Polity Set 80
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📌 Judiciary • Family Courts
Q.1) The Family Courts Act, enacted to promote conciliation and secure speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs, was passed in the year:
Ans > 1984
- Legislative Intent: Enacted by Parliament in 1984 with the primary objective of promoting conciliation and securing the speedy settlement of disputes concerning marriage and family affairs, removing them from the highly adversarial atmosphere of traditional civil courts.
- Procedural Flexibility: Family Courts are not strictly bound by the rigid technical rules of the Code of Civil Procedure or the Indian Evidence Act, allowing them to formulate simplified procedures.
- Legal Representation Constraints: To maintain a cooperative environment, the Act restricts the automatic right to legal representation.
- Jurisdiction Scope: The jurisdiction comprehensively covers decrees of nullity of marriage, restitution of conjugal rights, judicial separation, divorce, property disputes, and child custody.
📌 Judiciary • Gram Nyayalayas
Q.2) The Gram Nyayalayas Act, providing for the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas at the grass roots level, was passed in the year:
Ans > 2008
- Grassroots Justice: Enacted in 2008, designed to provide access to justice at the citizen’s doorstep and ensure justice is not denied due to social or economic disabilities.
- Composition and Appointment: Headed by a Nyayadhikari possessing the qualifications of a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class, appointed by the State Government in consultation with the High Court.
- Mobile Courts Structure: Designed to function as mobile courts operating at the Panchayat level, reducing travel and expenses for rural populations.
- Conciliation Priority: Primary procedural focus is to settle disputes amicably through conciliation mechanisms before resorting to formal adjudication.
📌 Judiciary • Jurisdiction
Q.3) Under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, a Gram Nyayalaya has jurisdiction over:
Ans > Both civil and criminal cases
- Dual Jurisdiction Power: Highly unique in the lower judiciary system because it exercises both civil and criminal jurisdiction as a single window for rural dispute resolution.
- Criminal Case Scope: Authorized to try minor offenses and violations specifically listed in the First Schedule of the Act.
- Civil Case Scope: Handles suits explicitly specified in the Second Schedule, encompassing common rural litigations like minor property disputes and wage claims.
- Summary Trial Mechanism: Mandated to utilize swift summary trial procedures guided heavily by the principles of natural justice.
📌 Judiciary • Lok Adalats
Q.4) The institution of Lok Adalats was given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act in the year:
Ans > 1987
- Statutory Backing: Initially operated as voluntary agencies, they were formally conferred statutory status by the Legal Services Authorities Act in 1987.
- Constitutional Mandate: Fulfills the constitutional mandate under Article 39A (Directive Principles of State Policy) to secure equal justice and free legal aid.
- Nature of Cases: Handles both pre-litigation matters and pending court cases, primarily compoundable criminal offenses, family disputes, and accident claims.
- Structural Composition: A bench consists of a sitting or retired judicial officer acting as chairman, alongside practicing lawyers or social workers.
📌 Judiciary • Lok Adalats
Q.5) Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, an award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is:
Ans > Final and binding on all parties, and no appeal lies against it in any court
- Finality of the Award: Statutorily deemed to be a decree of a civil court, carrying the same legal weight and enforceability as a traditional judgment.
- No Appellate Mechanism: Rooted in mutual compromise, the law mandates no appeal lies against the award in any higher court, preventing endless litigation.
- Consent-Based Adjudication: Lok Adalats do not force decisions; awards are strictly voluntary. If conciliation fails, the case returns to the regular court.
- Refund of Court Fees: If a pending legal case is successfully settled, the originally paid court fee is fully refunded.
📌 Anti-Corruption • CVC
Q.6) The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was established in 1964. It was conferred statutory status by the Parliament in the year:
Ans > 2003
- Initial Formation Context: Set up in 1964 by an executive resolution based on the recommendations of the K. Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption.
- Statutory Elevation: Operated without a legislative backbone until the CVC Act of 2003, driven by the Supreme Court’s directive in the Vineet Narain case.
- Advisory and Supervisory Role: Acts as the apex vigilance institution, free of executive control, advising central authorities on vigilance work.
- Multi-Member Composition: Consists of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (chairperson) and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners, appointed by the President.
