Polity Set 129 | MROY Class

Polity Set 129 Questions & Answers

Which Article of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to punish for contempt of itself, designating it as a “Court of Record”? – Article 129
Which Article grants similar status to the High Courts, declaring every High Court to be a “Court of Record” with the power to punish for its contempt? – Article 215
If the office of the Chief Justice of India is vacant, the President can appoint a judge of the Supreme Court as the Acting Chief Justice under which Article? – Article 126
To meet the lack of a quorum of the permanent judges to hold or continue any session of the Supreme Court, an ad hoc judge can be appointed under Article 127 by the: – Chief Justice of India (with the previous consent of the President)
Under Article 128, who can request a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court to act as a Judge of the Supreme Court for a temporary period? – The Chief Justice of India (with the previous consent of the President)
Which Article deals with the transfer of a Judge from one High Court to another High Court? – Article 222
If the office of the Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant, the President can appoint an Acting Chief Justice for that High Court under which Article? – Article 223
The President can appoint duly qualified persons as additional judges of a High Court for a temporary period not exceeding two years under which Article? – Article 224
Which Article vests the control over subordinate courts—including the posting and promotion of persons belonging to the judicial service of a State—in the High Court? – Article 235
The first Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up in 1966. Who was its initial chairman before he joined the Central Cabinet? – Morarji Desai
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was constituted in 2005 to prepare a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administrative system. It was chaired by: – Veerappa Moily
The Sarkaria Commission, which extensively examined Centre-State relations, was appointed by the Government of India in which year? – 1983
The Punchhi Commission, another landmark commission on Centre-State relations, was established in which year? – 2007
Which committee was appointed by the Government of India in 1962 to look into the prevention of corruption, leading to the establishment of the CVC? – Santhanam Committee
The Vohra Committee was appointed in 1993 to study the problem of: – Criminalisation of politics and the nexus among criminals, politicians, and bureaucrats
The Kothari Commission (1976) is primarily known for its recommendations regarding reforms in which sector of governance? – Civil Services Examination system
The Satish Chandra Committee (1989) was also appointed to review and recommend changes to which system? – Civil Services Examination
The Y.K. Alagh Committee (2001) and the Hota Committee (2004) are associated with reforms in: – Civil Services
Which committee on electoral reforms submitted its report in 1990 and recommended, among other things, the introduction of EVMs and the strengthening of the Election Commission? – Dinesh Goswami Committee
The Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) was constituted specifically to examine the feasibility of: – State funding of elections
The Justice J.S. Verma Committee (1999) was constituted to plan a strategy and methodology for operationalizing which part of the Constitution? – Fundamental Duties
Which committee’s recommendations formed the basis for the establishment of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2009? – Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)
The R.V. Malimath Committee (2000) was constituted to recommend reforms in the: – Criminal Justice System
The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986), which strongly recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj institutions, was appointed during the prime ministership of: – Rajiv Gandhi
The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) was set up in 2000 under the chairmanship of: – Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
Who was the first Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India (established in 1937 under the Government of India Act of 1935)? – Sir Maurice Gwyer
The concept of the “Creamy Layer” among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was introduced by the Supreme Court in the landmark: – Indra Sawhney case (1992)
Which committee was appointed by the Government to identify the “Creamy Layer” among OBCs following the Supreme Court’s direction in the Indra Sawhney case? – Ram Nandan Committee
The Sachar Committee (2005) was commissioned to prepare a report on the social, economic, and educational condition of which community in India? – The Muslim community
The Kaka Kalelkar Commission, appointed in 1953, was the First: – Backward Classes Commission

MROY Class

Polity Set 129

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📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.1) Which Article of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to punish for contempt of itself, designating it as a “Court of Record”?

Ans > Article 129

The Meaning of a “Court of Record”: A Court of Record is a high judicial tribunal whose judgments, acts, and proceedings are officially enrolled for perpetual memory and testimony. These recorded proceedings possess unquestionable evidentiary value and cannot be challenged when produced before any subordinate court in the country, serving as binding legal precedents for future judgments.
Contempt Jurisdiction: Article 129 explicitly grants the Supreme Court the inherent constitutional power to punish for contempt of itself. This encompasses both civil contempt (willful disobedience of a court order, decree, or writ) and criminal contempt (publishing material or doing any act that scandalizes the court, lowers its authority, or interferes with the due course of any judicial proceeding).
Suo Motu Powers and Statutory Framework: While the Constitution establishes this authority, the procedural limits are guided by the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. Crucially, the Supreme Court is empowered to initiate contempt proceedings suo motu (on its own motion) without waiting for a formal complaint, which is vital for fiercely protecting the independence, dignity, and overarching authority of India’s highest judicial body.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.2) Which Article grants similar status to the High Courts, declaring every High Court to be a “Court of Record” with the power to punish for its contempt?

Ans > Article 215

State-Level Judicial Supremacy: Just as Article 129 empowers the Supreme Court, Article 215 elevates every State High Court to the status of a Court of Record. This means that the judgments and decrees of a High Court act as binding precedents for all district and subordinate courts functioning within its specific territorial jurisdiction.
Inherent Contempt Powers of the High Court: A High Court possesses the constitutional authority to punish individuals or entities for contempt of itself. Furthermore, under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, the High Court also has the jurisdiction to punish for contempt of the subordinate courts under its supervisory control, ensuring lower judiciary officials are protected from intimidation or disrespect.
Protection of Judicial Dignity: The framers of the Constitution deliberately included this Article to ensure that High Courts are not viewed merely as administrative appellate bodies, but as powerful, independent institutions capable of enforcing their own orders. This power acts as a strong deterrent against executive overreach, media trials, or public actions that attempt to degrade the justice delivery system at the state level.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.3) If the office of the Chief Justice of India is vacant, the President can appoint a judge of the Supreme Court as the Acting Chief Justice under which Article?

