Polity

Question 1

National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

Answer 1

It was set up under the National Commission for
Minorities Act, 1992.
 It is a quasi-judicial body with powers of a civil
court.
 It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and
five Members to be nominated by the Central
Government –all should be from Minority
communities.
 The Chairperson and every Member shall hold
office for a term of three years from the date he
assumes office.
 The central government presents its report to the
parliament.

Question 2

Pradyut Bordoloi vs Swapan

Roy (2001

Answer 2

Supreme Court outlined the following questions for the test for office of Profit:
o Whether the government makes the
appointment;
o Whether the government has the right to
remove or dismiss the holder;
o Whether the government pays the
remuneration;
o What are the functions of the holder and
does he perform them for the government;
and
o Does the government exercise any control
over the performance of those functions

Question 3

Joint Committee on offices of profit:

Answer 3

It consists of 15 members drawn from both the
houses of Parliament with ten members from
Lok Sabha and five members from Rajya Sabha.
 It examines the composition and character of
the Committees appointed by the Central and
State Governments and recommends what
offices should or should not disqualify a person
for being, a member of either House of
Parliament.

Question 4

Committee on Privileges

Answer 4

 Standing committee constituted in each house of
the Parliament/state legislature.
 Consists of 15 members in Lok Sabha (LS) and 10
members in Rajya Sabha (RS) to be nominated by
the Speaker in LS and Chairman in RS.
 Its function is to investigate the cases of breach of
privilege and recommend appropriate action to
the Speaker/Chairperson.

Question 5

Committee on Private Members’ Bills and

Resolutions

Answer 5

This committee classifies bills and
allocates time for the discussion on bills and
resolutions introduced by private members (other
than ministers). This is a special committee of the
Lok Sabha and consists of 15 members including
the Deputy Speaker as its chairman. The Rajya
Sabha does not have any such committee. The
same function in the Rajya Sabha is performed by
the Business Advisory Committee of that House.

Question 6

Committee of Parliament on Official Language

Answer 6

The Official Language Act (1963) provided for
the setting up of a Committee of Parliament on Official Language to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the official purpose of the Union. Accordingly, this Committee was set up in 1976. This Committee comprises of 30 members of Parliament, 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
o The Chairman of the Committee is elected by the members of the Committee. As a convention, the Union Home Minister has been elected as Chairman of the
Committee from time to time.

Question 7

Central Hindi Committee (Kendriya Hindi

Samiti)

Answer 7

o It was established in 1967 with an aim to facilitate and promote the use of Hindi in central ministries and departments.
o It is the apex committee to issue directions w.r.t Policy decisions on Official language.
o It is chaired by the Prime Minister. Apart from PM, it includes 8 Union Ministers (Union Home Minister as Vice Chairman), 6 Chief Ministers, 4 members of Parliament and 10 experts of Hindi and other Indian Languages. Secretary to the Department of Official Language is also a member and acts as the member
secretary.

Question 8

Ethics Committee

Answer 8

 This committee was constituted in Rajya Sabha in 1997 and in Lok Sabha in 2000. It enforces the code of conduct of members of Parliament. It examines the cases of misconduct and recommends appropriate
action. Thus, it is engaged in maintaining discipline and decorum in Parliament.
 It can also take suo-moto investigation.
 The committee consists of not more than 15 members in Lok Sabha and 10 members in Rajya Sabha.
 The Chairperson of the committee will be nominated by the Presiding Officer of the House from among the members of the committee

Question 9

No confidence Motion

Answer 9

Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Lok Sabha specifies the procedure for moving a no-confidence motion.
 A no-confidence motion can be moved by any member of the House. It can be moved only in the Lok Sabha and not Rajya Sabha.
 The member has to give a written notice of the motion before 10 AM which will be read out by the Speaker in the House. A minimum of 50 members have to accept the motion and accordingly, the Speaker will announce the date for discussion for the motion.
 The allotted date has to be within 10 days from the day the motion is accepted. Otherwise, the motion fails and the member who moved the motion will be informed about it.
 It need not state the reasons for its adoption in the Lok Sabha.
 It can be moved against the entire council of ministers only.
 If it is passed in the Lok Sabha, the council of ministers must resign from office.

