UPSC Essentials : Daily subject-wise quiz | Polity and Governance MCQs on Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, statutory bodies and more (Week 92)

1. shall not vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the House of the People

2. may be removed from his office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House

3. may at any time resign from his office by writing to the President of India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Explanation

— A member holding office as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of the People —

(a) shall vacate his office if he ceases to be a member of the House of the People; Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

(b) may at any time, by writing under his hand, be addressed, if such member is the Speaker, to the Deputy Speaker, and if such member is the Deputy Speaker, to the Speaker, resign his office; and Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

(c) may be removed from his office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House: Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Provided that no resolution for the purposes of clause (c) shall be moved unless at least fourteen days’ notice of the intention to propose the resolution is given.

— Furthermore, if the House of the People is dissolved, the Speaker shall remain in office until shortly before the first sitting of the House of the People following the dissolution.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: Constitution of India)

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, consider the following statements:

1. It states that transgender people can be issued a “certificate of identity” as proof of their identity which cannot be revised later.

2. The act does not provide a detailed procedure for obtaining this certificate.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— Five years after the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, the Karnataka High Court has ruled that a transgender woman can change her name and gender on her birth certificate. She was previously refused this, despite the fact that it is specifically permitted by the 2019 Act and subsequent guidelines.

— The petitioner in Ms. X versus State of Karnataka (2024) was diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition characterised by unhappiness with one’s gender identity. Gender identity (such as boy or girl) is determined at birth based on sex organs. Gender, as opposed to sex (which refers to biology), has evolved over time to be recognised as a social identity.

— The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, states that transgender people can be issued a “certificate of identity” as proof of their identity (Section 6) which can be revised if they choose to opt for a sex-reassignment surgery (Section 7). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The law explicitly says the gender of a transgender person “shall be recorded in all official documents” per this certificate. It also states that anyone having this certificate or a revised certificate “shall be entitled to change the first name in the birth certificate and all other official documents relating to the identity of such person”.

— The detailed procedure for obtaining this certificate can be found under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020, which also has a list of “official documents” that includes “Birth Certificate” as the first entry. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 comes under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Offering a bribe comes under:

(a) Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018

(b) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

(c) Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002

(d) The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013

Explanation

— In a case that could significantly impact corruption cases lodged before 2018, the Supreme Court is set to decide whether offering a bribe is punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PCA), even if the public official refuses the offer.

— A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Prashant Kumar Mishra is tentatively set to hear the case on January 21.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:

1. The term of the Lok Sabha cannot be dissolved.

2. While a proclamation of emergency is in effect, Parliament may extend this period by law for a period not exceeding three years at a time.

3. The first General Elections to the Lok Sabha were held between 25 October 1949 and 21 February 1950.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— According to Article 79 of the Indian Constitution, the House of the People, or Lok Sabha, is the lower house of parliament. The Lok Sabha is made up of people’s representatives who are elected directly using adult suffrage.

— The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552.

— As Per Article 81 of the Constitution, Subject to the provisions of article 331 ,the House of the People shall consist of—

(a) not more than five hundred and thirty members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the States, and

(b) not more than [twenty members] to represent the Union territories, chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law provide.

— The Lok Sabha (Lower House of the People) was duly formed for the first time on 17 April 1952, following the first General Elections, which were held between 25 October 1951 and 21 February 1952. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— At present, the strength of the House is 543. The term of the Lok Sabha, unless dissolved, is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— However, while a proclamation of emergency is in effect, Parliament may extend this period by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not exceeding six months after the proclamation has ceased to operate. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: sansad.in)

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Statutory bodies, consider the following statements:

1. These bodies are institutions established by an act of Parliament or state legislatures.

2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a statutory body.

3. They are designed to serve as checks and balances on governmental power.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— Constitutional bodies are institutions or authorities whose powers, duties, and structures are explicitly defined in the Constitution. Their roles extend beyond mere administrative functions, as they are designed to serve as checks and balances on governmental power. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Some of the constitutional bodies are the Election Commission of India (ECI), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Finance Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), National Commissions for SCs, STs, and Minorities, and Attorney General of India.

— Statutory bodies play a vital role in strengthening our democracy. These bodies are institutions established by an act of Parliament or state legislatures, deriving their authority from legislation rather than directly from the Constitution. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Some examples of statutory bodies are the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Commission for Women (NCW), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Non-statutory bodies, also known as executive or advisory bodies, are organisations or committees that are established by an executive order or administrative resolution rather than by an act of Parliament or state legislatures. They are created for specific purposes and may not have a legal framework backing them, as is the case with statutory bodies.

— Examples include the Planning Commission (replaced by NITI Aayog), task forces, and expert committees created to address contemporary challenges like social development or economic reform.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 91)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 91)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 91)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 91)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 91)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 91)

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