years or of the age of 65 years (whichever is earlier) and they may be removed in the same manner as provided for they may be removed in the same manner as provided for the Judges of the Supreme Court. Ans:60)(c) Explanation: The Constitution of India provides for an Election Commission under Article 324 for the superintendence, direction and control over the election for the vacant seats of the Parliament, State Legislative Assemblies, President and Vice- President. Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha amongst its members. Ans:61)(b) Explanation: Direct and Indirect both systems of elections have been adopted in India. The elections of President, Vice-President, Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council are conducted by the system of proportional representation by a single transferable vote through the indirect system and the elections of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the head of the Panchayats are conducted on the basis of adult suffrage through the direct system. Ans:62)(b) Explanation: The right to vote in India is a legal right. In 2009, in the case of Kuldip Nayar Vs. Union of India, the Supreme Court, held that the Right to Vote is neither Constitutional right nor fundamental right. It is mere a statutory/legal right. 5

6 61 st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988, reduced the age for Right of Vote from 21 years of 18 years which came into force in March 28, Ans:63)(a) Explanation: The Delimitation Commission is formed by Government of India under the Delimitation Commission act. The main task of the Commission is to redraw the boundaries of the various assemblies and Lok Sabha constituencies based on latest census. Ans:64)(b) Explanation: A political party gets recognized as a National Party by the Election Commission if it fulfils any of the three following conditions: 1. If the party wins 2 percent of seats in the Lok Sabha (11 seats) from at least three different State, or 2. In Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly, the party secures 6 percent of the total valid votes in at least four States, and it wins at least four seats in the House of the People from any State or State, or 3. A party has got recognition as a State party in at least four or more States. Ans:65)(a) Explanation: First-past-the post system is a method in which a member is considered elected on the basis of highest received votes. In India, the system of FPTP is quite popular in State Legislative Assemblies and House of the People. Ans:66)(d) Explanation: Directive Principles of State Policy were given preference ever Fundamental rights mentioned in Article 14, 19 and 31 through 42 nd Constitutional Amendment. Although the Supreme Court in it s verdict in Minerva Mills case termed it unconstitutional, never the less it held that fundamental right mentioned in Article 14 and 19 have been subjected to Directive Principles enshrined in Article 39(b) and (c). DPSPs have been included in part IV of the Indian Constitution. Ans:67)(a) Explanation: Anti-Defection Law was introduced by 52 nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1985, by adding 10 th Schedule in the Constitution of India. It was further amended by 91 st Constitutional Amendment Act, Ans:68)(b) Ans:69)(d) Explanation: The term law in Article 13 has been given a wide connotation so as to include the following: (a) Permanent laws enacted by the Parliament or the state legislatures; (b) Temporary laws like ordinances issued by the president or the state governors; (c) Statutory instruments in the nature of delegated legislation (executive legislation) like order, byelaw, rule, regulation or notification; and (d) Non-legislative sources of law, that is, custom or usage having the force of law. Further, Article 13 declares that a constitutional amendment is not a law and hence cannot be challenged. However, the Supreme Court held in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) that a Constitutional amendment can be challenged on the ground that it violates a fundamental right that forms a part of the basic structure of the Constitution and hence, can be declared as void. Ans:70)(a) Explanation: In June 1948, the Government of India appointed the Linguistic Provinces Commission under the chairmanship of S K Dhar which submitted its report in December 1948 and recommended the reorganisation of states on the basis of administrative convenience rather than linguistic factor. This created much resentment and led to the appointment of another Linguistic Provinces Committee by the Congress in December It consisted of Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallahbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramayya (JVP Committee). It submitted its report in April 1949 and formally rejected language as the basis for reorganization of states. The creation of Andhra state intensified the demand from other regions for creation of states on linguistic basis. This forced the Government of India to appoint (in December 1953) a threemember States Reorganisation Commission under the chairmanship of Fazl Ali with other two members - K M Panikkar and H N Kunzru. It submitted its report in September 1955 and broadly accepted language as the basis of reorganisation of states. But, it rejected the theory of one language one state. Ans:71)(c) Explanation: The president can declare a national emergency even before the actual occurrence of war of external aggression or armed rebellion, if he is satisfied that there is an imminent danger. The proclamation of Emergency must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament within one month from the date of its issue. Originally, the period allowed for approval by the Parliament was two months, but was reduced by the 44 th Amendment Act of Ans:72)(c) Explanation: RTI Act derives its authority from the Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. It derives its authority from the provision of Right to Know, which is inherent in the Article 19. The cases of Human Right violations and corruption are not exempted under the Act. The agencies with strategic importance for ensuring unity, sovereignty and security of the nation are exempted under the Act. Ans:73)(b) Explanation: At present the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution specifies 22 languages (originally 14 languages). These are Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri (Dongri), Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Mathili (Maithili), Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. 6

