Polity Current Affairs

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

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

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

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the interim budget on February 1, 2024

Budget Session of Parliament begins on 31 January 2024 with President’s address to joint sitting of both the Houses.

  • Significance:
    • First Budget session in the new Parliament building.
    • Last session before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections (expected April-May 2024).
    • Marked by President Droupadi Murmu’s first address to a joint sitting.
  • Upcoming events:
    • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the interim budget on February 1, 2024.
    • The session will have a total of eight sittings spread over ten days.
    • Discussion and debate on the budget and other key issues expected.

Q.: What is the term used for the budget presented during the Budget Session before the general elections?

a) Full budget
b) Interim budget
c) Supplementary budget
d) Vote-on-account budget

Ans : b) Interim budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the interim budget on February 1, 2024 Read More »

Hemant Soren resigns as CM of Jharkhand; Champai Soren to be the new Chief Minister

  • Hemant Soren resigned as Jharkhand Chief Minister: After being questioned by the ED for a land scam, Hemant Soren stepped down as Chief Minister.
  • Champai Soren to be new CM: Senior JMM leader and Transport Minister Champai Soren will replace Hemant Soren.
  • Ruling alliance met Governor: JMM and Congress MLAs met the Governor to submit their claim for forming the government with Champai Soren as CM.
  • Hemant Soren arrested by ED: Following his resignation, Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the land scam case.

Q. What was the reason behind Hemant Soren’s resignation as Chief Minister of Jharkhand?

a) He lost a vote of confidence in the assembly.
b) He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a corruption case.
c) He resigned due to health reasons.
d) He was asked to step down by his party.

Ans : b) He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a corruption case.

Q. Who will be the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand?

a) Hemant Soren
b) Champai Soren
c) CP Radhakrishnan
d) None of the above

Ans : b) Champai Soren

Hemant Soren resigns as CM of Jharkhand; Champai Soren to be the new Chief Minister Read More »

Budget Session of Parliament from 31st January to 9th February 2024

  1. The Budget Session of Parliament begins on the 31st January 2024.
  2. The session will extend until the 9th February 2024.
  3. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Interim Budget on the 1st of February.
  4. The session will commence with an address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

Q: Who will present the Interim Budget during the session?

a. President Droupadi Murmu
b. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
c. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
d. Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla

Ans : c. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Budget Session of Parliament from 31st January to 9th February 2024 Read More »

Hit-and-run Law : Drivers protesting against the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provision of a 7 lakh rupees penalty and a 10-year jail term

  1. Truck, taxi, and bus operators have initiated a three-day strike opposing the provision of a 7 lakh rupees penalty and a 10-year jail term for hit-and-run cases in recently enacted criminal code called Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
  2. The All India Motor Transport Congress argues that these provisions may lead to undue harassment and is calling for their recall.
  3. The Union Home Ministry held a meeting with the All India Motor Transport Congress on January 2, 2024, to address concerns related to the new provisions for hit-and-run cases under BNS. Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired the meeting in New Delhi.
  4. The Home Ministry sources mention that the increase in the duration of sentences in hit-and-run cases to 10 years is a response to observations made by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has emphasized the need for strict action against drivers who recklessly cause accidents resulting in fatalities and then flee the scene.

Q: What is the main cause of the widespread demonstrations by truck drivers in India?

a) Fuel prices
b) Recent criminal code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
c) Labor disputes
d) Environmental regulations

Ans : b) Recent criminal code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)

Q: What penalty and jail term are prescribed in hit-and-run cases under the recently enacted criminal code called Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)?

a) 5 lakh rupees penalty, 5 years jail term
b) 7 lakh rupees penalty, 10 years jail term
c) 10 lakh rupees penalty, 7 years jail term
d) No penalty, 15 years jail term

Ans : b) 7 lakh rupees penalty, 10 years jail term

Hit-and-run Law : Drivers protesting against the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provision of a 7 lakh rupees penalty and a 10-year jail term Read More »

Lok Sabha takes up three amended Criminal Law Bills for consideration and passing

The Lok Sabha is considering three important bills: Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023.

  1. Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023:
    • Aims to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860.
    • IPC is the primary law governing criminal offenses in India.
    • Introduces community service as a new form of punishment.
  2. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023:
    • Seeks to replace the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC).
    • CrPC outlines procedures for arrest, prosecution, and bail.
  3. Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023:
    • Replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
    • Governs the admissibility of evidence in both civil and criminal proceedings.

Digitization Provisions:

  • All three legislations include provisions for digitizing the entire legal process.
  • Digitization covers processes from filing an FIR to maintaining the case diary, and from the case diary to the charge sheet and judgment.

MCQs

  1. Which bill aims to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, governing criminal offenses in India?
    • A) Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023
    • B) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023
    • C) Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023
    • D) Indian Evidence Act, 1872
  2. What is the primary focus of the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023?
    • A) Admissibility of evidence
    • B) Criminal procedure
    • C) Punishment for criminal offenses
    • D) Replacement of the CrPC
  3. Which legislation replaces the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC)?
    • A) Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023
    • B) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023
    • C) Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023
    • D) Indian Evidence Act, 1872
  4. What significant addition does Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 make to the punishment system?
    • A) Capital punishment
    • B) Life imprisonment
    • C) Fine only
    • D) Community service
  5. Which legislation is associated with the admissibility of evidence in Indian courts?
    • A) Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023
    • B) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023
    • C) Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023
    • D) Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Answers:

  1. A) Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023
  2. C) Punishment for criminal offenses
  3. B) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023
  4. D) Community service
  5. C) Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023

Lok Sabha takes up three amended Criminal Law Bills for consideration and passing Read More »

Bhajan Lal Sharma elected as Chief Minister of Rajasthan

Bhajan Lal Sharma elected as Chief Minister of Rajasthan in BJP Legislative Party meeting on Dec 12, 2023.

  • Deputy Chief Ministers: Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa.
  • Speaker of the Assembly: Vasudev Devnani.
  • Bhajan Lal Sharma elected as MLA from Sanganer constituency. He is active in politics for 35 years, starting as Sarpanch.
  • Government formation claimed with Governor Kalraj Mishra.

Q: Who is the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan?

  • A) Vasundhara Raje
  • B) Bhajan Lal Sharma
  • C) Rajnath Singh
  • D) Vasudev Devnani

Ans : B) Bhajan Lal Sharma

Bhajan Lal Sharma elected as Chief Minister of Rajasthan Read More »

Parliament passed Jammu and Kashmir Reservation and Reorganisation (Amendment) Bills

Parliament passed Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

  • J&K Reorganisation Bill modifies the 2019 Act, increasing total legislative assembly seats from 83 to 90.
  • The Bill reserves seven seats for Scheduled Castes, nine for Scheduled Tribes, and allows nomination of two members from Kashmiri migrant community.
  • J&K Reservation Bill amends the J&K Reservation Act, replacing “weak and underprivileged classes” with “other backward classes.”
  • Home Minister Amit Shah asserted Supreme Court’s validation of Article 370 abrogation, stating it curbed separatism and terrorism.

Q: According to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, who can be nominated by the Lieutenant Governor to the Legislative Assembly?

a. Residents with long-term political experience
b. Up to two members from the Kashmiri migrant community
c. Any Indian citizen residing in Jammu and Kashmir
d. Members of recognized political parties only

Ans : b. Up to two members from the Kashmiri migrant community

Parliament passed Jammu and Kashmir Reservation and Reorganisation (Amendment) Bills Read More »

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