Solution: d
● The Electoral Commission of India is one of the few election bodies in the world with such broad powers.
● From the announcement of elections through the declaration of results, the EC makes decisions on every element of election conduct and control. It is in charge of enforcing the Code of Conduct and punishing any candidate or political party that breaks it.
● During the election time, the EC has the right to require the government to follow certain rules, to avoid the abuse and misuse of governmental power in order to improve the government’s electoral chances, or to transfer specific government officials.

Solution: b
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The ASER survey is facilitated by Pratham Education Foundation.
● It is the oldest survey of its kind in the country.
● Statement 2 is correct: The survey is known for the range of insights it provides on levels of foundational learning at the elementary level.
● The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER 2021) study was just issued in its 16th edition. The survey looked at how Covid-19 affected learning.
● It reveals a growing reliance on private tutoring and a lack of easy access to cellphones.
● To help make up for learning deficits, additional attention is required, particularly in the lowest levels.

Solution: a
● The Rajya Sabha indirectly represents the States whose legislators elect it. The Rajya Sabha is not empowered to neutralize the demographic weight of the populous States with larger representation in the popular chamber;
● it cannot veto its legislations, unlike the U.S. Senate. It can only delay. Most of India’s federal conflicts are structural, reinforced by operational abuses.
● Yet, there is no federal chamber to politically resolve such conflicts
Role of Rajya Sabha
● For a federal constitution to provide representation to the federation’s components, bicameralism is required.
● While normal checks and balances exist between the president, legislature, and judiciary, the Council of States serves as a safety valve inside the legislature, reducing federal tensions.
● In addition to the well recognised examples of responsible administration and judicial review, the Rajya Sabha is an important component of the constitutional checks and balances structure.

Solution: a
● Statement 1 is correct
● Statement 2 is incorrect: It is a central sector scheme launched in 2008. The programme was previously known as the National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP). ● Government schemes are divided into two categories, that is, centrally sponsored schemes and central sector schemes. Central Sector Schemes ● The government schemes which are designed, planned and completely funded by the central government are known as central schemes. Based on subjects from the union list, the schemes are formulated by the centre. Besides this, there are some schemes that are only implemented in the states but the funding comes from the central government. Centrally Sponsored Schemes ● Centrally Sponsored Schemes on the other hand are schemes that are funded partially by both the Central and State Governments. CSS is basically the way through which the central government helps the states run their plans financially.

Solution: d
The right to protest is the manifestation of three Fundamental Rights:
1. Right to Freedom of Assembly
2. Right to Freedom of Association and
3. Right to Freedom of Speech
Although the Right to Protest is not expressly stated in the Fundamental Rights, it may be inferred from Article 19’s Right to Freedom of Expression and Speech.
● (1)(a) of Article 19: The right to free speech and expression becomes the freedom to openly voice an opinion on the government’s actions.
● Article 19(1)(b): The right to association must be exercised in order to organise political organisations.
● These can be created to contest government decisions collectively.
● Article 19(1)(c): The right to peacefully assemble empowers citizens to question and object to government actions through demonstrations, agitations, and public assemblies, and to organise long-term protest movements.
● These rights, when combined, allow any person to peacefully congregate and protest against the government’s actions or inactions.
● People’s right to protest means that they may function as watchdogs and continually scrutinise the actions of governments.