Ans > Article 126

Conditions for Appointing an Acting CJI: Article 126 is triggered under three specific circumstances: when the office of the Chief Justice of India is completely vacant (due to death, resignation, or removal), when the CJI is temporarily absent, or when the CJI is otherwise unable to perform the duties of the office (such as due to a severe health issue).
The Discretion of the President: The power to appoint an Acting Chief Justice lies exclusively with the President of India. While the Constitution does not mandate that the senior-most judge be appointed, established constitutional convention and Supreme Court rulings (especially stemming from the Second Judges Case, 1993) dictate that the senior-most available judge of the Supreme Court is practically always chosen for this role to avoid administrative controversies.
Seamless Continuity of the Judiciary: The primary purpose of this Article is to prevent a constitutional vacuum at the very top of the Indian judiciary. The Acting CJI assumes all the administrative and judicial powers of the regular Chief Justice, including the critical task of acting as the “Master of the Roster” to allocate cases and constitute benches until a permanent Chief Justice is formally appointed and sworn in.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.4) To meet the lack of a quorum of the permanent judges to hold or continue any session of the Supreme Court, an ad hoc judge can be appointed under Article 127 by the:

Ans > Chief Justice of India (with the previous consent of the President)

The Requirement of a Quorum: Article 127 acts as an emergency provision used specifically when there is a lack of a quorum (the minimum required number of permanent Supreme Court judges) available to hold or continue any session of the Court. This often happens when large Constitutional Benches need to be formed, temporarily draining the available pool of judges for regular appellate matters.
Appointment Protocol and Qualifications: The Chief Justice of India makes this appointment, but importantly, it requires the prior consent of the President of India and consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court from which the judge is being transferred. The person chosen must be a sitting High Court judge who is already fully qualified to be appointed as a Supreme Court judge.
Duties and Privileges of an Ad Hoc Judge: While serving in this temporary capacity, the ad hoc judge is required to prioritize their Supreme Court duties over their regular High Court duties. During their tenure in the apex court, they enjoy all the jurisdiction, powers, privileges, and constitutional immunities of a regular Supreme Court judge, ensuring they can adjudicate without any administrative handicap.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.5) Under Article 128, who can request a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court to act as a Judge of the Supreme Court for a temporary period?

Ans > The Chief Justice of India (with the previous consent of the President)

Utilizing Judicial Experience: Article 128 allows the Indian judiciary to tap into the vast experience and expertise of retired judges to clear massive pendency of cases or handle highly specialized matters. The Chief Justice of India is empowered to request a retired Supreme Court judge, or a retired High Court judge who is qualified for the Supreme Court, to temporarily sit and act as a judge.
Consent Mechanisms Required: This exceptional move requires a dual layer of consent. First, the Chief Justice of India must obtain the prior explicit consent of the President of India. Second, the retired judge in question must personally consent to take up the temporary assignment; they cannot be forced out of retirement to serve against their will.
Status of the Appointee: Although the retired judge enjoys the allowances (determined by the President) and the jurisdictional powers and privileges of a Supreme Court judge during this tenure, they are technically not deemed to be a permanent Judge of the Supreme Court. Their role is strictly to “sit and act” for the designated period to assist the court with its active docket.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.6) Which Article deals with the transfer of a Judge from one High Court to another High Court?

Ans > Article 222

The Mechanics of Judicial Transfer: Article 222 empowers the President of India, acting after mandatory consultation with the Chief Justice of India, to transfer a judge (including the Chief Justice) from one State High Court to any other High Court within the country. This ensures a unified national judicial system and helps cross-pollinate judicial expertise across different states.
The Role of the Supreme Court Collegium: Following landmark judicial rulings, specifically the Third Judges Case (1998), the “consultation” with the CJI actually means the binding recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. The Collegium (consisting of the CJI and the four senior-most judges) must also consult the Chief Justices of both the transferring and receiving High Courts to ensure the transfer is for the public interest and administration of justice, not as a punitive measure.
Compensatory Allowances: Recognizing the personal and financial disruption caused by uprooting a judge to a new state, Article 222 also guarantees a compensatory allowance. When a judge is transferred, they are constitutionally entitled to receive an additional compensatory allowance, in addition to their regular salary, as determined by Parliament by law.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.7) If the office of the Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant, the President can appoint an Acting Chief Justice for that High Court under which Article?

Ans > Article 223

Triggers for the Appointment: Article 223 operates on the same logic as Article 126 does for the Supreme Court. It comes into effect when the office of the Chief Justice of a State High Court falls vacant, or when the Chief Justice is temporarily absent, on leave, or otherwise unable to perform the rigorous administrative and judicial duties required of the position.
Presidential Authority: The President of India holds the exclusive power to appoint one of the other sitting judges of that specific High Court to discharge the duties of the Chief Justice. While the Constitution leaves the choice to the President, established convention ensures that the senior-most puisne (regular) judge of that High Court is almost universally appointed to maintain administrative harmony.
Scope of the Acting Chief Justice’s Power: The judge appointed as the Acting Chief Justice wields the exact same powers as a permanent Chief Justice. This includes vital administrative responsibilities such as roster management (assigning cases to specific benches), supervising subordinate courts, and communicating with the State Government and the Supreme Court Collegium regarding judicial infrastructure and lower court appointments.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.8) The President can appoint duly qualified persons as additional judges of a High Court for a temporary period not exceeding two years under which Article?