📌 Investigation • CBI
Q.7) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It derives its power to investigate from the:
Ans > Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946
- Historical Origins: Traces back to the Special Police Establishment (SPE) created in 1941 to investigate bribery during World War II.
- Statutory Framework: The CBI does not have its own dedicated act; it derives all investigative powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act of 1946.
- Jurisdictional Limits: Requires the “general consent” of respective State Governments to investigate crimes within state borders, as police is a state subject.
- Role and Scope: Evolved from purely anti-corruption into India’s premier investigating agency for high-profile economic offenses and special crimes.
📌 Investigation • CBI Director
Q.8) The Director of the CBI has been provided a secure two-year tenure by the:
Ans > Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003
- Tenure Security Mandate: The CVC Act of 2003 legally mandated a minimum secured tenure of two years for the CBI Director, regardless of superannuation date.
- Supreme Court Directive: Institutionalized following the Vineet Narain judgment to thoroughly insulate the agency from arbitrary political interference and abrupt transfers.
- Appointment Committee: Appointed on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the PM, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India.
- Recent Legislative Amendments: The DSPE Act was recently amended to allow the government to extend the Director’s tenure piecemeal up to five years.
📌 Executive Bodies • NITI Aayog
Q.9) The Vice-Chairperson of the NITI Aayog is appointed by the Prime Minister. What rank does the Vice-Chairperson hold?
Ans > Cabinet Minister
- Executive Status and Rank: Granted the prestigious rank and equivalent status of a full Cabinet Minister in the Government of India.
- Role and Functional Authority: Functions as the de facto executive head driving daily policy coordination, strategic planning, and implementation.
- Appointment Mechanism: Directly appointed by the Prime Minister; as NITI Aayog is an executive body, this doesn’t require parliamentary confirmation.
- Historical and Current Figures: Economist Arvind Panagariya was the first Vice-Chairperson in 2015, helping foster cooperative federalism.
📌 Human Rights • NHRC
Q.10) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in 1993. Following the 2019 amendment, who is eligible to be appointed as the chairperson of the NHRC?
Ans > A retired Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court
- Expanded Eligibility Pool: The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019 broadened eligibility from strictly a retired CJI to include any retired Supreme Court Judge.
- Revised Term Limits: The 2019 amendment reduced the term of office from five years to three years, or until they attain the age of 70 years.
- High-Level Appointment Process: Appointed by the President on the recommendation of a six-member committee headed by the Prime Minister.
📌 Human Rights • SHRC
Q.11) The chairperson of a State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) should be a:
Ans > Retired Chief Justice of a High Court or a Judge of a High Court
- State Level Protection Mandate: SHRCs investigate human rights violations pertaining exclusively to subjects in the State List and Concurrent List.
- Amended Eligibility Criteria: Relaxed by the 2019 amendment; previously restricted to a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, now a retired Judge is equally eligible.
- Appointment vs. Removal Anomaly: Appointed by the Governor but can only be formally removed by the President of India.
- Tenure: Holds office for a term of exactly three years or until attaining the age of 70.
📌 Transparency • CIC
Q.12) The Central Information Commission (CIC) was created in 2005 under the RTI Act. The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee headed by the:
Ans > Prime Minister
- Selection Committee Structure: Consists of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM.
- Statutory Autonomy: Functions autonomously as the highest appellate authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
- Reappointment Restrictions: The Chief Information Commissioner is strictly not eligible for reappointment.
- Recent Legal Amendments: The RTI (Amendment) Act of 2019 empowered the Central Government to dynamically determine their term and salary.
📌 Anti-Corruption • Lokpal
Q.13) The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 seeks to establish the institution of the Lokpal at the Centre. What percentage of the members of the Lokpal must be judicial members?
Ans > 50%
- Strict Composition Ratio: The Lokpal consists of a chairperson and up to eight members. The Act explicitly mandates exactly 50% must be judicial members.
- Demographic Representation: Additionally mandates that at least 50% of members must belong to SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and women.
- Judicial Qualifications: A judicial member must have served as a former Chief Justice of India, Supreme Court Judge, or Chief Justice of a High Court.
- High-Level Mandate: Inquires into serious corruption allegations against high-ranking public functionaries, including Prime Ministers and MPs.
📌 Anti-Corruption • Lokayukta
Q.14) Which state was the first to establish the institution of Lokayukta in India (in 1971)?
