Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is 1 only.

Confusion Points

• The Northern Zonal Council, The Central Zonal Council, The Eastern Zonal Council, The Western Zonal Council and The Southern Zonal Council are established by an Act of the Parliament, that is, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. 
• In addition to the above Zonal Councils, a North-Eastern Council was created by a separate Act of Parliament i.e. the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971. Hence, statement 3 is NOT correct.

Key Points

• Zonal Councils:
  • The Zonal Councils are the statutory (and not the constitutional) bodies. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • They are established by an Act of the Parliament, that is, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. 
  • There are 5 five Zonal councils:
    • The Northern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Union Territory of Chandigarh.
    • The Central Zonal Council, comprising the States of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
    • The Eastern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and West Bengal.
    • The Western Zonal Council, comprising the States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
    • The Southern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
  • North-Eastern Council
    • In addition to the above Zonal Councils, a North-Eastern Council was created by a separate Act of Parliament i.e. the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971.
    • Its functions are similar to those of the zonal councils, but with few additions.
    • Its members include Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Sikkim.
  • While forming these zones, several factors have been taken into account which includes:
    • The natural divisions of the country, the river systems and means of communication, the cultural and linguistic affinity, and the requirements of economic development, security, and law and order.
    • They are only deliberative and advisory bodies.
• Composition:-
  • Chairman: The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these Councils. Hence, statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • Vice-Chairman: The Chief Ministers of the States included in each zone act as Vice-Chairman of the Zonal Council for that zone by rotation, each holding office for a period of one year at a time.
  • Members: Chief Minister and two other Ministers as nominated by the Governor from each of the States and two members from Union Territories included in the zone.
  • Advisers: One person nominated by the Planning Commission (which has been replaced by NITI Ayog now) for each of the Zonal Councils, Chief Secretaries, and another officer/Development Commissioner nominated by each of the States included in the Zone.
  • Union Ministers are also invited to participate in the meetings of Zonal Councils depending upon necessity.

The Correct Answer is 1952.

Key Points

• The community development program
  • It was started in India, just after independence in 1952. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
  • It was a multi-project program with the aim of the overall development of rural people.
  • It also aimed at improving the standard of living of the village people.
  • Through the Community development projects, village people are also given training in administrative activities.
  • The programs of community development are carried out by three basic institutions at the village level: Village panchayat, cooperative societies, village school.
  • The program launched in 1952 was extended to wider areas at the end of the First Five Year plan.
  • The essence of the Community Development Program was Irrigation.
  • The Government of India initiated the development of the community through Community Development Programme (CDP).
  • The Community Development Program was started on 2nd October 1952.
  • The 55 community projects were launched.
  • It was a holistic approach grounded in principles.
  • The five principles of Community Development were
    •  Social Justice
    • Self Determination
    • Empowerment
    • Human Rights
    • Collective Action.

The correct answer is 2 only.

Key Points

• The first statement is not correct because it talks about the chairman as well as the deputy chairman.
  • The Vice-President of India is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
  • Rajya Sabha also chooses from amongst its members, a Deputy Chairman.​
  • ​Hence statement 1 is not correct.
• President: Elected members of parliament (MPs from Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha).
  • Elected members of State legislative members, including that of NCT of Delhi and Pondicherry.
• Vice President: Vice President is elected indirectly, by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of the Parliament.
  • Hence statement 2 is correct.

​​​Additional Information

• Special Powers of Rajya Sabha
  • The Upper House also has some special powers, such as:
    • Power to transfer a subject from the State List to Union List for a specified period (Article 249).
    • To create additional All-India Services (Article 312).
    • To endorse Emergency under Article 352 for a limited period when the Lok Sabha remains dissolved.

The correct answer is Cryptocurrency.

In News

• RBI wants a full ban on crypto, legal experts say it is too late.

Key Points

• S. C. Garg Committee:
  • It is related to Cryptocurrency. Hence option 1 is correct.
  • Recommendations:
    • Ban anybody who mines, hold, transact or deal with cryptocurrencies in any form.
    • It recommends a jail term of one to 10 years for exchange or trading in digital currency.
    • It proposed a monetary penalty of up to three times the loss caused to the exchequer or gains made by the cryptocurrency user whichever is higher.
    • However, the panel said that the government should keep an open mind on the potential issuance of cryptocurrencies by the Reserve Bank of India.

The correct answer is  Habeus corpus.

• The writ that is issued to secure the release of a person under illegal detention is Habeus corpus.
• Article 32  of the Indian Constitution has been described as the ‘heart and soul’ of the Indian Constitution by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
• It gives a citizen the right to approach the Supreme Court in case of the violation of any of their fundamental rights.
• It is also known as; Right to Constitutional Remedies.

  Article	Consists of
  Article 32	Right to move the Supreme court for the enforcement of fundamental rights including the writs. habeas corpus mandamus prohibition certiorari quo warranto

• Habeas Corpus: This writ is issued to produce a person who has been detained whether in prison or in private custody, before a court and to release him if such detention is found illegal.
• Mandamus: The writ of command is issued by the supreme or high court when any government, court, corporation, or any public authority has to do a public duty but fails to do so.
• Prohibition: It is a writ issued with a view to restraining a person from holding a public office to which he is not entitled.
• Certiorari: The writ of certiorari can be issued by the supreme or high court for quashing the order already passed by an inferior court, tribunal, or quasi-judicial authority.
• Quo-Warranto: The writ of quo-warranto can be issued by the supreme or high court for asking of by what authority or warrant. It is issued by the court to enquire into the legality of a claim of a person to a public office.