(Q.1-Q.

5):

T
he third unit of the Kakrapar
Atomic Power Project (KAPP-
3) in Gujarat achieved its ‘first
criticality’ — a term that signifies the
initiation of a controlled but sustained
nuclear fission reaction — at 9.36
am on Wednesday. PM Narendra
Modi congratulated India’s nuclear
scientists on this achievement,
describing the development of the
indigenous reactor as “a shining
example of Make in India” and a
“trailblazer for many such future
achievements”.
This is a landmark event in India’s
domestic civilian nuclear programme
given that KAPP-3 is the country’s
first [x] MWe (megawatt electric)
unit, and the biggest indigenously
developed variant of the Pressurised

Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR).
The PHWRs, which use natural
Current Affairs
uranium as fuel and heavy water as
moderator, are the mainstay of India’s
nuclear reactor fleet. Until now, the
Practice Sheet (CAPS)
biggest reactor size of indigenous
design was the 540 MWe PHWR,
large pressure vessels. This is 2. Which country is the largest supplier 4. How many Nuclear Reactors are
two of which have been deployed in
alongside isotope enrichment plants of Uranium to India? presently operational in India?
Tarapur, Maharashtra.
being developed to supply part of
(a) Tajikistan (a) 20
As India works to ramp up its existing the required enriched uranium
nuclear power capacity of 6,780 MWe fuel to power these new generation (b) Kazakhstan (b) 21
to 22,480 MWe by 2031, the 700MWe reactors over the next decade or (c) Turkmenistan (c) 22
capacity would constitute the biggest so, Department of Atomic Energy
component of the expansion plan. officials have said. (d) Armenia (d) 23
Currently, nuclear power capacity
constitutes less than 2% of the total
installed capacity of 3,68,690 MW 1. What is the capacity of Kakrapar 3. Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant is 5. Which of the following PSUs is
(end-January 2020). Atomic Power Plant (KAPP-3), based on Pressurised Heavy Water responsible for constructing and
redacted as [x] in the passage? Reactor (PHWR) technology. Where operating India’s commercial nuclear
As the civilian nuclear sector gears was the first PHWR based Atomic power plants?
up for the next frontier — building a (a) 600 MWe Power Plant established in India?
900 MWePressurised Water Reactor (a) NPCIL
(b) 700 MWe (a) Uttar Pradesh
(PWR) of indigenous design — the (b) BHAVINI
experience of executing the larger (c) 800 MWe (b) Maharashtra
(c) Both
700MWe reactor design will come (d) 900 MW (c) Rajasthan
in handy, especially with regard to (d) None of the above
the improved capability of making (d) None of the above

1. (b) 700 MWe between 2015 and 2019. Kazakhstan has nuclear co-operation. 5. (c) Both
Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP- 12% of the world’s uranium resources and NPCIL was the sole body responsible for
3) in Gujarat is the country’s first 700 in 2019 produced about 22,800 tU. constructing and operating India’s com-
4. (c) 22
MWe (megawatt electric) unit, and the mercial nuclear power plants till setting up
As of March 2018, India has 22 nuclear
biggest indigenously developed variant of BHAVINI (BharatiyaNabhikiyaVidyut
3. (c) Rajasthan reactors in operation in 7 nuclear power
of the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor Nigam Limited) in October 2003. BHA-
PHWR technology started in India in the plants, with a total installed capacity of
(PHWR). VINI was created with the objective of
late 1960s with the construction of the 6,780 MW. Nuclear power produced a to-
constructing and commissioning the first
first 220 MWe reactor, Rajasthan Atomic tal of 35 TWh and supplied 3.22% of Indi-
500 MWe Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at
2. (b) Kazakhstan Power Station, RAPS-1 with a design sim- an electricity in 2017.
Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
Kazakhstan is the largest supplier of Ura- ilar to that of the Douglas Point reactor in
nium to India providing 5,000 tonnes Canada, under the joint Indo-Canadian

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(Q.6-Q.10): (b)
SSC scheme allows women (Q.11-Q.15): over the islands was in dispute.
The order specifies Permanent officers into the Army for a A bill that changes the status of an But the bill passed Monday in Ishigaki
Commission to SSC women officers period of 10 years, extendable up island chain claimed by both Japan brushed off any concerns of how the
in all the 10 streams of the Indian to 14 years. and China was approved by a city move might be perceived in Beijing.
Army - Army Air Defence, Signals, (c) SSC provides an option to council in Okinawa on Monday,
Engineers, Army Aviation, Electronics male army officers to opt for generating a strong protest from
11. What is the change in name
and Mechanical Engineers, Army permanent commission at the Beijing, which said it had dispatched
introduced redacted as X in the above
Service Corps, Army Ordnance end of ten years of service. coast guard ships to the area.
passage?
Corps, and Intelligence Corps, in (d) Women officers were not allowed The Ishigaki City Council in Japan’s
addition to the existing streams of (a) SenkakuTonoshiro
for a permanent commission. Okinawa prefecture approved
Judge and Advocate General, and (b) Diaoyus
the legislation that changes the
Army Educational Corps. administrative status of the (c) Tiaoyutai
7. Given below are the options that
In a watershed moment for the uninhabited island group, known (d) Tonoshiro Senkaku
aid in the understanding of what
Indian military, the Supreme Court as the Senkakus in Japan and the
Permanent Commission of Women
on February 17 allowed women Diaoyus in China. 12. China lays its claim due to on the
in the Army means. Which of the
officers in the Army to be eligible The bill changes the name of the fact that the Senkaku islands were
following options do not aid in its
for command positions on par with islands for administrative purposes discovered during the 14th century
explanation?
male officers, asserting that the from “Tonoshiro” to “[X]” to avoid by the Chinese _______ Kingdom.
government’s arguments against it (a) Permanent Commission refers to
confusion with another area of Name the kingdom.
were “discriminatory”, “disturbing,” a career till the age of retirement.
Ishigaki, Japan’s NHK News reported. (a) Ryukyu (b) Kyuyui
and based on stereotype. The court (b) This previously included their
The islands, 1,200 miles (1,931 (c) Shing (d) Meng
also said Permanent Commission commissioning in combat arms.
kilometers) southwest of Tokyo, have
would be available to all women, (c) The concept is adverse to the been administered by Japan since
regardless of their years of service. concept of commissioning for 13. China has made the reference of the
1972, but both Tokyo and Beijing say
Simply described, a woman can rise to short service. their claims to the group date back four-principle consensus it has with
the rank of Colonel and above based (d) Now this system will be based hundreds of years. Japan. Which of the following is not a
on merit, like their male counterparts. on suitability, merit and will part of the four principles?
Beijing’s Foreign Ministry on Monday
At the rank of Colonel, an officer picks be employed in various staff (a) To continue to develop a mutually
said it would lodge a strong protest
up a substantive command and would appointments. beneficial relationship based on
with Tokyo.
be delegated to carry out independent common strategic interests.
tasks. “Diaoyu island and the affiliated
8. Which of the following Articles of the islands are China’s inherent territory, (b) To use “dialogue and consultation”
A Colonel commands a battalion, Constitution is not related to the issue to prevent the situation in the
China is resolute in safeguarding our
which typically consists of 850 men. as discussed above? East China Sea from boiling over
territorial sovereignty, this so-called
The Indian Air Force and the (a) Article 14 (b) Article 16 administrative re-designation is a in the future.
Indian Navy have already granted (c) Article 18 (d) Article 33 serious provocation towards China’s (c) To “gradually resume political,
Permanent Commission to women territorial sovereignty,” said Zhao diplomatic and security dialogue
officers even as both have opened Lijian, a spokesperson for China’s through various multilateral and
up some combat roles for women. 9. Which of the following judges wrote
Foreign Ministry. bilateral channels.”
The IAF allows women as officers in the Supreme Court judgement
mentioned above? At the same time, the Chinese Coast (d)
To mutually increase trade
flying and ground duties. Women IAF
Guard said a “fleet” of its ships was relations in developing sectors.
SSC officers fly helicopter, transport (a) Justice Chandrachud
in the waters around the disputed
aircraft and now even fighter jets. (b) Sharad Arvind Bobde islands on Monday.
14. What is the name of Central
In the navy, women officers inducted (c) Arun Kumar Mishra China warned before Monday’s vote Legislature of Japan?
through SSC are allowed in logistics,
(d) Rohinton Fali Nariman against any change in the status quo
law, observers, air traffic control, (a) Cortes Generales
over the islands.
maritime reconnaissance pilots and (b) Assembly of the Union
Naval Armament Inspectorate Cadre. 10. Which among the following was the “We ask Japan to abide by the spirit
(c) National People’s Congress
first woman in India to get to the of the four-principle consensus, avoid
second highest rank in the Indian creating new incidents on the Diaoyu (d) National Diet
6. Consider the following statements Islands issue, and take practical
Armed Forces?
with regards to SSC as mentioned actions to maintain the stability of the
(a) Punita Arora 15. How many islands form part of
in the passage above and mark East China Sea situation,” a statement
(b) Mitali Madhumita Senkaku Islands?-
the option which gives incorrect from the Chinese Foreign Ministry
information about SSC? (c) Divya Ajith Kumar (a) 6 (b) 7
on Friday said.
(a) The full form of SSC is Staff (d) Nivedita Choudhary (c) 8 (d) 10
One of those four principles was that
Selection Commission Japan acknowledge that sovereignty

