Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

• Rajya Sabha is authorized to do the following
  • It can authorize the parliament to make a law on a subject enumerated in the state list (Art.249).
  • It can authorize the parliament to create a new India service common to both the Centre and the State (Art.312).

The correct answer is Chairman of the Council of State.

Key Points

• National human rights commission
  • It is a statutory body established on 12th October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993.
  • The Act also provides for the creation of the State Human Rights Commission as well.
  • Composition
    • The chairperson is retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
  • They are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of
    • Prime Minister (head)
    • Speaker of the Lok Sabha
    • Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
    • Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament
    • Union Home Minister.
  • Term and removal
    • They hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
    • The President can remove them from the office under specific circumstances.

Additional Information

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948.
  • It is a milestone declaration in the history of human rights that sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
  • Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December, which is the anniversary of the UDHR.
  • In due time the growing importance of strengthening national human rights institutions has been recognized and in 1991, a UN meeting in Paris has developed a detailed set of principles i.e. Paris Principles.
  • These principles became the foundation for the establishment and operation of National Human Rights Institutions.
  • In pursuant to these principles, India has enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, with a view to bringing about greater accountability and strengthening of human rights in the country.
  • This act also authorized State Governments to establish State Human Rights Commission.

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 (A) - (2), (B) - (3), (C) - (1), (D) - (4)

Key Points

The correct answer is 3 only

Key Points

• There are several political features that are common to India and America (USA).
• Both Nation have
  • Written Constitution.
  • Bill of Rights and Fundamental Rights.
  • The supremacy of the Federal or Union Government.
  • Separation of powers and Powers of Checks and Balance in common.

Additional Information

• The Constitution of both US and India is a written Constitution, which provides for a federal political structure where both the governments exercise their respective powers.
• Both countries amending the Constitution to meet the changing circumstances and the growing political, economic, social needs and demands political and economic needs.
• In both countries, the federal government works at the center to which various states have acceded to.
• Both in the US and India, states which have accepted the Federal set up have no individual power to separate from the Central Government or the Union Government.
• Both the Central as well as State Government is empowered to makes laws on subjects.
• The law enacted by the Federal or Union Government will prevail over the law enacted by the states on the same subject in case of a dispute.
• Both US and Indian Constitutions provide for separation of powers among three institutions namely executive, legislature, and the judiciary.
• The executive governs the country, the legislature makes laws, and the judiciary ensures justice.