Question Discussion & Solution

• Under the 36th Amendment of the Indian Constitution, Sikkim become the 22^nd state of the Indian Union.
• The Prime Minister of Sikkim appealed to the Indian Parliament for making Sikkim a state of India, in the year 1975.
• A referendum was held in Sikkim and 97.5 percent of the people voted to abolish the monarchy.
• Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union, on 16 May 1975.
• The 36th amendment of the Indian constitution made Sikkim a full state of India and added its name to the First Schedule of the Constitution.
• Every year, the state celebrates May 16 as Sikkim statehood day. 

Additional Information

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.

The correct answer is the Right to education.

Important Points

• The right to education was added in the Indian Constitution by the 86th Constitutional amendment in 2002.
  • Right to education was inserted in Article 21A.
  • It included the right to education in the fundamental rights category.
• Equality before the law is a fundamental right.
  • It is given in Article 14.
• The abolition of untouchability and the prohibition of its practice is also a fundamental right.
  • It is given in Article 17.
• The abolition of titles except for military and academic is also a fundamental right.
  • It is given in Article 18.

The correct answer is I, II, IV.

Key Points

• Under the purview of enquiry of 'LOKAYUKTA' in Rajasthan
  • Ministers
  • Secretaries
  • Chairpersons of autonomous institutions

Additional Information 

• The Lokayukta has been empowered under Section 7 of the Rajasthan Lokayukta and Sub-Lokayukta Act, 1973 to investigate allegations against ministers and public servants, in certain cases.
• According to the definition of public servant given in section 2 (i) of the Act, the Lokayukta has the jurisdiction to investigate against the following:
  • A member of the Council of Ministers of the State of Rajasthan (other than the Chief Minister and Governor), by whatever name is known, namely, Minister, Minister of State or Deputy Minister,
  • A person appointed to public service or a public post in relation to the activities of the State of Rajasthan,
• Every head and deputy head of the Zilla Parishad, the head and deputy head of the:
  • Panchayat Samiti and the chairman of any standing committee constituted by or under the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act.
  • Every Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, each Chairman and Vice- Chairman of the Municipal / Council, the Chairman of the Municipal Board, and the Vice- Chairman and the Chairman of any committee constituted under the Rajasthan Municipal Act.
• Every person who is in the service of the following or has been paid his salary, namely:
  • Any local authority in the State of Rajasthan, to be notified on this behalf by the State Government in the Gazette,
  • Any corporation (not being a local authority), established by or under a State Act and owned or controlled by the State Government.
  • Any Government company under section 617 of the Companies Act, in which twenty-one per cent of the paid-up share capital is held by the State Government or any company which is a subsidiary of any such company in which the State Government is holding fifty-one per cent of the paid-up share capital.

The correct answer is 65th Constitutional Amendment, 1992.

Key Points

• The constitutional recognition to National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was given by the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1990, and the commission was formed on 12th March 1992. 
• By the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act 2003, the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST has been replaced by 

1. National Commission for Scheduled Caste.
2. National Commission for Scheduled Tribe. 

• Both the chairman and members of the commission are appointed by the President.
• The term of office of Chairman and members is decided by the President (generally, it is for 3 years) from the date on which he or she assumes office.
• All the members of the commission shall not be eligible for an appointment of more than 2 terms. 
• The composition of the commission includes Chairman, Deputy-Chairman, and 3 other members. 
• At least one member should be a woman.
• The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Commission have the status of Union Minister and Union Minister of State.
• While investigating any matter or inquiring about any complaint, the Commission shall have all the powers which the Civil Court has while pursuing the suit.
• The commission will submit its annual report to the President in case of Centre and Governor in case of State.

Additional Information

• 102nd Constitutional Amendment, 2018 provides Constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes.
• 104th  Constitutional Amendment, 2020 extended the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and states assemblies from 70 years to 80 years.
  • It also removed the reserved seats for the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.