Ans > Article 224

Managing High Court Arrears: Article 224 was incorporated to address sudden spikes in litigation or massive backlogs of pending cases in High Courts. If it appears to the President that there is a temporary increase in the business of a High Court or widespread arrears of work, the President is empowered to appoint duly qualified persons as Additional Judges to clear the docket.
Strict Time and Age Limitations: Unlike permanent judges, Additional Judges have a strictly capped tenure. They are appointed for a temporary period that cannot exceed two years at a time. Furthermore, an individual cannot serve as an Additional Judge once they attain the age of 62 years, which is the mandatory constitutional retirement age for all High Court judges.
Pathway to Permanent Judgeship: In practical contemporary usage, an appointment as an Additional Judge is often utilized as a probationary or transitional phase. If an Additional Judge performs their duties admirably and their record is sound, they are frequently elevated and confirmed as a permanent Judge of that High Court by the President before their two-year temporary tenure expires.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.9) Which Article vests the control over subordinate courts—including the posting and promotion of persons belonging to the judicial service of a State—in the High Court?

Ans > Article 235

Shielding the Lower Judiciary: Article 235 is the constitutional bedrock that ensures the independence of the subordinate judiciary from the State Executive. By vesting total administrative, disciplinary, and supervisory control of district and lower courts directly in the hands of the State High Court, the Constitution ensures that lower court judges can adjudicate without fear of political retaliation or pressure from the state government.
Scope of High Court Control: The “control” mentioned in this Article is comprehensive. It encompasses the power to decide on postings, transfers, promotions, granting of leave, and initiating strict disciplinary actions (including suspension) against all members of the judicial service of a State holding a post inferior to the post of a District Judge.
Limits on High Court Disciplinary Power: While the High Court has vast disciplinary powers over subordinate judges, Article 235 explicitly states that this power does not authorize the High Court to dismiss or remove a judge from service. Dismissal or removal must technically be executed by the Governor of the State, albeit strictly acting on the binding recommendation of the High Court, preserving the balance of constitutional authority.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.10) The first Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up in 1966. Who was its initial chairman before he joined the Central Cabinet?

Ans > Morarji Desai

Genesis of the First ARC: The First Administrative Reforms Commission was established on January 5, 1966, by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its monumental mandate was to comprehensively review the public administration system of India, evaluate its efficiency, and suggest wide-ranging structural and procedural reforms to make the government machinery more responsive to the citizens.
Leadership Transition: The Commission was initially chaired by the veteran political stalwart Morarji Desai. However, in 1967, Desai left the Commission to join Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s cabinet as the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. Following his departure, K. Hanumanthaiya, a prominent parliamentarian and former Chief Minister of Mysore (Karnataka), took over as the chairman to complete the commission’s work.
Landmark Recommendation – Lokpal and Lokayukta: The First ARC submitted 20 distinct reports containing over 500 recommendations. Its most historically significant and enduring recommendation was the proposal for the establishment of independent ombudsman institutions—the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the States—to hear and investigate grievances and corruption allegations made by citizens against powerful public officials and ministers.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.11) The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was constituted in 2005 to prepare a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administrative system. It was chaired by:

Ans > Veerappa Moily

Mandate of the Second ARC: Constituted on August 31, 2005, by the UPA government, the Second ARC was tasked with drafting a detailed blueprint for revamping India’s public administration system to achieve a “pro-active, responsive, accountable, sustainable and efficient administration.” It aimed to modernize governance mechanisms for the 21st century at all levels of government.
Leadership and Structure: The Commission was chaired by Veerappa Moily, a senior political leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka. When Moily resigned in 2009 to join the Union Cabinet, V. Ramachandran was appointed to lead the commission for its concluding phases. The commission’s thoroughness is evident in its output, generating 15 massive reports covering diverse administrative domains.
Key Reports and Modern Impact: The Second ARC’s reports heavily influence modern Indian governance and civil service exam syllabi. Notable reports include “Right to Information: Master Key to Good Governance” (which sought to strengthen the RTI Act), “Ethics in Governance,” “Combating Terrorism” (which laid the groundwork for the NIA), and “Local Governance,” making it a crucial study resource for UPSC and State PSC aspirants.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.12) The Sarkaria Commission, which extensively examined Centre-State relations, was appointed by the Government of India in which year?

Ans > 1983

Formation and Purpose: Set up by the central government in 1983 under the chairmanship of Justice R.S. Sarkaria (a retired Supreme Court judge), this three-member commission was the first comprehensive attempt to review the working of existing arrangements between the Union and the States. Its goal was to recommend changes within the constitutional framework to prevent federal friction.
The Crucial Role of the Governor: One of the most famous aspects of the Sarkaria Commission’s report was its detailed guidelines on the appointment and role of State Governors. It strongly recommended that a Governor should be an eminent figure from outside the state, a detached figure not intimately connected to local politics, and that they should not be dismissed arbitrarily just because a new party comes to power at the Centre.
Establishment of the Inter-State Council: Out of its 247 wide-ranging recommendations, the most significant institutional legacy of the Sarkaria Commission was its insistence on creating a permanent Inter-State Council under Article 263. This recommendation was eventually implemented by the V.P. Singh government in 1990 to foster better cooperation, coordination, and dialogue between the Centre and the various State governments.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.13) The Punchhi Commission, another landmark commission on Centre-State relations, was established in which year?

Ans > 2007

Updating the Federal Blueprint: The Government of India constituted the Punchhi Commission in April 2007, recognizing that India’s political and economic landscape had shifted dramatically since the Sarkaria Commission’s report two decades prior. Chaired by former Chief Justice of India Madan Mohan Punchhi, it aimed to review Centre-State relations in light of coalition politics, economic liberalization, and new internal security challenges.
Focus on Security and Communal Violence: A defining feature of the Punchhi Commission was its deep focus on internal security. It recommended sweeping constitutional amendments to allow the Union government to deploy central forces in states without state consent during severe communal violence, and it pushed for the creation of a powerful National Integration Council to tackle internal security threats collaboratively.
Reforming the Governor’s Office: The Commission took a strong stance on the office of the Governor, aiming to protect it from political whims. It recommended that Governors be given a fixed five-year tenure and that their removal should follow a strict impeachment process by the State Legislature, similar to the process used for removing the President of India, rather than serving merely “at the pleasure of the President.”

