Create a custom practice set
Pick category, difficulty, number of questions, and time limit. Start instantly with your own quiz.
Generate QuizPolity – True/False – GK Questions
Free practice for SSC, UPSC, Banking & Railway exams. No login required.
Rights-based legislations increasingly recognize intersectional vulnerabilities; for example, the NFSA gives priority to women, children, and marginalized groups in identifying beneficiaries.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Intersectionality in rights legislation: Recognizes that disadvantages multiply across identities (gender, caste, disability, location). Examples: (a) NFSA: Priority to women (eldest woman head of household for ration card), children (ICDS, mid-day meals), SC/ST households, (b) RTE: 25% reservation for EWS/disadvantaged groups including SC/ST, (c) RPwD Act: Special provisions for women/girls with disabilities. Holistic approach ensures rights reach most marginalized; requires disaggregated data, targeted outreach, inclusive implementation.
Rights-based legislations typically establish dedicated monitoring bodies; for example, the RTE Act mandates constitution of National/State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights to monitor implementation.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Rights-based legislations often create monitoring architecture: (a) RTE Act: NCPCR/SCPCRs monitor implementation, inquire into violations, (b) NFSA: State Food Commissions monitor PDS, (c) MGNREGA: Social audits by Gram Sabhas, independent evaluations, (d) RTI Act: Information Commissions adjudicate appeals. These bodies provide: (a) Expert oversight, (b) Grievance redressal, (c) Policy recommendations. Effectiveness depends on independence, capacity, resources, and government responsiveness to recommendations.
Technology platforms like Aadhaar-based authentication, DBT, and mobile apps have improved the delivery of benefits under rights-based legislations by reducing leakages and enhancing transparency.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Technology in rights-based delivery: (a) Aadhaar seeding: Reduces ghost beneficiaries in PDS (NFSA), MGNREGA, (b) Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Ensures wages/subsidies reach beneficiaries directly, (c) Mobile apps: RTI online filing, MGNREGA muster roll access, NFSA ration tracking, (d) GIS mapping: Monitor infrastructure under RTE, MGNREGA. Challenges: Digital divide, privacy concerns, exclusion errors due to authentication failures. Technology is enabler, not substitute for robust institutions and human oversight.
The PC-PNDT Act, 1994 prohibits sex selection before and after conception to prevent female foeticide and improve child sex ratio.
- True
- False
Answer: True
PC-PNDT Act, 1994 (amended 2003): Prohibits: (a) Use of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex selection, (b) Sale/distribution/use of ultrasound machines without registration, (c) Communication of sex of foetus. Provides for: (a) Regulation of genetic counselling centres, laboratories, clinics, (b) Penalties: imprisonment, fine, license cancellation. Implementation challenges: clandestine practices, social son preference, need for community mobilization alongside enforcement. Critical for addressing gender-biased sex selection.
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for women in establishments with 10 or more employees.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: Key changes: (a) Paid maternity leave: 26 weeks (up from 12) for first two children, (b) 12 weeks for adoptive/commissioning mothers, (c) Crèche facility mandatory for establishments with 50+ employees, (d) Work from home option after maternity period. Aims to improve maternal/child health, women's workforce participation. Challenges: potential disincentive for employers to hire women, need for state support for small enterprises.
Rights-based legislations like RTE Act, NFSA, MGNREGA create legally enforceable rights, and citizens can approach courts for their enforcement if the State fails to provide entitled benefits.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Rights-based legislations transform policy commitments into justiciable rights: (a) RTE Act: Parents can approach courts if child denied admission, (b) NFSA: Beneficiaries can seek grievance redressal, (c) MGNREGA: Workers can claim unemployment allowance if work not provided. However, enforcement depends on: (a) Awareness of rights, (b) Access to grievance mechanisms, (c) Administrative capacity, (d) Judicial responsiveness. Rights on paper require institutional mechanisms and political will for effective realization.
The Right to Information Act, 2005 overrides the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and no information can be denied solely on grounds of being classified under OSA.
- True
- False
Answer: False
RTI Act, Section 8(1): Lists exemptions including information which would prejudicially affect: (a) Sovereignty/integrity of India, (b) Security, strategic, scientific, economic interests of State, (c) Relation with foreign State, (d) Incitement to offence. Such information may be denied even if not explicitly covered by OSA. However, Section 8(2): Even exempt information must be disclosed if public interest in disclosure outweighs harm. Balances transparency with legitimate security concerns; courts decide on case-by-case basis.
The RTE Act, 2009 applies to all States and Union Territories except Jammu and Kashmir (prior to 2019).
- True
- False
Answer: True
RTE Act, 2009: Applies to all India except J&K (which had separate Constitution under Article 370). Post-abrogation of Article 370 (2019), RTE Act extended to J&K. Act mandates: (a) Free education for 6-14 years, (b) 25% reservation in private unaided schools for EWS/disadvantaged groups, (c) No detention policy (modified by 2019 amendment), (d) Teacher qualification standards. Implementation varies across States; challenges include infrastructure gaps, teacher shortages, learning outcomes.
Under the Lokpal Act, 2013, NGOs receiving foreign contribution above ₹10 lakh or government funding above ₹1 crore are brought within Lokpal's jurisdiction.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Lokpal Act, 2013, Section 14: Extends jurisdiction to: (a) Public servants as defined in Prevention of Corruption Act, (b) Any person who is/has been Chairperson, member, officer, director of a society/trust/body corporate/NGO: (i) Receiving foreign contribution above ₹10 lakh under FCRA, OR (ii) Receiving government funding above ₹1 crore, OR (iii) Having annual income above ₹1 crore. Ensures accountability of entities handling public resources, but raises concerns about regulatory overreach on civil society.
