1. What is the nature of the Finance Commission as mentioned in Article 280 of the Indian Constitution?
A. Administrative Body
B. Quasi-judicial body
C. Judicial Body
D. Non-Statuatory body
Solution
The correct answer is Quasi-judicial body.
Key Points
- The Finance Commission of India acts as a quasi-judicial body.
- It is established by the President of India every five years (or at such earlier time as he considers necessary) under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
- Its primary function is to recommend the distribution of taxes between the central and state governments, and among the states themselves.
- As a quasi-judicial body, it has the power to summon individuals, enforce the attendance of witnesses, and compel the production of documents, similar to the powers of a civil court.
Additional Information
- Administrative Body: This option is incorrect because the Finance Commission does not primarily perform administrative functions.
- While it does have organizational tasks, its core mandate is advisory and involves the evaluation of financial relations between the central and state governments, which is more analytical and evaluative than administrative.
- Judicial Body: This option is incorrect because, although the Finance Commission has quasi-judicial powers, it does not function as a court of law.
- Its recommendations are advisory and do not have the binding legal authority that judicial decisions do.
- Its role is more about advising on revenue distribution rather than adjudicating legal disputes.
- Non-Statutory body: This option is incorrect because the Finance Commission is a constitutional body, explicitly mentioned in Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
- A non-statutory body, on the other hand, would be one that is not created by any statute or constitution.
- The Finance Commission’s creation and mandate are both constitutionally provided, making it a statutory and constitutional body, not a non-statutory one.“
2. Who has the executive authority to advise the State Government on legal matters and to perform other duties of legal character?
A. Solicitor General
B. Attorney General
C. Comptroller and Auditor General
D. Advocate-General
Solution
The correct answer is Advocate-General.
Key Points
- As the chief legal representative of the State’s government, the Advocate General carries out the responsibilities listed below:
- To provide legal advice to the state government on subjects that the governor refers to him for.
- To carry out any additional legal obligations that the state governor delegates to you.
- To perform the duties assigned to him or her by the Constitution or another piece of legislation.
- The Advocate General is permitted to represent the State in any court of law while carrying out his official responsibilities.
- The Advocate General is entitled to speak and participate in both Houses of the State legislature’s sessions.
- Additionally, he or she has the ability to participate in committee meetings without being able to vote in any committee of the State legislature.
- Solicitor General
- In common law nations, a solicitor general or solicitor-general is typically a legal officer who serves as the principal advocate for a regional or national government in court proceedings.
- Attorney General
- The Attorney General of India acts as the chief court representative as well as the government’s senior legal advisor.
- According to Article 76(1) of the Constitution, they are chosen by the Indian President at the request of the Union Cabinet and serve at the President’s leisure.
- Comptroller and Auditor General
- According to Article 148 of the Indian Constitution, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the country’s top auditing body.
- They have the authority to examine all monies received and spent by the Indian and state governments, as well as any autonomous organizations and businesses that get significant government funding.
3. The Eighty-ninth Amendment Act, 2003 of the Indian Constitution established which among the following Commissions which have its headquarters in New Delhi?
A. Competition Commission of India
B. National Commission for Backward Classes
C. National Commission for Woman
D. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Solution
The correct answer is National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Key Points
- The Eighty-ninth Amendment Act, 2003 of the Indian Constitution established the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
- The Commission was established to protect the interests of the Scheduled Tribes and to ensure their development.
- The Commission has the following powers and functions:
- To investigate and monitor the implementation of safeguards provided for the Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution and other laws.
- To inquire into specific complaints of deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Tribes.
- To advise the Central Government and State Governments on all matters relating to the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes.
- To make recommendations for the protection, development and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes.
- To publish reports on its activities and findings.
- The Commission is headed by a Chairperson who is appointed by the President of India.
- The Chairperson is assisted by a Vice-Chairperson and a few members.
- The Commission has its headquarters in New Delhi and has regional offices in different parts of the country.
