Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – September 16, 2022 [Mock Test]
September 16, 2022 September 16, 2022
1. Which of the statements about anti-defection law given below is correct?
[A] Presiding officer should decide with in 3 months on the question of disqualification of a legislator
[B] Presiding officer is the highest office to decide on the question of disqualification
[C] A legislator who has been elected as an independent candidate joins a party will not be disqualified
[D] A nominated legislator joins a party after 6 months will be disqualified
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [A nominated legislator joins a party after 6 months will be disqualified]
Notes:- The anti-defection law came through the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution.
- When legislators elected on the ticket of one political party give up membership of the party voluntarily or vote against the party’s whip in the legislature.
- A MP or an MLA who has been elected as an independent can merge with a party later.
- When nominated legislators join a political party. However, the law states that it can be done only within six months of being appointed to the House.
- The presiding officers of the legislatures, which can be the Speaker or chairman, are the deciding authorities in such cases. However, legislators can challenge the decisions before the higher judiciary.
- The law does not provide the time frame within which the legislator should be disqualified by the presiding officer.
2. Consider the following statements:
- Partners in the Blue Pacific initiative members are USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India.
- This initiative aims to enhance cooperation on climate crisis, connectivity and transportation etc.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative is a five-nation (the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom) “informal mechanism” to support Pacific islands and to boost diplomatic, economic ties in the region. It aims to enhance “prosperity, resilience, and security” in the Pacific through closer cooperation.
- The forum remains open to cooperating with additional partners.
- The areas where PBP aims to enhance cooperation include “climate crisis, connectivity and transportation, maritime security and protection, health, prosperity, and education”.
3. ‘Kihoto Hollohan’ case, which is in news recently, is related to which of the following?
[A] Essential practice doctrine
[B] Anti-defection
[C] Talaq-e-hasan
[D] Child Marriage
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Anti-defection]
Notes:- A constitutional challenge to the Tenth Schedule was settled by the apex court in ‘Kihoto Hollohan’.
- In ‘Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu And Others’ (1992), Supreme Court upheld the sweeping discretion available to the Speaker in deciding cases of disqualification of MLAs.
- The law covering the disqualification of lawmakers and the powers of the Speaker in deciding such matters became part of the statute book in 1985 when the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, commonly known as the ‘anti-defection law’, was adopted.
