Daily Quiz #3 UPSC Prelims Marathon – September 4, 2019

Explanation: Forty-Second Amendment Act, 1976 (The most comprehensive amendment made so far to the Constitution; it is known as ‘Mini-Constitution’; it gave effect to the recommendations of Swaran Singh Committee.)
With respect to changes in Schedule 7, this amendment shifted five subjects from the state list to the concurrent list, viz, education, forests, protection of wild animals and birds, weights and measures and administration of justice, constitution and organization of all courts except the Supreme Court and the high courts.

Explanation: Some provisions of the Constitution pertaining to citizenship, elections, provisional parliament, temporary and transitional provisions, and short title contained in Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 324, 366, 367, 379, 380, 388, 391, 392 and 393 came into force on November 26, 1949 itself. The remaining provisions (the major part) of the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. This day is referred to in the Constitution as the ‘date of its commencement’, and celebrated as the Republic Day.
January 26 was specifically chosen as the ‘date of commencement’ of the Constitution because of its historical importance. It was on this day in 1930 that Purna Swaraj day was celebrated, following the resolution of the Lahore Session (December 1929) of the INC. With the commencement of the Constitution, the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and the Government of India Act of 1935, with all enactments amending or supplementing the latter Act, were repealed. The Abolition of Privy Council Jurisdiction Act (1949) was however continued.

Explanation: The Election Commission registers political parties for the purpose of elections and grants them recognition as national or state parties on the basis of their poll performance. The other parties are simply declared as registered unrecognized parties.
At present (2016), a party is recognised as a national party if any of the following conditions is fulfilled:
1.If it secures six per cent of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly; and, in addition, it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states; or
2.If it wins two per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election; and these candidates are elected from three states; or
3.If it is recognised as a state party in four states.

Explanation: CAATSA is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia. It includes sanctions against countries that engage in significant transactions with Russia’s defence and intelligence sectors.
Ever since the Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was enacted on August 2, 2017, there had been much speculation in India about its potential impact on India-Russia defence relations especially in the context of India’s possible purchase of the S-400 missile system. That was because CAATSA was enacted to punish Russia by sanctioning persons engaging in business transactions with the Russian defence sector. It was felt that CAATSA sanctions would make difficult payments in US Dollars to Rosoboronexport for the S-400 purchase. Although CAATSA, meant to discourage exports of Russian defence equipment, was enacted more than a year ago, there were no CAATSA related sanctions.

Explanation: Maitri Irrigation Project:
India has extended a financial aid of about Rs 10 crore to Nepal for the construction of 2,700 shallow tube well irrigation systemsto boost agricultural productivity. The assistance has been extended as part of the final payment for the NepalBharat Maitri Irrigation Project. The project was launched in January last year to boost growth to the Himalayan nation’s agricultural sector through enhanced facilities. The project is aimed at installing 2,700 shallow tube wells in 12 districts of Nepal. The project would ensure all-season irrigation facility to about 8,115 hectares of farm land, augment productivity of wheat, rice and seasonal fruits, vegetables and other crops