Solution (d)

Basic Info:

The Central Administrative Tribunal was established under Article 323 – A of the Constitution for the adjudication of disputes and complaints relating to the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with Union affairs or other authorities under the control of the Government.

In India, the Central Administrative Tribunal has 17 benches and 21 circuit benches. In addition to Central Government Ministries and Departments, the Government of India has notified 214 organisations under Section 14 (2) of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, bringing them under the jurisdiction of the Central Administrative Tribunal.

The CAT has initial jurisdiction over recruiting and other service problems involving public servants. It has control over all-India services, Central civil services, civil jobs under the Centre, and civilian defence employees. It does not, however, cover members of the armed forces, officers and servants of the Supreme Court, and Parliament’s secretarial staff.

Originally, appeals against CAT orders could only be filed in the Supreme Court, not the lower courts. However, in the Chandra Kumar case (1997), the Supreme Court determined this restriction on the high courts power to be unconstitutional, saying that judicial review is a fundamental feature of the Constitution. It stipulated that appeals against CAT orders would be heard by the division bench of the relevant high court.

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

The Central Information Commission shall be composed of the Chief Information Commissioner and as many Central Information Commissioners as may be judged necessary, not to exceed ten.

The President will appoint the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners based on a committee’s proposal.

• The Prime Minister, who will serve as the committee’s Chairperson;
• the Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition;
• The Prime Minister will nominate a Union Cabinet Minister.

The Chief Information Commissioner or an Information Commissioner may not be a Member of Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union territory, as the case may be, or hold any other profit-making office, be affiliated with any political party, or engage in any business or profession.

The Chief Information Commissioner or an Information Commissioner may resign from his position at any time by writing to the President under his hand.

The Central Government may prescribe the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners, as well as the State Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioners.

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

In March 2009, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) was formally created under the Competition Act, 2002 for the administration, implementation, and enforcement of the Act.

The Act outlaws anti-competitive agreements, enterprise abuse of dominant position, and mergers and acquisitions (acquisition, control, and M&A) that have or are likely to have a significant adverse effect on competition in India. The Commission’s objectives are listed below.

• To avoid practices from having an adverse effect on competition.
• To encourage and sustain competition in markets.
• To protect the interests of consumers and
• To guarantee freedom of trade

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is in charge of enforcing the Competition Act of 2002, which aims to prevent anticompetitive conduct, promote and sustain market competition, and safeguard consumer interests through a commission established under the Act. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has an attached office.

The Essential Commodities Act regulates hoarding in general.

The Commission is also mandated to provide an opinion on competition matters in response to a referral from a governmental entity formed under any law, as well as to engage in competition advocacy, public awareness, and training. The Central Government appoints a Chairperson and six members to the CCI.

Solution (a)

Basic Info:

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2015 modifies some provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The following are the key provisions of the Amendment Act:

• The Amendment eliminates discretion in granting mineral concessions. They separate state governments give all mining concessions. They will continue to do so, but all mineral concessions will be granted through auctions alone, bringing greater openness and removing discretion. This also indicates that the mining sector will contribute more to the government. The tenure of mining concessions has been extended from 30 years to 50 years.
• Following that, all Mining Leases would be auctioned off (rather being renewed as in the previous arrangement).
• Section 9 (B) of the Amendment Act requires the establishment of a District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in all districts where mining occurs to care for people and areas harmed by mining.
• The central government will establish the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) for regional and comprehensive mine exploration. Licensees and leaseholders must pay the DMF one-third of the royalty specified by the national government, and the NMET two percent of the royalty.
• All offences under the Act will now carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison or a fine of Rs. 5.00 lakhs per hectare. State governments are also permitted to establish Special Courts to expedite the prosecution of offences under the Act.
• Section 20 A empowers the Central Government to set timelines for different activities and provide binding directives to states.
• Section 11 (B) directs the Central Government to develop specific rules for atomic minerals.
• Except for Atomic Minerals Amendment to Section 5(1), prior permission of the Central Government shall not be necessary for the grant of mineral concession.
• Concessions gained through auctions must be easily transferable in order to stimulate private investment and FDI (Section 12 (A)).