Question 10

Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)

Answer 10

It is an annual plan of each panchayat where the villagers would decide where the money should be spent.
The Gram Panchayat Development Plan aims to strengthen the role of 31 lakh elected Panchayat leaders and 2.5 crore SHG Women under DAY-NRLM in effective gram sabha.

 Scope of GPDP:
o Human Development: Sex ratio, IMR, MMR, malnutrition, literacy etc.
o Status of inaccessible communities: Marginal and deprived sections (SC, STs, Child, women etc.) and effectiveness of existing schemes.
o Civic services: Sanitation, drinking water, internet connectivity etc.
o Economic Development: Agriculture and irrigation, animal husbandry etc.
o Disaster vulnerability assessment

Question 11

Governing Council of NITI Aayog

Answer 11

The Governing Council of NITI Aayog comprises the Prime Minister (Chairperson), Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories with Legislatures and Lt.
Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and four Union Ministers as ex-officio members and three Union Ministers as Special Invitees. Also included are the members of the NITI Aayog.

 It is the apex body of NITI Aayog tasked with evolving a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in shaping the development narrative.

Question 12

Cauvery Water Management Authority

Answer 12

The Union Water Resources ministry notified the constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) under Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018.

 Its mandate is to monitor and determine the total residual storage, apportion shares, supervise operation of reservoirs at the beginning of water year (1 June) with the assistance of the Cauvery Water Regulation
Committee.
 It will also regulate release of water by Karnataka, at the inter-state contact point at Billigundulu gauge.
 It will advise suitable measures to improve water use efficiency
 It may take suitable actions in case of defaults by party states.
 Its chairman would be appointed by the Central Government who is a senior and eminent engineer or an All India Service Officer with experiences in water resource management and inter-State water sharing
issues
 Unlike the earlier interim arrangements, it is a permanent body under the Union Ministry of Water Resources and its decisions are final and binding on all the party States.

Question 13

Cauvery Water Regulation Committee

CWRC

Answer 13

It would consist of a Chairman and one representative each of the party states, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC) and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, along with a Member Secretary.
 It would act as a technical arm with following functions:
o Collecting data regarding levels, inflows, storages and release of water periodically.
o Preparing seasonal/annual report of the water account for SW monsoon, NE monsoon, Hot weather and submit it to the CWMA.

Question 14

International Centre For Alternative Dispute

Resolution (ICADR)

Answer 14

 It is an autonomous organization with its headquarters at New Delhi. The Regional Centres of ICADR are fully funded and supported by the respective State Governments.
 It was set up by the Department of Legal Affairs as an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
 The Minister for Law & Justice is the Chairman of ICADR.
 Its main object is to promote popularize and propagate Alternative Dispute Resolution to facilitate early resolution of disputes to reduce the burden of arrears in the Courts.

The NDIAC Ordinance seeks to transfer the existing ICADR to the central government.

Question 15

The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre

Ordinance, 2019

Answer 15

New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC): The Ordinance seeks to provide for the establishment of the NDIAC to conduct arbitration, mediation, and conciliation proceedings. It declares the NDIAC as an
institution of national importance.
 International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR): The Ordinance seeks to transfer the existing ICADR to the central government.

Question 16

Arbitration

Answer 16

Arbitration is a process in which a neutral third party or parties render a decision based on the merits of the case.
o It can start only if there exists a valid arbitration agreement between the parties prior to the emergence of the dispute.

Question 17

Mediation

Answer 17

Mediation aims to facilitate the development of a consensual solution by the disputing parties.
o It is overseen by a non-partisan third party- the Mediator. The authority of the mediator vests on the consent of the parties that he should facilitate their
negotiations.

