Solution (d)

India has been elected to the non-permanent seat of the Security Council for the term 2021-22.

The non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms — so every year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members out of the total 10.

India has earlier been a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85, 1991-92 and 2011-12. 

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-are-non-permanent-seats-in-the-un-security-council-and-how-are-they-filled-6465539/

Solution (b)

The Tuluni festival symbolizes fraternity, solidarity, sharing and oneness not only among the Sumi community but Nagas as a whole.

Sumi Tribe – Nagaland

Solution (a)

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on Monday launched PM Svanidhi, or Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi scheme, which is a special micro-credit facility plan to provide affordable loan of up to ₹10,000 to more than 50 lakh street vendors, who had their businesses operational on or before 24 March. The the scheme is valid until March 2022.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/centre-launches-scheme-for-street-vendors-to-get-loans-of-up-to-rs-10-000-11591015442185.html

Solution (b)

As per rules, all states should have a civil services board to decide on transfers and postings of the bureaucrats. The board is mandated to decide on the transfer of a civil servant before completion of his or her fixed tenure. The rules mandate the civil services board to submit an annual report on January 1 to the central government about the date of the meetings held by them and also to upload the same on the website of the concerned state government or union territory in public domain.

The civil services board is headed by chief secretary of a state and has senior most additional chief secretary or chairman, Board of Revenue, Financial Commissioner or an officer of equivalent rank and status as member. In addition, it will have Principal Secretary or Secretary, Department of Personnel in the state government as member secretary.

To insulate the bureaucracy from political interference and to put an end to frequent transfers of civil servants by political bosses, the Supreme Court had in 2013 directed the Centre and the states to set up a civil services board to consider transfers and postings of bureaucrats among others.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-are-punjab-congress-leaders-up-against-cbs-notification-6464873/

Solution (a)

The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index is a quantitative assessment tool designed to offer a detailed and comprehensive picture of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law in practice. The Index provides data on eight dimensions of the rule of law: limited government powers; absence of corruption; order and security; fundamental rights; open government; regulatory enforcement; civil justice; and criminal justice.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/decide-on-plea-on-rule-of-law-index-in-6-months-supreme-court-tells-government/article31863917.ece