[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 17 July 2023

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Indian constitution provides for a provision of the Supreme Court under Part V (The Union) and Chapter 6 (The Union Judiciary).
• Articles 124 to 147 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organization, independence, jurisdiction, powers and procedures of the Supreme Court.
• The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President. The CJI is appointed by the President after consultation with such judges of the Supreme Court and high courts as he deems necessary.
• What is the Collegium system?
  • The Collegium of judges does not figure in the Constitution. It is the Supreme Court’s invention.
  • Constitution says judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the President and speaks of a process of consultation.
  • Therefore, Collegium is a system under which judges are appointed by an institution comprising judges.
  • Collegium also recommends the transfer of Chief Justices and other judges.
• How did this come into being?
  • ‘First Judges Case’ (1981) ruled that the “consultation” with the CJI in the matter of appointments must be full and effective. However, the CJI’s opinion should have primacy.
  • Second Judges Case (1993) introduced the Collegium system, holding that “consultation” really meant “concurrence”. It added that it was not the CJI’s individual opinion, but an institutional opinion formed in consultation with the two senior-most judges in the Supreme Court.
  • Third Judges Case (1998): SC on President’s reference expanded the Collegium to a five-member body, comprising the CJI and four of his senior-most colleagues
• Oath or Affirmation
  • A person appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court, before entering upon his office, has to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation before the President, or some other person appointed by him for this purpose. In his oath, a judge of the Supreme Court swears:
    • to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India;
    • to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India;
    • to duly and faithfully and to the best of his ability, knowledge and judgement to perform the duties of the Office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; and
    • to uphold the Constitution and the laws.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/the-collegium-system/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Ad hoc Judge: When there is a lack of quorum of the permanent judges to hold or continue any session of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India can appoint a judge of a High Court as an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court for a temporary period. He can do so only after consultation with the chief justice of the High Court concerned and with the previous consent of the president. The judge so appointed should be qualified for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court. It is the duty of the judge so appointed to attend the sittings of the Supreme Court, in priority to other duties of his office. While so attending, he enjoys all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges (and discharges the duties) of a judge of the Supreme Court.
• Retired Judge: At any time, the chief justice of India can request a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a retired judge of a high court (who is duly qualified for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court) to act as a judge of the Supreme Court for a temporary period. He can do so only with the previous consent of the president and also of the person to be so appointed. Such a judge is entitled to such allowances as the president may determine. He will also enjoy all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges of a judge of Supreme Court. But he will not otherwise be deemed to be a judge of the Supreme Court.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/the-collegium-system/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: The Collegium of the Supreme Court consists of 5 senior most Judges including the Chief Justice of India. They will consider the elevation of Chief Justices/Judges of High Court to Supreme Court, elevation of Judges of High Courts as Chief Justices and elevation of Judges. In case of difference of opinion, the majority view will prevail. Since Constitution mandates consultation with the Chief Justice of India is necessary for appointments to judiciary, the collegium model evovled.
• S2: Article 222 of the Constitution provides for the transfer of a judge from one High Court to another.
• S3: Yes, the Collegium also recommends the transfer of Chief Justices and other judges.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/the-collegium-system/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The speaker has the discretion to accept or reject the motion, so S1 is wrong.
• S2: It has not been defined.
• S3 and S4 are well known and can be verified here https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/impeachment-explainer-and-options-before-oppn-if-chairman-rejects-motion-118042000800_1.html

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/the-collegium-system/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Indian Union government is reluctant to declare lightning a natural disaster, as it believes that deaths caused by lightning can be prevented through awareness of safety measures.
• India currently has an early warning system for lightning, providing forecasts from five days to up to three hours in advance.
• Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslip, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold wave are now considered disasters under the SDRF.
• The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) has been constituted in each State under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The fund is the primary fund available with State Governments for responses to notified disasters. The Central Government contributes 75% to the SDRF in general States and 90% in North-East and Himalayan States.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/lightening-natural-disaster/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/cptpp/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: NITI Aayog is releasing the third edition of the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) for States/UTs of India for the year 2022
• The report discusses India’s export performance, followed by an overview of the country’s sector-specific export performance. The report further highlights the need to develop our districts as export hubs in the country and undertakes a district-level analysis of merchandise exports in the country.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/export-preparedness-index-epi-report-2022/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Currently available newborn screening (genome) for childhood diseases allows detection of rare disorders that can be prevented or better treated by early detection and intervention.
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whole-genome-sequencing-predict-disease/
• Statement 2: Naturally if the gene potential can be identified by screening and sequencing, it will help in better genetic engineering.
• Statement 3: This can be reasoned logically based on the above.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_genome_sequencing

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/evolution-of-synthetic-genomes/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The conservation status of the hoolock gibbon, India’s only ape species, has become a matter of concern at a global event on gibbons held in China.
• About Gibbons:
  • It is the smallest and fastest ape and is found in tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia. The hoolock gibbon, unique to India’s northeast, is one of the 20 gibbon species on Earth, with an estimated population of 12,000.
  • All 20 gibbon species, including the hoolock gibbon, are at a high risk of extinction due to dramatic declines in their distribution and populations since 1900, leaving only small populations in tropical rainforests.
  • Threats: The primary threat to the hoolock gibbon in India is the felling of trees for infrastructure projects.
  • Initiatives: The Global Gibbon Network (GGN) aims to protect and conserve gibbons and their habitats by promoting participatory conservation policies and actions.
  • Aaranyak, a non-profit conservation organization based in Assam, India, is one of the founding organizations of the GGN from seven countries.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/china-event-raises-concern-over-indias-only-ape/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• 38th parallel, a popular name given to latitude 38° N that in East Asia roughly demarcates North Korea and South Korea. The line was chosen by U.S. military planners at the Potsdam Conference (July 1945) near the end of World War II as an army boundary, north of which the U.S.S.R.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/07/17/north-korea/