POLITY

Question 1

DOES UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) ACT (UAPA) DEFINE THE WORD TERROR OR TERRORIST?

Answer 1

NO UAPA DOESN’T DEFINE THE WORDS TERROR OR TERRORIST, IT DEFINES A TERRORIST ACT AS ANY ACT COMMITTED WITH INTENT TO THREATEN THE UNITY, INTEGRITY, SECURITY, ECONOMIC SECURITY OR SOVEREIGNTY OF INDIA OR WITH INTENT TO STRIKE TERROR OR LIKELY TO STRIKE TERROR IN THE PEOPLE OR ANY SECTION OF THE PEOPLE IN INDIA OR IN ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY.

Question 2

FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT (FIU) INDIA IS HEADED BY?
WHOM DOES IT REPORT TO?
FUNCTION?

Answer 2

FIU IS AN INDEPENDENT BODY WHICH REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL HEADED BY THE FINANCE SECRETARY.
THE UNIT CAN ENQUIRE THE OFFENDERS ON MATTERS RELATED TO MONEY LAUNDERING.

Question 3

PROCESS OF INCLUDING OF COMMUNITIES UNDER LIST OF STs?

Answer 3

1 ORIGIN OF PROPOSAL- FROM RESPECTIVE STATES OR UNION TERRITORY GOVERNMENT.
2 PROCESSING BY OFFICE OF REGISTRAR GENERAL OF INDIA- PROPOSAL SENT TO UNION TRIBAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY WHICH SENDS IT TO OFFICE OF REGISTRAR GENERAL OF INDIA (ORGI).
3 ROLE OF NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES- IF ORGI APPROVES THE PROPOSAL IS FORWARDED TO THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES.
4 APPROVAL BY CABINET- ONLY AFTER THE CONCURRENCE OF THESE INSTITUTIONS, THE PROPOSAL GOES FORWARD TO THE CABINET TO BRING IN THE APPROPRIATE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION (ST) ORDER, 1950.
5 FINAL DECISION- RESTS WITH PRESIDENT’S OFFICE.

Question 4

BENEFITS OF INCLUSION OF COMMUNITIES UNDER LIST OF STs?

Answer 4

1 RESERVATION:- IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS UNDER ARTICLE 15(4) OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION.
IN POSTS AND SERVICES UNDER ARTICLE 16(4), 16(4A) AND 16(4B) OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION.
2 REPRESENTATION:- RESERVATION OF SEATS FOR STs IN THE LOK SABHA UNDER ARTICLE 330.
RESERVATION OF SEATS FOR STs IN PANCHAYATS ARTICLE 243D.

Question 5

LOKUR COMMITTEE 1965 IS ASSOCIATED WITH?

Answer 5

IT WAS SET UP TO LOOK INTO CRITERIA FOR DEFINING SCHEDULE TRIBES.

Question 6

BHURIA COMMISSION (2002-2004) IS ASSOCIATED WITH?

Answer 6

THE BHURIA COMMITTEE (1991) RECOMMENDATIONS PAVED THE WAY FOR THE ENACTMENT OF THE PESA ACT, 1996.
BHURIA COMMISSION (2002-2004) FOCUSED ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES FROM THE FIFTH SCHEDULE TO TRIBAL LAND AND FORESTS, HEALTH AND EDUCATION, THE WORKING OF PANCHAYATS AND THE STATUS OF TRIBAL WOMEN.

Question 7

XAXA COMMITTEE (2013) IS ASSOCIATED WITH?

Answer 7

THE COMMITTEE WAS MANDATED TO EXAMINE THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH STATUS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SAME.

Question 8

CHAIRMAN OF 16TH FINANCE COMMISSION?

Answer 8

ARVIND PANAGARIYA.

Question 9

THE POWERS TO ALLOW A CENTRAL AUTHORITY TO CONSTITUTE THE SUPREME COURT LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE (SCLSC) ARE CONFERRED BY?

Answer 9

SECTION 3A OF THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987.

Question 10

RULES TO DECIDE THE NUMBER, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SCLSC ARE DEALT BY?

Answer 10

RULE 10 OF THE NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY (NALSA) RULES, 1995.

