Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon – January 24, 2018

The directive principles of state policy are enumerated in Part IV of the constitution from Articles 36 to 51. Dr. BR Ambedkar described these principles as ‘Novel features’ of Indian constitution. The framers of Indian constitution borrowed this idea from Irish constitution.

The framers of Indian constitution made DPSP non-justiciable and legally non enforceable because

• The country did not possess sufficient financial resources to implement them.
• Presence of vast diversity and backwardness in the country would stand in the way of their implementation.
• The newly born independent Indian State with its many preoccupations might be crushed under the burden unless it was free to decide the order, the time, the place and the mode of fulfilling them.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Fundamental rights prevent the establishment of an authoritarian and despotic rule in the country, and protect the liberties and freedoms of the peoples against the invasion by the state. These are Individual rights and DPSP’s are principles that state should keep in mind while formulating policies.

Statement 1 is incorrect. State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) and not more than 10 State Information Commissioners (SIC) to be appointed by the Governor. Removal is done by governor on grounds of bankruptcy, unsound mind, infirmity of body or mind, sentenced to imprisonment for a crime, or engages in paid employment.  

Statement 2 is correct. He can also be removed by governor for proved misbehaviour or incapacity if Supreme Court inquiry finds him guilty. They can resign by writing to governor.  

As per The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 the person who is to be appointed as the chairperson of the Lokpal should be either of the following:

• Either the former Chief Justice of India
• Or the former Judge of Supreme Court
• Or an eminent person with impeccable integrity and outstanding ability, having special knowledge and expertise of minimum 25 years in the matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including insurance and banking, law and management.

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement  (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,  Singapore,  Thailand, Vietnam) and the six states with which ASEAN has existing free trade agreements (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand).

Statement 1 is incorrect.National Human Rights Commission came into being in October, 1993. In terms of Section 2 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Thus it is a statutory body.

The NHRC consists of:

• A Chairperson, should be retired Chief Justice of India, Not serving CJI. Thus statement 2 is incorrect.
• One member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India
• One member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court
• Two members to be appointed from among persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights
• In addition, the Chairpersons of four National Commissions (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women and Minorities) serve as ex officio members. Thus statement 3 is correct.
• The sitting Judge of the Supreme Court or sitting Chief Justice of any High Court can be appointed only after the consultation with the Chief Justice of Supreme Court.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The objective of incorporating the fundamental duties is to place before the country a code of conduct, which the citizens are expected to follow. Fundamental duties are confined to citizens only, not extend to foreigners.

Statement 2 is correct. They are enforceable by law. Hence the parliament can provide for the imposition of appropriate penalty or punishment for failure to fulfill any of them.

Statement 3 is correct. The fundamental duties were included in the constitution by the 42nd amendment act 1976. They are inspired by the “Constitution of USSR”.