6. (a) The full form of SSC is Staff Selection exception to the Fundamental Rights Admiral) Punita Arora PVSM, the Chinese Ryukyu Kingdom
Commission contained in Part II. In exercising SM, VSM is a former Flag Officer
The Full form of SSC as used the powers conferred by Article 33, of the Indian Navy and the Indian 13. (d) To mutually increase trade relations
in the above passage is Short Parliament has authorised the Central Army. Arora was the first woman in developing sectors.
Service Commission. Short Service Government to make rules to restrict in the Indian Armed Forces to be While options I, II and III are among
Commission (SSC) Officers of certain Fundamental Rights of the promoted to a Three-star rank. She the 4 principles discussed above, the
Indian Navy, Indian Army and members of the armed forces. All held the ranks of Lieutenant General fourth point does not find mention
Indian Air Force are those officers these three articles speak of the right in the Indian Army and Surgeon in the understanding between
who come into the services for to equality or the privilege of allowed Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy. two states under four principles.
a short period of time. The SSC discrimination. However Article 18
officers can get their SSC converted provides for the right to freedom 11. (d) Tonoshiro Senkaku 14. (d) National Diet
into Permanent Commission of thought, conscience and religion A local council in southern Japan The National Diet is Japan’s bicameral
(PC) through departmental to everyone which is not related to has approved a bill to change legislature. It is composed of a
examinations and interviews. the issue as discussed in the passage. the name of an area containing lower house called the House of
Senkaku Islands from Tonoshiro Representatives, and an upper house,
7. (b)
This previously include their 9. (a) Justice Chandrachud to TonoshiroSenkaku. Senkaku called the House of Councillors.
commissioning in combat areas. Justice Chandrachud, wrote the Islands are known as the Diaoyus Both houses of the Diet are directly
A woman officer who is successful above judgment. He countered by China and Tiaoyutai by Taiwan. elected under parallel voting systems.
in securing a senior position could that 30% of women officers were
technically rise to the highest ranks deputed in conflict zones. He said 12. (a) Ryukyu 15. (c) 8
of the Army though, at the moment, the note screamed of the age-old The group of islands was controlled by The Senkaku Islands are located in
women officers will not be inducted patriarchal notion that domestic the Ryukyu Kingdom of China as per the East China Sea between Japan,
into the combat arms such as the obligations rested only with women. records available. But during the First the People’s Republic of China, and
infantry, artillery or armoured corps. Sino-Japanese War the Islands were the Republic of China (Taiwan). The
10. (a) Punita Arora won by Japanese Central Government archipelago contains five uninhabited
8. (b) Article 16 Punita Arora is the first woman in which it lost in the second World War islands and three barren rocks,
While Article 14 and Article 16 India to don the second-highest to the US. However 26 years later US ranging in size from 800 m2 to 4.32
provide for equality before law and rank, Lieutenant General of Indian returned it to Japan in 1971. But since km2.
equality of opportunity in matters Armed Forces, as well as the rank then, China lays its claim due to the
of public employment respectively, of Vice Admiral of Indian Navy. fact that the Senkaku islands were
Article 33 of the Constitution is an Lieutenant General (Surgeon Vice discovered during the 14th century by

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Household High Court is correct in saying that
(b) Thiruvananthpuram District Judge no exemption ought to be granted,
but we follow the principle laid down
(c) Retired High Court Judge
in the Delhi High Court’s judgment in
(d) The Governor of the State of Anamol Bhandari (Minor) through
Kerala his father/Natural Guardian v. Delhi
Technological University 2012
20. What is the posture of the main (131) DRJ 583 in which the High
deity of Padhmanabhswamy Temple Court has correctly held that people
called? suffering from disabilities are also
(Q.16-Q.20): inventory of the articles, valuables, (a) AnanthaShayana (b) Shawasana socially backward, and are therefore,
The Supreme Court has upheld the ornaments in Kallaras (vaults) (c) Adhyesha (d) Madhyasesha at the very least, entitled to the same
rights of the erstwhile royal family benefits as given to the Scheduled

of Travancore in the administration 16. The SC has held that the royal family of Castes/ Scheduled Tribes candidates.
(Q.21-Q.25):
of the Padmanabha Swamy temple at Travancore still has the shebaitrighs.
Thiruvananthapuram Which among the following is not a The Supreme Court has observed that
21. Name this landmark case discussed
shebait right? people suffering from disabilities are
Allowing the appeal filed by above.
also socially backward and are thus
Travancore family, the Supreme Court (a) works as a manager of the (a) M. Nagraj & Others v. Union of
entitled to the same benefits as given
on Monday set aside the January debuttar property. India
to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled
31, 2011 verdict of the Kerala HC (b) has the power to talk on behalf Tribes candidates. (b)
Aryan Raj Vs. Chandigarh
which had asked state government of the deity that is the god or
While considering an appeal against Administration
to set up trust to take control of Sree goddess.
Padmanabha Swamy temple. a Punjab and Haryana High Court (c) Ashok Kumar Gupta v. State of
(c)
becomes the owner of the order, the bench headed by Justice Uttar Pradesh
The royal family of Travancore will property RohintonFaliNariman said that it is (d)
State of Madras Vs. Smt.
continue as temple ‘shebait’, the SC said. (d) can nurture the properties as ‘following’ the principle laid down in Champakam Dorairanjan
An administrative committee will be he likes and according to the the Delhi High Court’s judgment in
created to manage temple affairs and requirement of the deity Anamol Bhandari (Minor) through
a district judge will be the head of the 22. Which of the following articles does
his father/Natural Guardian v. Delhi
admin panel, the SC said. not speak of backward or socially
17. Who was the last ruler of the princely Technological University 2012 (131)
The sprawling temple, an architectural backward class of citizens?
state of Travancore ? DRJ 583.
splendour in granite, was rebuilt in its (a) Article 15 (b) Article 16
(a)
Chithira Thirunal Balarama The petitioner, who is intellectually
present form in the 18th century by (c) Article 343 (d) Article 338B
Varma challenged to the extent of 50%,
the Travancore Royal House which had applied for a diploma course
had ruled southern Kerala and some (b) Utradam Thirunal Marthanda
in Fine Art for physically/mentally 23. Which among the statutes or schemes
adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu before Varma
challenged students. He filed a is not meant for persons with
integration of the princely state with (c) Ayilyam Thirunal writ petition challenging certain disabilities?
the Indian Union in 1947. (d) Sethu Parvati Bayi provisions of the prospectus issued (a) Rights of Person with Disabilities
Even after India’s independence, the by a College contending that there Act, 2016
temple continued to be governed by a must be a bifurcation of the total
18. The High Court (HC)(from where (b)
Composite Regional Centre
trust controlled by the erstwhile royal available seats between physically
the appeal came to the Supreme (CRC)
family for whom Lord Padmanabha challenged students and mentally/
Court) had ruled that the successor (c) Accessible India Campaign
(Vishnu) is their family deity. intellectually challenged students.
to the erstwhile royals could
A bench of Justices U ULalit and Indu He also prayed that an intellectually/ (d) National Service Scheme
not claim to be in control of the
Malhotra had on April 10 last year SreePadmanabhaswamy Temple after mentally challenged student should
reserved its judgment on the pleas the amendment of definition of ‘[x]’ be exempted from taking Aptitude 24. Currently what is the mandatory
challenging the January 31, 2011 in Article 366 (22) of the Constitution Test. The High Court dismissed the percentage of reservation for the
verdict of the Kerala High Court in of India. This was pertinent because writ petition. Persons With Disabilities category
the matter. the amendment abolished privy When the appeal came up for final for government jobs according to the
The HC had directed the state purses. What is [x]? hearing, the court was informed that Rights of Persons with Disabilities
government to take steps to set up a (a) Maharaj (b) Ruler it had become infructuous as the seat Act, 2016?
body or trust to take control of the that was reserved for the handicapped (a) 3 (b) 4
(c) Royal Estate (d) King
temple, its assets and management had already been given to another
(c) 5 (d) 6
and to run the temple in accordance person. The bench, also comprising
with the traditions. 19. The Supreme Court directed the Justices Navin Sinha and BR Gavai,
setting up of an administrative observed thus: 25. What was the bench strength of the
The SC had on May 2, 2011 stayed the
committee for the functioning of We are of the view that the High Court above case?
high court’s direction regarding taking
over of the assets and management the temple. Who will head this is correct on the bifurcation aspect. (a) Single Bench (b) Double Bench
of the temple. The SC had also committee? Further, insofar as the aptitude test (c) Full Bench
directed that there shall be a detailed (a)
Karta of the Royal having to be passed is concerned, the
(d) Constitutional Bench