Important Point
| Amendment | Established |
|---|---|
| 73rd Amendment (1992) | Panchayati Raj institutions (rural local governance) |
| 74th Amendment (1992) | Municipal Councils (urban local governance) |
| 81st Amendment (2000) | Allowed carrying forward of vacancies for SCs/STs |
| 82nd Amendment (2000) | Relaxation in qualifying marks for SCs/STs in jobs |
| 86th Amendment (2002) | Right to Education (for children aged 6 to 14) |
| 87th Amendment (2003) | Delimitation of constituencies based on 2001 census |
| 88th Amendment (2003) | Introduced provisions for Service Tax |
| 89th Amendment (2003) | National Commission for Scheduled Tribes |
| 90th Amendment (2003) | Reservation of seats for SCs/STs in Mizoram & Nagaland |
4. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) is constituted by which Article of the Constitution?
A. Article 337
B. Article 338
C. Article 336
D. Article 335
Solution
The correct answer is Article 338
Key Points
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is an Indian constitutional body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
- It was established with a view to providing safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo-Indian communities to promote and protect their social, educational, economic, and cultural interests, special provisions were made in the Constitution.
- Article 338 of the Indian constitution deals with National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Hence option 2 is correct.
- Article 338 A deals with National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
- The first Commission was constituted in 1992 with S. H. Ramdhan as Chairman. Hence statement (a) is correct.
- The second Commission was constituted in October 1995 with H. Hanumanthappa as chairman. Hence (c) statement is incorrect.
- 65th Amendment, 1990: It replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
5. Which Article mentions the Comptroller and Auditor General of India?
A. Article 154
B. Article 156
C. Article 148
D. Article 136
Solution
The correct answer is Article 148.
Key Points
- Article 148 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment, duties, and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
- The CAG is responsible for auditing the accounts of the Union and State governments and public sector organizations, ensuring accountability and transparency.
- The CAG is appointed by the President of India and can only be removed from office in a manner similar to the removal of a Supreme Court judge.
- The CAG submits audit reports to the President or the Governor, who then places them before the Parliament or the State Legislature.
Additional Information
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
- The CAG is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and acts as the guardian of the public purse.
- The office of the CAG is a constitutional body established under Article 148 of the Constitution of India.
- The CAG audits all receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and the state governments, including those of bodies and authorities substantially financed by the government.
- The CAG ensures that the financial administration of the country is carried out in accordance with the Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament and State Legislatures.
- Article 154
- Article 154 of the Indian Constitution vests the executive power of the State in the Governor.
- It states that the executive power shall be exercised by the Governor either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution.
- Article 156
- Article 156 of the Indian Constitution deals with the term of office of the Governor.
- It states that the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President and for a term of five years.
- Article 136
- Article 136 of the Indian Constitution grants special leave to appeal by the Supreme Court.
- It gives the Supreme Court the discretionary power to grant special leave to appeal against any judgment, decree, determination, sentence, or order passed by any court or tribunal in the territory of India.
6. In which year was the ‘National Human Rights Commission’ established in India?
A. 1950
B. 1993
C. 1857
D. 1947
Solution
The correct answer is 1993.
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October, 1993.
Key Points
- The statute under which it is established is the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.
- It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights held in Paris in October 1991, and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations by its Regulations 48/134 of 20 December, 1993.
- The NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights.
- Section 2(1)(d) of the PHRA defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.
Additional Information
| Regulatory Body | Headquarters, Established year |
| Reserve Bank of India (RBI) | Mumbai, 1st April 1935 |
| National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) | Mumbai, 12th July 1982 |
| NITI Aayog | New Delhi, 1st January 2015 |
| National Housing Bank (NHB) | New Delhi, 9 July 1988 |
| Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) | Hyderabad, 1999 |
| Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) | Mumbai, 12 April 1988. |
| Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) | Lucknow, 30 jan 1990 |
| Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) | New Delhi, 20 February 1997 |
| Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) | New Delhi, 23 December 1986 |
| Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) | Mumbai, December 1928 |
| Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) | New Delhi, August 2011 |
7. Which of the following is not a Constitutional post in India ?
A. Judge of High Court
B. Governor of RBI
C. Attorney General
D. Governor of a State
Solution
The correct answer is Governor of RBI.
Important Points
- The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
- RBI is a statutory body because it was established by an Act.
- Hence, the Governor of RBI is not a Constitutional post.