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.14) Which committee was appointed by the Government of India in 1962 to look into the prevention of corruption, leading to the establishment of the CVC?

Ans > Santhanam Committee

The Genesis of Anti-Corruption Infrastructure: In 1962, amidst growing public concern over corruption in the government machinery, Lal Bahadur Shastri (then Home Minister) appointed the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, famously chaired by K. Santhanam, an eminent parliamentarian. The committee’s mandate was to review existing anti-corruption measures and suggest practical steps to ensure integrity in public administration.
Birth of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC): The most critical outcome of the Santhanam Committee’s extensive report (submitted in 1964) was the recommendation to establish an independent apex vigilance institution. This directly led to the government setting up the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in 1964 via an executive resolution to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance.
Expansion of the CBI: Beyond the CVC, the Santhanam Committee profoundly impacted India’s investigative framework. It recommended the expansion of the existing Special Police Establishment (SPE) into a more robust, centralized agency with broader powers to investigate complex cases of bribery and corruption. This pivotal recommendation contributed heavily to the formal evolution and strengthening of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.15) The Vohra Committee was appointed in 1993 to study the problem of:

Ans > Criminalisation of politics and the nexus among criminals, politicians, and bureaucrats

Context of the 1993 Bombay Blasts: The Vohra Committee, headed by former Home Secretary N.N. Vohra, was urgently established in July 1993. This was in the immediate, shocking aftermath of the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts, which brutally exposed how organized crime syndicates had heavily infiltrated and compromised the Indian state apparatus and political system.
Exposing the Underworld Nexus: The Committee’s explosive mandate was to take stock of all available intelligence regarding the deep-rooted nexus between mafia organizations, armed criminal gangs, bureaucrats, police officials, and politicians. The report officially acknowledged that crime syndicates were practically running parallel governments, heavily influencing local elections, and operating with absolute impunity due to political patronage.
The Nodal Agency Recommendation: To combat this systemic rot, the Vohra Committee strongly recommended the creation of a high-level Nodal Agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This agency was envisioned to seamlessly collate, analyze, and act upon sensitive intelligence gathered from various agencies (like RAW, IB, and CBI) specifically targeting the criminal-political-bureaucratic nexus, ensuring rapid and coordinated action against these powerful syndicates.

📌 Civil Services • Reforms

Q.16) The Kothari Commission (1976) is primarily known for its recommendations regarding reforms in which sector of governance?

Ans > Civil Services Examination system

Distinguishing the Two Kothari Committees: It is vital for aspirants to distinguish between the famous 1964 Kothari Commission on Education and the 1976 Committee on Recruitment Policy and Selection Methods, also headed by the eminent scientist Dr. D.S. Kothari. The 1976 committee was strictly focused on completely overhauling the recruitment process for India’s premier civil services.
Birth of the Three-Tier Examination System: The most enduring legacy of the 1976 Kothari Committee is the structural foundation of the modern UPSC Civil Services Examination. It recommended replacing the old system with a rigorous, sequential three-stage process: a Preliminary examination (objective type) acting as a screening test, followed by a detailed Main examination (written/subjective), culminating in a rigorous Personality Test (Interview).
Unified Examination and Language Parity: The committee strongly advocated for a single, combined civil services examination for the IAS, IPS, and Central Services to ensure a unified standard of testing. Furthermore, it championed linguistic equity by recommending that candidates be allowed to answer the Main examination papers in any language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, democratizing access for non-English speakers.

📌 Civil Services • Reforms

Q.17) The Satish Chandra Committee (1989) was also appointed to review and recommend changes to which system?

Ans > Civil Services Examination

Evaluating the Kothari Reforms: A decade after the implementation of the Kothari Committee’s sweeping changes to the UPSC examination, the Union Public Service Commission appointed a committee in 1989 chaired by Prof. Satish Chandra (a former chairman of the UGC). The goal was to deeply review the effectiveness of the existing Civil Services Examination system and suggest structural course corrections.
Introduction of the Essay Paper: The Satish Chandra Committee identified a flaw in the testing methodology—candidates were excelling in rote learning but lacking holistic articulation. Consequently, it recommended the introduction of a compulsory “Essay” paper in the Mains examination. This was designed to rigorously test a candidate’s capacity to organize thoughts coherently, argue logically, and express complex ideas effectively.
Tweaking Marks and Interview Protocols: The committee also made several nuanced recommendations regarding the scoring matrix. It suggested adjustments to the age limits and the number of attempts permitted for candidates. Furthermore, it formalized the “Eighth Schedule” recommendation by allowing candidates to face the crucial final Interview (Personality Test) in their regional language, ensuring fair evaluation regardless of english fluency.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.18) The Y.K. Alagh Committee (2001) and the Hota Committee (2004) are associated with reforms in:

Ans > Civil Services

The Y.K. Alagh Committee (2001) – Foundation for CSAT: Appointed to review the recruitment framework, the Y.K. Alagh Committee fundamentally altered the Preliminary examination concept. It argued against testing optional subjects at the prelims stage and strongly recommended introducing an objective “Aptitude Test” to evaluate logical reasoning, data interpretation, and analytical skills. This directly paved the way for the introduction of the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) paper in 2011.
The Hota Committee (2004) – Focus on Post-Recruitment Performance: Chaired by P.C. Hota (former UPSC Chairman), this committee shifted focus from how civil servants are hired to how they are managed and evaluated after joining the service. The committee was acutely concerned with bureaucratic apathy, corruption, and the lack of accountability within the administrative machinery.
Recommendations for Mid-Career Evaluation: The Hota Committee recommended revolutionary concepts for the Indian bureaucracy, including rigorous mid-career training programs, leveraging modern information technology for e-governance, and performance-linked assessments. It controversially suggested mechanisms to compulsorily retire non-performing or corrupt officers after a 15-year service review to ensure the civil services remained efficient and meritocratic.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.19) Which committee on electoral reforms submitted its report in 1990 and recommended, among other things, the introduction of EVMs and the strengthening of the Election Commission?

