Polity

 

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

Lok Sabha 2024 Results: BJP Emerges Triumphant with 240 Seats

The results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 have been officially declared by Election Commission of India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party victory with 240 seats.

Detailed Seat Distribution:

Party NameSeats
Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP240
Indian National Congress – INC99
Samajwadi Party – SP37
All India Trinamool Congress – AITC29
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – DMK22
Telugu Desam – TDP16
Janata Dal (United) – JD(U)12
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) – SHSUBT9
Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar – NCPSP8
Shiv Sena – SHS7
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) – LJPRV5
Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party – YSRCP4
Rashtriya Janata Dal – RJD4
Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M)4
Indian Union Muslim League – IUML3
Aam Aadmi Party – AAAP3
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha – JMM3
Janasena Party – JnP2
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) – CPI(ML)(L)2
Janata Dal (Secular) – JD(S)2
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi – VCK2
Communist Party of India – CPI2
Rashtriya Lok Dal – RLD2
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference – JKN2
United People’s Party, Liberal – UPPL1
Asom Gana Parishad – AGP1
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) – HAMS1
Kerala Congress – KEC1
Revolutionary Socialist Party – RSP1
Nationalist Congress Party – NCP1
Voice of the People Party – VOTPP1
Zoram People’s Movement – ZPM1
Shiromani Akali Dal – SAD1
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party – RLTP1
Bharat Adivasi Party – BHRTADVSIP1
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha – SKM1
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – MDMK1
Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) – ASPKR1
Apna Dal (Soneylal) – ADAL1
AJSU Party – AJSUP1
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen – AIMIM1
Independent – IND7
Total543

Key Highlights:

  • BJP’s Resounding Victory: The Bharatiya Janata Party has won 240 seats. BJP with the support his alliances Telugu Desam (16) and Janata Dal (United) – (12) and some other regional party securing a majority in the Lok Sabha.
  • INC’s Position: The Indian National Congress has secured 99 seats, reflecting a significant opposition presence.
  • Regional Parties: The Samajwadi Party, All India Trinamool Congress, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have shown strong performances with 37, 29, and 22 seats respectively.

Q: How many seats did the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

A) 240
B) 220
C) 200
D) 260

Ans : A) 240

Q: How many seats did the Indian National Congress (INC) win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

A) 75
B) 99
C) 120
D) 135

Ans : B) 99

Andhra Pradesh and Odisha State Assembly Results

Counting of votes for the State Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha was conducted on June 4, 2024.

Andhra Pradesh Assembly Polls:

  • Total Seats: The State Assembly has a total of 175 seats.
  • Telugu Desam Party (TDP): Won 135 seats.
  • Janasena Party: Won 21 seats.
  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Secured 8 seats.
  • YSR Congress Party (YSRCP): Won 11 seats.
  • Key Individual Wins:
    • YSRCP candidate and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy won the Pulivendula Assembly seat by over 61,000 votes.
    • TDP Chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu won the Kuppam Assembly constituency.

Odisha Assembly Polls:

  • Total Seats: The State Assembly has a total of 147 seats.
  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Bagged 78 seats.
  • Biju Janata Dal (BJD): Won 51 seats.
  • Congress: Secured 14 seats.
  • Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M): Bagged 1 seat.
  • Independent Candidates: Won 3 seats.
  • Key Individual Wins:
    • BJD President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik won from the Hinjili Assembly constituency.

Q: Which party won the most seats in the Odisha Assembly polls?

A) Congress
B) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
C) Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
D) CPI(M)

Ans : B) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

New Record: NOTA (None of the Above) option received over 2 lakh votes in Indore

The NOTA (None of the Above) option received over 2 lakh votes in Indore. This marked a new record for the highest votes secured by NOTA. counting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections took place on June 4, 2024.

  1. Congress candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination on the last day and joined BJP.
  2. The Congress party then urged voters to choose the NOTA option.
  3. BJP candidate Shankar Lalwani won the Indore seat by a margin of 10,08,077 votes.
  4. NOTA secured 2,18,674 votes, more than any other candidate except the BJP winner.
  5. The next highest votes were for BSP candidate Sanjay Solanki, who received 51,659 votes.

Q: Which Lok Sabha seat set a record for the highest votes secured by NOTA in the 2024 elections?

