Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is 5 Years.

Key Points

• 5 years is the tenure of Lok Sabha members.
  • Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of adult suffrage.
  • The term of a member of parliament of Lok Sabha (dissolved) is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting.
  • During a state of emergency, the term however can be extended by the Parliament of India by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time.

Additional Information

• On 26 January 1950, the Indian constitution came into force and the first general elections (under the new constitution) were held in 1951-1952.
• The 1st Lok Sabha was constituted on 17 April 1952 and had 489 constituencies, thereby the first set of elected members of parliament of Lok Sabha in India.
• The maximum permitted strength of members of parliament in the Lok Sabha is 550.
• The first instance of a member of parliament equivalent in India dates back to 9 December 1946, the day the Constituent Assembly of India was formed with the purpose of drafting a constitution for India.

Important Points

• As per Article 93 of the Indian Constitution, the Lok Sabha has a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker.

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• By the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act 2003, the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST has been replaced by 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.

The correct answer is option 2 i.e., Parliament.

• Parliament can impose reasonable restrictions on Fundamental Rights.
• Fundamental Rights listed in Part III of the Constitution are not absolute and can be restricted on reasonable grounds by legislation enacted by Parliament.
• Article 13(1)  states that all laws in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this constitution, in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void.
• Article 13(4)-Nothing in this article shall apply to any amendment of this Constitution made under article 368.
• The Constitutional Bench in Kesavananda Bharati case ruled that Parliament could amend any part of the Constitution so long as it did not alter or amend the basic structure or essential features of the Constitution.

The correct answer is Up to 15% of the strength of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

• According to the constitution, the Council of Ministers constitutes 15% of the total number of legislators (91st Amendment Amendment).
• The maximum number of ministers in Rajasthan is 30 which is 15% of 200.

Key Points

• The Council of Ministers in states is mentioned in Articles 163, 164, and 167.
• The Council of Ministers is headed by the Chief Minister.
• There are three classes of ministers:
  • Cabinet minister
  • Minister of State 
  • Deputy Minister
• Cabinet ministers are in charge of important departments.
• The cabinet-level group of ministers is called the cabinet ministers.
• Ministers of State are appointed to assist cabinet ministers. 
• Deputy Ministers are there to assist the State Ministers.
• Sometimes the Ministers of State are also given independent departments.

Additional Information

• Cabinet Secretariat:
  • The administrative head is the chief secretary.
  • The political head is the chief minister.

The correct answer is 1, 3 and 4 only.

• National Development Council was established on 6th August 1952 by the government of India.
• It acts as an advisory body of the Planning Commission.
• It was set up to:

1. Promote the overall development of the country.
2. Create common economic policies.
3. Strengthen and mobilize the efforts and resources of the country for the accomplishment of the plan.
4. Provide assistance to states related to their developmental works.

• Composition of NDC:

• The secretary of the Planning Commission is also the secretary of the National Developmental Council.
• They generally meet twice a year.

 Additional Information

• Since the inception of NITI Aayog on January 1st, 2015, the NDC has not organized meetings.