Solution (a)

Basic Info:
 About CBI

• It is the Central Government’s primary investigative agency. It is critical in the prevention of corruption and the maintenance of administrative integrity.
• It was established in 1963 by a Ministry of Home Affairs resolution. It was afterwards transferred to the Ministry of Personnel, and it now has the status of an affiliated office.
• It is not a statutory body. It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

Director, CBI

• He is an Inspector General of Police in the Delhi Special Police Establishment.
• Prior to the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013, the CBI director was appointed under the DSPE Act. The Lokpal Act now regulates the CBI director’s appointment.
• The Central Government will appoint the Director of the CBI based on the recommendations of a three-member committee comprised of:
• Prime Minister as Chairperson
• Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
• Chief Justice of India or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him.

 He has been given security of two-year tenure in CBI under the CVC Act, 2003

Solution (b)

Basic Info:

The 2019 Consumer Protection Act aims to offer prompt and effective administration and resolution of consumer issues. It is intended to replace the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.

The following are key characteristics of the new Act:

Consumer rights: The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 defined a total of six consumer rights, which are as follows: (Right to Safety, Right to be Informed, Right to Choose, Right to be Heard, Right to Seek redressal, Right to Consumer Education).

In addition to current consumer rights, the new Act includes the following new consumer rights:

• The right to know about several characteristics of a product or service, such as its quality, quantity, potency, purity, price, and standard.
• The ability to file a complaint from any location. Consumers can now make a complaint with the District Consumer Commission or the State Consumer Commission from anywhere, including their home, office, or even on a weekend getaway, under this new entitlement. Previously, consumers could only file a case in the location where the product was purchased or where the vendor of the product had his registered office.
• Right to seek compensation under product liability. The Act proposes product liability rules under which a manufacturer or service provider must compensate a consumer if their goods or services cause injury or loss to the consumer as a result of a manufacturing defect or inadequate service.
• The definition of “consumer” has been expanded under the New Act. A consumer is described as someone who buys products or receives a service in exchange for money. It excludes anyone who obtains a product for resale or a product or service for commercial purposes. It includes transactions conducted both offline and online, including teleshopping, multi-level marketing, and direct selling.
• E-commerce now falls under the purview of the law and will be subject to all of the same rules that apply to direct selling.
• The Act requires the formation of a central regulator, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), to address consumer rights issues, unfair trade practises, deceptive ads, and to levy fines for selling faulty and counterfeit goods.
• District, state, and national Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (CDRCs) will be established.
• The Act includes an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) system. Referral to Consumer Forum Mediation whenever there is a possibility of early resolution and the parties agree to it. There is no way to challenge the mediation deal.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

In 2011, the 97^th  Constitutional Amendment Act granted cooperative societies constitutional standing and protection. In this context, it made the following three constitutional amendments:

• It established the right to establish cooperative societies as a fundamental right (Article 19).
• It incorporated a new State Policy Directive Principle on the Promotion of Cooperative Societies (Article 43-B).
• It created a new Part IX-B of the Constitution, titled “Cooperative Societies” (Article 243-ZH to 243-ZT).

Election of members to a Cooperative Society’s board of directors: A board election must be held prior to the end of the board’s term to ensure that newly elected members take office immediately after the term of the outgoing board members expires.

The preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to a co-operative society shall be under the supervision, guidance, and control of such body as the state legislature may provide.

Solution (a)

Basic Info:

• The Right to Information Act of 2005 mandates the establishment of a State Information Commission in addition to the Central Information Commission.
• The Central and State Information Commissions are powerful independent bodies that investigate complaints and make decisions on appeals.
• They hear complaints and appeals about the Central Government, State Governments, and Union Territories’ offices, financial institutions, and public sector undertakings, among other things.

The recently implemented Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019 requires the Central Government to prescribe the following:

• Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners’ periods of office, salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service
• The State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioners are in charge of information.

The President/Governor will continue to select people to the above positions based on the recommendations of a committee that comprises the following members:

• Prime Minister/Chief Minister as Chairperson
• Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha/State Assembly
• Union/State Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM/CM

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

The Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) is a Reserve Bank of India-registered Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) and Representative Body of Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs). FIDC, which serves as a voluntary Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO), has a Code of Conduct for its members and has made every attempt to bridge the communication gap between the regulator and the regulated.