Question 18

Conciliation

Answer 18

Conciliation is a process by which resolution of disputes is achieved by compromise or voluntary agreement.
o In contrast to arbitration, the conciliator does not render a binding award. The parties are free to accept or reject the recommendations of the conciliator.

Question 19

Gram Nyayalaya

Answer 19

mobile village courts in India
established under Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008
for speedy and easy access to justice system
in the rural areas of India. In terms of Section
3(1) of the the Act, it is for the State
Governments to establish Gram Nyayalayas in
consultation with the respective High Courts

Question 20

National Consultation on Accessible

Elections

Answer 20

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has
organized “National Consultation on Accessible
Elections”.
 The event is a part of the ECI’s pursuit of its
mission ‘leave no voter behind,’ with special focus
on “Persons with Disabilities” (PwD).

Question 21

Benami Transactions Informants Reward Scheme, 2018

Answer 21

 This new scheme has been initiated by the Income
Tax Department with the objective of obtaining
people’s participation in the Income Tax
Department’s efforts to unearth black money and
to reduce tax evasion.
 A person can get reward up to Rs. One crore for
giving specific information in prescribed manner
about benami transactions and properties as well
as proceeds from such properties which are
actionable under Benami Property Transactions
Act, 1988, as amended by Benami Transactions
(Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016.
 Foreigners will also be eligible for such reward.
Identity of the persons giving information will not
be disclosed and strict confidentiality shall be
maintained.

Question 22

PROHIBITION OF BENAMI PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS ACT

Answer 22

The central government has notified Sessions courts in 34 states and Union Territories, which will act as special courts for trial of offences under the Benami Transaction Law

The key changes that will ensure transparency is the introduction of four authorities — Initiating Officer, Approving Authority, Administrator, and Adjudicating Authority — who will conduct investigations and inquiries on Benami transactions. An Appellate Tribunal
will hear appeals passed by the Adjudicating Authority, and these in turn will be heard by the High Court.

The act mandates the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of respective High Court to designate one or more courts of session as Special Court for trial of offence punishable under it. The special court has to complete the trial within six months from the date of complaint filing.

Question 23

Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOB) ,2018.

Answer 23

 The Act allows for a person to be declared as a fugitive economic offender (FEO) if:
o an arrest warrant has been issued against him for any specified offences where the value involved is over Rs 100 crore, and
o he has left the country and refuses to return to face prosecution.

 It extends not only to loan defaulters and fraudsters, but also to individuals who violate laws governing taxes, black money, benami properties and financial corruption

 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will be the apex agency to implement the law

To declare a person an FEO, an application will be filed in a Special Court (designated under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002) containing details of the properties to be confiscated, and any information about the person’s whereabouts.
 The Special Court will require the person to appear at a specified place at least six weeks from issue of notice. Proceedings will be terminated if the person appears.

Question 24

United Nations Convention against Corruption

Answer 24

In 2011, India ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
It is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption
instrument.
 It covers five main areas: preventive measures, criminalization and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange.
 It covers many different forms of corruption, such as bribery, trading in influence, abuse of functions, and various acts of corruption in the private sector.

Question 25

NATIONAL COMMISSION
FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD
RIGHTS

Answer 25

It is a statutory body under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
 The Commission’s Mandate is to ensure that all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Child is defined as a person in the 0 to 18
years age group.

The commission consists of the following members to be appointed by the Central Government
o A chairperson who, is a person of eminence and has done outstanding work for promoting the welfare of
children; and
o Six members, out of which at least two are woman, from amongst person of eminence, ability, integrity, standing and experience in the following fields
 Education;
 Child health, care, welfare or child development;
 Juvenile justice or care of neglected or marginalized children or children with disabilities;
 Elimination of child labour or children in distress;
 Child psychology or sociology; and
 Laws relating to children.