16. (c) Becomes the owner of the property Amendment Act, 1971, which The temple is built in the unique Chera
Since it is considered that deity is abolished the privy purses. Article style of architecture, and its main deity 23. (d) National Service Scheme
the owner of the property, the deity 366 (22) reads, “Ruler” means the is Lord Vishnu who is found in the The National Service Scheme is a
requires human personality or any Prince, Chief or other person who, at AnanthaShayana posture (reclined scheme for personality development
living person to act on behalf of the any time before the commencement posture of eternal yoga) on Adishesha through social (or community) service.
deity. He is given the power to provide of the Twenty Sixth (Constitutional) or king of all serpents. It is known to be Rest of the schemes is meant for
service to the deity or the idol and work Amendment Act, 1971, was recognised one of the 108 holy temples associated persons with disabilities.
for the benefit and preservation of its as the Ruler of an Indian State or was with Vaishnavism in India.
property. The property is registered in recognised as the successor of such 24. (b) 4
the name of deity itself. All he does to Ruler. 21.
(b)
Aryan Raj Vs. Chandigarh According to the Rights of Persons with
the property should be for the benefit Administration Disabilities Act, 2016, Section 34(1),
of a deity. 19. (b) Thiruvananthpuram District Judge The case discussed above is Aryan the limit of 4 percent is provided for
SC directed the setting up of an Raj Vs. Chandigarh Administration persons with disabilities in government
17. (a) Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma administrative committee with the a landmark case that brings Persons jobs.
Sree Padmanabhadasa Sree Chithira Thiruvananthapuram District Judge with Disabilities with an equal pedestal
Thirunal Balarama Varma, popularly as its chairperson. The other members with the SC/ST’s in terms of amenities 25. (c) Full Bench
known as SreeChithiraThirunal, was would be a nominee of the trustee (royal offered to them as the court considered As is already mentioned in the passage
the last ruling Maharaja of the Princely family), the chief thanthri of the temple, disable persons as socially backward. the bench comprised of Justice
State of Travancore, in southern India a nominee of the State and a member RohintonFaliNariman, Justice Navin
until 1949 after which the princely state nominated by the Union Ministry of 22. (c) Article 343 Sinha and Justice BR Gavai which
became part of Indian Union. Culture. This committee would take Article 343 provides for the official makes it a 3-judge bench which is
care of the daily administration of the language of the Union which shall be called a full bench.
18. (b) Ruler temple. Hindi in Devanagari script. Rest of the
The definition of ‘Ruler’ was amended articles find mention of backward or
by the Twenty Sixth (Constitutional) 20. (a) AnanthaShayana socially backward class of citizens.

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introduced a concept of Class-I, II outside it. In Corbett, there were 231
and non-local suppliers, based on tigers within the reserves, but 266
which they will get preference in were ‘utilising it.’ Kanha in Madhya
government purchases of goods and Pradesh had 88 inside and 108
services. Companies with less than dependent on it. The Pench reserve
___________ of domestic content in had 53 inside but 82 utilising them.
their goods or services will not able to
participate in most of the government
31. The percentage of total tigers of the
tenders and they are categorised as
world which are in India has been
“non-local suppliers”.
redacted by [1]. What is [1]?
(a) 10% (b) 15%
(a) 50% (b) 60%
(c) 20% (d) 25%
(c) 70% (d) 80%

(Q.31-Q.35):
32. The total number of tigers in India
(Q.26-Q.30):
(a) The Companies Act, 2013 A detailed survey released reveals that has been redacted by [2]. What is [2]?
The Centre told the Delhi High Court (b) The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 nearly a third of India’s tigers are living
(a) 3672 (b) 2967
on Wednesday that all e-commerce (c) The Legal Metrology (Packaged outside tiger reserves and nearly 17 of
entities, including Amazon, Flipkart, the 50 reserves are approaching the (c) 2441 (d) 3345
Commodities) Rules, 2011
and Snapdeal, have to ensure the peak of their capacity at sustaining
(d) Both (II) and (III)
mandatory declaration of country of their populations. India hosts [1] of 33. The Pench Tiger Reserve is shared by
origin of imported products sold on the world’s tigers. two states. Which of the following are
their site. 27. The recent notification of Ministry At [2], experts say, India may slowly they?
The Department of Consumer Affairs, of Commerce dated June 23, 2020 be approaching its peak carrying (a) Maharashtra and Karnataka
in an affidavit, said the laws relating to directs the sellers to enter their capacity of tigers. For the first time,
country of origin while registering (b) Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh
the issue was enacted under the Legal said a scientist associated with the
their products on Government (c) Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal survey, there was an attempt to
Metrology (Packaged Commodities) e-commerce Marketplace (GeM). segregate how many tigers were (d) Chhattisgarh and Odisha
Rules, 2011. Enforcement of the Who is India’s current Minister of largely present within the reserves
provisions of the Act and Rules Commerce? and how many flitted in and out and 34. Which of the following days is
rested with the States and UTs (a) Smriti Irani were dependent on the core reserve observed as the Global Tiger Day?
governments. “Whenever violations (b) Piyush Goyal for sustenance. This was to guide
(a) July 25 (b) July 27
are observed, action is taken by the (c) DV Sadanada Gowda conservation policy.
(c) July 29 (d) July 31
legal metrology officials of the States/ The reserves, by definition, are a
(d) Ram Vilas Paswan
UTs governments in accordance with “source” and suitable for nourishing
the law,” the department said. a growing tiger population because 35. What was the theme of this year’s
The affidavit came in response 28. What is the limit of FDI in of prey availability and territory. Global Tiger Day?
to a petition filed by advocate e-commerce marketplace model? However, when they get too crowded, (a) Where Tigers Thrive, It Is A Sign
Amit Shukla. The High Court had (a) 51% (b) 75% tigers venture out further from That The Ecosystem Is Healthy
earlier this month issued notices to (c) 80% (d) 100% “sources” and form “sinks” and much (b) A Land to Share and Preserve. An
major e-commerce entities on the of wildlife population dynamics is Animal to Protect and Conserve.
contentions raised in the petition. about understanding this source-sink
29. Match the type of e-commerce (c)
Fresh Ecology For Tigers’
Mr. Shukla has argued that the relationship.
companies to the examples – Protection
economy of the nation would suffer In the tiger reserves in Uttar Pradesh,
B2B, C2C, B2C (d) Their Survival is in our hands
in the event the e-commerce websites there were several more tigers that
continuing to not mention the (a) Amazon, OLX, Intel depended on the source but lived
manufacturing country or country of (b) OLX, Amazon, Intel
origin of products on their websites. (c) Intel, OLX, Amazon
He said he had made a detailed
(d) OLX, Amazon, Intel
research of several e-Commerce
entities and websites and found that
most of them did not mention the 30. Fill in the blanks -
country of origin of products. He said According to the revised Public
his petition was in sync with the recent Procurement (Preference to Make in
‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmnirbhar’ India) Order 2017, the Government
Bharat push by the government of has modified public procurement
India. norms to give maximum preference
to companies whose goods and
26. The laws relating to the issue has been services have 50 per cent or more
enacted under which of the following? local content, a move aimed at
promoting ‘Make in India’. It has