Question 11

CHAIRMAN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF SUPREME COURT LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ARE NOMINATED BY?

Answer 11

CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA WHO SHALL ALSO APPOINT THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE.

Question 12

MEMBERS OF SUPREME COURT LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE?

Answer 12

UNDER RULE 10 OF THE NALSA RULES, THE SCLSC SHALL CONSIST OF NOT MORE THAN NINE MEMBERS, INCLUDING EX OFFICIO MEMBERS SUCH AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR INDIA ; JOINT SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE; ADDITIONAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE, MINISTRY OF FINANCE, OR HIS NOMINEE AND THE REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE SC.

Question 13

NEW RULES FOR ALLOCATION OF SYMBOLS TO REGISTERED UNRECOGNIZED POLITICAL PARTIES (RUPPs)?

Answer 13

1 AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF THE LAST THREE FINANCIAL YEARS.
2 EXPENDITURE STATEMENTS OF LAST TWO ELECTIONS.
3 SIGNATURE OF THE AUTHORIZED OFFICE BEARER OF THE PARTY ARE NEEDED FOR ALLOCATION OF SYMBOLS.
AFTER FURNISHING THESE DETAILS, RUPPs WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONCESSION OF COMMON SYMBOL ALLOTMENT.

Question 14

WHAT ARE REGISTERED UNRECOGNIZED POLITICAL PARTIES (RUPPs)?

Answer 14

RUPPs ARE EITHER NEWLY REGISTERED PARTIES OR THOSE WHICH HAVE NOT SECURED ENOUGH PERCENTAGE OF VOTES IN THE ASSEMBLY OR GENERAL ELECTION TO BECOME A STATE PARTY, OR THOSE THAT HAVE NEVER CONTESTED ELECTIONS AFTER BEING REGISTERED.

Question 15

REQUIREMENT FOR ALLOCATION OF SYMBOLS?

Answer 15

COMMON SYMBOLS ARE PROVIDED TO RUPPs (REGISTERED UNRECOGNIZED POLITICAL PARTIES) BASED UPON AN UDERTAKING THAT THEY WOULD PUT UP AT LEAST 5% OF TOTAL CANDIDATES WITH REGARD TO SAID LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTION OF A STATE.

Question 16

CAN FLOOR TEST BE USED AS A MEDIUM TO RESOLVE INTERNAL PARTY DISPUTES OR INTRA PARTY DISPUTES?

Answer 16

NO FLOOR TEST CANNOT BE USED AS A MEDIUM TO RESOLVE INTERNAL PARTY DISPUTES OR INTRA PARTY DISPUTES SAID THE SUPREME COURT IN A JUDGEMENT OF 2023 AGAINST GOVERNOR OF MAHARASHTRA TO CALL FOR A FLOOR TEST.

Question 17

SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT IN SR BOMMAI CASE (1994) AND NABAM REBIA CASE (2015)?

Answer 17

THE COURT SAID THAT WHEN THE GOVERNOR HAS OBJECTIVE REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT THE INCUMBENT GOVERNMENT DOES NOT COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HOUSE, HIS CALL FOR A FLOOR TEST IN HIS DISCRETION CANNOT BE TERMED AS CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATION.

Question 18

WHICH EXAMS ARE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS DEFINED IN THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS (PREVENTION OF UNFAIR MEANS) BILL 2024?

Answer 18

A PUBLIC EXAMINATION IS DEFINED AS ANY EXAMINATION AUTHORITY LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL OR ANY SUCH OTHER AUTHORITY AS MAY BE NOTIFIED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
1 UPSC- CSE, CDSE, CMSE, ESE.
2 STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION (SSC) WHICH RECRUITS FOR GROUP C(NON TECHNICAL) AND GROUP B (NON GAZETTED) JOBS IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
3 RAILWAY RECRUITMENT BOARDS (RRB) WHICH RECRUITS GROUP C AND D STAFF IN INDIAN RAILWAYS.
4 INSTITUTE OF BANKING PERSONNEL SELECTION (IBPS) WHICH RECRUITS AT ALL LEVELS FOR NATIONALIZED BANKS AND REGIONAL RURAL BANKS (RRB)
5 NATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (NTA) WHICH CONDUCTS THE JEE (MAIN), NEET-UG, UGC-NET, THE COMMON UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE TEST (CUET) ETC.
APART FROM THESE ALL MINISTRIES OR DEPARTMENTS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND THEIR ATTACHED OFFICES FOR RECRUITMENT OF STAFF WILL ALSO COME UNDER THE PURVIEW OF NEW LAW.
THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CAN ADD NEW AUTHORITIES IN THE SCHEDULE THROUGH A NOTIFICATION AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.

