GK Express of 26/02/2025

 Polity Coach

1) What is the Anti-Defection Law, and under which schedule does it fall? 

It prevents elected legislators from switching parties. It is included in the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which was added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985.

2) What is Collegium? 

The collegium system in India is a mechanism used for the appointment and transfer of judges in the supreme court and High courts. It was not mentioned in constitution but was established through supreme court judgements in 3 Three Judges Cases (1981, 1993, 1998)

It consists of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior most judges of the supreme court.

Attempt to remove collegium

In 2014 the National Judicial Appointments Commission was introduced to replace the collegium. But in 2015 the supreme court struck down NJAC, calling its unconstitutional and restored the collegium system.

3) Which was the first state to implement Panchayati Raj System in India? 

Rajasthan in 1959 as per the recommendations of Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

4) Who was the first women to be nominated for the Rajya Sabha?

Rukmini Devi Arundale

She contributed to animal welfare and education, founding Kalakshetra in Chennai in 1936, which remains a premier institution for Bharatanatyam and other traditional arts. Rukmini Devi declined the offer to become India's first female President in 1977 but continued advocating for cultural and ethical causes throughout her life.

5) Name the important statutory bodies in India? 

Financial & Economic Regulators

1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) – Regulates monetary policy and banking system (est. 1935).

2. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) – Regulates the stock market and protects investors (est. 1992).

3. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) – Oversees the insurance sector (est. 1999)

4. Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) – Regulates pension schemes like NPS (est. 2003).

Education & Research Organizations

5. University Grants Commission (UGC) – Regulates higher education and grants recognition to universities (est. 1956).

6. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) – Oversees technical education institutions (est. 1987).

7. National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) – Develops school curriculum and textbooks (est. 1961).

8. Medical Council of India (MCI) – Regulated medical education (replaced by National Medical Commission - NMC in 2020).

Social Welfare & Human Rights Bodies

9. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – Protects and promotes human rights (est. 1993).

10. National Commission for Women (NCW) – Works for women's rights and gender equality (est. 1992).

11. National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) – Protects SC rights (est. 2004).

12. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) – Protects ST rights (est. 2004).

Science & Environment Organizations

13. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – India’s space agency (est. 1969).

14. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Conducts scientific research (est. 1942).

15. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – Regulates pollution and environmental laws (est. 1974).

Infrastructure & Industrial Regulators

16. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) – Regulates telecom and broadcasting (est. 1997).

17. Competition Commission of India (CCI) – Ensures fair market competition (est. 2003).

18. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – Regulates food safety (est. 2006).

19. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) – Sets quality standards for products (est. 1986).

20. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) – Develops and maintains highways (est. 1988).

These statutory bodies operate under various Acts of Parliament and play a crucial role in governance, regulation, and policy implementation in India.

International relations 

6) Which alliance is seen as a counterweights to NATO?

Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which was formed by Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan etc in 2002.

7) What is the official currency of European Union (EU)?

Euro

8) Which African country was never colonized by any country?

Ethiopia

9) What is SCO?

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance founded in 2001. It was initially formed by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Over time, it expanded, with India and Pakistan joining in 2017 and Iran in 2023.

10) Which international treaty bans all nuclear explosions?

The Comprehensive Nuclear - Test - Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes. 

Constitution Coach

11) Name all the Constitutional bodies in India?

Constitutional Bodies in India

Constitutional bodies are established by the Indian Constitution and derive their authority directly from it. They cannot be removed or altered without a constitutional amendment.

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1. Election Commission of India (ECI)

Article: 324

Role: Conducts free and fair elections for Parliament, State Legislatures, and the President & Vice President of India.

Composition: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) & Election Commissioners.

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2. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Article: 315-323

Role: Conducts civil services and defense services exams for recruitment to top government posts (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.).

Composition: Chairman & members appointed by the President.

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3. State Public Service Commissions (SPSC)

Article: 315-323

Role: Conducts recruitment exams for state government services.

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4. Finance Commission (FC)

Article: 280

Role: Recommends financial distribution between the Center and States every five years.

Composition: Chairman & four members appointed by the President.

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5. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council

Article: 279A

Role: Governs GST-related policies and taxation.

Composition: Union Finance Minister (Chairperson) & state finance ministers.

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6. National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

Article: 338

Role: Protects the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes (SCs).

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7. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

Article: 338A

Role: Protects the rights and welfare of Scheduled Tribes (STs).

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8. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)

Article: 148

Role: Audits government accounts and ensures transparency in public expenditure.

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9. Attorney General of India (AGI)

Article: 76

Role: Chief legal advisor to the Government of India.

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10. Advocate General of State

Article: 165

Role: Legal advisor to the state government

These bodies are vital for India's governance, ensuring free elections, financial accountability, legal guidance.

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11. Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities

Article 350B

Promotes and protects the interests of linguistic minorities.

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12. Co-operative Societies

Article 243ZH-243ZT

Governs cooperative societies in India under state and central laws.