Ans > Dinesh Goswami Committee

Formation by the National Front Government: In 1990, under the V.P. Singh-led National Front government, the Committee on Electoral Reforms was formed under the chairmanship of Dinesh Goswami, the then Law Minister. The committee was tasked with comprehensively addressing the deep flaws in the electoral system, particularly focusing on curbing money power, muscle power, and booth capturing.
Pioneering the EVM Era: One of the most technologically significant recommendations of the Dinesh Goswami Committee was its strong advocacy for the immediate introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The committee viewed EVMs as a critical tool to eradicate the rampant problems of ballot box stuffing, booth capturing, and invalid votes that plagued paper ballot elections at the time.
Strengthening the ECI and Anti-Defection Laws: The committee made sweeping legal recommendations, including amending the Anti-Defection Law to restrict the power of the Speaker and bring disqualification matters under the purview of the President/Governor based on the Election Commission’s binding advice. It also pushed for the Election Commission to be permanently made a multi-member body to ensure greater institutional independence.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.20) The Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) was constituted specifically to examine the feasibility of:

Ans > State funding of elections

Targeting Black Money in Politics: Constituted in 1998 during an era of high political instability, the Indrajit Gupta Committee (comprising leaders from various national parties) was specifically tasked with finding a viable solution to a massive democratic problem: the overwhelming dominance of illicit “black money” in election campaigns and the financial disadvantage faced by honest candidates.
Advocating for State Funding: The committee enthusiastically endorsed the concept of state funding of elections, arguing it was a justified public interest measure to establish a level playing field for political parties with fewer financial resources. It believed that taking the financial burden off candidates would severely reduce their reliance on corporate donations and criminal syndicates.
Funding ‘In-Kind’ Rather Than Cash: Crucially, while supporting state funding, the committee firmly concluded that the Indian economy could not support direct cash subsidies to parties. Instead, it recommended partial state funding “in kind”—such as providing recognized political parties with free government facilities like rent-free office space, free electoral rolls, and free broadcasting time on state-owned television and radio networks.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.21) The Justice J.S. Verma Committee (1999) was constituted to plan a strategy and methodology for operationalizing which part of the Constitution?

Ans > Fundamental Duties

Operationalizing Article 51A: The Justice J.S. Verma Committee was set up in 1999 with a highly specific mandate: to strategize ways to “operationalize” and actively teach the Fundamental Duties incorporated in Article 51A of the Constitution. The government realized that merely listing duties in the Constitution was ineffective without a deliberate strategy to instill them in the citizenry.
Focus on the Education System: The committee placed intense emphasis on the educational sector as the primary vehicle for transmitting constitutional values. It strongly recommended that Fundamental Duties shouldn’t be a standalone subject, but should be seamlessly integrated and interwoven into the existing school and university curricula to organically sensitize young minds toward their responsibilities as citizens.
Legal Enforceability Clarification: A vital contribution of the Verma Committee was its clarification regarding the legal backing of these duties. While Fundamental Duties are not directly enforceable via writs, the committee systematically documented how various existing laws (like the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and wildlife protection laws) already act as the legal enforcement mechanisms for several specific Fundamental Duties.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.22) Which committee’s recommendations formed the basis for the establishment of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2009?

Ans > Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)

The 8th Report on Terrorism: The foundation for India’s premier counter-terrorism agency was heavily shaped by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC). In its comprehensive 8th Report titled “Combating Terrorism – Protecting by Righteousness,” published in 2008, the Commission detailed the desperate need for a specialized, federal investigative framework to handle complex national security threats.
Advocating for a Federal Agency: The ARC explicitly recommended the creation of a specialized federal agency tasked exclusively with investigating major terrorist incidents, organized crime with cross-border linkages, and offenses threatening the sovereignty of India. It argued that state police forces, bound by jurisdictional limits and lacking advanced resources, could not effectively dismantle sophisticated pan-national terror networks.
Catalyst of the 26/11 Attacks: While the Second ARC provided the detailed intellectual and structural blueprint, it was the catastrophic 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 that provided the urgent political catalyst. Acting on the ARC’s framework, Parliament rapidly passed the National Investigation Agency Act in December 2008, formally establishing the NIA in early 2009 with sweeping nationwide jurisdiction.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.23) The R.V. Malimath Committee (2000) was constituted to recommend reforms in the:

Ans > Criminal Justice System

Overhauling an Archaic System: Established in 2000 under the chairmanship of Justice V.S. Malimath (former Chief Justice of the Karnataka and Kerala High Courts), the committee was given a massive mandate: to comprehensively review and suggest reforms for India’s century-old Criminal Justice System (IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act) to make it more efficient and attuned to modern realities.
Inquisitorial vs. Adversarial System: The committee’s most debated recommendation was its suggestion to borrow features from the “inquisitorial system” (used in France/Germany) and blend them into India’s British-inherited “adversarial system.” It argued that judges should not remain passive umpires but should proactively guide criminal investigations and question witnesses to aggressively search for the truth, rather than just relying on the prosecution’s presentation.
Focus on Victims’ Rights: The Malimath Committee famously shifted the focus of criminal jurisprudence toward the victims of crime, who are often marginalized in the Indian legal process. It strongly advocated for robust victim compensation schemes, giving victims the right to actively participate in criminal trials, and lowering the standard of proof required in certain cases to improve abysmal conviction rates.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.24) The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986), which strongly recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj institutions, was appointed during the prime ministership of:

