Polity Current Affairs

Indian Polity and Constitution Current Affairs, Important for competitive Exams.

What are Electoral Bonds and its recent Development

Electoral Bonds are financial instruments that allow individuals and companies to make anonymous donations to political parties in India.

Key points about electoral bonds and recent developments:

  1. What Are Electoral Bonds?
    • Electoral bonds were introduced in 2018 by the Indian government as a means to promote transparency in political funding.
    • These bonds are like promissory notes that can be purchased from authorized banks in specific denominations.
    • The donor can then donate these bonds to a political party of their choice.
    • The identity of the donor remains confidential, ensuring privacy.
  2. Recent Developments:
    • Supreme Court Ruling: On February 15, 2024, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court declared the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional. The court found that the scheme lacked transparency and violated democratic principles.
    • Election Commission Data: The Election Commission (EC) has been releasing data related to electoral bonds. On March 15, 2024, the EC published the first detailed data on electoral bonds, sourced from the State Bank of India (SBI). 
    • Second List: On March 17, 2024, the EC uploaded a second list of electoral bond data. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received the highest donation of ₹6,986.5 crore, followed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) with ₹1,397 crore.

Q: What are electoral bonds?

A. Bonds issued by political parties to raise funds
B. Financial instruments for anonymous political donations
C. Bonds used for government infrastructure projects
D. Bonds that allow citizens to vote in elections

Ans : B. Financial instruments for anonymous political donations

Q: What recent development led to the Supreme Court declaring the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional?

A. Release of detailed data by the Election Commission
B. A Constitution Bench ruling on February 15, 2024
C. Introduction of a new electoral bond denomination
D. State Bank of India’s involvement in the scheme

Ans : B. A Constitution Bench ruling on February 15, 2024

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Lok Sabha Polls in 7 Phases from April 19, counting on June 4th, 2024

Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases starting from April 19th, with counting on June 4th. On 16 March 2024, Election Commission announced the poll schedule for General Election 2024 and assembly polls in four states.

  1. Assembly polls for Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha were also scheduled.
  2. Model Code of Conduct came into force with the announcement of the poll schedule.
  3. Measures to ensure smooth conduct of elections, including facilitating voting for elderly and disabled persons, dealing with criminal cases against candidates, and availability of EVMs and VVPATs.
  4. Detail Notification : Download ECI full Notification PDF

Q: Who is the present Chief Election Commissioner of India ?

a) Rajiv Kumar
b) Sunil Arora
c) Om Prakash Rawat
d) Nasim Zaidi

Ans : a) Rajiv Kumar

Lok Sabha Polls in 7 Phases from April 19, counting on June 4th, 2024 Read More »

One Nation One Election report submitted to President Droupadi Murmu

A High-Level Committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted a report on “One Nation One Election” to President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on 14 March 2024 .

This report, which comprises 18,626 pages and took 191 days of extensive consultations with stakeholders and experts, is considered crucial for Aspirational India according to the Law and Justice Ministry.

The submission ceremony was attended by various dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh.

Q: What is the concept of “One Nation One Election”?

a) A campaign to promote unity among political parties
b) A proposal for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies
c) A national holiday for voting across all states
d) A constitutional amendment to limit the number of political parties allowed to contest elections

Ans : b) A proposal for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies

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Govt announces implementation of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA)

On March 11, 2024, the Indian government made an announcement regarding the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA). This development comes four years after the contentious law was initially passed, and it has significant implications for certain categories of migrants in India.

Here are the key points related to the implementation of the CAA:

  1. Purpose of CAA:
    • The CAA aims to provide citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.
    • The law specifically targets persecuted minorities from these countries, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians.
  2. Rules Issued:
    • With the issuance of the CAA rules, the Modi government will now begin granting Indian nationality to the eligible non-Muslim migrants from the three countries.
    • The rules enable these individuals to apply for Indian citizenship through a completely online mode, facilitated by a dedicated web portal.
  3. Background:
    • The CAA was passed in December 2019 and received presidential assent. However, widespread protests erupted across various parts of the country against its provisions.
    • Until now, the law could not be fully implemented because the rules had not been officially notified.
    • The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 now pave the way for eligible migrants to seek Indian citizenship.

Q: What was the purpose of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA)?

A) To provide citizenship to all migrants from neighboring countries
B) To grant Indian nationality to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan
C) To promote religious diversity in India
D) To restrict immigration from specific countries

Answer: B) To grant Indian nationality to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan

Govt announces implementation of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) Read More »

Three new Criminal Laws to become effective from July 1

The Centre announced that the provisions of three significant laws – Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 – will become effective on July 1, 2024.

