UPSC Prep: Current Affairs Explained – KIRTI to Oscars

Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) Programme

Relevance: Prelims, GS Paper 2

• News: Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme has been recently launched in Chandigarh.
• Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Aim:

• • A nation-wide programme under the Khelo India mission aims at identifying talent among school-going athletes aged 9 to 18 years.

Objective:

• • To hunt talent from every nook and corner of the country.
  • To use sports as a tool to curb addiction towards drugs and other gadgetry distractions.

Implementation Strategy:

• • KIRTI aims to conduct 20 lakh assessments across the country throughout the year to identify talent through notified Talent Assessment Centres.

Features:

• • KIRTI’s athlete-centric programme has transparent selection methodology based on Information Technology.
  • Data analytics based on Artificial Intelligence are being used to predict the sporting acumen in an aspiring athlete.
  • Taking the help of scientific tools, KIRTI will involve physical education teachers and experts in scouting talent.
  • In the first phase, 10 Khelo India disciplines – archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling have been identified.

Importance:

• • India aims to become a top 10 sports nation in the world by 2036 and among the top five by 2047.
  • India aims to build a culture of sports and also create a cradle of talent that can win India medals at global competitions like the Olympics and Asian Games.

Khelo India Mission:

• • The Khelo India Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
  • It aims at infusing sports culture and achieving sporting excellence in the country.
  • Under the “Sports Competitions and Talent Development” vertical of the Khelo India Scheme, the “Talent Identification and Development” component is dedicated to identification and development of athletes to develop the sports ecosystem in the country.

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

Relevance: GS Paper 2

• News: The Indian Government announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a law that was passed by the Parliament in 2019 but was not enforced until now.

Citizenship Amendment Act:

• • The Act was an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • Before the CAA, any foreign national seeking Indian citizenship through “naturalization” needed to have spent 11 years in India to become eligible.
  • The CAA expedites Indian citizenship applications of Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who escaped to India from religious persecution in Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before December 31, 2014 and fast-tracks the process by reducing the eligibility to five years’ continuous stay.
  • Applicants from these faiths are eligible even if they are currently living in India without valid visas or other required paperwork.

Reasons for Controversy:

• • Before the CAA, India’s citizenship law did not make religion a determinant of a person’s eligibility for an Indian passport.
  • All those seeking naturalisation had to show that they were in India legally, and needed to wait for the same period – 11 years – to become eligible for citizenship.
  • That’s what the CAA changes – introducing for the first time in independent India’s history – a religious test for citizenship.
  • Muslim victims of religious persecution in Pakistan (like the Ahmadiyya), Afghanistan (the Hazara) or other neighbouring nations (such as the Rohingya in Myanmar, Uighurs in China, Yazidis in Iraq), will still need to wait for 11 years before they become eligible for Indian citizenship.
    • And unlike Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians, they need valid documentation to justify their presence in India.
  • The act also denies benefits to Tamils from Sri Lanka, and immigrants from countries like Nepal and Bhutan.
  • This, many legal experts have argued, violates Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which says: “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.”

NRC and its link with CAA:

• • The National Register of Citizens (NRC) aims to identify and deport immigrants in India without valid papers.
  • It has only been implemented in India’s northeast state of Assam so far. The BJP has declared its intent to implement the NRC nationwide.
  • Combined, the CAA and NRC could allow the government to expel all of those deemed “illegal” migrants – and then allow Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians to re-enter, while denying the same opportunity to Muslims.

States and CAA Implementation:

• • The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s statement that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 will not be implemented in the State will have no impact on the implementation of the legislation as citizenship is the domain of the Union government.
  • As the applications will be filed online, the procedure leaves little scope for the involvement of the State government officials or local police.

Beneficiaries get Faster Citizenship:

• • The Indian government announced that those eligible under the CAA can apply for Indian citizenship using an online portal, launched by the Union Home Ministry.
  • The final decision on applications will be taken by the empowered committee headed by the Director (Census Operations) in each State.