Key Points
- In India, the major constitutional bodies are:
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- State Public Service Commission
- The Comptroller, and Auditor General of India
- Election Commission of India
- Finance Commission of India
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- National Commission For Scheduled Tribe
- Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court come under Comptroller and Auditor General, thus it is a constitutional post.
- The Attorney General of India is the primary lawyer of the Supreme Court and is the chief legal advisor.
- It is a constitutional post.
8. What type of body is the Central Information Commission?
A. Constitutional body
B. Quasi-Judicial body
C. Statutory body
D. Executive body
Solution
The correct answer is Statutory body.
- The Central Information Commission is a statutory body formed under the Right to Information Act 2005.
Key Points
- Established on: 12th October 2005
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Term of office of CIC and IC: 3 years or 65 years, whichever is earlier
- Reappointment: Not eligible
- Appointed by: President on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:
- Prime Minister as Chairman
- Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
- Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM
- Removal: President
- Salary: For CIC: Same as Chief Election Commissioner and For IC: Same as Election Commissioner.
- Composition: Chairman+ 2 Information Commission ( members not exceeding 10)
- Power: Enjoy the power of the Civil Court
Important Points
- Wajahat Habibullah was the first Chief Information Commissioner
9. Which one of the following is a non-constitutional and non-statutory body?
A. Unique Identification Authority of India
B. NITI Aayog
C. National Human Rights Commission
D. Competition Commission of India
Solution
The correct answer is NITI Aayog.
Key Points
- NITI Aayog;-
- NITI Aayog was established by the Government of India in 2015.
- It is an advisory body to the government on matters of economic policy and development.
- It is not a constitutional body and does not have any specific powers or functions that are mentioned in any law. (Hence Option 2 is correct)
- The main purpose of NITI Aayog is to replace the Planning Commission of India.
- The Planning Commission was a non-statutory body that was established in 1950. It was responsible for formulating and implementing the national development plans.
- However, the Planning Commission was abolished in 2014 and NITI Aayog was created in its place.
- The chairman of NITI Aayog is Prime Minister of India. The chairman is assisted by a vice-chairman and a few other members.
- The members of NITI Aayog are drawn from different fields, such as economics, business, and government.
Additional Information
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI):-
- It is a statutory authority established by the Government of India under the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
- The UIDAI is responsible for issuing 12-digit Aadhaar numbers to all residents of India.
- National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):-
- It is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
- The NHRC is responsible for the protection of human rights in India.
- It does this by investigating complaints of human rights violations, recommending measures to prevent human rights violations, and spreading awareness about human rights.
- Competition Commission of India (CCI):-
- It is an autonomous statutory body established by the Government of India under the Competition Act, 2002.
- The CCI is responsible for promoting and enforcing competition in the markets of India.
- It does this by preventing anti-competitive practices such as cartels, abuse of dominance, and unfair trade practices.
10. Which Commission recommended 27% reservation for OBC candidates in all levels of government services?
A. Sarkaria Commission
B. Mandal Commission
C. Balwant Commission
D. Kothari Commission
Solution
The correct answer is Mandal Commission.
- In the year 1990, the then Prime Minister VP Singh accepted the Mandal Commission report, which recommended a 27% reservation for OBC candidates at all levels of its services.
Key Points
- The Mandal Commission, the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC), was established in India in 1979 by the Janata Party government under Prime Minister Morarji Desai to “identify the socially or educationally backward classes” of India.
- It was headed by B.P. Mandal, an Indian parliamentarian, used eleven social, economic, and educational indicators to consider the question of reservation for people to prevent caste discrimination, and to determine backwardness.
Additional Information
- Sarkaria Commission was established in 1983 by the Central Government of India.
- The charter of the Sarkaria Commission was to examine center-state relations on various departments and suggest changes within the framework of the Constitution of India.
- The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was originally a committee appointed by the Government of India on 16 January 1957 to examine the working of the Community Development Program and the National Extension Service and suggest measures for their better functioning.
- Balwantrai G Mehta was the chairman of this committee.
- The Kothari Commission was appointed by the Government of India to reform the Indian education sector.
- Its objectives and important recommendations.
- Kothari Commission was formed on 14 July 1964.