26. (d) Both (II) and (III) up to 100% (in B2B models). their goods or services will not able to India counts its tigers once every four years
The laws relating to the issue have been participate in most of the government - it’s a long, arduous task that involves forest
enacted under the Legal Metrology 29. (c) Intel, OLX, Amazon tenders and they are categorised as officials and scientists trekking across half a
Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology B2B = Business to Business. Intel “non-local suppliers”. million square kilometres (193,000 sq miles)
(Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. is a technology company that looking for evidence of the tiger population.
Enforcement of the provisions of the manufactures semiconductors for 31. (c) 70%
Act and Rules rested with the States and computer manufacturing companies. Pench Tiger Reserve or Pench National
UTs governments. C2C = Consumer to Consumer. OLX 32. (b) 2967 Park is one of the premier tiger reserves of
is a website that works as an online India and the first one to straddle across two
27. (b) Piyush Goyal market for second hand goods. 33. (b) Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh states - Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
PiyushGoyal is an Indian politician and B2C = Business to Consumer. Amazon Ordinarily, the reference to Pench is mostly
the current Minister of Railways and is a well known e-commerce company 34. (c) July 29 to the tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh(M.P).
Minister of Commerce and Industry that works as an intermediary between
in the Government of India. He is consumers and product sellers. 35. (d) Their Survival is in our hands Every year July 29 is celebrated as Global
currently a Member of Parliament Tiger Day. The decision to celebrate the
Hint: (Q31-Q35) day was taken at the Saint Petersburg
for RajyaSabha from the state of 30. (c) 20%
India is now home to nearly 3,000 tigers, Declaration on Tiger conservation that
Maharashtra. The revised public procurement
a third more than it had four years ago, was signed in 2010. The day is celebrated
(Preference to Make in India), Order
according to the latest tiger census. Prime to create awareness for tiger conservation.
28. (d) 100% 2017, has introduced a concept of
Minister NarendraModi, who presented It promotes a system to protect natural
In order to increase the participation of Class-I, II and non-local suppliers,
the findings on Monday, said the tiger habitats of tigers and raise public awareness.
foreign players in the e-commerce field, based on which they will get preference
population had risen from 2,226 in 2014 to This year, the Global Tiger Day is celebrated
the Government has increased the limit in government purchases of goods and
2,967 in 2018. India is now estimated to be with the slogan, “Their Survival is in our
of foreign direct investment (FDI) in services. Companies with less than
home to around 70% of the world’s tigers. hands”.
the e-commerce marketplace model for 20 per cent of domestic content in
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 5 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
The CLAT Post • July 2020
the Region) approach. Which of the Pradesh?
following countries don’t fall under (a) Bhagat Singh Koshyari
this ‘Region’? (b) Arif Mohammad Khan
(a) Bhutan (c) Anandiben Patel
(b) Mauritius (d) AnusuiyaUikey
(c) Seychelles
(d) Maldives 43. Under which law the commission
has been set up?
(Q41-Q45) (a) The Inquiries Commission Act,
1952
The Uttar Pradesh government
issued a notification constituting a (b) The Commission of Inquiries
one-member commission of inquiry Act, 1952
headed by a retired (1) to “intensively (c) The Governor Special Powers
enquire” the circumstances leading Act, 1952
to the encounter of gangster (d) The Retired Judges
VikasDubey and also the incident Commissioning Act, 1952
that took place on July 2 in which
eight police personnel were killed.
(Q.36-Q.40): 44. Which of the following will replace
Uttar Pradesh Governor appointed
(2) in the above Passage?
India will hand over 10 railway 37. Which of the following is not a cross- retired (1) of (2) High Court to
locomotives to [1] on Monday, border project between India and [1] (a) Allahabad High Court
probe the incidents and submit a
reflecting a renewed focus on that is yet to be completed? report within two months, according (b) Delhi High Court
the “neighbourhood first” policy 1. Raxaul-Birgunj line to a government notification. (c) Madras High Court
to bolster economic ties and
2. Khulna-Mongla line (d) Lucknow High Court
connectivity within the region amid
3. Agartala-Akhaura line 41. Which of the following will replace
the border standoff with China. The
(a) Only 1 and 2 (1) in the above passage? 45. Police in India comes under which of
locomotives will be handed over
during a virtual event to be joined by (b) Only 2 and 3 (a) Retired Judge Shashi Kant the following list?
external affairs minister S Jaishankar Agarwal (a) Central List
(c) Only 1 and 3
and railways minister PiyushGoyal (b) Retired Judge ManoharLal (b) State List
(d) 1, 2 and 3
and their [1] counterparts, as well Agarwal
(c) Concurrent list
as envoys of the two countries and (c) Retired Judge C.
senior officials. The handover will 38. Which of the following has been (d) Independent self-regulating
Rangarajan
come close on the heels of the first built with the help of Indian financial body.
(d) Retired Judge H.L Dattu
cross-border container train reaching aid in Maldives?
[1] on Sunday with 50 containers of (a) Port Louis
FMCG goods and fabrics. 42. Who is the governor of Uttar
(b) Secretariat
The connectivity initiatives with (c) Supreme Court
[1] coincide with other moves by
(d) Maldivian
India to shore up relations with key
Parliament building
neighbours amid the standoff with
China. In recent weeks, New Delhi
has kept a wary eye on stepped up 39. With which country
activities by Beijing in regional has India announced a
capitals. The people cited above $400-million currency
believe China was behind Pakistan swap facility under the
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent SAARC framework?
outreach to his [1] counterpart. (a) Bangladesh
(b) Bhutan
36. The country has been redacted by (c) Sri Lanka
[1]. What is [1]? (d) Nepal
(a) Bangladesh
(b) Bhutan 40. India has envisioned
(c) Nepal the SAGAR (Security
(d) Myanmar and Growth for All in