  • The Home Ministry conveyed this information through a gazette notification.
  • These laws were passed by Parliament in December 2023.
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 are slated to replace the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

Q: When will the provisions of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 come into force?

a) July 1, 2023
b) July 1, 2024
c) January 1, 2023
d) December 31, 2023

Ans : b) July 1, 2024

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Prime Minister Modi Reaffirmed as World’s Most Popular Leader

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi tops global leader approval ratings with 78%.
  • Survey conducted by US-based agency Morning Consult unveils Modi’s popularity.
  • Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador secures second place with 65% approval rating.
  • Argentina President Javier Milei ranks third with a 63% approval rating.
  • US President Joe Biden is positioned 11th among world leaders.
  • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ranks 17th.
  • UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is placed 20th.
  • Survey data collected from January 30 to February 5.

Question: Who emerged as the most popular global leader with a 78% approval rating by Morning Consult 2024?
a) President of Mexico
b) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
c) President of Argentina
d) US President Joe Biden

  • Correct answer: b) Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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RLD Joins NDA, Ends Ties with Opposition Alliance; Jayant Chaudhary

  1. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has decided to join the ruling NDA alliance, ending its association with the opposition alliance.
  2. The decision was announced by RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhary on February 12, 2024, in New Delhi.
  3. Chaudhary stated that the decision was made considering the current situation and with the intention of doing something good for the people.
  4. The RLD Chief consulted with all the MLAs and workers of his party before making the decision.
  5. Jayant Chaudhary highlighted the party’s happiness over the announcement of Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, emphasizing that it reflects respect for farmers, youth, and the poor across the country, not just for his family.
  6. The RLD was previously part of the opposition I.N.D.I.A alliance.
  7. Jayant Chaudhary is the grandson of the former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Q: After the announcement of Bharat Ratna to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, which political party decided to join the ruling NDA alliance?

a. Biju Janta Dal (BJD)
b. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)
c. Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD)
d. Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)

Ans : b. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)

RLD Joins NDA, Ends Ties with Opposition Alliance; Jayant Chaudhary Read More »

Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill, 2024

  1. Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2024, on 7 Feb 2024, by voice vote.
  2. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Bill, aims to maintain the current income tax rates for the financial year 2024-2025.

Q: Who introduced the Finance Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha?

a) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
b) Home Minister Amit Saha
c) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
d) Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary

Ans : c) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill, 2024 Read More »

Lok Sabha passes Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024

On 6th February 2024, the Lok Sabha took a decisive step towards ensuring fair and just public examinations by passing the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024. This bill aims to curb the rampant issue of cheating and malpractices in various public examinations, including entrance tests like NEET and JEE, recruitment exams conducted by UPSC and SSC, and other board exams.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

  • Strict Penalties: The bill prescribes a minimum imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore for indulging in unfair means like leaking question papers, using electronic devices for cheating, impersonating candidates, and organizing or abetting such activities.
  • Wider Coverage: It encompasses not just students and candidates but also exam officials, coaching centers, and individuals or organizations involved in facilitating cheating.
  • Strengthened Enforcement: The bill empowers authorities to conduct searches, seize electronic devices, and intercept communication to prevent and investigate malpractices.

Q: The main objective of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill is to:

a) Increase the difficulty level of exams
b) Reduce the number of public examinations
c) Ensure fair and just public examinations
d) Introduce online exams for all subjects

Ans : c) Ensure fair and just public examinations

Lok Sabha passes Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 Read More »

Champai Soren-led JMM-Congress alliance government wins trust vote in Jharkhand

The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance government, led by Champai Soren, secured a victory in the trust vote on February 5, 2024, in the Jharkhand State Assembly.

  1. The Floor Test resulted in a majority of 47 votes in favor of the motion out of the total 81 members in the Assembly.
  2. Opposition to the motion included 29 legislators, while one JMM and one BJP legislator, Ramdas Soren & Indrajit Mahatha, were absent due to prolonged illness.
  3. Independent MLA Saryu Roy abstained from voting, and Amit Kumar Mandal remained absent.
  4. The Gandey constituency seat has been vacant since December 2023.
  5. Former Chief Minister and JMM Executive President Hemant Soren were granted permission by the PMLA court to participate in the vote.

Q: Who leads the alliance government that won the trust vote in the Jharkhand State Assembly?

  • A. Hemant Soren
  • B. Champai Soren (Correct)
  • C. Ramdas Soren
  • D. Indrajit Mahatha

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