Addressing Concerns in CAA:

• • Open Dialogue and Communication: Government officials should engage in open dialogue with Muslim communities and other concerned groups to understand their apprehensions and address their concerns. This can involve town hall meetings, community forums, and other forms of communication to foster understanding and trust.
  • Clarification of Intent and Impact: Provide clear and transparent information about the intent and impact of the CAA. Assure citizens that the law is not discriminatory and does not infringe upon the rights of any community. Clear communication can help dispel misinformation and misunderstandings.
  • Safeguards and Protections: Ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religion. Reiterate the government’s commitment to upholding the secular fabric of the nation and protecting the rights of minorities.
  • Socio-Economic Development: Focus on socio-economic development initiatives that benefit marginalized communities, including Muslims. By addressing socio-economic disparities, governments can help build trust and confidence among all communities.
  • Engagement with Civil Society: Collaborate with civil society organizations, human rights groups, and other stakeholders to address concerns related to the CAA. Encourage inclusive discussions and partnerships to find solutions that promote harmony and inclusivity.
  • Legal and Constitutional Scrutiny: Subject the CAA to rigorous legal and constitutional scrutiny to address any concerns about its compatibility with the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Indian Constitution. This can help alleviate fears about the law’s legality and constitutionality.
  • Amendment or Repeal: If warranted, consider amending or repealing aspects of the CAA that are perceived as discriminatory or unconstitutional. Engage in legislative processes to address legitimate concerns and ensure that the law reflects the values of inclusivity and equality.

Nuclear Waste

Relevance: GS Paper 3

• News: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) approved plans for a nuclear waste disposal facility.

Nuclear Waste:

• • Radioactive (or nuclear) waste is a byproduct from nuclear reactors, fuel processing plants, hospitals and research facilities.
  • It is also generated while decommissioning and dismantling nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities.
  • Nuclear Wastes: Argon 41, radioiodine, pcobalt-60, strontium-90, tritium and caesium-137.
  • There are two broad classifications: high-level or low-level waste.

High-level Waste:

• • It is primarily uranium fuel that has been used in a nuclear power reactor and is “spent,” or no longer efficient in producing electricity.
  • The fission creates radioactive isotopes of lighter elements such as cesium-137 and strontium-90.
  • These isotopes, called “fission products,”. It accounts for most of the heat and penetrating radiation in high-level waste.
  • Some uranium atoms capture neutrons produced during fission. These atoms form heavier elements such as plutonium. It is known as “transuranic,” elements. They take much longer to decay.

Low-level Waste

• • It includes items that have become contaminated with radioactive material.
  • For example, shoe covers and clothing, wiping rags, filters, etc.
  • They are commonly disposed of in near-surface facilities rather than in a geologic repository. There is no intent to recover the waste once it has been disposed of.

Multiple Independently TargetableRe-entryVehicle (MIRV)

Relevance: Prelims. GS Paper 3

• News: India test-fires Agni-V ballistic missile with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology under Mission Divyastra.

Agni-5 :

• • Agni-5 is the fifth variant of India’s long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
  • It is a long-range, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km indigenously developed by the DRDO.

Mission Divyastra:

• • The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

MIRV:

• • MIRV allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads that can be aimed at separate targets, significantly increasing its destructive potential.
  • The technology was first deployed by the United States in an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 1970.
  • USA, UK, France, Russia, China, and India are among the elite group that possesses this sophisticated technology.

Significance:

• • Enhances first-strike proficiency.
  • Bolster the country’s deterrence capabilities, potentially impacting the strategic balance in the region.
  • Makes missile defense systems less effective and more costly to maintain.
    • A missile defence system is a network of technologies aimed at detecting, tracking, intercepting and destroying an incoming missile.
    • It involves the deployment of sophisticated radars, communication systems, and interceptor missiles.
    • It’s considered a good safeguard against traditional missiles, and several countries are in the process of developing or strengthening their missile defence systems.
  • For countries like India, with a no-first-use policy for nuclear weapons, having the capability to cause significant damage in a response strike is crucial. It acts as a strong deterrent to potential adversaries.

Yaounde Declaration

Relevance: Prelims, GS Paper 2

• News: Health ministers of 11 African countries commit to end malaria deaths.

Participating Countries and Malaria Burden:

• • Lists the 11 African countries that signed the declaration and highlights their global malaria burden.
  • The 11 countries that signed the declaration are: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.
  • These countries carry roughly 70% of the global malaria burden.
• Signed At: It was signed at the Yaoundé conference, co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Cameroon.

Pledges and Commitments:

• • Outlines the specific pledges made by the health ministers, including increasing investments bolster infrastructure, enhancing multi-sectoral collaboration, and building partnerships to combat malaria effectively.
  • They pledged to leverage global commitments and regional strategies, including dedicating 15% of annual budgets to strengthen the health sector, as endorsed by African heads of state.