36. (a) Bangladesh 12 km between Agartala and Akhaura considered by New Delhi. Hint (Q41-Q45):
is set to be completed by March 2021 The Uttar Pradesh government issued a
37. (b) Only 2 and 3 and will enhance freight and passenger In 2015, India unveiled it’s strategic notification constituting a one-member
connectivity between the rest of India vision for the Indian Ocean i.e. Security commission of inquiry headed by a
38. (c) Supreme Court and Growth for All in the Region
and the northeastern states. retired Judge Shashikant Agrawal to
(SAGAR). It is an increasing recognition “intensively enquire” the circumstances
39. (c) Sri Lanka
Prime Minister NarendraModi and his of the increasing importance of leading to the encounter of gangster
40. (a) Bhutan Mauritius counterpart PravindJugnauth maritime security, maritime commons VikasDubey. Uttar Pradesh Governor
will on Thursday jointly inaugurate and cooperation. SAGAR provides a Anandiben Patel, appointed retired Judge
Hint (Q36-Q40): the new Supreme Court built in Port mechanism for India to expand strategic Shashikant Agrawal of Allahabad High
India will hand over 10 railway Louis with Indian grant assistance, partnerships with other IOR littorals in Court to probe the incidents and submit
locomotives to Bangladesh on Monday, reflecting New Delhi’s sharpened focus Asia and Africa. Thus, Bhutan is not a a report within two months, according to
reflecting a renewed focus on the on its “neighbourhood first” policy. littoral of IOR. So, it’s not a part of SAGAR a government notification. The panel was
“neighbourhood first” policy to bolster The Supreme Court building is one region. set up under the Commission of Inquiries
economic ties and connectivity within of five projects implemented under a Act, 1952 and it will be based in Kanpur.
the region amid the border standoff $353-million special economic package 41 (a) Retired Judge Shashi Kant Agarwal
with China. Nine projects have been extended by India in 2016. The structure ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State
42. (c) Anandiben Patel
completed, including supply of wagons is the first India-assisted infrastructure subjects under the Seventh Schedule to
and equipment. The Kulaura-Shahbazpur project in the capital of Mauritius. 43. (b) The Commission of Inquiries Act, the Constitution of India and therefore,
line, being built at a cost of $78 million, 1952 it is the primary duty of the State
is set to be completed by the end of On Saturday, India announced a Governments to prevent, detect, register
this year, and the Khulna-Mongla line $400-million currency swap facility for 44. (a) Allahabad High Court and investigate crime and prosecute the
worth $389 million is set for completion Sri Lanka under the Saarc framework, criminals.
by June 2021. A cross-border link of and Colombo’s request for a bilateral 45. (b) State List
swap facility for $1.1 billion is also being
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 6 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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trials on Indian COVID-19 patients, Commission. The act replaces (1).
as well as high-tech equipment to Under the act, the (2) has been
minimise exposure of medical staff empowered to conduct investigations
to the virus, advanced respirators and on violation of consumer rights,
special sanitisers developed in Israel. order recall of unsafe goods,
The cooperation between Indian and misleading advertisements, impose
[1] scientists will also include sharing penalties on endorsers, publishers
the most effective treatment protocols or manufacturers, etc. The (2) was
for COVID-19 patients. The team, constituted under Section 10(1) of
which will work initially at the All Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
India Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS), has also brought robotic
55. In the above passage, what will replace
(Q.46-Q.50):
passive euthanasia? equipment, and wrist monitors that
(1)?
will help doctors and nurses monitor
Section (1) of the Indian Penal Code (a) Aruna Shanbaug’s Case (a) Consumer Protection Act, 1986
a patient without increasing risks of
(IPC)— which punishes the attempt (b) Gian Kaur’s Case infection to themselves. (b) Consumer Protection Act, 1985
to suicide, contrary to popular
(c) Irom Chanu Sharmila’s Case (c) Consumer Protection Act, 1984
perception that it has been repealed,
(d) SairaBano’s case
continues to exist in the statute 51. Which of the following countries has (d) Consumer Protection Act, 1989
book and, as reports suggest, is often been redacted by [1]?
misused. 48. Which of the following will replace (a) USA (b) France 56. Who was the minister of Consumer
In 1971, the Law Commission in (2) in the above passage?
(c) Israel (d) Germany Affairs, Food and Public Distribution?
its 42nd Report recommended the (a) Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab (as of July 2020)
repeal of Section (1) IPC. The IPC (b) M.S Dubal v. State of Maharashtra (a) Nitin Jairam Gadkari
(Amendment) Bill, 1978, was even 52. Which of the following has been
(c) Naresh Marotrao Sakhre v. Union redacted by [2]? (b) Nirmala Sitaraman
passed by RajyaSabha, but before of India,
it could be passed by LokSabha, (a) Operation Saving a Life (c) Ram Vilas Paswan
(d) Airedale NHS Trust v. Bland
Parliament was dissolved, and the Bill (b) Operation Breathing Space (d) Narendra Singh Tomar
lapsed.
(c) Operation Covid
In (2), 1996, a Constitution Bench 49. In which year IPC was enacted?
(d) Operation Rescue 57. In the above passage, what will replace
of the Supreme Court upheld the (a) 1872 (b) 1878 (2)?
constitutional validity of Section (c) 1860 (d) 1862
53. Which of the following tests will be (a) Food Corporation of India
(1). However, in 2008, the Law
Commission in its 210th Report, said conducted by the [1] teams? (b) Public safety department
50. Who prepared the Draft of IPC? 1. Audio test (c) Central Consumer Protection
that an attempt to suicide needed
medical and psychiatric care, and (a) Lord Thomas Macaulay 2. Breath test authority
not punishment. In March 2011, the (b) Lord James Stephen (d) Central Board of Consumer
3. Polyamino test
Supreme Court too recommended to (c) Lord Curzon Complaints.
Parliament that it should consider the (a) Only 1 and 2 (b) Only 2 and 3
(d) Lord Stephen Huntly (c) Only 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
feasibility of deleting the section.
58. The Consumer Protection Act is
In 2014, repealing to a question in significant to which of the following?
RajyaSabha, then Minister of State for (Q51-Q54): 54. Which of the following companies
(a) Movable goods
Home HaribhaiParthibhai Chaudhary An team from [1], led by a “high has recently started the phase III trials
said the government had decided to ranking” research and development of COVID-19 vaccine? (b) Immovable Goods
drop Section (1) from the IPC after (R&D) defence official, arrived in (a) Moderna therapeutics (c) Particular good and services
18 states and 4 Union Territories had Delhi on Monday with a multi- (d) All good and services expect the
(b) Zydus Cadilla
backed the recommendation of the pronged mission, code-named “[2]”, exceptions explicitly mentioned
Law Commission. The matter did not, to work with Indian authorities on (c) Panacea Biotech
in the act.
however, reach its logical conclusion. the coronavirus response, said a (d) Oxford
statement issued by the [1] Embassy
in Delhi. 59. What is the meaning of the Latin term
46. Which of the following will replace (Q.55-Q.59): “Caveat Emptor”?
(1) in the above passage? Amongst the plans for the team,
Passage (Q55-Q59): On July 20, 2020, (a) Let the seller be aware
which will be coordinated by [1]’s
(a) Section 306 (b) Section 307 Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), (b) Let the buyer be aware
(c) Section 308 (d) Section 309 into force. The act will empower
and Indian Ministry of Defence (c) Market will decide its disputes by
consumers, help them to protect their
(MoD) and the Ministry of Health, itself
rights through its provisions such
47. IN which of the following cases are four different kinds of rapid tests, (d) Non-interference of government
as Consumer Protection Council
Supreme Court of India allowed which will be jointly developed after in economy
and Consumer Dispute Redressal

46. (d) State List Hint (Q51-Q54): As many of you might already be aware, more On July 20, 2020, Consumer Protection
An Israeli team, led by a “high ranking” than 160 vaccines for novel Coronavirus, Act, 2019 came into force. The act will
47. (a) ArunaShanbaug’s Case
research and development (R&D) defence also known as SARS-CoV2, are currently empower consumers, help them to protect
48. (a) Gian Kaur v. State of Punjab official, arrived in Delhi on Monday with being developed across the world. Some of their rights through its provisions such
a multi-pronged mission, code-named these have excited the scientific world more as Consumer Protection Council and
49. (c) 1860 “Operation Breathing Space”, to work with than the others, for the promise that they Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
50. (a) Lord Thomas Macaulay Indian authorities on the coronavirus have shown so far. The one being developed The act replaces Consumer Protection Act,
response, said a statement issued by the by US-based Moderna Therapeutics was 1986. Under the act, the Central Consumer
Hint (Q46-Q50): Israeli Embassy in Delhi. the earliest mover, its phase-I human trials Protection Authority has been empowered
Section 309 of the IPC punishes the attempt having started as early as middle of March. to conduct investigations on violation of
to suicide. It is an archaic law made by The tests that the Israeli teams will be
It has now completed phase-I and phase-II consumer rights, order recall of unsafe
the British under the Indian Penal code, conducting trials for include an audio test, a
trials and, on Monday, entered phase-III goods, misleading advertisements, impose
1860 which was drafted by Lord Thomas breath test, thermal testing, and a polyamino
trials, for which 30,000 volunteers have penalties on endorsers, publishers or
Macaulay, who was the chairmen of First law test which seeks to isolate proteins related to
been roped in. Not all of them would be manufacturers, etc.
commission of India in 1834. The Supreme COVID-19, said officials.
administered the vaccine.
Court of India upheld the validity of section Ram Vilas Paswan is the minister is of
In the audio test, a patient’s voice would be
309 in the case of Gian Kaur v. State of 55. (a) Consumer Protection Act, 1986 Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
recorded and evaluated through artificial
Punjab and allowed the passive euthanasia Distribution. The Consumer Protection
intelligence and machine learning, while the 56. (c) Ram Vilas Paswan
in the case of ArunaShanbaug. Act is significant to applies to all goods and
breath test would involve making the patient
57. (c) Central Consumer Protection services, excluding goods for resale or for
blow into a tube, which would be analysed
authority commercial purpose and services rendered
through specialised “high-frequency”
51. (c) Israel free of charge and under a contract for
methodology. The simple tests have been 58. (d) All good and services expect the personal service. The provisions of the Act
52. (b) Operation Breathing Space tried on a small sample of Israeli patients, exceptions explicitly mentioned in are compensatory in nature.
and now would be tried in the next stage the act.
53. (d) 1, 2 and 3 on a larger sample of Indian patients, after The meaning of the term “Caveat Emptor” is
which they would be recalibrated depending 59. (b) Let the buyer be aware let the buyer be aware and Caveat vanditor
54. (a) Moderna therapeutics
on results, using “big data” analysis. Hint (Q55-Q59): means let the seller be aware.