Question 19

WHAT IS A NON COMPOUNDABLE OFFENSE?

Answer 19

IN WHICH THE CASE CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN BY THE COMPLAINANT EVEN WHEN THE COMPLAINANT AND THE ACCUSED HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE AND A TRIAL MUST NECESSARILY FOLLOW.

Question 20

PUNISHMENT UNDER THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS (PREVENTION OF UNFAIR MEANS) BILL 2024?

Answer 20

• SECTION 9 OF THE BILL STATES THAT ALL OFFENCES SHALL BE COGNIZABLE, NON-BAILABLE, AND NON-COMPOUNDABLE WHICH MEANS THAT AN ARREST CAN BE MADE WITHOUT A WARRANT AND BAIL WILL NOT BE A MATTER OF RIGHT; RATHER, A MAGISTRATE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE ACCUSED IS FIT TO BE RELEASED ON BAIL.
• PUNISHMENT FOR “ANY PERSON OR PERSONS RESORTING TO UNFAIR MEANS AND OFFENCES” CAN BE THREE TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON, AND A FINE UP TO RS 10 LAKH, IF THE CONVICT FAILS TO PAY THE FINE, “‘AN ADDITIONAL PUNISHMENT OF IMPRISONMENT SHALL BE IMPOSED, AS PER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023,”SECTION 10(1) OF THE BILL SAYS.
• UNDER SECTION 10(2), A SERVICE PROVIDER WHO IS ENGAGED TO PROVIDE “SUPPORT OF ANY KIND COMPUTER RESOURCE OR ANY MATERIAL, BY WHATEVER NAME IT MAY BE CALLED” FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE EXAMINATION CAN BE FINED UP TO RS 1 CRORE, ALONG WITH OTHER PENALTIES.
• SECTION 11(1) SAYS THE PUNISHMENT FOR ORGANIZED CRIME WILL BE “IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM NOT LESS THAN FIVE YEARS BUT WHICH MAY EXTEND TO TEN YEARS” AND A FINE “WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN ONE CRORE RUPEES”.

Question 21

WHAT IS ORGANIZED CRIME AS PER THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS (PREVENTION OF UNFAIR MEANS) BILL 2024?

Answer 21

IT IS DEFINED AS UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES BY A GROUP OF PERSONS COLLUDING IN A CONSPIRACY TO PURSUE OR PROMOTE A SHARED INTEREST FOR WRONGFUL GAIN IN RESPECT OF A PUBLIC EXAMINATION.

Question 22

WHAT IS A PROPORTIONALITY TEST?

Answer 22

THE TEST TO DECIDE WHETHER AN ACTION IS A REASONABLE RESTRICTION (REGARDING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS) IS THE PROPORTIONALITY TEST.

Question 23

WHAT DOES QUID PRO QUO MEAN?

Answer 23

A FAVOUR OR ADVANTAGE GRANTED IN RETURN FOR SOMETHING.

Question 24

WHAT DOES RPA ACT, 1951 SAY REGARDING ELECTORAL BONDS?
WHAT FINANCE ACT, 2017 DID?
WHAT SC SAID?

Answer 24

1 SECTION 29C OF RPA 1951 REQUIRES PARTIES TO PREPARE A REPORT DETAILING THE DONATIONS RECIEVED BY THEM IN A FINANCIAL YEAR.
THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DECLARE ALL CONTRIBUTIONS HIGHER THAN RS 20,000 AND SPECIFY WHETHER THEY WERE RECIEVED FROM INDIVIDUALS OR COMPANIES.
2 FINANCE ACT 2017 AMENDED THE RP ACT. IT SAID THE REQUIREMENT TO DECLARE ALL DONATIONS IN EXCESS OF RS 20,000 WOULD NOT APPLY TO DONATIONS RECIEVED THROUGH ELECTORAL BONDS.
3 SC STRUCK DOWN THE AMENDMENT AS THE ORIGINAL REQUIREMENT TO DISCLOSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MORE THAN RS 20,000 DID AN EFFECTIVE JOB OF BALANCING VOTERS RIGHT TO INFORMATION WITH THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY OF DONORS.