Objectives of the Declaration:

• Focus on accelerating action to end deaths from malaria and improving health infrastructure and programs in affected countries.

Yaoundé:

• Yaoundé is the capital of Cameroon, a country in west-central Africa.

Malaria:

• It is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito (vector) if the mosquito itself is infected with a malarial parasite.
• There are five kinds of malarial parasites — Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax (the commonest one), Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi.

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Relevance: Prelims

• News: Oscars 2024 awards were recently announced.

History:

• • It is given for artistic & technical merit in the film industry.
  • These are given annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
  • The awards are an international recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements.
  • The awards were first presented in 1929 & winners receive a gold-plated statuette commonly called Oscar.

Categories:

• • Winners are chosen from the 24 categories – best picture, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, directing, original screenplay, adapted screenplay etc.

Nomination Process:

• • Only members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences may nominate & vote for candidates for the Oscars.

Best Picture:

• Oppenheimer

Lachit Borphukan

Relevance: Prelims, GS Paper 1

• News: PM Modi unveiled 125-foot statue of Lachit Borphukan in Assam’s Jorhat. It is the ‘Statue of Valour’.

Personality:

• • Lachit Borphukan was a legendary army commander of the Ahom kingdom (Assam).
  • Borphukan ascended through the military hierarchy to attain the highest leadership position, having served in esteemed roles such as –
    • Ghora Barua – Overseeing the royal horses
    • Dolaksharia Barua – Commanding the royal household guards.
    • Soladhara Barua – He later became the Commander of the Simulgarh Fort & appointed as the Chief of the Ahom army by King Chakradhwaj, following his tenure as the monarch’s Private Secretary, known as Soladhara Barua.

Battles:

• • • In 1669, Aurangzeb dispatched the Rajput Raja Ram Singh I to recapture territories won back by the Ahoms in previous battles.
      • Battle of Alaboi: Fought in North Guwahati between the Ahoms & Mughals in which the Ahoms suffered severe reverses.
      • Battle of Saraighat (Naval battle): Fought on the River Brahmaputra, he thwarted an invasion by the Mughal army led by Ramsingh I. The victory of Ahoms halted Mughal expansionism in Assam.
    • Lachit Diwas: It is celebrated every year on 24th November in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at Battle of Saraighat.

Direct-Reduced Iron (Sponge Iron)

Relevance: GS Paper 1

• News: ‘Ore shortage’ hitting steel production, says sponge iron industry, seeks ban on exports.

Production of Sponge Iron:

• • Direct-reduced iron (DRI), also called sponge iron, is produced from direct reduction of iron ore (in the form of lumps, pellets or fines) by a reducing gas produced from natural gas or coal.
  • The reducing gas is a mixture majority of hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) which acts as reducing agent.
  • This process of directly reducing the iron ore in solid form by reducing gases is called direct reduction.
  • It’s called “sponge iron” because the removal of oxygen (called as reduction) from iron ore creates micropores, giving the final product a honeycomb-like, spongy texture when observed under a microscope.

Role of Sponge Iron in Steel Manufacturing:

• • Sponge iron is used in the iron and steel industry as a substitute for scrap in induction and electrical arc furnaces.
  • It serves as a crucial raw material for the production of steel, providing a consistent iron source with controlled levels of impurities.

India’s Dominance:

• • India has been the world’s largest sponge iron-producing nation since 2003, and most of which is produced primarily through the coal-based method of production.
  • India produces 20% of the world’s sponge iron with over 200 plants.

Golden Langur

Relevance: Prelims, GS Paper 3

• News: India’s golden langur population increases to 7,396.

Geographical Range:

• • It is limited to Assam & neighboring Bhutan where they live year-round.
  • The area they inhabit is restricted to the region surrounded by 4 geographical landmarks – the foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), & Brahmaputra river (south).

Habitat:

• • They occupy moist evergreen & tropical deciduous forests as well as some riverine areas & savannas in Assam & Bhutan.
  • They are very much dependent on trees, living in the upper canopy of sub-tropical forests in the south & in more temperate forests in the north.

Conservation Status:

• • IUCN: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 : Schedule I.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)

Relevance: Prelims, GS Paper 3

• News: Gold nanoparticles can help arrest ageing

Introduction:

• • Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are small gold particles with a diameter of 1 to 100 nm.
  • Once dispersed in water, AuNPs are also known as colloidal gold.