Ans > Rajiv Gandhi

Revitalizing Grassroots Democracy: In 1986, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s government appointed a committee headed by the eminent jurist L.M. Singhvi. The committee’s specific mandate was to study the concept of “Revitalisation of Panchayati Raj Institutions for Democracy and Development” and suggest concrete measures to rescue local self-government from its moribund state.
The Demand for Constitutional Status: The Singhvi Committee made a historic diagnosis: Panchayati Raj institutions were failing primarily because they lacked constitutional protection, leading state governments to frequently suspend them or deny them funds. The committee’s most significant recommendation was that Panchayats must be explicitly recognized, protected, and preserved by a dedicated chapter in the Constitution of India.
Foundation for the 73rd Amendment: The committee also recommended regular, constitutionally mandated local elections and the establishment of Nyaya Panchayats (village courts) for clusters of villages to mediate local disputes. The intellectual framework provided by the L.M. Singhvi Committee served as the direct foundational blueprint for the historic 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, passed later in 1992.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.25) The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) was set up in 2000 under the chairmanship of:

Ans > Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah

A Review, Not a Rewrite: Set up in February 2000 by the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the NCRWC was tasked with a delicate mission. Its mandate was strictly to examine how the Constitution had functioned over the past 50 years and suggest administrative and legal reforms. The government explicitly mandated that the commission could not touch or alter the “basic structure” or the fundamental framework of the Constitution.
Leadership and Output: The Commission was headed by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, a highly respected former Chief Justice of India. Over two years, the commission engaged in exhaustive research and public consultation, eventually submitting a massive report in 2002 containing exactly 249 recommendations across various domains of governance, electoral laws, and fundamental rights.
Key Recommendations and Impact: The NCRWC made several influential recommendations that resonate today, including expanding Article 21 to explicitly include the Right to Education (later realized via the 86th Amendment), strengthening anti-defection laws by barring defectors from holding ministerial posts, and pushing for a comprehensive law to govern the liability of the State regarding torts committed by its servants.

📌 Constitution • Judiciary

Q.26) Who was the first Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India (established in 1937 under the Government of India Act of 1935)?

Ans > Sir Maurice Gwyer

Predecessor to the Supreme Court: The Federal Court of India, inaugurated in New Delhi on October 1, 1937, was a direct creation of the Government of India Act, 1935. It served as a critical institutional bridge, acting as the highest court in British India until the modern Supreme Court of India was established on January 28, 1950.
Sir Maurice Gwyer’s Tenure: Sir Maurice Gwyer, a distinguished British jurist who had played a key role in drafting the Government of India Act of 1935, was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Federal Court. He served in this pioneering role until 1943. His leadership was crucial in setting the initial high standards of judicial independence and jurisprudential rigor in the Indian federal system.
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court: Under Gwyer, the Federal Court exercised exclusive original jurisdiction over profound constitutional disputes between the central government and the various provinces or princely states. It also wielded appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals from the High Courts. Significantly, its judgments were highly respected and heavily relied upon when drafting the current Constitution of India.

📌 Judiciary • Landmark Cases

Q.27) The concept of the “Creamy Layer” among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was introduced by the Supreme Court in the landmark:

Ans > Indra Sawhney case (1992)

The Mandal Commission Challenge: The Indra Sawhney v. Union of India case (commonly known as the Mandal Commission case) is one of the most consequential judgments in Indian constitutional history. A nine-judge Supreme Court bench convened to examine the constitutional validity of the government’s highly controversial order implementing the Mandal Commission’s recommendation for 27% job reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Birth of the “Creamy Layer” Doctrine: While upholding the 27% OBC quota, the Supreme Court introduced the “Creamy Layer” doctrine. The Court forcefully ruled that advanced, socially and economically elevated sections within the OBCs—the “creamy layer”—must be completely excluded from the benefits of reservation. This was done to ensure the quota reaches the genuinely disadvantaged members of those communities.
The 50% Ceiling Limit: Beyond the creamy layer, the Indra Sawhney judgment laid down another ironclad constitutional rule: the total quantum of reserved quotas (SC, ST, and OBC combined) must not exceed a maximum cap of 50%. The Court clarified that Article 16(4) speaks of adequate representation, not proportionate representation, making the 50% rule a cornerstone of modern reservation jurisprudence.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.28) Which committee was appointed by the Government to identify the “Creamy Layer” among OBCs following the Supreme Court’s direction in the Indra Sawhney case?

Ans > Ram Nandan Committee

Operationalizing the Supreme Court’s Order: Following the momentous 1992 Indra Sawhney judgment, the Supreme Court directed the Union Government to establish a legal and empirical mechanism to separate the socio-economically advanced members of the OBCs from the disadvantaged ones. To fulfill this judicial mandate, the government appointed an expert committee headed by Justice Ram Nandan Prasad in 1993.
Establishing Income and Status Criteria: The Ram Nandan Committee was tasked with determining the specific economic and social criteria for defining the “creamy layer.” It submitted its report outlining detailed parameters based on income thresholds, property holdings, and the occupational status of parents (such as holding high-ranking constitutional posts, Group A/Class I officer positions, or possessing significant wealth).
Implementation and Periodic Revision: The government accepted the Ram Nandan Committee’s report, and its criteria formed the initial basis for issuing OBC non-creamy layer certificates. Crucially, the committee designed the income threshold to be dynamic, stipulating that the economic limit must be periodically revised every three years to account for inflation and changing economic realities.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.29) The Sachar Committee (2005) was commissioned to prepare a report on the social, economic, and educational condition of which community in India?

