Polity Miscellaneous for Prelims

Legal Provisions: The National Commission of Minority Act defines a minority as “a community notified as such by the Central government.” The Government of India has declared six religions namely, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis (Zoroastrian) and Jain as religious minorities in India. National Commission for Minority Education Institution (NCMEI) Act, 2004: It gives the minority status to the educational institutions on the basis …

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Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS): In 2016, the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, were amended to allow service voters to vote using the ETPBS. Postal ballots are sent electronically to registered service voters under this system. The service voter can then download the ETPB, register their mandate on the ballot, and mail it to …

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What are Emergency Provisions? These provisions enable the Central government to meet any abnormal situation effectively. Emergency Provisions in Indian Constitution are taken from Government of India Act 1935. However, suspension of Fundamental Rights during emergency is taken from Weimer (German) Constitution. The rationality behind the incorporation is to safeguard the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the country, the democratic …

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Status of Scheduled Tribes in India: As per Census-1931, Schedule tribes are termed as “backward tribes” living in the “Excluded” and “Partially Excluded” areas. The Government of India Act of 1935 called for the first time for representatives of “backward tribes” in provincial assemblies. The Constitution does not define the criteria for recognition of Scheduled Tribes and hence the definition …

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Supplementary Demand for Grants Article 115 of the constitution provides for Supplementary, additional or excess grants. (Note: Article 116 provides for Votes on account, votes of credit and exceptional grants.) They are additional grants which are required to meet the expenditure of the government Their demand is presented when the authorized amounts are insufficient and …

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Fundamental rights available only to citizens and  not to foreigners Fundamental rights available to both citizens &  foreigners (except enemy aliens) Article 15: Prohibition of  discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 14: Equality before law and  equal protection of laws. Article 16: Equality of opportunity in  matters of public employment. Article …

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Constitutional and Legal provisions for Mother Tongue: Article 29 of the Constitution (Protection of interests of minorities) gives all citizens right to conserve their language and prohibits discrimination on the basis of language. Article 120 (Language to be used in Parliament) provides for use of Hindi or English for transactions of Parliament but gives the right to members …

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Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, 2021: The Bill amends the Constitution to allow states and union territories to prepare their own list of socially and educationally backward classes. Key Provisions of the Bill: List of socially and educationally backward classes:  The National Commission for Backward Classes(NCBC) was established under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The …

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The Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) has dismissed 11 J&K government employees for alleged terror links under provisions of Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution. About Article 311 of the Indian Constitution: Article 311 of the Constitution deals with ‘Dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or a …

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What is an election petition? An election petition is a procedure for inquiring into the validity of the election results of Parliamentary or local government elections. In other words, it is a means under law to challenge the election of a candidate in a Parliamentary, Assembly or local election. Why in News? An election petition …

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