Properties of AuNPs:

• • Their high surface area allows them to carry drugs or other molecules.
  • They are biocompatible, non-toxic, and don’t irritate the skin.
  • Their color changes with size (brown to purple) and allows for easy observation.
  • They can absorb and scatter light, making them useful in sensors and light-based therapies.

Applications of Gold Nanoparticles:

• • Nano Electronics: Used as conductors from printable inks to electronic chips. They are also used to connect resistors, conductors & other elements of an electronic chip.
  • Photodynamic Therapy: Gold nanoparticles produce heat when excited by light at wavelengths from 700 to 800 nm enabling to eradicate targeted tumors.
  • Therapeutic Agent Delivery: The large surface area-to-volume ratio of gold nanoparticles enables their surface to be coated with high number of drug molecules to be delivered.
  • Sensors: Biodetection (e.g., food spoilage) and disease diagnosis.
  • Optics: AuNPs are employed in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and plasmonic devices (tiny gadgets that manipulate light at the nanoscale).

Exercise Cutlass Express

Relevance: Prelims

• News: INS Tir participates in Exercise Cutlass Express 24 in Seychelles
• Overview: It is an exercise conducted in East African coastal regions & the West Indian Ocean to counter malign influence, aggression & activity along overlapping command seams & maritime regions.
• Sponsorship and Leadership: It is a premier multinational maritime exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) & led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet.

Gorsam Kora Festival

Relevance: Prelims, GS Paper 1

• News: Gorsam Kora festival marks friendship between Bhutan and India.
• Theme (2024) – ‘Zero Waste Festival’

Introduction:

• • It is a festival celebrated in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

History:

• • It is annually held at Gorsam Chorten, a 93 feet tall Stupa, built during 13th Century CE by a local monk- Lama Pradhar.
  • It is organized by local community of Zemithang valley in collaboration with authorities.
  • Zemithang Valley holds historical significance as 14th Dalai Lama found refuge upon his escape from Tibet in 1959.
    • As part of the vibrant village programme, Zemithang valley is being developed as a tourist destination, ready to attract tourists with a taste for pristine scenic beauty and serenity.

Festival Observance:

• • • Devotees including Bhutanese nationals visit during the festival to observe virtuous occasion during last day of first month of Lunar calendar.

Inflation

Relevance: Prelims

• News: India’s CPI inflation remained stable at 5.1% in February, with food inflation rising slightly but offset by a slowdown in core and fuel inflation.
• Price Index: The price index is an indicator of the average price movement over a period of time of a fixed basket of goods and services.

Consumer Price Index (CPI):

• • It measures changes in the price level of a market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by households.

Nodal Department:

• • CPI data is released monthly by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Types: There are four types of CPI:
  • Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers CPI (IW)
  • Consumer Price Index for Agricultural labour CPI (AL)
  • Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers CPI (RL)
  • Consumer Price Index for Urban Non Manual Employees CPI(UNME)
• Components: The CPI basket has five sub-groups namely:
  • Food and beverages,
  • Fuel and light,
  • Housing and clothing,
  • Bedding and
  • The various food components of CPI include vegetables, oils & fats, fruits, pulses and meat and fish.

Core Inflation:

• • Core inflation is the change in the costs of goods and services but does not include those from the food and energy sectors.
  • Food and energy prices are exempt from this calculation because their prices can be too volatile or fluctuate wildly.

Headline Inflation:

• • The headline inflation figure includes inflation in a basket of goods that includes commodities like food and energy.

MCQs

1. With reference to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), consider the following statements:

• The CAA aims to identify and deport immigrants in India without valid papers.
• The CAA reduced the qualification period for acquiring Indian citizenship from 11 years to 5 years for the beneficiaries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: 2

Explanation: Ø  It is not the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but the National Register of Citizens (NRC) that aims to identify and deport immigrants in India without valid papers. The NRC has only been implemented in India’s northeast state of Assam so far. So, statement 1 is not correct. Ø  The CAA indeed reduced the qualification period for acquiring Indian citizenship from 11 years to 5 years for the beneficiaries. So, statement 2 is correct.