Ans > The Muslim community

Context of the Commission: Formed in 2005 by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, the High-Level Committee was chaired by Rajinder Sachar, a former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. The committee was specifically tasked with compiling the first comprehensive, data-driven report on the contemporary social, economic, and educational status of the Muslim community in India.
Startling Empirical Findings: The Sachar Committee submitted its massive 400-page report in 2006, revealing startling empirical data. It documented that the Indian Muslim community was facing severe systemic deprivation, lagging behind national averages on almost all human development indicators, including literacy rates, representation in elite civil services, police forces, and access to formal bank credit, placing them below even some historically marginalized groups in certain metrics.
Key Remedial Recommendations: To address this deep-rooted marginalization, the committee recommended sweeping systemic changes rather than simple reservations. It heavily advocated for the creation of an Equal Opportunity Commission to address discrimination complaints, targeted infrastructure development in minority-concentrated districts, and a major push to link Madrasa education with mainstream higher secondary school boards to improve employability.

📌 Committees & Commissions • Governance

Q.30) The Kaka Kalelkar Commission, appointed in 1953, was the First:

Ans > Backward Classes Commission

Constitutional Mandate under Article 340: Just a few years after independence, the President of India appointed the First Backward Classes Commission in January 1953, acting under the powers granted by Article 340 of the Constitution. The commission was chaired by Kaka Kalelkar, a prominent social reformer, and was tasked with identifying socially and educationally backward classes across the country and recommending steps to ameliorate their condition.
The Debate Over ‘Caste’ as a Criterion: The commission submitted its report in 1955, making the crucial decision to use ‘caste’ as the primary metric for determining social backwardness. It controversially listed thousands of specific castes as backward and recommended significant job reservations for them. This sparked intense internal and political debate about whether using caste would further entrench the divisive caste system in a newly democratic India.
Rejection of the Report: Ultimately, the Kaka Kalelkar Commission’s report was essentially shelved and rejected by the Central Government in 1961. The government concluded that relying solely on caste as a test of backwardness was practically flawed and unconstitutional, and that economic backwardness was a more appropriate metric. It took another two decades until the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Commission) resurrected the caste-based approach.

📌 Quick Summary — Polity Set 129

Article 129: Empowers the Supreme Court to punish for contempt of itself, designating it as a “Court of Record”.
Article 215: Declares every High Court to be a “Court of Record” with power to punish for its contempt.
Article 126: Allows the President to appoint a judge of the Supreme Court as Acting Chief Justice.
Article 127: Allows the CJI to appoint an ad hoc judge to meet quorum requirements.
Article 128: Permits the CJI to request a retired Judge to act as a Supreme Court Judge.
Article 222: Deals with the transfer of a Judge from one High Court to another by the President.
Article 223: Allows the President to appoint an Acting Chief Justice for a High Court.
Article 224: Empowers the President to appoint Additional Judges to High Courts for up to two years.
Article 235: Vests control over subordinate courts within the state to the High Court.
First ARC (1966): Initially chaired by Morarji Desai; recommended Lokpal and Lokayuktas.
Second ARC (2005): Chaired by Veerappa Moily; submitted detailed blueprints for revamping administration.
Sarkaria Commission (1983): Examined Centre-State relations and recommended the Inter-State Council.
Punchhi Commission (2007): Reviewed Centre-State relations focusing on internal security and governor roles.
Santhanam Committee (1962): Led to the establishment of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
Vohra Committee (1993): Studied the criminalisation of politics and nexus with bureaucrats.
Kothari Commission (1976): Laid the foundation for the 3-tier Civil Services Examination system.
Satish Chandra Committee (1989): Recommended the compulsory Essay paper in Civil Services Mains.
Alagh & Hota Committees: Associated with reforms in Civil Services (Prelims Aptitude & Performance).
Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990): Recommended the introduction of EVMs for electoral reforms.
Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998): Recommended partial State funding of elections “in-kind”.
Justice J.S. Verma Committee (1999): Planned the strategy for operationalizing Fundamental Duties.
Second ARC (NIA): Its 8th report laid the basis for establishing the National Investigation Agency in 2009.
R.V. Malimath Committee (2000): Recommended sweeping reforms in the Criminal Justice System.
L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj under Rajiv Gandhi.
NCRWC (2000): Chaired by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah to review the working of the Constitution.
Federal Court (1937): Sir Maurice Gwyer was the first Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India.
Creamy Layer: Concept was introduced by the Supreme Court in the 1992 Indra Sawhney case.
Ram Nandan Committee: Appointed to identify the “Creamy Layer” among OBCs.
Sachar Committee (2005): Reported on the social and educational condition of the Muslim community.
Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953): The First Backward Classes Commission setup under Article 340.

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Polity Set 129

Q.1) Which Article of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to punish for contempt of itself, designating it as a “Court of Record”?

Q.2) Which Article grants similar status to the High Courts, declaring every High Court to be a “Court of Record” with the power to punish for its contempt?

Q.3) If the office of the Chief Justice of India is vacant, the President can appoint a judge of the Supreme Court as the Acting Chief Justice under which Article?

Q.4) To meet the lack of a quorum of the permanent judges to hold or continue any session of the Supreme Court, an ad hoc judge can be appointed under Article 127 by the:

Q.5) Under Article 128, who can request a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court to act as a Judge of the Supreme Court for a temporary period?

Q.6) Which Article deals with the transfer of a Judge from one High Court to another High Court?