7 Ans:74)(a) Explanation: CSWF was established in the 1950s. The Centre brought in Senior Citizens Welfare Fund Act, 2015 (SCWF) as part of the Finance Act, 2015, which mandates transfer of unclaimed amounts of policyholders to the fund (SCWF) after a period of 10 years. The fund will be administered by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by a Chairperson. The Committee will be competent to spend money from the fund for satisfying various objectives. The accounts of the fund will be open to audit by CAG, regularly. The Central Government will present the annual report and the one furnished by CAG to be laid before the Parliament. Ans:75)(d) Ans:76)(c) Ans:77)(c) Ans:78)(a) Explanation: Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) is a World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) sponsored program to produce regional climate change scenarios globally, contributing to the IPCC Assessment reports and to the climate community. CORDEX will produce an ensemble of multiple dynamical and statistical downscaling models (regional details). Codex Alimentarius Commission is related to food standards, not CORDEX. Need for CORDEX: A Global Climate Model (GCM) can provide reliable prediction information on sales of around 1000 by 1000km covering what could be a vastly differing landscape (from very mountainous to flat coastal plains for example) with greatly varying potential for floods, droughts or other extreme events. Ans:79)(d) Explanation: According to Article 60 of the Constitution of India, every President and every person acting as President or discharging the functions of the President before entering upon office shall make and subscribe oath to the office. The oath inter alia includes the oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution. In this sense, President takes oath as guardian of Indian Constitution. The oath is administered by Chief Justice of India or in his absence by the seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court available. Ans:80)(c) Explanation: Private member s bill Members of Parliament other than ministers are called private members and bills presented by them are known as private member s bills. A private member bill can be introduced by both ruling party and opposition MPs. They can introduce a bill in the parliament after giving prior notice of one month. The bill needs to be passed in both houses of parliament. Once passed in both the houses, bill needs to get assent of the president to become an act. By set tradition, President can easily exercise his absolute veto power against such bills. 7 In Lok Sabha, the last two and a half hours of a sitting on every Friday are generally allotted for transaction of Private Members Business, i.e., Private Members Bills and Private Members Resolutions. Ans:81)(c) Ans:82)(c) Explanation: Under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code there is a provision for a person to seek Anticipatory Bail. This means that an individual can seek or request to get bail in anticipation or in expectation of being named or accused of having committed a non-bailable offence. Anticipatory bail is meant to be a safeguard for a person who has false accusation or charges made against him/her, most commonly due to professional or personal enmity. Ans:83)(a) Explanation: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012 was established to protect the children against offences like sexual abuse, sexual harassment and pornography. The Act defines different forms of sexual abuse which includes penetrative and non-penetrative assault. Under certain specific circumstances POCSO states a sexual assault is to be considered aggravated if the abused child is mentally ill or when the abuse is committed by a person in a position of trust or authority of the child. These persons includes: member of the armed forces or security forces; Public servant, police officer, teacher, doctor, a person-management or staff of a hospital. Family member of victims, whether Government or private. The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age. Under this act it is legally mandatory of a person aware of the offence to report the sexual abuse. In case he fails to do so, the person can be punished with imprisonment or fine. There are provisions of special court and protection of re-victimization under the judicial process. Ans:84)(d) Explanation: As per the convention seniority has become the main criteria for elevation of a SC judge to Chief Justice of India (CJI). Seniority within the SC is decided on the basis of date of induction in the court, and the time of induction if dates coincide. In short, a judge who takes oath earlier becomes senior to another who takes oath later the order is decided by order proposed by the Collegium. But as the government can withhold names from the collegium s list till the second reiteration, the seniority can be effectively altered by the government. Notably, the current CJI Deepak Mishra and judge Chelameswar were inducted into the Supreme Court on the same day. But as Mr. Mishra was administered oath 1 st, it secured him the position of CJI and Mr.

