QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 15 DECEMBER 2017

Solution: d.

For the medium term period 2014-2021, Member States have confirmed two Global Priorities of UNESCO: Priority Africa and Gender Equality.

Recently in the news: US and Israel announced their withdrawal from UNESCO.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/africa-department/priority-africa/;
Improvisation: Last question, http://vikaspedia.in/education/current-affairs/October_2017_International_CA.pdf;

Solution: a.

Article 324 of the Constitution has made the following provisions to safeguard and ensure the independent and impartial functioning of the Election Commission:

1. The chief election commissioner is provided with the security of tenure. He cannot be removed from his office except in same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. Thus, he does not hold his office till the pleasure of the president, though he is appointed by him.
2. The service conditions of the chief election commissioner cannot be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
3. Any other election commissioner or a regional commissioner cannot be removed from  office except on the recommendation of the chief election commissioner.

Though the constitution has sought to safeguard and ensure the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission, some flaws can be noted, viz., the Constitution has not

1. prescribed the  qualifications  (legal,  educational,  administrative  or judicial) of the members of the Election Commission.
2. specified the term of the members of the Election Commission.
3. debarred the  retiring  election  commissioners  from  any  further appointment by the government.

Election Commission of India, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth;

Improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/cong-to-seek-modis-apology/article21667284.ece;

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Solution: b.

Statement 1: Off the fjord coasts are numerous islands which, with ‘thresholds (ridges of rock)’ complicate coastal navigation. Fjord coasts’ mountainous background with poor accessibility inland, attract few settlements. Few large ports thus are located in fjords.

Statement 2: Are almost entirely confined to the higher latitudes of the temperate regions which were once glaciated e.g. Norway, Alaska, Southern Chile and the South Island of New Zealand.

Chapter 10, GC Leong’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography;

Improvisation: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42260580;

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Solution: c.

In the news: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bsp-corporator-takes-oath-in-urdu-is-charged-with-intent-to-hurt-religious-sentiments/article21665609.ece;

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Solution: c.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42349711;

Solution: d.

• Article 136: Special leave to appeal by the Supreme Court: …. the Supreme Court may, in its discretion, grant special leave to appeal from any judgment, decree, determination, sentence or order in any cause or matter passed or made by any court or tribunal in the territory of India.
• Article 142: The Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or orders so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, in such manner as the President may by order prescribe
• Article 144: Civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the Supreme Court All authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall act in aid of the Supreme Court

Source/improvisation: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aadhaar-linking-cji-frowns-upon-hyperbole/article21665735.ece;

Refer indiakanoon.org for articles of the Constitution.

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