Question 26

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966

Answer 26

 It is one of the key documents dealing with the miscarriage of Justice.
 It commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial.
It is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Question 27

Witness Protection Scheme

Answer 27

Supreme Court under Article 141/142 of the Constitution of India has provided legal sanctity to the scheme until Parliament/state legislature enacts a law on the matter.
 Although National Investigation Agency (NIA) act provides for witness protection, the scheme has extended it to the witnesses in all other cases as per the threat perception. A Witness Protection Bill is still pending.
 In Zahira sheikh vs. State of Gujarat, SC observed that witness protection is necessary for free and fair trial.

Question 28

YUVA SAHAKAR- COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE

SUPPORT AND INNOVATION SCHEME

Answer 28

Union Agriculture Minister launched National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)’s new scheme ‘Yuva Sahakar-Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme

Purpose: To cater to the needs and aspirations of the youth, attracting them to cooperative business ventures.

The scheme will be linked to a ‘Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund (CSIF)’ created by the NCDC with an annual outlay of Rs 100 crore and it has special incentive for cooperatives of North Eastern region, Aspirational Districts and cooperatives with women/SC/ST/PwD members.

All types of cooperatives in operation for at least one year and having positive net-worth are eligible.

Question 29

NCDC

Answer 29

It is the sole statutory organisation (under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare) functioning as an apex financial and developmental institution exclusively devoted to cooperative sector.
 It strengthens and promotes programmes across sectors relating to agriculture and allied fields like dairy, poultry, livestock, fisheries, cotton ginning and spinning, sugar and notified services like hospitality, transport, rural housing, hospitals/health core etc.

Question 30

Indian Urban Data Exchange (IUDX)

Answer 30

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has begun the development of Indian Urban Data Exchange (IUDX) for the Smart Cities Mission.

India Urban Data Exchange is a platform intended to facilitate easy and efficient exchange of data among various stakeholders of Smart Cities by interconnecting disparate urban data platforms and enabling co-creation and innovation.

Open Smart Cities of India (OSCI), a nonprofit, start-up company with central and state government officials, Smart City officials, researchers, and industry players to set up and scale IUDX, is also proposed.

Question 31

City Data for India Initiative

Answer 31

Vijayawada has entered the City Data for India Initiative recently.
The Tata Trusts and the World Council on City Data (WCCD) have established a major partnership for the Initiative.
 It aims to help “participating cities to achieve WCCD ISO 37120 city data certification.
 It was launched in 2016 with three cities –Pune, Surat and Jamshedpur – the first Indian cities to achieve WCCD ISO 37120 Certification.
 It contributes to improved infrastructure services, inclusive prosperity and quality of life for millions of Indian urban citizens.

Question 32

World Council on City Data (WCCD) certification

Answer 32

 This certification is the first international standard published for globally-comparable city data, providing a comprehensive set of indicators to measure a city’s social, economic and environmental performance in relation to other cities.
 It employs 100 indicators spanned across 17 themes ranging from economy education, environment to health, safety and fire & emergency response.
 WCCD Certification levels (Aspirational, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) are based on the number of indicators reported by the city.
 Once a city is ISO 37120 certified, they are included in WCCD’s Global Cities Registry.
 The data pertaining to the city is then available on WCCD’s Open City Data Portal and can be accessed by civic bodies, state and central authorities, international bodies and the public.

Question 33

Mission Satyanishtha

Answer 33

Mission Satyanishtha was launched recently by Ministry of Railways.
 The mission aims at sensitizing all railway employees about the need to adhere to good ethics and to maintain high standards of integrity at work

Question 34

Centre for Research and Planning

Answer 34

The Supreme Court’s in-house think-tank, Centre for Research and Planning, was recently unveiled by the Chief Justice of India.
 Its main mandate would be to carry out cutting-edge research into fundamental jurisprudence and doctrines of law.

