64th Prelims 2018

Explanation:

Article 124 of the Indian Constitution deals with the 'Establishment and Constitution of Supreme Court'. Qualification of Judges: A person appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court must be a citizen of India and meet one of the following conditions: have been a judge of a High Court for five years, an advocate of a High Court for ten years, or be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President. Tenure and Resignation: A Supreme Court judge holds office until the age of 65. They can resign from office by writing to the President and can be removed on proven misbehavior or incapacity through a parliamentary process regulated by the Judges Enquiry Act, 1968. Salaries and Allowances: Determined by the Parliament, including privileges, leave, and pension. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

The First Backward Classes Commission was set up in 1953. Kaka Saheb Kalelkar served as its chairman. However, the report of this commission was not implemented. The Second Backward Classes Commission, set up in 1979 under B.P. Mandal, recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in jobs and education. Later, the National Commission for Backward Classes was established in 1993 and became a constitutional body through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, under Article 338B. The present chairman is Hansraj Gangaram Ahir. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Articles 308-323 of Part XIV of the Indian Constitution deal with 'Services under the Union and the States' and 'Public Service Commissions'. Appointment: The chairman and other members of the State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor of the State. The Constitution does not fix the strength of the commission; it is at the Governor's discretion. At least half of the members should have held office for at least ten years under the Central or State government. Tenure: The chairman and members hold office for six years or until the age of 62, whichever is earlier. They can resign by writing to the Governor but can only be removed by the President. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament. To be elected to the Lok Sabha, a person must: be a citizen of India, subscribe to an oath of allegiance to the Constitution, and be at least 25 years old (for Rajya Sabha, the minimum age is 30). Important Articles related to Parliament include Articles 79, 80, 81, 87-89, 93, 98, 100, 102, and 108. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Articles 153-167 of Part VI of the Constitution deal with the State Executive. The Governor is an independent constitutional authority and acts as the executive head of the state. The Governor is appointed by the President under warrant and must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old. The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 allows the same person to be governor of multiple states. Important articles include 153, 155, 157, 161, 163, and 165. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Part XVI (Articles 330-342A) deals with 'Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes'. Article 330 provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha. Article 331 and 334 pertain to representation of the Anglo-Indian community, and Article 332 relates to state assemblies. Reserved seats for Anglo-Indians were abolished in 2020 by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act. Articles 338, 338A, and 338B cover commissions for SCs, STs, and OBCs respectively. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Article 79 of the Constitution states that Parliament consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Therefore, the President is a part of the Parliament. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Article 40, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs states to organize Village Panchayats and endow them with necessary powers for self-governance. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 establishes a three-tier Panchayat system. DPSPs are non-justiciable and aim to promote social and economic democracy. Other important DPSPs include Articles 38, 41, 43, 43A, 43B, 44, 49, and 50. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

The Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State relations, chaired by R.S. Sarkaria, was appointed in 1983 and submitted its report in 1988. It made 247 recommendations, of which 180 have been implemented, including the establishment of the Inter-State Council in 1990. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Article 280 provides for the Finance Commission, constituted by the President every five years or earlier. The Commission recommends on the distribution of tax proceeds between the Centre and States, grants-in-aid to states, and measures to augment state resources to support Panchayats and municipalities. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]

Explanation:

Article 76 establishes the Office of the Attorney General (AG) of India, the highest law officer of the country. The AG is appointed by the President, must be qualified to be a Supreme Court judge, holds office at the pleasure of the President, and can resign to the President. The AG advises the Government on legal matters, represents in courts, and enjoys rights of audience in all courts and privileges in Parliament without voting rights. The first AG was M.C. Setalvad, and the current AG is R. Venkataramani. [64TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2018]