Question 25

WHAT DOES COMPANIES ACT 2013 SAYS ABOUT ELECTORAL BONDS?
WHAT FINANCE ACT 2017 DID?
WHAT SC SAYS?

Answer 25

1. SECTION 182(1) CAPPED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY A COMPANY COULD DONATE IN A SINGLE FINANCIAL YEAR, LIMITING IT TO 7.5% OF THE COMPANY’S AVERAGE NET PROFITS DURING THE PREVIOUS THREE FINANCIAL YEARS.
   SECTION 182(3) OF COMPANIES ACT REQUIRED A COMPANY TO DISCLOSE ANY AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED TO ANY POLITICAL PARTY ALONG WITH THE PARTICULARS OF THE AMOUNT DONATED AND THE NAME OF THE RECEIVING PARTY.
2. FINANCE ACT AMENDED THIS SECTION TO REMOVE THE CAP ON THE AMOUNT OF A MONEY A COMPANY COULD DONATE TO A POLITICAL PARTY.
   ALSO ONLY THE TOTAL AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED HAD TO BE DISCLOSED AND THE COMPANY WOULD NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO DECLARE WHICH POLITICAL PARTY IT HAD SENT A DONATION TO NOR THE SPECIFIC AMOUNT.
3. SC SAID PERMITTING UNLIMITED CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS AUTHORIZES UNRESTRAINED INFLUENCE OF COMPANIES IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.
   THIS VIOLATED THE RIGHT TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

Question 26

WHAT DID THE INCOME TAX ACT 1961 SAID ABOUT ELECTORAL BONDS?
WHAT FINANCE ACT 2017 DID?
WHAT SC SAID?

Answer 26

1. SECTION 13A(b) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT SAYS THAT A POLITICAL PARTY SHALL NOT INCLUDE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS AS A PART OF ITS TOTAL INCOME, BUT IT IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A RECORD OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS RECIEVED THAT ARE ABOVE RS 20,000.
   THIS RECORD MUST INCLUDE THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON WHO HAD MADE THE DONATION.
2. FINANCE ACT AMENDED THIS SECTION TO INCLUDE THE WORDS ‘OTHER THAN CONTRIBUTION BY WAY OF ELECTORAL BOND’.
   A NEW SECTION 13A(d) WAS ADDED, WHICH REQUIRED THAT ALL DONATIONS EXCEEDING RS 2,000 MUST BE GIVEN THROUGH CERTAIN METHODS WHICH INCLUDE ELECTORAL BONDS.
3. SC SAID EXEMPTING POLITICAL PARTIES FROM A MAINTAINING A RECORD OF DOMAINS RECIEVED THROUGH ELECTORAL BONDS VIOLATE THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION OF VOTERS UNDER ARTICLE 19(1)(a) OF CONSTITUTION.

Question 27

1. Right to reputation is protected under Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty).
2. Criminal defamation is a reasonable restriction on the right to freedom of expression.
   True/false?

Answer 27

1. True
2. True

Question 28

What is cVIGIL Citizen App?

Answer 28

To enable citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections.

Question 29

Criteria for granting Special Category Status to a state?

Answer 29

1. Hilly terrain.
2. Strategic location with neighbouring countries.
3. Substantial proportion of tribal population.
4. Non viable nature of state finances.
5. Economic and infrastructural backwardness.
6. Low population.

Question 30

Which formula is used to give Special Category Status to states?

Answer 30

Gadgil Formula.

Question 31

Who grants Special Category Status to states?

Answer 31

SCS is granted by central govt. Earlier it was granted by Planning Commission.

Question 32

States under Special Category Status?

Answer 32

• States under SCS are-
  1. J&K
  2. Himachal
  3. Uttarakhand
  4. All N-E states
• They have to give only 10% contribution to Centrally Sponsored Schemes, which is also given to them as an interest free loan.