• FIDC was established in 2004 and is the most well-known face of NBFCs, particularly those involved in asset and loan financing.
• Small, medium, and large NBFCs are represented on the FIDC Managing Committee. The Managing Committee meets at least once every quarter in the major cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and other locations that are rotated. It ’s headquarter is in Mumbai.

Key activities it undertakes:

• For many years, the Finance Minister has invited me to participate in pre-budget discussions.
• Invited by the Governor/Deputy Governor and other senior RBI officials to discuss policy and oversight issues.
• Invited by the RBI to speak to senior state government officials and state police officers.
• Invited to the P.M. by the Economic Advisory Council to explore strategies to increase credit offtake in retail lending.
• Invited by all relevant Expert Committees / Task Forces established by the Government of India / Reserve Bank of India
• Parliamentary Standing Committees on Finance, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and Taxation invited me to speak.
• Legislative enactments/amendments under the SARFAESI Act.
• Invited to speak at the most prestigious national and international conferences and conventions
• Print and electronic media invited me to be a spokesperson and participate in a panel discussion on various topics.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was founded under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidated different acts and regulations that dealt with food-related issues in various Ministries and Departments previously.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established to establish science-based standards for food articles and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to assure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

The Administrative Ministry for FSSAI implementation is the Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Government of India has already nominated the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Chairperson holds the position of Secretary to the Indian Government.

FSSAI’s Repurpose Spent Cooking Oil initiative enables the conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel, preventing the diversion of used cooking oil into the food chain, which is a health danger.

In October 2016, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) implemented the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2016 to fortify staples such as Wheat Flour and Rice (with Iron, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid), Milk and Edible Oil (with Vitamins A and D), and Double Fortified Salt (with Iodine and Iron) in order to combat India’s high rate of micronutrient malnutrition. To distinguish fortified foods, the ‘+F’ logo has been notified.

Solution (a)

Basic Info:

A party is recognised as a state party in a state if one or more of the following conditions are met:

• If it obtains 6% of the legitimate votes cast in the state’s legislative assembly in a general election; and, in addition, it wins two seats in the legislature; or
• If it wins 6% of the valid votes cast in the state in a general election to the Lok Sabha from the state concerned; and it also wins 1 Lok Sabha seat from the state concerned or
• If it obtains 3% of seats in the legislative assembly of the state concerned in a general election, or 3 seats in the legislature, whichever is higher; or
• If it wins one Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats (or any portion thereof) awarded to the state in a general election in the state concerned; or
• If it receives 8% of the total valid votes cast in the state in a general election for the Lok Sabha or the state legislature.

Solution (b)

Basic Info:

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is an executive authority under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) was founded in 1976 and has since established itself as a “primary builder” of e-Government and e-Governance applications at the grassroots level, as well as a champion of digital potential for long-term growth.

Central Government, State Governments, UT Administrations, Districts, and other Government organisations rely on it for network backbone and e-Government assistance.

In close collaboration with the Central and State Governments, NIC assists in the implementation of Information Technology Projects in the areas of

• Centrally sponsored schemes and Central sector schemes,
• State sector and State sponsored projects, and
• District Administration sponsored projects.

NIC strives to provide its users with the most up-to-date technologies in all areas of IT.

Some of the main initiatives of the NIC include -:

• gov.in – A platform for supportive Open Data initiative of Government of India
• Public Financial Management System – Facilitating Transparency and Accountability in the useof Public Funds
• Manav Sampada -An electronic Human Resource Management
• e-Vidhaan – To automate the functioning of legislative assembly
• Darpan – Dashboard for Analytical Review of Projects across the nation
• MyGov – Citizen Engagement Platform Virtual Place for Public to Interact with Government

Solution (b)

Basic Info:

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), which is part of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), is a high-powered organisation that advises the government on management and top-level appointments in central government-owned businesses.

It was established with the goal of developing a strong management policy for Central Public Sector Enterprises and, in particular, advising the government on top management selections.