A) Mumbai South
B) Indore
C) Bangalore North
D) Delhi Central

Ans : B) Indore

Assembly Election Result : BJP and SKM retain power in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim respectively

BJP Wins Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh:

  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has returned to power in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The BJP secured a landslide victory, winning 46 out of 60 seats.
  • Prominent BJP winners include Ninong Ering, Dr. Mahesh Chai, Tai Nikio, Homchun Ngamdam, Wangling Lowangdong, Tsering Lamu, and Chakat Aboh.

SKM Wins Assembly elections in Sikkim:

  • The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has secured another term in Sikkim.
  • SKM won 31 out of 32 seats. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won only one seat.
  • Incumbent Chief Minister and SKM President Prem Singh Tamang won from both Rhenock and Soreng Chakung Constituencies.

Election Context:

  • Counting of votes for Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim was held on 2 June 2024.
  • Polling for the seats was held on 19 April, alongside the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Q: Which party won the majority in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections held in April 2024?

A) Indian National Congress (INC)
B) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
C) Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF)
D) Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)

Ans : B) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Q: Which political party won the majority in the Sikkim Assembly elections held in April 2024?

A) Indian National Congress (INC)
B) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
C) Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF)
D) Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)

Ans : D) Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)

Voter turnout 57.51% in fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024

The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections concluded on 20 May 2024 with a voter turnout of 57.51% across 49 parliamentary constituencies in eight States and Union Territories.

  1. Assembly Elections in Odisha: Polling also ended for 35 Assembly constituencies in Odisha.
  2. Voter Turnout by Region:
    • West Bengal: 73%
    • Ladakh: 67.15%
    • Jharkhand: 63%
    • Odisha: 60.72%
    • Uttar Pradesh: 57.79%
    • Jammu and Kashmir: 54.67%
    • Bihar: 52.60%
    • Maharashtra: 49.01%
  3. Polling Details: Voting began at 7 AM and concluded at 6 PM.
  4. Eligible Voters: Over 8.95 crore voters were eligible, including 4.69 crore males, 4.26 crore females, and 5409 third-gender electors.
  5. Key Candidates: Notable candidates included Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Chirag Paswan, Omar Abdullah, and Rohini Acharya.
  6. Upcoming Phases: The remaining election phases will continue until June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

Q: What was the voter turnout for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on 20 May 2024?

A) 45.32%
B) 57.51%
C) 62.78%
D) 70.25%

Answer: B) 57.51%

Q: Which state recorded the lowest voter turnout in the fifth phase?

A) Bihar
B) Jharkhand
C) Maharashtra
D) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: C) Maharashtra

Lok Sabha election : 67.71 % Voter turnout for the fourth phase

Voter turnout for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election held on May 13, 2024, was recorded at 67.71%. Polling took place in 96 Lok Sabha seats across nine states and one Union Territory.

  • Andhra Pradesh had the highest turnout at 78.25%, while Bihar had 57.06% and Telangana had 64.93%.
  • Jammu and Kashmir had a turnout of 37.98%, Jharkhand 65.31%, and Madhya Pradesh 70.98%.
  • Maharashtra recorded 59.64%, Odisha 73.97%, Uttar Pradesh 58.05%, and West Bengal 78.44%.
  • Seats contested: Andhra Pradesh (25), Telangana (17), Uttar Pradesh (13), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), West Bengal (8), Bihar (5), Jharkhand (4), Odisha (4), and one seat from Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Total candidates in the fray: 1,717.
  • The Election Commission reported peaceful polling.
  • Polling has been completed for State Legislative Assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and 28 assembly seats of Odisha.

Q: Which of the following states had completed polling for its State Legislative Assembly along with the Lok Sabha election by phase 4?

a) Gujarat
b) Karnataka
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Tamil Nadu

Ans : c) Andhra Pradesh

Supreme Court gave temporary bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

The Supreme Court gave temporary bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 10 May 2024. He is allowed to campaign in the ongoing general elections.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal, a key leader of Aam Admi Party (AAP), on March 21 in connection with corruption allegations related to Delhi’s liquor policy.

Lok Sabha Election began on April 19 and more than half the total 543 seats were completed with the third phase on May 7. The Delhi will vote on May 25. Voting concludes on June 1 and counting is set for June 4.