2.Consider the following statements regarding Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme:

1. It will identify talent among school-going athletes aged 9 to 18 years.
2. It will conduct 10 lakh assessments across the country to identify talent through designated Talent Evaluation Hubs.
3. Archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey are the only disciplines that have been identified in the first phase of KIRTI.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. All Three
4. None

Ans: 1

Explanation: Ø  A nation-wide programme under the Khelo India mission aims at identifying talent among school-going athletes aged 9 to 18 years. Ø  KIRTI aims to conduct 20 lakh assessments across the country throughout the year to identify talent through notified Talent Assessment Centres. Ø  In the first phase, 10 Khelo India disciplines – archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling have been identified

3. Consider the following statements regarding Agni-V Missile:

• It was recently test fired under Mission Agnishastra using Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
• It is a long-range surface to air missile.
• It has been jointly developed by BrahMos Aerospace.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only One
2. Only Two
3. All Three
4. None

Ans: 4

Explanation: Ø  The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Ø  Agni-5 is the fifth variant of India’s long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Ø  It is a long-range, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km indigenously developed by the DRDO. Ø  MIRV allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads that can be aimed at separate targets, significantly increasing its destructive potential.

4. Gorsam Kora Festival is celebrated in:

A) Assam

B) Arunachal Pradesh

C) Tripura

D) Mizoram

Ans: B

Explanation: Ø  It is a festival celebrated in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

5.Which of the following countries recently signed the Yaounde Declaration?

1. Ghana
2. Chad
3. Zambia
4. Mali
5. Niger
6. Cameroon

Codes:

1. 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
2. 1, 2, 3, and 4 only
3. 1, 4, 5 and 6 only
4. All of the above

 

Ans: 3

Explanation: Ø  The 11 countries that signed the declaration are: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.

6. In essence, what does ‘Due Process of Law’ mean?

A) The principle of natural justice

B) The procedure established by law

C) Fair application of law

D) Equality before law

Ans: C

Explanation: Ø  Due process of law is a legal principle that requires governments to follow fair and reasonable procedures when depriving individuals of their life, liberty, or property. It also requires governments to pass laws that are just, fair, and reasonable. Ø  The Supreme Court of India has the power to declare laws unconstitutional if they violate due process of law. This means that the Court can strike down laws that are unfair, unjust, or unreasonable. Ø  The phrase “due process of law” is not mentioned explicitly anywhere in the Indian Constitution, but it has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to be a fundamental right. This means that the government cannot deprive individuals of their life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Ø  The concept of due process of law is borrowed from the US Constitution, but it has been adapted to the Indian context.

7. Consider the following statements:
8. Statement-1: In India, prisons are managed State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons.
9. Statement-II: In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-1
2. Both Statement-1 and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-1
3. Statement-1 1s correct but Statement-11 is incorrect
4. Statement-1 Is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Ans: 1

Explanation: Ø  ‘Prisons’ is a State subject under State List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Ø  The management and administration of Prisons falls exclusively in the domain of the State Governments, and is governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 and the Prison Manuals of the respective State Governments. Ø   Thus, States have the primary role, responsibility and authority to change the current prison laws, rules and regulations.

8.Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the ‘Constitution’ of a country?

1. It determines the objective for the making of necessary laws.
2. It enables the creation of political offices and a government.
3. It defines and limits the powers of government.
4. It secures social justice, social equality and social security.

Ans: 3

Explanation: Ø   The constitution is a document that sets limits on the powers of the government and ensures a democratic system in which all persons enjoy certain rights. Ø  A constitution makes the operation of power procedurally predictable, upholds the rule of law, and places limits on the arbitrariness of power.

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights?

1. 1st Amendment
2. 42nd Amendment
3. 44th Amendment
4. 86th Amendment

Ans: 1

Explanation: Ø   The Constitution of India was first amended in 1951 for the welfare of scheduled castes, tribes and backward classes. Ø  In the State of Madras v. Srimathi Champakam Dorairajan (1951), which related to medical and engineering seats, the Madras High Court struck down the reservation policy. Ø  The judgment led to the first amendment to the Constitution to protect reservations. Ø  The newly introduced Clause (4) of Article 15 read: “Nothing in this Article or in Clause 2 of Article 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.”

10.Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:

1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Commission Rights
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

How many of the above is/are constitutional bodies?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Ans: 1

Explanation: The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was originally constituted as the Statutory body by establishing it under the provisions of the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The NCBC was accorded constitutional status by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) which inserted Article 338B, forming a National Commission for Backward Classes. Hence NCBC is a constitutional body. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is an independent statutory body established to protect and promote human rights in India. Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body and is constituted by a notification of the Government of India. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), India is a quasi-judicial commission in India which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. Its head office is in New Delhi.