Ans > Maharashtra
- Pioneering State: Maharashtra established the institution of the Lokayukta in 1971, officially becoming the first state in India to implement it.
- Primary Function: Acts as an independent investigative body to probe grievances and corruption allegations against state public servants and ministers.
- Advisory Nature: Recommendations are traditionally advisory; the state government isn’t strictly bound but requires detailed justification for rejection.
- Historical Inspiration: Inspired by the recommendations of the First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966-70), headed by Morarji Desai.
📌 Anti-Corruption • Lokayukta
Q.15) Although Maharashtra was the first to establish the Lokayukta, which state was the first to PASS the Lokayukta Act in 1970 (though it established the institution much later in 1983)?
Ans > Odisha
- Legislative Chronology: Odisha is the first state to formally pass the enabling legislation via the Odisha Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in 1970.
- Implementation Delay: Due to bureaucratic hurdles, the actual institution in Odisha did not become functional until 1983.
- Structural Variations: Unlike the central Lokpal, the legislative structure and investigative powers vary significantly from state to state based on local acts.
📌 Language Policy • Official Language
Q.16) The Official Languages Act, 1963, provided for the continued use of which language (in addition to Hindi) for all official purposes of the Union even after 1965?
Ans > English
- Initial Deadline: Article 343 stipulated Hindi as the official language but allowed English for a transitional period of 15 years (until 1965).
- Widespread Protests: Severe agitations erupted in non-Hindi speaking states (notably Tamil Nadu) against forced imposition of Hindi.
- Continued Bilingualism: The 1963 Act allowed the indefinite continuation of English alongside Hindi for all official purposes of the Union.
- Mandatory Communication Protocols: Ensures bilingualism in governance, requiring English translations for central acts, rules, and formal communications.
📌 Language Policy • Commissions
Q.17) Under Article 344, the President appointed the first Official Language Commission in 1955 under the chairmanship of:
Ans > B.G. Kher
- Constitutional Provision: Appointed by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad under Article 344 to assess language policies.
- Leadership: Expertly chaired by B.G. Kher, prominent leader and former Chief Minister of Bombay State.
- Core Mandate: Tasked with recommending the progressive, phased use of Hindi for official Union purposes while restricting English.
- Parliamentary Review: Its 1956 report was reviewed by a Parliamentary Committee led by Home Minister Govind Ballabh Pant.
📌 Language Policy • Classical Languages
Q.18) In 2004, the Government of India decided to create a new category of languages called “classical languages.” Which was the first language to be declared a classical language in 2004?
Ans > Tamil
- Creation of a New Category: Established in 2004 to protect and promote India’s incredibly ancient linguistic heritage.
- First Inaugural Inductee: Due to its vast and unbroken literary tradition, Tamil was the inaugural language granted this status.
- Strict Criteria: Requires high antiquity (1500-2000 years), ancient heritage literature, and an original literary tradition not borrowed from another community.
- Benefits: Brings substantial financial benefits, dedicated centers of excellence, international awards, and specialized university chairs.
📌 Language Policy • Classical Languages
Q.19) Which language was the latest to be declared a “classical language” in 2014 (as per the text)?
Ans > Odia
- Timeline of Addition: Based on the historical timeline up to 2014, Odia was granted classical status, making it the sixth Indian language to receive this designation.
- Unique Linguistic Roots: Odia possesses original linguistic elements with no direct resemblance to Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali, or Telugu in its earliest historical forms.
- Historical Evidence Base: The language’s remarkable antiquity is heavily supported by archaeological and historical inscriptions tracing back to the 3rd century BC.
- Recent Updates: Note that the Union Cabinet massively expanded this list in October 2024 by adding Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese.
📌 Constitution • Review Commission
Q.20) The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) was set up by the Government of India in 2000. It was chaired by:
Ans > M.N. Venkatachaliah
- Commission Purpose: Established by the NDA government in 2000 to comprehensively review the working of the Constitution and suggest improvements without altering its “basic structure.”
- High-Profile Leadership: The 11-member commission was headed by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, a highly respected former Chief Justice of India.
- Scope of Inquiry: Examined electoral reforms, parliamentary stability, fundamental rights expansion, and socio-economic justice.