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 7 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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the coronavirus pandemic, the report the lives of all 177 passengers and
added. crew. Among the 177 dead was (1),
the founding leader of India’s nuclear
programme.
65. Which of the following will replace
(1) in the above passage? Flight (1) is not the only Indian
plane that met its end at Mont Blanc,
(a) UAE (b) Kuwait
Europe’s third-highest peak. Sixteen
(c) Oman (d) Bahrain years before that, Air India Flight
245 had crashed at the same spot in
66. Which of the following will replace November 1950, killing all 48 on
(2) in the above passage? board.
(a) Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah
(b) Mohammed bin Rashid Al 70. Which of the following will replace
(Q60-Q64):
Maktoum (1) in the above passage?
Assam has decided to take necessary 62. Which of the following will replace (c) Mostafa Madbouly (a) Flight 105 (b) Flight 104
steps to upgrade the (1) into national (2) in the above passage?
(d) Hassan Rouhani (c) Flight 101 (d) Flight 103
park. (a) Pema Khandu
Assam Chief Minister (2) a (b) Sarbananda Sonowal
meeting with the officials of Forest 67. Which of the following country has 71. Which of the following will replace
(c) Bhupesh Baghel the largest Indian Diaspora? (2) in the above passage?
Department. In order to expedite
the process of upgrading (1) into a (d) Pramod Sawant (a) USA (b) Saudi Arabia (a) Homi Bhabha
national park, the Chief Minister (c) Kuwait (d) UAE (b) APJ Abdul Kalam
directed the forest department to 63. Who is the Union Environment and (c) Enrico Fermi
prepare a draft notification and hold Forest Minister? 68. Which country has the largest (d) Vikram Sarabhai
public hearing to take the views of (a) Prakash Javadekar immigrants?
local dwellers residing around the (1) (b) Jairam Ramesh
Wildlife Sanctuary. (a) Saudi Arabia (b) USA 72. Mont Blanc marks the border of
(c) NitinGadkari (c) Germany (d) India
He also instructed to prepare action which two countries?
(d) Ram Vilas Paswan
plan for preserving the adjoining (a) Italy and France
areas of the wildlife sanctuary and 69. Which country has the lowest (b) Italy and Germany
include the opinion of the public in 64. How many National Parks are there immigrant? (c) Russia and Germany
the adjoining areas in the draft action in India? (a) Tuvalu (b) Saint Helena
plan. (d) France and Germany
(a) 100 (b) 102 (c) Rome (d) Tokelau
The Chief Minister reiterated the
(c) 110 (d) 104 (Q70-Q74):
state government commitment’s 73. Mont Blanc is at which position as the
to preserve the national resources A melting glacier at Europe’s Mont highest mountain in Europe?
(Q65-Q69): Blanc mountain range recently
and environment of the state and (a) First (b) Second
highlighted (1) role in maintaining (1) Government’s new anti-expatriate disentombed Indian newspapers
(c) Third (d) Fourth
forest cover in Assam. He also policy may displace up to eight buried there for 54 years –- some
directed the forest department to lakh Indians. Notably, of the gulf of them carrying headlines such as
take necessary action for up-grading country’s three-million-strong expat “India’s First Woman Prime Minister”, 74. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is
(1) into national park in consultation population, Indians constitute 1.45 referring to Indira Gandhi’s election located in which state?
with Union Environment and Forest million, around 800,000 of whom win in 1966. (a) Tamil Nadu (b) Karnataka
Ministry. could reportedly be forced to leave. The newspapers are among the (c) Maharashtra (d) Delhi
The (1) National Assembly’s legal and remains of Air India Flight (1), a
legislative committee has approved a Boeing 707 plane that on January 24,
60. Which of the following will replace
draft ‘Quota Bill’, which aims to expel 1966, crashed into Mont Blanc ending
(1) in the above passage?
a significant portion of the country’s
(a) Manas National Park
expat population. Indians being the
(b) Dibru-Saikhowa Park largest group are facing the biggest
(c) Rajiv Gandhi Orang National impact, and the bill states that no
Park. more than 15 percent Indians can be
(d) DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary a part of the expat population.
The move is also in line with Prime
Minister (2) statement in June,
61. How many National Park are there in
which proposed to reduce (1) expat
Assam excluding the one upgraded in
population from 70 percent to 30
the above passage?
percent. Lawmakers and government
(a) 2 (b) 4 officials have grown increasingly vocal
(c) 5 (d) 8 against foreigners in the country after

60. (d) Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary the sixth national park in Assam — the Hint (Q65-Q69): 72. (a) Italy and France
other five being Kaziranga, Nameri, Manas, Kuwait government’s new anti-expatriate
61. (c) 5 73. (b) Second
Dibru-Saikhowa and Rajiv Gandhi Orang policy may displace up to eight lakh Indians.
62. (b) Sarbananda Sonowal National Park. The move is also in line with Prime Minister 74. (c) Maharashtra
Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah statement
63. (a) Prakash Javadekar The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Hint (Q70-Q74):
in June, which proposed to reduce Kuwait
Climate Change is an Indian government The newspapers are among the remains of
64. (d) 104 expat population from 70 percent to 30
ministry. The ministry portfolio is currently Air India Flight 101, named ‘Kanchenjunga’,
percent.
Hint (Q60-Q64): held by Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister a Boeing 707 plane that on January 24, 1966,
Assam has decided to take necessary steps of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the crashed into Mont Blanc – Europe’s third-
to upgrade the DehingPatkai Wildlife top destination of Indian migrants followed highest peak – ending the lives of all 177
There are 104 existing national parks in
Sanctuary into national park. by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and passengers and crew.
India covering an area of 40501.13 km2,
Oman, as per the data set compiled by the
Assam Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal which is 1.23% of the geographical area of Among the 177 dead was HomiBhabha,
UN Department of Economic and Social
a meeting with the officials of Forest the country (National Wildlife Database, the founding leader of India’s nuclear
Affairs Division.
Department. In order to expedite the May, 2019). programme.
process of upgrading DehingPatkai into a According to the United Nations, in
65. (b) Kuwait Mont Blanc is the second-highest mountain
national park, the Chief Minister directed 2019, the United States, Germany, and
Saudi Arabia had the largest number of in Europe after Mount Elbrus. It is the
the forest department to prepare a draft 66. (a) Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah
immigrants of any country, while Tuvalu, highest mountain in the Alps, and rises
notification and hold public hearing to take
67. (d) UAE Saint Helena, and Tokelau had the lowest. 4,808 m (15,774 ft) above sea level and is the
the views of local dwellers residing around
eleventh-most prominent peak in the world.
the DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary. 68. (b) USA 70. (c) Flight 101 It marks the border between France and
Post upgradation, DehingPatkai will be 69 (a) Tuvalu Italy.
71. (a) Homi Bhabha