Q.7) If the office of the Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant, the President can appoint an Acting Chief Justice for that High Court under which Article?

Q.8) The President can appoint duly qualified persons as additional judges of a High Court for a temporary period not exceeding two years under which Article?

Q.9) Which Article vests the control over subordinate courts—including the posting and promotion of persons belonging to the judicial service of a State—in the High Court?

Q.10) The first Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up in 1966. Who was its initial chairman before he joined the Central Cabinet?

Q.11) The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was constituted in 2005 to prepare a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administrative system. It was chaired by:

Q.12) The Sarkaria Commission, which extensively examined Centre-State relations, was appointed by the Government of India in which year?

Q.13) The Punchhi Commission, another landmark commission on Centre-State relations, was established in which year?

Q.14) Which committee was appointed by the Government of India in 1962 to look into the prevention of corruption, leading to the establishment of the CVC?

Q.15) The Vohra Committee was appointed in 1993 to study the problem of:

Q.16) The Kothari Commission (1976) is primarily known for its recommendations regarding reforms in which sector of governance?

Q.17) The Satish Chandra Committee (1989) was also appointed to review and recommend changes to which system?

Q.18) The Y.K. Alagh Committee (2001) and the Hota Committee (2004) are associated with reforms in:

Q.19) Which committee on electoral reforms submitted its report in 1990 and recommended, among other things, the introduction of EVMs and the strengthening of the Election Commission?

Q.20) The Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) was constituted specifically to examine the feasibility of:

Q.21) The Justice J.S. Verma Committee (1999) was constituted to plan a strategy and methodology for operationalizing which part of the Constitution?

Q.22) Which committee’s recommendations formed the basis for the establishment of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2009?

Q.23) The R.V. Malimath Committee (2000) was constituted to recommend reforms in the:

Q.24) The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986), which strongly recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj institutions, was appointed during the prime ministership of:

Q.25) The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) was set up in 2000 under the chairmanship of:

Q.26) Who was the first Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India (established in 1937 under the Government of India Act of 1935)?

Q.27) The concept of the “Creamy Layer” among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was introduced by the Supreme Court in the landmark:

Q.28) Which committee was appointed by the Government to identify the “Creamy Layer” among OBCs following the Supreme Court’s direction in the Indra Sawhney case?

Q.29) The Sachar Committee (2005) was commissioned to prepare a report on the social, economic, and educational condition of which community in India?

Q.30) The Kaka Kalelkar Commission, appointed in 1953, was the First:

📌 Quick Summary — Polity Set 129

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Q.1) Which Article of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to punish for contempt of itself, designating it as a “Court of Record”?

Q.2) Which Article grants similar status to the High Courts, declaring every High Court to be a “Court of Record” with the power to punish for its contempt?

Q.3) If the office of the Chief Justice of India is vacant, the President can appoint a judge of the Supreme Court as the Acting Chief Justice under which Article?

Q.4) To meet the lack of a quorum of the permanent judges to hold or continue any session of the Supreme Court, an ad hoc judge can be appointed under Article 127 by the:

Q.5) Under Article 128, who can request a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court to act as a Judge of the Supreme Court for a temporary period?

Q.6) Which Article deals with the transfer of a Judge from one High Court to another High Court?

Q.7) If the office of the Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant, the President can appoint an Acting Chief Justice for that High Court under which Article?

Q.8) The President can appoint duly qualified persons as additional judges of a High Court for a temporary period not exceeding two years under which Article?

Q.9) Which Article vests the control over subordinate courts—including the posting and promotion of persons belonging to the judicial service of a State—in the High Court?

Q.10) The first Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up in 1966. Who was its initial chairman before he joined the Central Cabinet?

Q.11) The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was constituted in 2005 to prepare a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administrative system. It was chaired by:

Q.12) The Sarkaria Commission, which extensively examined Centre-State relations, was appointed by the Government of India in which year?

Q.13) The Punchhi Commission, another landmark commission on Centre-State relations, was established in which year?

Q.14) Which committee was appointed by the Government of India in 1962 to look into the prevention of corruption, leading to the establishment of the CVC?

Q.15) The Vohra Committee was appointed in 1993 to study the problem of:

Q.16) The Kothari Commission (1976) is primarily known for its recommendations regarding reforms in which sector of governance?

Q.17) The Satish Chandra Committee (1989) was also appointed to review and recommend changes to which system?

Q.18) The Y.K. Alagh Committee (2001) and the Hota Committee (2004) are associated with reforms in:

Q.19) Which committee on electoral reforms submitted its report in 1990 and recommended, among other things, the introduction of EVMs and the strengthening of the Election Commission?

Q.20) The Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) was constituted specifically to examine the feasibility of:

Q.21) The Justice J.S. Verma Committee (1999) was constituted to plan a strategy and methodology for operationalizing which part of the Constitution?

Q.22) Which committee’s recommendations formed the basis for the establishment of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2009?

Q.23) The R.V. Malimath Committee (2000) was constituted to recommend reforms in the:

Q.24) The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986), which strongly recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj institutions, was appointed during the prime ministership of:

Q.25) The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) was set up in 2000 under the chairmanship of:

Q.26) Who was the first Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India (established in 1937 under the Government of India Act of 1935)?

Q.27) The concept of the “Creamy Layer” among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was introduced by the Supreme Court in the landmark:

Q.28) Which committee was appointed by the Government to identify the “Creamy Layer” among OBCs following the Supreme Court’s direction in the Indra Sawhney case?

Q.29) The Sachar Committee (2005) was commissioned to prepare a report on the social, economic, and educational condition of which community in India?

Q.30) The Kaka Kalelkar Commission, appointed in 1953, was the First:

📌 Quick Summary — Polity Set 129

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