Specific functions assigned to the P.E.S.B include the following:

• To be in charge of personnel selection and placement in PSEs for the positions of Chairman, Managing Director, or Chairman-cum-Managing Director (Level-I), and Functional Director (Level-II), as well as any other level as the Government may specify;
• To provide advice to the government on matters relating to the nomination, confirmation, or extension of tenure, and termination of services of people at the above levels;
• To advise the government on the preferred structure for each PSE or group of PSEs at the Board level, as well as for senior management staff;
• To provide advice to the government on an acceptable performance appraisal system for both PSEs and their management employees;
• To establish a data bank with information on the performance of PSEs and their executives;
• To assist the government on the development and implementation of a code of conduct and ethics for PSE management staff;
• To advise the government on developing appropriate management training and development programmes for PSEs.

Constitution of the Board:The P.E.S.B. shall be composed of a full-time or part-time Chairperson and three full-time Members. The Chairperson and Members must have a lengthy and renowned career in management of public or private enterprises or public administration and a demonstrated record of accomplishments, preferably in people, finance, production, or marketing.

The three full-time Members of P.E.S.B shall be:

• A prominent serving or former Chief Executive Officer of a Public, Private, or Joint Sector Enterprise.
• A notable individual having prior experience in the selection of Top Management individuals.
• A notable serving or retired civil servant having experience in PSE management or in finance, industry, or economic affairs.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

Vacancies for promotion/selection to All India Services have been identified by the relevant Cadre Controlling Authorities in conjunction with the respective State Governments.

The Central Government determines the vacancies to be filled under the Promotion Quota for each year in consultation with the appropriate State Government, and the Central Government also makes the final appointments.

The Central Government is the All-India Services cadre overseeing authority. In accordance with the provisions of the relevant IAS/IPS/IFS Promotion Regulations, the Central Government means:

• Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions for IAS
• Ministry of Home Affairs for IPS
• Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change for IFS.

The All – India Services Branch is a branch of the UPSC whose major responsibility is to assist the Commission in the promotion or selection of State Services Officers into the All India Services.

The AIS branch only deals with the promotion of State Civil Service (SCS)/State Police Service (SPS)/State Forest Service (SFS) Officers to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)/Indian Police Service (IPS)/Indian Forest Service (IFS) and the selection of Non-State Civil Services (NSCS) Officers to the IAS.

Solution (a)

Basic Info:

The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act of 2019 modifies the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993, which established the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC), and Human Rights Courts.

NHRC composition: Under the previous Act, the chairwoman of the NHRC was a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The amendment states that the chairman of the NHRC will be a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or a former Supreme Court Judge.

Chairpersons of several commissions, such as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and National Commission for Women, were members of the NHRC under the previous Act. ( The chairperson of NCW was already a member under the previous act)

The amendment calls for the NHRC to include the chairs of the National Commission for Backward Classes, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

Term of office: According to the previous Act, the chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC will serve for five years or until they reach the age of seventy, whichever comes first. The amendment shortens the tenure of office to three years or until the age of seventy, whichever comes first.

Furthermore, the previous Act allowed for the reappointment of members of the NHRC and SHRCs for a five-year term. The amendment eliminates the five-year reappointment limit.

Solution (b)

Basic Info:

Self-Help Groups are informal groupings of persons who choose to gather in order to improve their living conditions.

The primary functions of Self-Help Groups are

• to encourage and motivate its members to preserve,
• to urge them to form a group plan for generating additional money, and
• to serve as a channel for conventional banking services to reach them.

These organisations serve as a collective guarantee scheme for members who wish to borrow from organised sources.

A SHG is not required to register under any Societies Act, State cooperative Act, or as a partnership business because it is an informal association.

The Deendayal Antodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAYNRLM) aims to alleviate rural poverty by establishing long-term community institutions for the disadvantaged.

Solution (a)

Basic Info:

The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act of 2016 outlaws the employment or work of minors under the age of 14. Taking into account the country’s socioeconomic situation, the Amendment Act states that a child may assist his family or family enterprise, other than any hazardous activities or procedures, during school hours or during holidays, effectively reducing children’s participation in family enterprises.

Child may also work as an artist in the audio-visual entertainment business, including ads, films, television serials, or any other form of entertainment or athletic activity other than the circus, subject to the restrictions and safety procedures prescribed.

The modified Act prohibits the employment of minors (those aged 14 to 18) in hazardous occupations as defined (mines, inflammable substance and hazardous processes).