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 8 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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(Q.75-Q.79): between the two countries, promoting extending the postal ballot facility to
What is Plea Bargaining? 79. When was CrPC enacted? tourism and people-to-people electors over 65 years as the age group
Plea bargaining refers to a person contacts, it said. had been termed most vulnerable to
(a) 1973 (b) 1978
charged with a criminal offence COVID-19. Subsequently, the Law
(c) 1910 (d) 1860 Ministry notified the change to the
negotiating with the prosecution 80. Which of the following city can
for a lesser punishment than what is Conduct of Election Rules, 1961,
be replaced with [1] in the above
provided in law by pleading guilty to (Q80-Q84): extending the facility to electors
passage?
a less serious offence. The first-ever container cargo from above 65 years, as opposed to the
(a) Aizawl (b) Kohima existing provision for above (2) years.
The concept of Plea bargaining was Kolkata via [2] Chattogram port
started in (1) and has been a successful (c) Dibrugarh (d) Agartala However, now ECI announced that
has reached [1], the External Affairs
method of avoiding protracted and Ministry said on Thursday, terming it would not be extending the facility
complicated trials. it a “historic milestone” in the Indo- 81. Which country can be replaced with to electors of age 65 and above due to
When was it introduced in India? [2] connectivity and economic [2] in which Chattogram port is logistical, staff and safety protocol-
It was introduced in (2) as part of a partnership. situated? related constraints.
set of amendments to the CrPC as Union minister MansukhMandaviya (a) Myanmar (b) Bhutan
Chapter XXI-A, containing Sections had last week flagged off the first trial 85. Which of the following will replace
(c) Sri lanka (d) Bangladesh
265A to 265L. container ship from Kolkata carrying the (1) in the above passage?
There has always been a provision in cargo meant for [1] that reached the (a) Sushil Chandra
the Code of Criminal Procedure for city via the Chattogram port. 82. Which river’s water, situated in
an accused to plead ‘guilty’ instead of country to be replaced [2], will be (b) Sunil Arora
MEA Spokesperson Anurag (c) Ashok Lavasa
claiming the right to a full trial, but it used by Tripura for drinking purpose?
Srivastava said it will help in further
is not the same as plea bargaining. (a) Mekong (b) Irrawaddy (d) Sumit Mukherjee
development of the northeastern
The Law Commission of India, in
region. (c) Feni (d) Kalu Ganga
its 142nd Report, mooted the idea
“Another historic milestone in 86. What Kind of body is election
of “concessional treatment” of those
India-[2] connectivity & economic 83. Which port along with Chattogram commission?
who plead guilty on their own volition
but was careful to underscore that it partnership as the first ever container port was declared to be used for (a) Extra-constitutional Body
would not involve any plea bargaining cargo from Kolkata via Chattogram movement of goods to the North East (b) Quasi-judicial body
or “haggling” with the prosecution. port reaches [1]. India? (c) Constitutional body
This will help in further development (a) Mongla port (d) Legal body
of the north eastern region,” he said in (b) Myanma port
75. Which of the following will replace
a tweet.
(1) in the above passage? (c) Thilawa port
India and [2] have enhanced 87. Which of the following will replace
(a) USA (b) Europe (d) Magampura port (2) in the above passage?
cooperation in shipping and inland
(c) Australia (d) UK water trade in the recent years. (a) 62 Years (b) 70 Years
Under the Protocol on Inland Water 84. Which of the following is network of (c) 75 Years (d) 80 Years
76. In India Plea bargain can be initiated by? Transit and Trade, in addition to the Chinese military facilities in Indian
six existing Ports of Call, five more ocean, in which Chattogram port is
(a) Accused (b) Victim 88. What is a postal ballot?
in each country have been added located?
(c) Prosecution (a) A system of voting where people
recently, the Ministry of Shipping said (a) String of Pearls (b) Mandeb
(d) Accused or prosecution send their votes by post
in a statement last week. (c) Feydhoo (d) Djibouti
(b) A system of voting where people
A Port of Call is a place where a ship
77. Which of the following will replace vote by proxy
stops during a voyage to enable the
(2) in the above passage? (Q85-Q89): (c) A system of vote pioneered for
loading and unloading of cargo.
(a) 2008 (b) 2009 The pandemic has thrown up new digital age
Dredging of inland waterway routes
challenges, and conducting polls (d) A system of voting where
(c) 2006 (d) 2005 is ongoing under a pact signed by
will not be easy, says Chief Election absentee votes are counted in
the two countries on development
Commissioner, (1). He is, however, favour of their last vote
of fairway in selected stretches of
78. Under of the following plea bargaining confident of holding the Bihar elections,
[2] waterways, with the Government
can be used? due in October/November, on time.
of India bearing 80 per cent of the 89. The election commission of India is
(a) Imprisonment for 8 years Requisite changes are being made in
project expenditure and the balance formed under which article of the
electoral processes, he says, to ensure
(b) Imprisonment for 5 years being borne by the neighbouring Constitution of India.
that safety guidelines are followed
(c) Life sentence country, it said.
during campaigning and voting. (a) Article 324 (b) Article 148
(d) Death Penalty Cruise services have also commenced
Earlier, the ECI had recommended (c) Article 356 (d) Article 367

75. (a) USA administration of substantive criminal law movement of goods to the North East India. The Election Commission of India is an
in India. It was enacted in 1973 and came autonomous constitutional authority
76 (a) Accused 84. (a) String of Pearls
into force on 1 April 1974. responsible for administering election
Chittagong port is one of the ports located
77. (c) 2006 processes in India at national, state and
80. (d) Agartala on the String of Pearls geopolitical theory of
district level. The body administers
78. (b) Imprisonment for 5 years On July 21, 2020, India began its trial the Chinese. The String of Pearls is located
elections to the LokSabha, RajyaSabha,
trans-shipment of goods from India to the in the Indian Ocean. It refers to a network
79. (a) 1973 state Legislative Assemblies, state legislative
North East region’s Agartala through the of Chinese military facilities from Chinese
Councils, and the offices of the President
Hint (Q75-Q79): Chattogram port of Bangladesh. mainland to Port Sudan in Horn of Africa.
and Vice President of the country. The
The concept of Plea bargaining was started 81. (d) Bangladesh 85. (b) Sunil Arora Election Commission operates under the
in USA but now has gained international India and Bangladesh signed an agreement authority of Constitution per Article 324,
recognition. It has spread its roots from 86. (c) Constitutional body and subsequently enacted Representation
to transit goods to north east via ports
USA to most of the world and every major of Bangladesh. Indian transshipment of the People Act. The commission has the
87. (d) 80 Years
country has accepted this concept entirely goods will enjoy a stay of 28-day free-stay powers under the Constitution, to act in
or in parts at the ports of Bangladesh according to 88. (a) A system of voting where people send an appropriate manner when the enacted
international transshipment agreement. their votes by post laws make insufficient provisions to deal
Unlike in the U.S. and other countries,
where the prosecutor plays a key role, under 89. (a) Article 324 with a given situation in the conduct of an
82. (c) Feni election. Being a constitutional authority,
the Indian code plea bargaining process can In 2019, India and Bangladesh had signed Hint (Q85-Q89): Election Commission is amongst the few
be initiated only by the accused. agreements during the visit of Bangladesh A Postal Ballot is a system of voting where institutions which function with both
Only someone who has been charged for PM Sheikh Hasina to India to use Mongla people send their votes by post. Recently, autonomy and freedom, along with the
an offence that does not attract the death and Chittagong ports for movement of the Election Commission announced that country’s higher judiciary, the Union Public
sentence, life sentence or a prison term goods to the North East India and water of it will allow those above the age of 65 as Service Commission and the Comptroller
above seven years can make use of the Feniriver for Trauma. well as those under home or institutional and Auditor General of India.
scheme under Chapter XXI-A. It is also 83. (a) Mongla port quarantine to vote using postal ballots
applicable to private complaints of which a during the Bihar elections. However, the The chief election commissioner of India
In 2019, India and Bangladesh had signed is Shri Sunil Arora, along with other two
criminal court has taken cognisance. agreements during the visit of Bangladesh notification was later revoked on the ground
that the commission does not have the commissioners Sushil Chandra and Ashok
The Code of Criminal Procedure commonly PM Sheikh Hasina to India. Both sides Lavasa.
concluded Standard Operating Procedure required manpower. Therefore, the existing
called Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)
to use Mongla and Chittagong ports for provision only for above 80 years of people
is the main legislation on procedure for
can vote through the Postal Ballot.