Q: Why was Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the Enforcement Directorate?

a) In connection with corruption allegations related to Delhi’s healthcare policy
b) In connection with corruption allegations related to Delhi’s education policy
c) In connection with corruption allegations related to Delhi’s liquor policy
d) In connection with corruption allegations related to Delhi’s transportation policy

Ans : c) In connection with corruption allegations related to Delhi’s liquor policy

Raireshwar Fort, the highest polling booth of Maharashtra in the Baramati constituency

The Election Commission accomplished a logistical marvel by facilitating voting for 160 voters at Raireshwar Fort, the highest polling booth of Maharashtra in the Baramati constituency, located at 4,491 feet altitude.

  1. Journey to the Polling Station: Driving to the foothills of Raireshwar and further trekking 18 km via Rairi village. From there, a one-hour arduous trek, assisted by an iron ladder, led them to the polling station.
  2. Dedicated Election Staff: Despite the rugged terrain, election staff and officers were determined to ensure the democratic process, carrying essential voting machinery like EVMs and VVPAT devices to the polling station.
  3. Significance of Raireshwar Fort: Raireshwar Fort, historically significant and situated at a height of 4,505 feet, falls under the Baramati constituency, comprising six assembly seats.
  4. Maharashtra’s Contribution to Lok Sabha: With 48 Lok Sabha seats, Maharashtra is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament.

Q: How many Lok Sabha seats does Maharashtra contribute, making it the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament (Lok Sabha) ?

a) 28 b) 38 c) 48 d) 58

Ans : c) 48

International delegation to observes India’s General Election

75 delegates from 23 countries participate in the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) hosted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi.

  • Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar highlights India’s role in global democracy, emphasizing voluntary registration and voting, with the ECI promoting participation through awareness programs.
  • The scale of India’s electoral process is emphasized, with 970 million eligible voters and over 15 million polling personnel expected to be involved across 1 million polling stations.
  • Briefings cover various aspects of the Indian General Elections 2024, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), IT initiatives, and media and social media’s role.
  • Delegates will visit six states to observe polling and preparedness in different constituencies, with the programme ending on May 9, 2024.
  • The delegation, comprises representatives from countries such as Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, among others, along with participation from organizations like the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and media teams from Bhutan and Israel.

Q.: How many countries’ representatives participated in the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) hosted by the Election Commission of India (ECI)?

a) 75
b) 23
c) 6
d) 15

Ans : b) 23

Q.: Who is the Chief Election Commissioner of India as on May 2024.

A) Sunil Arora 
B) Sushil Chandra 
C) Om Prakash Rawat 
D) Rajiv Kumar

Ans : D) Rajiv Kumar

General Elections 2024 Second phase : Voters turnout across around 61%

General Elections 2024: Second phase witnessed a significant turnout across 13 States/Union Territories. Around 60.96% of eligible voters participated in the voting process.

  • Tripura recorded the highest turnout at 77.53%, while Uttar Pradesh had the lowest at 52.74%.
  • Other states with notable turnouts include Manipur (76.06%), West Bengal (71.84%), Chhattisgarh (72.13%), and Assam (70.66%).
  • Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan reported relatively lower turnouts.
  • Kerala, Karnataka, and Jammu and Kashmir saw turnout rates ranging from 63.90% to 67.22%.
  • Voting commenced at 7 am across 88 Parliamentary Constituencies spread over 12 States and Union Territories.
  • The elections are conducted in 7 phases, with results expected on June 4.

Question : Which of the following states had the lowest voter turnout during the second phase of elections?

a) Manipur
b) Rajasthan
c) Kerala
d) Uttar Pradesh

Ans : d) Uttar Pradesh

Lok Sabha Election: Second Phase Voting on 26 April 2024

The second phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is occurring on April 26, 2024, covering 88 parliamentary constituencies across 12 states and one Union territory.

Distribution of Constituencies:

20 in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, 8 each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 each in Assam and Bihar, 3 seats each in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, and 1 seat each in Manipur, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Variation in nomination filings:

Tripura parliamentary constituency received the lowest number of nominations (14), while Nanded parliamentary constituency in Maharashtra received the highest number of nominations (92).

Security measures:

Following previous incidents of violence during polling, heightened security measures have been implemented in outer Manipur, with 857 polling stations, 87 companies of paramilitary forces, and over 4,000 state police personnel deployed to ensure free and fair elections on April 26, 2024.