The central government may add or remove any hazardous occupation from the Act’s list.

In comparison to the original Act, the Amendment Act of 2016 contains much stricter enforcement requirements. Any breach of children’s rights is made a cognizable offence, and anyone accused of violating them can be detained without a warrant. The new law proposes harsher consequences for infractions, including tripling the length of jail and fines.

It also establishes a Child and Adolescent Labour Rehabilitation Fund to assist children and adolescents who have been rescued from banned employment. Remittances to this fund, which comprise fines from offenders and state contributions of Rs.15000/- per child and adolescent, would be used for their welfare, including education.

The government may delegate authority to a District Magistrate to guarantee that the requirements of the law are effectively implemented.

The Act authorises the government to conduct periodic inspections of sites where children and adolescents are not permitted to work.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):

The BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.

It assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.

It coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations
to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act.

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

A State Human Rights Commission can inquire into violation of human rights only in respect of subjects mentioned in the State List (List-II) and the Concurrent List (List-III) of the Seventh
Schedule of the Constitution.

The Commission can inquire into any violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant, either suo-moto or on a petition presented to it or on an order of a court.

It can visit jails and detention places to study the living conditions of inmates.

It can review the factors including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of Human Rights and recommend remedial measures.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

According to the Act a transgender person is somebody “whose gender does not match the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-men or trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons having socio-cultural identities such as kinnar, hijras, aravani, and jogta”.

Highlights of the Bill:

The Act aims to stop discrimination against a transgender person in various sectors such as education, employment, and healthcare. It also directs the central and state governments to provide welfare schemes for them.

It states that a person will be recognized as transgender on the basis of a certificate of identity issued by the District Magistrate. This certificate will be a proof of identity as transgender and confer rights under this Bill.

Going by the Act, a person would have the right to choose to be identified as a man, woman or transgender, irrespective of sex reassignment surgery and hormonal therapy.

It also requires transgender persons to go through a district magistrate and “district screening committee” to get certified as a transperson.

Composition: The committee would comprise a medical officer, a psychologist or psychiatrist, a district welfare officer, a government official, and a transgender person.

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis:

 Context – Boundaries of Sanctuaries in Ladakh are going to be rationalized by Wildlife Institute of India.

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis: 

 Context – Cabinet approved PM VIKAS scheme

Solution (b)

Under the FASTER system, courts can send e-authenticated copies of bail orders, stay orders, interim orders and proceedings through secured electronic communication to duty officers at prisons. Supreme Court of India has approved an electronic system named FASTER (Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records).

Context – The portal was launched by the Supreme Court of India

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis:

 Context – India invoked peace clause at the WTO

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis:

 Context – New year festivals were celebrated across different regions of the country.

Solution (b)

In 8 years, the interest earned = 200%

Thus, per year interest rate = 200/8 = 25%

To become 8 times, it requires a 700% increase

700/25 = 28 years.

Solution (c) 

12% rate of interest on the invested amount gives an interest of 3240.

Which implies that, 12/100 * P = 3240 ( P = Principal)

0.12P = 3240

P=27000

The sum of the investments are 27000.

If Akbar invests x, Amar invests x – 5000, Antony invests x + 2000

Thus, x + x – 5000 + x + 2000 = 27000

X = 10000

Solution (a)

Let the principal be x.

S.I. = PTR/100 = x*2*25/100 = 0.5x

C.I. = P( 1 + r/n)^t = x ( 1 + 25 /100 )² – x = 1.5625x – x = 0.5625x

Profit = 0.5625x – 0.5x = 0.0625x

Therefore, percentage profit = (0.0625x/0.5x) * 100 = 12.5%

Solution (c)

Interest at 1st rate for 1 year = 800 x (6×1)/100 = Rs. 48.

Interest for 1 year at 2nd rate = 1200 x (7 x 1)/100 = Rs. 84

Therefore, Total interest for 1 year = Rs. 132.

Hence, the required time = 1584/132 = 12 years.

Solution (b)

Refer to, “Experience shows that man values his possessions even more than his life because in the former he sees the means for perpetuation and survival of his descendants even after his body is reduced to ashes.”

This excerpt from the passage makes it clear that option b is correct.