UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of daily subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Polity and Governance to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the History, Culture, and Social Issues MCQs. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations.

Consider the following Chief Justices of India:

1. Uday Umesh Lalit

2. Sharad Arvind Bobde

3. Dipak Misra

4. Sanjiv Khanna

What is the correct chronological sequence (earliest to latest) of these CJI in order of their appointment?

(a) 3—2—1—4

(b) 4—2—1—3

(c) 1—3—2—4

(d) 2—4—1—3

Explanation

— The Centre appointed Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), formally approving the recommendation made by CJI D Y Chandrachud a week ago.

— Justice Khanna, the seniormost judge in the apex court, will succeed CJI Chandrachud a day after the latter’s retirement on November 10.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Consider the following bodies:

1. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

2. National Green Tribunal (NGT)

3. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

4. NITI Aayog

How many of the bodies given above are statutory bodies?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— Constitutional bodies are institutions or authorities whose powers, duties, and structures are explicitly defined in the Constitution. Their roles extend beyond mere administrative functions, as they are designed to serve as checks and balances on governmental power.

— Some of the constitutional bodies are the Election Commission of India (ECI), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Finance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), National Commissions for SCs, STs, and Minorities, and Attorney General of India.

— Statutory bodies play a vital role in strengthening our democracy. These bodies are institutions established by an act of Parliament or state legislatures, deriving their authority from legislation rather than directly from the Constitution.

— Some examples of statutory bodies are the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Commission for Women (NCW), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

— Non-statutory bodies, also known as executive or advisory bodies, are organisations or committees that are established by an executive order or administrative resolution rather than by an act of Parliament or state legislatures. They are created for specific purposes and may not have a legal framework backing them, as is the case with statutory bodies.

— Examples include the Planning Commission (replaced by NITI Aayog), task forces, and expert committees created to address contemporary challenges like social development or economic reform.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Consider the following statements:

Statement 1: The ruling of the Supreme Court has raised questions on the purpose of Aadhaar, which has been described as a “universal identity infrastructure” by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Statement 2: The Supreme Court held that Aadhaar cards can be used as proof of age.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1.

(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect.

(d) Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct.

Explanation

— The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 24) held that Aadhaar cards cannot be used as proof of age, given that other official documents such as the School Leaving Certificate serve the purpose. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The ruling has raised questions on the purpose of Aadhaar, which has been described as a “universal identity infrastructure” by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), tasked with issuing Aadhaar numbers. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— A Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Sanjay Karol and Ujjal Bhuyan was tasked with evaluating the compensation to be paid to the family of a man named Sika Ram, who died in a motorbike accident. In April 2015, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Rohtak, Haryana, ordered the insurance company to pay compensation of Rs 19,35,400.

— Compensation in situations of death under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 (MVA) is calculated by several variables, including the deceased’s income and age, as well as the number of dependents. The age is used to calculate the multiplier, which is a numerical value that represents future financial contributions from the deceased to their dependents based on their potential earning capacity and life expectancy.

— On appeal, the Punjab & Haryana High Court lowered the compensation to Rs. 9,22,336 after observing that the deceased was 47 years old at the time of his death, resulting in a multiplier of 13 under the MVA. The victim’s family filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, stating that he was 45 years old at the time of the accident, as per his School Leaving Certificate, and that the multiplier should be 14 instead.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

With reference to the evolution of Right to Information (RTI), consider the following statements:

1. The first draft provisions for RTI were prepared in 1993 by the Consumer Education and Research Council (CERC).

2. The final draft of the RTI Act was approved and passed with 150 amendments, replacing the Freedom of Information Act with a more comprehensive law in 2005.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The RTI Act, which came into force in October 2005, was seen as a significant development towards freedom of information. It gave ordinary citizens the right to request information from government bodies, making authorities accountable for their actions and decisions.

— The RTI Act originated as a grassroots initiative in rural Rajasthan. In the 1980s, civil society organisations and villagers in Devdungri, a small village in Rajsamand district, led efforts to address issues such as fair wages, government accountability, and access to information about local employment records, including muster rolls, in order to ensure equitable compensation.

— The Consumer Education and Research Council (CERC) prepared the first draft provisions for RTI in 1993. It was followed by the Press Council’s proposal, which included some of the key provisions that would eventually become core to the RTI Act. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— In 1997, the Government of India organised a Working Group led by consumer campaigner H.D. Shourie to draft a Freedom of Information Bill.

— The final draft of the RTI Act was approved and passed with 150 amendments, replacing the Freedom of Information Act with a more comprehensive law in 2005. Officially coming into force on October 12, 2005, the RTI Act applies across all levels of government, including central, state, and local bodies. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Which of the following articles of the Constitution of India provides for the provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years?

(a) Article 46

(b) Article 45

(c) Article 21-A

(d) Article 15(1)

Explanation

— Article 45 of the Constitution of India provides for the provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years.

— The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Source: Constitution of India)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 82)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 82)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 82)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 82)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 82)

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