8 Chelameswar had retired recently without becoming CJI. Ans:85)(c) Explanation: Goods & Services Tax Council is a constitutional body under article 279A of the Indian constitution for making recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to Goods and Service Tax. The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States. Ans:86)(c) Explanation: Who is a D-voter? Short for 'dubious' or 'doubtful, this is a category of voters disenfranchised by the government for alleged lack of proper citizenship documents. Some 2.48 lakh people got the D-voter tag during NRC process Who is a declared foreigner? D-voters are tried by special tribunals under the Foreigners' Act and if they fail to defend their citizenship claim they are marked as declared foreigners and sent to any of six detention camps, which are within jails for criminals, for deportation. There were 91,206 declared foreigners as on December 31, Ans:87)(c) Explanation: It is a provision incorporated in the Constitution through a Presidential Order, and not by parliamentary debate, giving the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature a complete say in deciding who the permanent residents of the State are. The State Legislature can grant its permanent residents special rights and privileges in public sector jobs, acquisition of property, scholarships and other public aid and welfare programmes within the State. The Article was incorporated into the Constitution in 1954 by an order of President Rajendra Prasad on the advice of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet. The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order of 1954 followed the 1952 Delhi Agreement entered into between Prime Minister Nehru and Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah extending Indian citizenship to the State subjects of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 35A was added to the Constitution as a testimony of the special consideration the Indian government accorded the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The Presidential Order was issued under Article 370(1)(d), which allows the President to make certain exceptions and modifications to the Constitution for the benefit of Jammu and Kashmir. However Article 368 of the Constitution mandates that only the Parliament can amend the Constitution by introducing a new article. Ans:88)(c) Explanation: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a new mass media campaign in order to create awareness about trans fats and eliminate them in India by Ans:89)(b) Explanation: India s rank has marginally improved in global peacefulness, at a time when there is an overall decline of global peace owing to escalation of violence in West Asia and and North Africa. India s GPI rank was 137 out of 163 countries in 2017, when the year 2016 was assessed. In 2018, when the year 2017 is assessed, India s rank moved up to 136. Institute for Economics and Peace: It is the world s leading think tank dedicated to developing metrics to analyse peace and to quantify its economic value. It does this by developing global and national indices, calculating the economic cost of violence, analysing country level risk and understanding positive peace. Ans:90)(c) Explanation: The scheme is intended to shore up the prices that farmers get for their produce. Hence statement 1 is wrong. The scheme has three components, and these will complement the existing schemes of the Department of Food and Public Distribution for procurement of paddy, wheat and other cereals and coarse grains where procurement is at MSP now. Price Support Scheme (PSS) : In this part physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) :Under this, the Centre proposes to cover all oilseeds and pay the farmer directly into his bank account the difference between the MSP and his actual selling/modal price. Ans:91)(a) Explanation: State subjects: Public order (but not including the use of any naval, military or air force or any other armed force of the Union or of any other force subject to the control of the Union or of any contingent or unit thereof in aid of the civil power). Land, that is to say, rights in or over land, land tenures including the relation of landlord and tenant, and the collection of rents; Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries; Adoption and Succession is on the concurrent list. Ans:92)(a) Explanation: The Guwahati High Court has recently quashed the appointment of a committee that had probed the alleged extra-judicial killings in Assam. It relates to the extra-judicial killings in Assam during , often described as secret killings. Close relatives of a number of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) members were shot by unidentified killers. A committee headed by Justice K N Saikia was formed in 2005 to look into this. Ans:93)(c) Explanation: The Central Information Commission was established by the Central Government in It was constituted through an Official Gazette Notification under the 8

9 provisions of the Right to Information Act (2005). Hence, it is not a constitutional body. Ans:94)(c) Explanation: The N.N. Vohra Committee, set up after the 1993 blasts, studied the problem of criminalisation of politics. The report said that the blast was a result of the nexus among criminal gangs, police, politicians and bureaucrats. Ans:95)(c) Explanation: Normally, President's Rule is imposed after collapse of the state government under Article 356 of the Constitution. But J&K has its own separate Constitution that provides for an intermediary statutory layer in the state. As per Article 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, Governor's Rule is imposed in the state for a period of six months. Only if the assembly hasn t been revoked even after 6 months, J&K comes under the President's Rule as per Article 356. Ans:96)(d) Explanation: PIL is a part of Judicial Activism started by the Supreme Court in Its main architects in the Indian Judiciary were Justice P.N. Bhagwati and Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer. The concept of PIL is in consonance with the principles given in Article 39 A of the Indian Constitution which directs the state to provide Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid. It can be registered as a Writ petition for violation of the Fundamental Rights by the Supreme Court (under Article 32) or by the High Court for other Rights (mentioned under Article 226). PIL can also be filed under Article 133 in the Court of Magistrate. PIL is directly filed by an individual/ group of people in the Supreme Court of India, High Courts of India and judicial magistrate whose interests are felt to be undermined due to economic issues. Ans:97)(c) Ans:98)(a) Explanation: Ease of Living Index - State Wise Ranking- It is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It aims to help the cities assess their liveability visà-vis national and global benchmarks. Ministry has recently released State wise ranking based on this index. Andhra Pradesh topped the charts followed by Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. Ans:99)(c) Explanation: Government has introduced the Dam Safety Bill 2018 in parliament recently. The objective of the bill is to help all states and Union Territories adopt uniform dam safety procedures. The Bill is to address all issues concerning dam safety including regular inspection of dams emergency action plan comprehensive dam safety review adequate repair and maintenance funds for dam safety Instrumentation and Safety Manuals It proposes a National Committee and State Committees on Dam Safety. The National Committee will formulate policies and regulations on Dam Safety. Ans:100)(b) Explanation: The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly in March