Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is (A) - (3), (B) - (4), (C) - (1), (D) - (2)

Key Points

• The Constitution (61st Amendment Act), 1989, reduced the voting age for Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections from 21 years to 18 years under Article 326.  
• Article 354 concerns the elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies.
• The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 was enacted from 25 June 1975 – 21 March 1977.
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act made two changes in the Preamble that is changed the characterization of India to "sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic" from "sovereign democratic republic.  
• It also changes the words ‘unity of the nation'  to ‘unity and integrity of the nation'.
• 38th Amendment Constitutional Amendment Act, officially known as The Constitution Act, 1975, made the declaration of The Emergency final and conclusive.
• The Constitution (44th Amendment Act), 1978 replaced the term ‘internal disturbance’ with the term ‘armed rebellion’ concerning the national emergency.
• 44th Amendment Act has made the President declare a national emergency only on the cabinet‘s written recommendation.
• 44th Amendment Act also guaranteed the fundamental rights during a national emergency by Articles 20 and 21 can not be suspended. 

Additional Information

• Under The Constitution (36th Amendment) Act, 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of the India Union.
• It also includes the omission of the 10th schedule.

The correct answer is 1994.

• The State Election Commission (SEC), Rajasthan was constituted in July 1994 under Article 243 K of the Constitution of India.

Key Points

• The SEC is a single member Committee headed by the State Election Commissioner.
  • It has a Secretary who is also the Chief Electoral Officer for the State.
  • The Commission discharges its Constitutional duty by way of preparing electoral rolls and holding elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as for Municipal bodies. 
• The first election was conducted in 1960 by the Panchayat Department. 
• The State Election Commission is the Constitutional body responsible for conducting and supervising elections to the local bodies in the State. 

Additional Information

• In Rajasthan, urban local bodies are called Municipalities, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations. 
• The Commission discharges its constitutional duty by way of preparing electoral rolls and holding elections for Municipal bodies under Article 243 ZA.
• At present, Rajasthan has 188 Municipal bodies with 5232 territorial constituencies.

The correct answer is 80.

• Uttar Pradesh contributes 80 seats to the Lok Sabha.

Key Points

• The State has 80 Parliamentary constituencies.

Additional Information

• Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of Lok Sabha Constituencies. 

The correct answer is (A) is true but (R) is false.

Key Points

• The Election Commission of India issues guidelines for conducting free and fair elections in the country. These guidelines are called the Election Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections. 
• It is not statutory but Political Parties, Candidates and Polling Agents are expected to observe the norms, on matters ranging from the content of election manifestos, speeches and processions, to general conduct. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It aims to ensure free and fair elections. 
• This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives the Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures. 
• The MCC is operational from the date that the election schedule is announced till the date that results are announced. Hence statement 1 is correct.
•  A form of the MCC was first introduced in the state assembly elections in Kerala in 1960. 

The correct answer is Hardeep Singh Puri.

• Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri introduced the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Rajya Sabha on 8 February 2021.
• It will replace the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which was promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind on 30th December 2020.
• The 2011 Act was valid till December 31, 2020.
• The Ordinance extended the deadline to December 31, 2023.