Daily Quiz #62 UPSC Prelims Marathon – January 15, 2020

Explanation: The term Fourth Estate or fourth power refers to the press and news media both in explicit capacity of advocacy and implicit ability to frame political issues. Though it is not formally recognized as a part of a political system, it wields significant indirect social influence.
The Fourth Estate is a societal power, force or institution whose influence is not consistently or officially recognised as such. ‘Fourth Estate’ most commonly refers to the news media, journalism or ‘the press’. The term ‘Fourth Estate’ makes implicit reference to the earlier historical division of the Three Estates of the Realm: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.
The equivalent term ‘fourth power’, used in many European languages as it historically belongs to European constitutional lore dating back to the time of the Roman Empire, refers to the separation of powers into legislative, executive and judiciary branches. This separation of power has become the construct upon which nations have been built throughout the world. Of which the press is the fourth element.

Explanation: Rajya Sabha Chairman: According to the Constitution of India, the Vice President is the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The Vice President of India shall be the ex officio Chairman of Upper House of the Parliament or Rajya Sabha as per the Articles 64 and 89(1). The Vice-President, as the Rajya Sabha Chairman, chairs over the meetings of the House.
The pride and status of the House depends on the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as he is the accepted guardian of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. The Rajya Sabha Chairman is the major spokesperson of the House and he/she also symbolizes the joint voice to the outer globe.
It is the duty of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha to ensure that the proceedings of the House are conducted in a regimented method and are in harmony with the pertinent provisions of the Constitution of India. It is also his duty to ensure that the members of the Upper House get proper chance to ask questions and get proper reply.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman does not have the power to vote in any matters of the House. He can only put vote when there is a tie. The decisions of the Chairman Rajya Sabha cannot be ignored or criticized. The Chairman is also not bound to show reasons for any of his decisions. The act of protesting against the ruling of the Chairman is regarded as a contempt of Court.

Explanation: Article 53(1) vests the executive power of the union in the president. All executive actions of the Government of India and all contracts and assurances of the property are made by the Government of India are formally taken in the name in president.
Appointments made by president: President of India makes appointment to other constitutional officers and other important members of union government. These include:
•Prime Minister
•Other ministers on advice of Prime Minister
•Chief Justice of India
•Other Judges of Supreme Court on advice of the Chief Justice
•Chief Justice and other judges of high courts
•Chairman and other members of UPSC and Joint Public Service Commissions
•Attorney General of India
•Comptroller and Auditor General of India
•Chief Election Commissioner and other members of election commission
•Governors of states
•Administrators of Union Territories
•Chairman and members of National Commission of Scheduled Caste
•Chairman and members of National Commission of Scheduled Tribes
•Finance Commission chairman and members
•Central Chief Information Commissioner
•Central Vigilance Commissioner
•Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission
•Union Lokpal Chairman and its members on recommendation of selection committee
At the same time, also note that:
•Chairperson of National Commission of Women is not appointed by President but by Central Government.
•Solicitor General is NOT appointed by President. His appointment is done by Central Government.
•The chairman and member of state public service commissions are although appointed by Governor, the removal of any of them (chairman or members) will be done by president.

Explanation: The E3/EU+3 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) and the Islamic Republic of Iran welcome this historic Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which will ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme will be exclusively peaceful, and mark a fundamental shift in their approach to this issue. They anticipate that full implementation of this JCPOA will positively contribute to regional and international peace and security. Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons.

Explanation: India has signed strategic partnership agreements with more than two dozen countries/supranational entities listed here in the chronological order of the pacts: France (1998), Russia (2000), Germany (2001), Mauritius (2003), Iran (2003), United Kingdom (2004),United States (2004),EU (2004),Indonesia (2005), China (2005), Brazil (2006),Vietnam (2007),Oman (2008), Kazakhstan (2009), Australia (2009),Malaysia (2010),South Korea (2010),Saudi Arabia (2010),Uzbekistan (2011), Afghanistan (2011),Tajikistan (2012),ASEAN (2012),Japan (2014),Seychelles (2015), Mongolia (2015),Singapore (2015), UAE (2015),Rwanda(2017) and Israel (2017).
Currently, India is taking steps towards establishing strategic partnerships with Canada and Argentina. Although India has not signed any formal strategic partnership agreements with Bhutan and Qatar, its foreign ministry often describes relations with these countries as ‘strategic’