The Digital India initiative aims to transform governance through technology by ensuring government services are made available to citizens electronically, improving online infrastructure, and increasing internet connectivity.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Digital India (launched 2015): Three vision areas: (1) Digital infrastructure as utility to every citizen, (2) Governance and services on demand, (3) Digital empowerment of citizens. Key components: BharatNet (rural broadband), Common Service Centres, e-Governance platforms (UMANG, DigiLocker), digital payments. Aims to improve transparency, efficiency, accessibility of public services; reduce corruption through technology-enabled accountability.
The National Human Rights Commission has the powers of a civil court while inquiring into complaints, including summoning witnesses and requiring discovery of documents.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Section 13: NHRC has powers of civil court under Code of Civil Procedure for: (a) Summoning/enforcing attendance of witnesses, (b) Discovering/producing documents, (c) Receiving evidence on affidavits, (d) Requisitioning public records, (e) Issuing commissions for witness examination. However, NHRC recommendations are not binding; implementation depends on government response. Balances investigative powers with executive implementation responsibility.
All States in India have established Lokayuktas with uniform powers and jurisdiction as mandated by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013: Mandates States to establish Lokayuktas within one year, but States have flexibility in design: powers, jurisdiction, composition vary. Some States had Lokayuktas before 2013 (e.g., Maharashtra, 1971); others enacted laws later. As of 2024, not all States have functional Lokayuktas. Highlights challenges in implementing uniform accountability mechanisms across India's diverse federal structure.
The Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, 2005 mandates social audit of works by Gram Sabhas to ensure transparency and accountability in implementation.
- True
- False
Answer: True
MGNREGA, Section 17: Mandates social audit of all projects by Gram Sabha. Social audit involves: (a) Public verification of records, expenditure, beneficiary selection, (b) Gram Sabha discussion and approval, (c) Action on findings. Empowers citizens to monitor implementation, detect corruption, ensure accountability. Model extended to other schemes. Foundation of participatory governance at grassroots level.
Under Section 8 of the RTI Act, information relating to cabinet papers including records of Council of Ministers is exempt from disclosure until the decision is implemented and reasons are made public.
- True
- False
Answer: True
RTI Act, Section 8(1)(i): Exempts cabinet papers including records of Council of Ministers, Secretaries, etc., until decision implemented and reasons made public. However, once decision taken and matter complete, exemption ceases. Section 8(2): Even exempt information must be disclosed if public interest in disclosure outweighs harm to protected interests. Balances transparency with effective governance and collective responsibility.
The Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners at Union and State levels are appointed by the President/Governor on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister/Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister/State Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister/Chief Minister.
- True
- False
Answer: True
RTI Act, 2005 (Section 15 for CIC, Section 16 for SICs): Appointment committee: (a) Union: PM (Chairperson), LoP in Lok Sabha, Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM, (b) State: CM (Chairperson), LoP in Assembly, State Cabinet Minister nominated by CM. 2019 Amendment changed tenure and salary conditions to be prescribed by Central Government, raising concerns about executive influence on Information Commissions' independence.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) functions under the administrative control of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
- True
- False
Answer: True
CBI is not a constitutional/statutory body; established by Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. Functions under administrative control of DoPT, Ministry of Personnel. This has raised concerns about executive influence on CBI investigations. Supreme Court in Vineet Narain case (1997) directed measures to ensure CBI independence, including fixed tenure for Director. Debate continues on granting statutory independence to CBI.
In Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal (1996), the Supreme Court held that failure of government hospital to provide timely medical treatment violates right to life under Article 21.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Paschim Banga (1996): SC held: (a) Right to health is integral to right to life under Article 21, (b) Government has constitutional obligation to provide adequate medical facilities, (c) Failure of government hospital to provide timely treatment violates Article 21, (d) State liable to pay compensation for negligence. Foundation for right to health jurisprudence; led to improvements in public health infrastructure.
In Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991), the Supreme Court held that right to pollution-free water and air is part of right to life under Article 21.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Subhash Kumar (1991): SC held: (a) Right to life under Article 21 includes right to enjoyment of pollution-free water and air, (b) Citizens can approach courts under Article 32/226 for enforcement of environmental rights, (c) PIL mechanism enables public-spirited persons to seek environmental protection. Foundation for environmental jurisprudence; led to closure of polluting industries, protection of forests, rivers.
In Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (Aadhaar case, 2018), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar Act but struck down mandatory linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts and mobile numbers.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Aadhaar Judgment (2018): 4:1 majority upheld Aadhaar Act for: (a) Welfare schemes (to prevent leakage), (b) PAN-Aadhaar linking (to curb tax evasion), (c) IT Act compliance. Struck down: (a) Mandatory linking with bank accounts/mobile numbers (disproportionate invasion of privacy), (b) Aadhaar authentication for school admissions (violates children's privacy). Balances state interest in welfare delivery with right to privacy.
In Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court struck down Section 377 of IPC to the extent it criminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults, holding it violated Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Navtej Singh Johar (2018): 5-judge bench unanimously struck down Section 377 IPC to extent it criminalized consensual same-sex relations between adults. Held: (a) Violates Article 14 (arbitrary classification), Article 15 (discrimination based on sexual orientation), Article 19 (expression of identity), Article 21 (privacy, dignity, autonomy), (b) Sexual orientation intrinsic to personality; discrimination unconstitutional. Landmark LGBTQ+ rights judgment.