Q: Which state has the highest number of constituencies in the second phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 held on 26 April 2024 ?

a) Kerala
b) Maharashtra
c) Karnataka
d) Rajasthan

Ans : a) Kerala

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Phase 1 conducted peacefully, more than 60% voter turnout 

The first phase of General Elections 2024 occurred on April 19, 2024.

  • Polling was conducted peacefully in 10 states/UTs to elect members for the 18th Lok Sabha.
  • A voter turnout of over 60% across states/UTs.
  • Polls for State Legislative Assemblies of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh were also held.

Q: Which two states had polls for their State Legislative Assemblies during the first phase of elections?

a) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
b) Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
c) Gujarat and Maharashtra
d) Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Ans : b) Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are the backbone of India’s electoral process conducted by Election Commission of India (ECI).

History, design, and significance of EVMs

  1. Introduction and Evolution:
    • EVMs were introduced as an alternative to paper ballots. The ballot papers were prone to fraudulent voting and booth capturing.
    • Developed and tested by the state-owned Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in the 1990s.
    • EVMs were gradually phased into Indian elections between 1998 and 2001.
  2. Design and Technology:
    • EVMs are standalone machines with secure manufacturing practices.
    • They are self-contained, battery-powered, and lack any networking capability.
    • EVMs do not have wireless or wired internet components, ensuring tamper-proof operation.
    • The M3 version includes the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system.
  3. Functionality and Security Features:
    • EVMs electronically limit the rate of casting votes to five per minute.
    • A security “lock-close” feature ensures integrity.
    • An electronic database stores “voting signatures and thumb impressions” to confirm voter identity.
  4. Advantages:
    • Reduced electoral fraud voting and booth capturing.
    • Fairer and more competitive elections.
  5. Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT):
    • VVPAT was introduced after court rulings, to provides transparency.
    • It allows voters to verify their vote through a printed paper trail.
    • EVMs and VVPATs are now used in every assembly and general election in India.
  6. Recent Developments:
    • In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the use of VVPAT in every assembly constituency, verifying a small percentage of EVMs before certifying final results.

Q: What does VVPAT stand for in the context of EVMs?

A) Verified Voter Paper Authentication Technology
B) Voter-Verified Polling Accuracy Tracker
C) Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail
D) Verified Voting Process and Accountability Tool

Ans : C) Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail

Q: Which organization developed and tested EVMs in India during the 1990s?

A) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)
B) Electronics Corporation of India(ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)
C) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Electronics Corporation of India(ECIL)
D) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

Ans : B) Electronics Corporation of India(ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)

Election Commission uploads Electoral Bonds data with Unique Numbers on its website

On March 21, 2024, the Election Commission released a dataset of electoral bonds, including their numbers, to help match purchasers with the political parties receiving the funds. The State Bank of India (SBI) was the only bank authorized to sell and redeem electoral bonds, which were issued starting from March 2018 until the scheme was declared null and void by the Supreme Court in February 2024.

  1. Megha Engineering & Infrastructures made the largest donation of approximately ₹600 crore to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through electoral bonds, followed by other significant donors like Quik Supply Chain Management Ltd, the Vedanta Group, and the Bharti Group.
  2. The Vedanta Group was the largest donor to the Congress, contributing ₹125 crore, followed by other contributors like the Western UP Power Transmission Co, MKJ Enterprises, and the Yashoda Hospital Group.
  3. The BJP emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the electoral bond scheme, receiving ₹6,061 crore since April 2019, followed by the Trinamool Congress and the Congress.
  4. Future Gaming Group was the largest purchaser of electoral bonds, followed by Megha Engineering, and various political parties benefited from these bonds.
  5. Notable donors included Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Rahul Bhatia, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and Rajesh Agarwal.

Q: Which bank was authorized to sell and redeem electoral bonds?

a) HDFC Bank
b) ICICI Bank
c) State Bank of India (SBI)
d) Axis Bank

Ans : c) State Bank of India (SBI)

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Given the additional charge of Ministry Of Food Processing Industries

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been given an additional charge of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Appointment follows, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party Chief Pashupati Kumar Paras resigned from the Union Cabinet on 19 March 2024.

Mr Rijiju is currently holding the charge of Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Q: Who has been given an additional charge of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries?

a) Dr S Jaishankar
b) Pashupati Kumar Paras
c) Kiren Rijiju
d) Amit Saha

Ans : c) Kiren Rijiju

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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