Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – January 14, 2023 [Mock Test]
January 25, 2023 January 25, 2023
1. With respect to the Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index, consider the following statements:
- India has moved down six places to rank 129 in 2022.
- Switzerland leads the CRII followed by Germany and Australia.
- It is prepared by Oxfam International and Development Finance International.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 3]
Notes:- India has moved up six places to rank 123 out of 161 countries for reducing inequality according to the latest Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII). But India continues to be among the lowest performers in health spending. Norway leads the CRII followed by Germany and Australia.
- The Index which is prepared by Oxfam International and Development Finance International (DFI) measures government policies and actions in three areas proven to have a major impact on reducing inequality. The three areas are public services (health, education, and social protection), taxation and workers’ rights.
- India’s health spending is 3.64 per cent of total spending. This is the lowest out of all BRICS and neighbouring countries, the report said. While China and Russia are spending 10 per cent, Brazil is at 7.7 per cent and South Africa is highest at 12.9 per cent.
2. With respect to the Committee of Parliament on Official Language, consider the following statements:
- It submits its report to the Parliament.
- It is constituted by the Home Ministry.
- It was set up under Section 4 of The Official Languages Act, 1963.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:- Unlike the other Parliamentary panels, the Committee of Parliament on Official Language is constituted by the Home Ministry
- It does not, like the Committees of Parliament, submit its report to Parliament. Under the provisions of the 1963 Act, the panel submits its report to the President, who “shall [then] cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament, and sent to all the State Governments”.
- The Committee of Parliament on Official Language was set up in 1976 under Section 4 of The Official Languages Act, 1963.
- Section 4 of the Act says “there shall be constituted a Committee on Official language, on a resolution to that effect being moved in either House of Parliament with the previous sanction of the President and passed by both Houses”.
- The Committee is chaired by the Union Home Minister, and has, in accordance with the provisions of the 1963 Act, 30 members — 20 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 MPs from Rajya Sabha.
- The mandate of the Committee is to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for official purposes, and to make recommendations to increase the use of Hindi in official communications.
- The first Report of the Committee was submitted in 1987.
3. Which of the following is/are correct about first judge case, 1981?
- The Supreme court held that the concept of primacy of the CJI was implicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court held that the term “consultation” used in Articles 124 and 217 did not mean “concurrence”.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- In SP Gupta vs Union of India (First Judge Case), 1981, the Supreme Court held that the concept of primacy of the CJI was not really rooted in the Constitution.
- The Constitution Bench also held that the term “consultation” used in Articles124 and 217 did not mean “concurrence”.
- Therefore, though the President will consult these functionaries, his decision doesn’t have to concur with them.
- This judgment tilted the balance of power in favor of the executive.