Question 33

Recently Supreme Court said Inability to adapt to climate change violates which constitutional articles?

Answer 33

Article 14 and 21.

Question 34

What are elections by acclamation?

Answer 34

It refers to an uncontested election where the number of candidates equals (or is less than) the number of seats that are vacant and it does not use a ballot.

Question 35

Components of EVM that are stored for 45 days after elections?

Answer 35

1. Ballot Unit
2. Control Unit
3. VVPAT
4. Symbol Loading Unit (recently after SC statement).

Question 36

What is SLU (Symbol Loading Unit)?

Answer 36

The SLU is used to load the symbols of the candidates onto the VVPAT. It is a matchbox-sized device that is first connected to a laptop or personal computer, from where a symbol loading application is used to load a bitmap file containing the candidates’ names, serial numbers, and symbols.
The SLU is then connected to the VVPAT to transfer that file on to the paper audit machine. This is done under the supervision of a district election officer.

Question 37

At which point in the election process are SLUs (Symbol Loading Unit) used?

Answer 37

SLUs come into the picture only a few days before polling in a particular seat, when the EVMs are being commissioned and the list/order of contesting candidates is decided and set on the ballot unit ( the machine where you press the button to vote) and the VVPAT (which produces the paper audit trail of your vote).
Candidate-setting can happen at any time from five to two days before voting at a seat. Once the SLU is used to load symbols onto the VVPAT, the EVM is ready for use. After this, the SLU is of no relevance to the actual voting process.

Question 38

What happens to an SLU (Symbol Loading Unit) after symbols are loaded.

Answer 38

Typically, a small number of SLUs are enough to load symbols onto all VVPATs for a seat. It takes an SLU two or three minutes to load each VVPAT. Once the symbol loading is complete, the SLUs are handed over to the concerned district election officer for safekeeping. They remain in the officer’s custody until the day after voting. Afterward, the SLUs are released to the engineers of the two EVM manufactures, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) or Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL), so they can be used to load symbols onto VVPATs for other seats in subsequent phases. An SLU is typically reused after one phase of polling to load symbols onto VVPATs meant for other seats in subsequent phases.

Question 39

Supreme Court on SLUs (Symbol Loading Units)?

Answer 39

The court has said that the SLUs should be sealed and stored immediately after the symbol-loading process for a seat is complete. It must be stored for a period of 45 days after the declaration of results, so that it can be opened and examined like EVMs in case of an election petition.
This effectively means that an SLU used for loading symbols onto VVPATs for one seat can no longer be reused for other seats.
Consequently, the EC will need more SLUs.
Sources said the Commission currently has about 5,000 SLUs, and will need an additional 2,000 to implement the SC’s direction.

Question 40

What has Supreme Court said about the microcontrollers?

Answer 40

In an unprecedented move, the court has allowed candidates to seek verification of EVM software. This effectively means that a candidate can ask ECI officials to check the one-time programmable software in the BU (Ballot Unit), CU (Control Unit), and VVPAT for tampering, in case of any doubts regarding the result.
This verification involves inspecting the burnt memory/microcontrollers of these three components. The court has proposed a formula for doing this: engineers from the EVM manufacturers will conduct checks on 5% of the EVMs per Assembly constituency or Assembly segment of a parliamentary constituency. Candidates must submit a written request within seven days of the announcement of results, and will have to bear the expense of the process. This right to seek verification, however is limited to those candidates who come in second or third. Engineers from the manufacturing companies will certify the authenticity and intactness of the memory/microcontroller.

Question 41

What happens if the microcontrollers upon verification, are found tampered?

Answer 41

The court has only said that if any tampering is found, the candidate will be refunded the cost of verification. It has not said how the election result will be impacted.

Question 42

What changes on the ground regarding SLUs (Symbol Loading Units) after Supreme Court’s statement?

Answer 42

Nothing changes for the voter. However, a lot changes in the way the ECI organises polling.
The ECI will now have to store SLUs for 45 days after voting. To reserve one SLU exclusively for one seat, it will need to order more SLUs. It will also have to ensure the verification of EVMs upon request from candidates who finish second or third, which may require additional manpower.