- Key Recommendations: Advocated incorporating fundamental duties deeper into daily life, electoral funding reforms, and a National Judicial Appointments Commission.
📌 Amendments • Co-operatives
Q.21) Part IX-B dealing with Co-operative Societies was added by the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act (2011). Which new Directive Principle of State Policy was also added to promote co-operative societies?
Ans > Article 43B
- Constitutional Integration: The 97th Amendment radically elevated the status of co-operatives by providing them robust constitutional protection.
- New DPSP Addition: Article 43B directs the State to actively promote the voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, and democratic control of co-operative societies.
- Democratic Management: Encourages professional management in these societies and boosts community-driven economic activities.
- Part IX-B Inclusion: Outlines structural terms of board members, election procedures, and stringent financial audit requirements.
📌 Amendments • Fundamental Rights
Q.22) The 97th Amendment Act also amended Article 19(1)(c) to make the right to form co-operative societies a:
Ans > Fundamental Right
- Fundamental Elevation: Historically included the phrase “co-operative societies” in Article 19(1)(c), elevating the right to form them to a Fundamental Right.
- Freedom of Association: Strengthened the citizen’s constitutional right to form associations and organize economically without arbitrary government interference.
- Empowerment Focus: Designed to protect co-operatives from unnecessary political interference that plagued state-level societies.
- Judicial Scrutiny Context: In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down certain procedural provisions of the 97th Amendment but explicitly upheld the Fundamental Right aspect.
📌 Amendments • Elections
Q.23) The voting age in India was reduced from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act in the year:
Ans > 1988
- Massive Demographic Shift: Reduced the voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 21 down to 18 years.
- Youth Political Empowerment: Introduced during the Rajiv Gandhi government with the explicit purpose of involving the unrepresented youth in democracy.
- Article 326 Modification: Amended Article 326 of the Constitution, which deals directly with elections based on adult suffrage.
- Implementation Timeline: Passed by Parliament in 1988, officially came into legal force in March 1989.
📌 Elections • Electoral Tech
Q.24) Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were used for the first time in 1982 in a by-election to the Parur assembly constituency in the state of:
Ans > Kerala
- Initial Technological Experimentation: The Election Commission introduced EVMs on a trial basis in May 1982 to modernize the slow paper ballot system.
- Constituency Specifics: Utilized in 50 polling stations during a by-election in the Parur assembly constituency in Kerala.
- Legal Hurdle: The Supreme Court eventually struck down that election because the Representation of the People Act, 1951, lacked provisions permitting EVMs.
- Legislative Fix: Parliament amended the Representation of the People Act in 1989 to create an airtight legal framework for EVMs.
📌 Elections • Electoral Tech
Q.25) EVMs were used for the first time in the ENTIRE state for general elections to the state legislative assembly in 1999 in:
Ans > Goa
- Statewide Rollout Milestone: In 1999, Goa became the very first state to conduct its entire Legislative Assembly elections exclusively utilizing EVMs.
- Technological Transition: Marked a massive transition away from the highly vulnerable traditional ballot paper system, eliminating invalid votes.
- Efficiency Gains: Drastically reduced the logistical time required for counting votes from several days down to mere hours.
- Nationwide Adoption: EVMs were subsequently deployed universally across all constituencies for the 2004 Lok Sabha general elections.
📌 Elections • VVPAT
Q.26) The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system was first used in 2013 in the Noksen assembly constituency in the state of:
Ans > Nagaland
- Audit Trail Introduction: VVPAT was introduced to provide a physical paper slip confirming the candidate a citizen voted for, enhancing transparency.
- Initial Historic Deployment: First utilized during a highly watched by-election in the Noksen assembly constituency in Nagaland in September 2013.
- Supreme Court Mandate: Widespread adoption was driven directly by a 2013 Supreme Court ruling stating that a “paper trail” is an indispensable requirement.
- Mechanism: A printed slip remains visible behind a glass window for exactly seven seconds before automatically falling into a sealed box.
📌 Elections • Voter Rights
Q.27) Following a Supreme Court directive, the Election Commission introduced the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option on EVMs in which year?
Ans > 2013
- Voter Choice Expansion: NOTA was introduced to give voters the right to officially register a negative opinion or reject all candidates without compromising ballot secrecy.