Question 35

DRAFT CAPE TOWN CONVENTION BILL, 2018

Answer 35

Recently the Ministry of Civil Aviation released the draft Bill that seeks to implement the Cape Town Convention (Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment), and Protocol (Protocol to the Convention on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment) in India.
 The Cape Town Convention was adopted in 2001 under the joint auspices of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).
 The Convention is general in nature and is meant to be applied to three sectors, viz. Aviation, Railways and Space Equipment.
 India became a party to the convention/Protocol in July, 2008. As of 2016, there are 65 Parties to the Convention.

Question 36

The International Civil Aviation Organization

Answer 36

 It is a UN specialized agency, established by States
in 1944 to manage the administration and
governance of the Convention on International
Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
 It aims to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices
(SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient,
secure, economically sustainable and
environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.

Question 37

UNIDROIT

Answer 37

It is an independent intergovernmental Organisation to study needs and methods for modernising, harmonising and co-ordinating private and in particular commercial law as between States and groups of States and to
formulate uniform law instruments, principles and
rules to achieve those objectives.

Question 38

UN GLOBAL MEDIA COMPACT

Answer 38

Recently more than 30 organizations from across the world including India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have come together to form a global media compact.

 It is an initiative of the United Nations, in collaboration with the UN Foundation.
 It is aimed at advancing awareness regarding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030.
 It seeks to inspire organisations around the world to create content partnerships with the UN and leverage their resources and creative talent to advance the Goals.

Question 39

‘BEYOND FAKE NEWS’

PROJECT

Answer 39

UK-based broadcasting channel BBC launched the Beyond Fake News project.
The project aimed at fighting back against disinformation and fake news with a major focus on global media literacy

Question 40

Press Council of India

Answer 40

It is an autonomous, statutory, quasi-judicial body with an aim to preserve the freedom of the press and
improve the standards of press in India.

Question 41

Broadcasting Content Complaint Council

(BCCC):

Answer 41

an independent self-regulatory body
set-up by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation
in 2011, in consultation with the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting

Question 42

Indian Broadcast Foundation (IBF):

Answer 42

premium

apex organization of television broadcasters

Question 43

News Broadcasters Association (NBA):

Answer 43

represents the private television news and

current affairs broadcasters in India

Question 44

National e-Vidhan Application

Answer 44

 It is an initiative by Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
 It aims to make all the Legislatures of the country paperless by making the proceedings of the Houses
digital.

Question 45

Online Assurances Monitoring System (OAMS)

Answer 45

With the inauguration of the OAMS, all assurances being culled out by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs through e- Office would be reflected on this system and various Ministries/Departments, Lok Sabha Secretariat and Rajya Sabha Secretariat would communicate for
all purposes through this system.

Question 46

cVigil

Answer 46

It is android based mobile application launched by the
Election Commission of India.
 It enables citizens to share proof of malpractices by political parties, their candidates and activists when the Model Code of Conduct is in place in the run-up to polls.
 The vigilant citizen has to click a picture or record a video of upto two minutes’ duration of the scene of violations of the model code. The photo or video is to be uploaded on the app.

Question 47

Aapoorti app

Answer 47

It is a part of digitization of Indian Railways supply chain network under its e-procurement system i.e. IREPS.
 It will provide data and information about e-tendering and e- auctioning activities of Indian railways.
 It will help to bring ease of doing business, transparency and efficiency in Indian Railways.

Question 48

Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)

Answer 48

 Recently Union Home Minister launched ERSS.
 Himachal Pradesh is the first state to launch pan-India single emergency number ‘112’ under ERSS which will connect to Police, Fire, Health and other helplines
through an Emergency Response Centre in the State.
 Central Government has allocated Rs 321.69 crore under Nirbhaya Fund for implementation of ERSS project across the country.
 A SHOUT feature has been introduced in ‘112 India’ mobile app exclusively for women.