Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is 24.

• Union Health Ministry informed that in the last 24 days, India has become the fastest country to reach six million vaccinations in the world.
• USA took 26 days to reach the mark while UK took 46 days to reach six million vaccinations.
• So far 60 lakh 35 thousand and 660 beneficiaries have been vaccinated for COVID-19 since the launch of the vaccination drive on 16th of January 2021.

The correct answer is To promulgate the ordinance.

Mistake PointsAccording to the Official Answer key Given by CGPSC Option D is the answer.

Key Points

​Legislative Powers

• He can address the Parliament at the commencement of the first session after the general election and the first session of each year.
• He can summon a joint sitting (Art. 108) of both the Houses of Parliament which is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• President lays down reports of UPSC, CAG, Election Commission, Finance Commission, CVC etc. before the Parliament.
• President decides upon the question of disqualification of MPs (In anti-defection case – Presiding officer of the house)
• President’s previous recommendation or permission is needed for introducing bills in the Parliament which involves expenditure from Consolidated Fund of India, alternation of boundaries of states or creation of a new state
• When a bill is sent to the Parliament after it has been passed by the Parliament, the President can give his assent to the bill or withhold his assent to the bill or return the bill (if it’s not a Money Bill or a Constitutional Amendment Bill) for reconsideration of the Parliament.
• When a bill is passed by a State Legislature is reserved by the Governor for consideration of the President, the President can give his assent to the bill, or withhold his assent to the bill or direct the GOVERNOR to return the bill (if it’s not a money bill) for reconsideration of the State Legislature.
• President can promulgate ordinances (Art.123) when both the Houses of the Parliament are not in session. The ordinance are effective for a maximum period of 6 months and 6 weeks.

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

 Key Points

• The ECA was enacted in 1955.
• The act provides for the control of production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce in any farm good deemed “essential” and “in the interest of the general public”.
• The list of items under the Act includes drugs, fertilizers, pulses, and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products.

 Important Points

• If the Centre finds that a certain commodity is in short supply and its price is spiking, it can notify stock-holding limits on it for a specified period.
• The States act on this notification to specify limits and take steps to ensure that these are adhered to.
• Anybody trading or dealing in a commodity, be it wholesalers, retailers, or even importers are prevented from stockpiling it beyond a certain quantity.

 Additional Information

•  The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is aimed at deregulating commodities such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion, and potatoes.

The correct answer is Hardeep Singh Puri.

• Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri introduced the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Rajya Sabha on 8 February 2021.
• It will replace the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which was promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind on 30th December 2020.
• The 2011 Act was valid till December 31, 2020.
• The Ordinance extended the deadline to December 31, 2023.

The correct answer is 86th Amendment.

Key Points

• The Right to Education was inserted in the Indian Constitution by 86th Amendment.
  • The 86th amendment to the constitution of India in 2002, provided the Right to Education as a fundamental right in part-III of the Constitution.
  • The same amendment inserted Article 21A which made the Right to Education a fundamental right for children between 6-14 years.
  • The first official document on the Right to Education was Ramamurti Committee Report in 1990.

Additional Information

• 44th Amendment : 
  • 44th Amendment of the Constitution of India, officially known as the Constitution 1978, was enacted by the Janata Party.
    • It was introduced into the constitution by 45th Amendment Bill in the year 1978.
    • In 1976, with the introduction of the 42nd Amendment Act, there were various provisions that were amended against the will of the citizens hence, to reverse those changes and safeguard the interests of the nation, 44th Amendment Act was called into action.
    • The 44th Amendment of 1978 removed the right to property from the list of fundamental rights.
• 91st Amendment :
  • The maximum number of members in the council of Ministers has been capped at less than one-sixth of the total members of the primary house of the Union and the State Legislatures according to the 91st Amendment Act, 2003.
  • The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Central Council of Ministers, shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
  • The provision of the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) pertaining to an exemption from disqualification in case of split by one-third of members of the legislature party has been deleted. It means that the defectors have no more protection on grounds of splits.
• 31st Amendment:
  • The 31st Amendment of the Indian Constitution was all about changing the number of seats in Parliament.
  • This Amendment Act of 1972 increased the number of Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545.