- Judicial Directive: Implemented following a landmark Supreme Court judgment in 2013 (PUCL vs. Union of India case).
- Symbol Integration: The EC designed a specific symbol (a ballot paper with a black cross) permanently placed as the last button on all EVMs.
- Electoral Impact: While indicating massive dissatisfaction, a high NOTA count legally does not invalidate the election or force a re-election.
📌 Elections • Political Funding
Q.28) To cleanse the system of political funding, the Government of India introduced the Electoral Bond Scheme. In which Union Budget was it announced?
Ans > 2017-18
- Budgetary Announcement: Introduced during the Union Budget 2017-18 by then-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
- Financial Instrument: Designed as bearer banking instruments resembling promissory notes with absolutely no interest, purchased from authorized SBI branches.
- Anonymity Feature: Allowed corporate entities and individuals to fund political parties completely anonymously; bonds did not carry the donor’s name.
- Supreme Court Abolition: In a historic judgment in February 2024, a five-judge Constitution bench unanimously struck down the Scheme as unconstitutional.
📌 Foreign Policy • Bilateral Agreements
Q.29) The historic ‘Panchsheel’ (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) agreement was signed in 1954 between India and which country?
Ans > China
- Diplomatic Framework: Signed on April 29, 1954, it established principles governing relations between India and the Tibet region of China.
- The Five Principles: Included mutual respect for territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference, equality/mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
- Historical Architects: Championed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai during a period of post-colonial solidarity.
- Subsequent Context: While initially promoting Afro-Asian solidarity, border disputes eventually escalated into the devastating 1962 Sino-Indian War.
📌 Foreign Policy • Strategic Relations
Q.30) India’s “Look East” policy, aimed at cultivating extensive economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asia, was launched in 1992 by which Prime Minister?
Ans > P.V. Narasimha Rao
- Strategic Global Pivot: Launched in 1992 during a massive global geopolitical shift following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- Economic Integration Focus: Targeted deep economic, commercial, and strategic integration with the “tiger economies” of Southeast Asia (ASEAN).
- Regional Counter-Balancing: Served as a crucial strategic geopolitical counterweight to the rapidly growing influence of China within the Asia-Pacific.
- Evolution to Act East: Under PM Narendra Modi starting in 2014, the framework was officially upgraded to the more proactive “Act East Policy.”
📌 Quick Summary — Polity Set 80
- Family Courts (1984): Promotes rapid conciliation in matrimonial disputes outside traditional courts.
- Gram Nyayalayas (2008): Grassroots mobile courts with both civil & criminal jurisdiction.
- Lok Adalats: Gained statutory status in 1987; their awards are final and binding civil decrees.
- Central Vigilance Commission: Established 1964; gained statutory status via the CVC Act, 2003.
- CBI Power Base: Investigates using authority granted by the DSPE Act, 1946; director gets 2-year tenure (CVC Act).
- NITI Aayog: The Vice-Chairperson is appointed directly by the PM and holds Cabinet Minister rank.
- Human Rights Commissions: Post-2019, any retired Supreme Court Judge can lead NHRC, and any retired High Court Judge can lead SHRC.
- Central Information Commission: Appointments recommended by a PM-led committee.
- Anti-Corruption Ombudsman: Lokpal requires 50% judicial members; Maharashtra created the first Lokayukta (1971), Odisha passed the first Act (1970).
- Official Languages: 1963 Act allowed English to continue indefinitely; B.G. Kher chaired the first commission (1955).
- Classical Languages: Tamil was the first (2004); Odia added in 2014 based on unique linguistic roots.
- Constitutional Review: M.N. Venkatachaliah led the 2000 NCRWC without altering basic structure.
- Co-operatives (97th Amend): Granted Fundamental Right status (19(1)(c)) and DPSP promotion (43B).
- Voting Age: 61st Amendment (1988) drastically reduced enfranchisement age from 21 to 18.
- EVM Journey: Piloted in Kerala (1982), rolled out statewide in Goa (1999).
- Voter Choice: VVPAT debuted in Nagaland (2013); NOTA introduced on EVMs the same year by SC order.
- Electoral Bonds: Introduced in 2017-18 Budget for anonymous funding; struck down as unconstitutional in 2024.
- Foreign Policy: Panchsheel signed with China in 1954; “Look East” launched by P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1992.
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