Indian Polity Quiz:

ANSWER: D

• The Directive Principles and the Fundamental Rights contain the philosophy of the Constitution and are the soul of the Constitution.
• Granville Austin has described the Directive Principles and the Fundamental Rights as the Conscience of the Constitution ‘. Both of them aim to establish democracy and justice to its true meaning, including the political, social and economic dimension.

ANSWER: B

National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)

About:

It was set up in 2015 to replace Planning Commission.

It is an Executive Body (acts as a think tank and advisory body)

Objective: 

To foster the spirit of Cooperative and Competitive federalism through structured support initiatives on a continuous basis.

Composition of NITI Aayog:

Chairperson: Prime Minister of India

Governing Council consists of the Chief Ministers of all the States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories in India.

The NITI Aayog’s governing council is the premier body tasked with evolving a shared vision of national priorities and strategies with the involvement of the States and Union Territories.

It presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues.

ANSWER: D

About Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

• It is a flagship scheme of the Government of India, launched by the Prime Minister in 2015 in Haryana to arrest the declining Child Sex Ratio and related issues of empowerment of Women over a lifecycle continuum. 
• It’s a convergent initiative of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.
• It is implemented by states with 100% central assistance. 
• Under, BBBP scheme there is no provision of direct benefit transfer.
• Current coverage: The Government of India has decided to expand the BBBP scheme and covering all the 640 districts (as per census 2011) in the Country, through Multi -sectoral intervention in 244 districts in addition to existing 161 districts and Alert District Media & Advocacy in 235 districts.

ANSWER: A

According to Article 94(b), the Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha.

However, he/she has to vacate his/her office earlier in any of the following three cases:

• if he/she ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha; So, statement (1) is correct.
• if he/she resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker; and

If he/she is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice. It should be noted here that, whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker does not vacate his office and continues till the newly elected Lok Sabha meets. So, statement (2) is not correct.

ANSWER: A

About Central Vigilance Commissioner

Santhanam Committee: 

It was set up by the Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs) vide Resolution in 1964 on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee.

Prevention of corruption:

It is an apex body for the prevention of corruption and exercising general superintendence over vigilance administration.

Composition:

The Commission was given statutory status by an enactment of the CVC Act, 2003 and vested with autonomy and insulation from external influences.

After the enactment of the CVC Act, 2003, the Commission became a multi-member body consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson) and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners (Members).

ANSWER: A

How are new districts carved?

• The power to create new districts or alter or abolish existing districts rests with the State governments.
• This can either be done through an executive order or by passing a law in the State Assembly.

Does the Central government have a role to play here?

• The Centre has no role to play in the alteration of districts or creation of new ones. States are free to decide.
• The Home Ministry comes into the picture when a State wants to change the name of a district or a railway station.
• The State government’s request is sent to other departments and agencies such as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India Sciences and the Railway Ministry seeking clearance.
• A no-objection certificate may be issued after examining their replies.

ANSWER: D

• Articles 301 to 307 in Part XIII of the Constitution deal with the trade, commerce and intercourse within the territory of India.
• Article 301 declares that trade; commerce and intercourse throughout the territory of India shall be free.
• The freedom guaranteed by Article 301 is a freedom from all restrictions, except (reasonable restrictions) provided for in Articles 302 to 305 of Part XIII of the Constitution itself. So, statement (b) is correct.
• Parliament can impose restrictions between the states or within a state in the public interest. But, the Parliament cannot give preference to one State over another except in the case of scarcity of goods in any part of India. The legislature of a state can impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse with that State or within that State in the public interest. But, a bill for this purpose can be introduced in the legislature only with the previous sanction of the President. So, statement (c) is correct.
• The Parliament or the state legislature can make laws for regulating any trade, business, industry, or service, whether to the exclusion, complete or partial, of citizens or otherwise.

ANSWER: C

• Unlike some of the Fundamental Rights which extend to ail persons, whether citizens or foreigners, the Fundamental Duties are confined to citizens only and do not extend to foreigners. So, Statement (1) is not correct.
• Fundamental Duties are also non-justiciable. So, Statement (2) is correct.
• The Constitution does not provide for their direct enforcement by the courts. Moreover, there is no legal sanction against their violation. However, the Parliament is free to enforce them by suitable legislation. So Statement (3) is correct. (Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.)

ANSWER: C

• The State government is required to appoint a State Finance Commission once every five years. So, statement 1 is not correct.
• This Commission would examine the financial position of the local government bodies in the State. It would also review the distribution of revenues between the State and local governments on the one hand and between rural and urban local governments on the other. This innovation ensures that allocating funds to the rural and urban local bodies will not be a political matter. So, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

ANSWER: B

• It is not essential to state the reasons for adoption of No- Confidence motion.
• No-Confidence motion cannot be moved against an individual minister.
• If it is passed in the Lok Sabha, the council of ministers must resign from the office.