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Property Office States and Union Territories (UTs)
(b) World Trade Organization for aesthetic development and
rejuvenation of these sites. A total
(c) European Patent Office
Rs 100 crore were allocated for the
(d) World Intellectual Property scheme in the Union Budget 2017-18.
Organization

95. Identify the name of the scheme

93. What was the rank of India in discussed in the above passage?
International Intellectual Property
(a) Prasad (b) Hriday
(IP) Index released in February 2020?
(c) Swadesh Darshan
(a) 36 (b) 40
(d) Amrut
(c) 42 (d) 50
(Q90-Q94):
ranked 1st and 2nd respectively while
seven-year-old startup Hike stood at 96. In which year scheme discussed in
With an increase in intellectual 94. On which day World Intellectual
the third spot in terms of patent filing the above passage was launched?
property (IP) filing activity in the Property day is celebrated?
world, India has witnessed significant in the field of IT (a) 2014-15 (b) 2016-17
(a) 26th April (b) 27th April
growth in patent, industrial design Kavin Bharti Mittal-led firm has (c) 2017-18 (d) 2018-19
(c) 22nd March (d) 24th March
and trademark filings in 2018. not yet disclosed reasons for filing
India saw over 20% growth in 66 patents, though it has been
97. Which ministry launched the above
trademark filing, whereas in respect extensively working in the field of (Q95-Q99):
scheme?
of industrial design filing activity, it research and development including India being a land of diverse cultures
Natural Language Processing (NLP), (a) Ministry of Housing and Urban
witnessed a 13.6% rise. and religions is home to several
Computer Vision and Social Network Development
While patent applications worldwide pilgrimage sites which hold high
Analysis. religious and sentimental values, and (b) Ministry of Human Resource
grew by 5.2 %, India patent filings
rose to 7.5% to 3,473. The country The firm has recently launched the attracts a large number of people (c) Ministry of Tourism
also reduced the number of pending Hike Patent Program to incentivises from within the nation and abroad. (d) Ministry of Environment
application by 25% in 2018 compared its employees with rewards and grants Therefore, in a bid to preserve
to 2017. besides providing legal and market these sites and tap their potential as
pilgrimage destinations, the Central 98. Which of the following scheme was
guidance to prospective patent filers.
India emerged as top [2] nation in launched to develop theme-based
Last month, the Ministry of government introduced a scheme.
the ranking of the total (resident and tourist circuits in the country?
abroad) IP filing activity by origin, Commerce and Industry had The scheme revolves around holistic
development and rejuvenation of (a) Swadesh Darshan
revealed World Intellectual Property proposed reduction for Patent filing
fees for MSMEs and startups to Rs these sites in tandem with other (b) Hriday Scheme
Indicators 2019, which published
such data for 49 countries. 1,600 from Rs 4,000. stakeholders. A total of 13 pilgrim sites (c) Amrut Scheme
The rise in IP filing in India will have been selected for development (d) Swadeshi ParyatanYojana
Globally patent filings exceeded 3.3
boost innovation and research and on the principles of high tourist
million, representing a 5.2% growth
development (R&D) activity in the value, and sustainability which will
in comparison to 2017 figures. 99. Which of the following scheme was
country. India needs to push it further aid in augmenting tourist experience,
Trademark filing activity totalled launched to preserve and rejuvenate
to be among the top five nations in employment opportunities and
14.3 million, up 15.5%. Industrial the rich cultural heritage of the
the world. With over 60% of youth infrastructure facilities.
design filing activity amounted to 1.3 country?
million. constituting India populations and A mission directorate, responsible
(a) Swadesh Darshan
increasing usage of technology and for implementation of development
Asia has been emerging as the (b) Hriday Scheme
the internet, this should not be a plans, has been established under the
global hub for intellectual property
hurdle. Central Government that provides (c) Amrut Scheme
applications.
the financial assistance to various (d) Swadeshi ParyatanYojna
In India, domestic filing for patents
has increased from 22% in 2013-14 to 90. Which of the following country
34% in 2018-19. topped the ranking?
The IP filings have seen a significant (a) India (b) China
rise in IT, science and computer (c) USA (d) UK
science filings. Startups and small
firms IP filings saw over 200% rise to
91. India among the top _____ countries
511 from 160 in 2016-17, according
in intellectual property filling.
to the Department of Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) (a) 5 (b) 6
data. (c) 15 (d) 10
According to list unveiled by the
Office of the Controller General of 92. Which organization has released the
Patents, Design & Trademarks, IT ranking?
juggernauts Wipro and TCS were (a) European Union Intellectual

90. (b) China development of pilgrimage destinations manner in order to provide a complete
The global growth in IP filings was driven in a prioritised, planned, and sustainable religious tourism experience.
by China, which accounts for over 50% 93. (b) 40 manner in order to provide a complete
IP filings including patent, trademarks On February 5, 2020, the Global Innovation religious tourism experience. The focus of
and design. China received about 160,400 Policy Centre (GIPC) of the US Chamber Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spirituality 98. (a) Swadesh Darshan
more filings in 2018 in comparison to the of Commerce released the International IP Augmentation Drive- PRASAD is on the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
previous year. (Intellectual Property) Index. According development and beautification of the has launched ‘SwadeshDarshan’ scheme to
the ranking, India was at position 40 of the identified pilgrimage destinations under fund development of theme based tourism
53 economies. HRIDAY Scheme. circuits in India. These tourist circuits
91. (d) 10 will be developed on the principles of
As per World Intellectual Property high tourist value, competitiveness and
Indicators-2019 Report, India has emerged 94. (a) 26th April 96. (a) 2014-15 sustainability in an integrated manner.
as the top tenth nation in the ranking of The World Intellectual Property Day is Introduced in 2014-15, the Pilgrimage
the total (rsident and abroad) Intellectual observed on April 26th to raise awareness Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation
about the importance of patents, Drive (PRASAD) is a government scheme 99. (b) Hriday Scheme
Property (IP) filing activity.
trademarks and copyrights and the that focuses on identifying and developing HRIDAY scheme was launched on 21st
contributions of innovators to societal the pilgrim sites across the country to January 2015 for the development of
development. It marks the enforcement of enrich the religious tourism experience. heritage cities. This scheme aimed to
92. (d) World Intellectual Property
the Convention Establishing the WIPO in preserve and revitalise heritage cities of
Organization 1970. India to reflect their unique character.
World Intellectual Property Indicators 2019 97. (c) Ministry of Tourism It also encourages the development of
has been published by World Intellectual The Ministry of Tourism launched the an aesthetically appealing, accessible,
Property Organization. It is one of the 15 95. (a) Prasad PRASAD scheme that aims at integrated informative and secured environment in
specialized agencies of the United Nations The Ministry of Tourism launched the development of pilgrimage destinations heritage cities.
(UN) and was establishedin 1970. PRASAD scheme that aims at integrated in a prioritised, planned, and sustainable

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 10 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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AtalBihariVajapayee of 6 months. The summit comes at a time when
through Parliament (c) In the situation where two-thirds India and China are engaged in a
effected the [5] of the legislators of a political bitter border dispute since early May
Constitutional party decide to merge into at the Ladakh sector of the Line of
Amendment in 2003, another party. Actual Control (LAC), which also
which prohibited witnessed a violent face-off at the
(d) If an elected member gives up his
defections through Galwan River Valley on 15 June. “We
membership of a political party
split and merger. discussed this topic (India-China
voluntarily.
It also capped the border standoff)… Prime Minister
number of ministers Modi also informed us about the
in a government as 104. Which of the following Constitutional latest developments regarding this
experience showed that amendment made changes in Anti incident with China and we support
the carrot of ministerial defection law? all the efforts in order to maintain a
berths to engineer (a) 91st (b) 92nd channel of dialogue, in order to find
defections led to jumbo- (c) 94th (d) 95th a peaceful solution,” President Michel
(Q100-Q105):
sized council of ministers. said during an online press briefing
Anti defection law, inserted in the from Brussels.
With the anti-defection law plugging
Constitution in 1985 after bitter 105.
JyotiradityaScindia joined BJP
exit routes for MLAs and given the According to Von der Leyen, while the
experiences of governments falling government with handful of their
mind-boggling cost of re-election, EU shares “important” relationships
prey to defections of MLAs, is silent MLAs in Madhya Pradesh. Is this the
it was hoped that there would be with both India as well as with China,
on this new resignation formula to case of Anti-defection?
political stability in governance after but with New Delhi, Brussels shares
destabilise governments. (a) No, MLAs have the freedom
exploration of opportunities for post- “democracies and values”, while
The 1960s and 1970s political arena poll alliances between parties. to change their parties at any relationship with China is “complex”.
was marked by ‘Aya Rams and moment of their tenure
But with the political manoeuvres of
Gaya Rams’, the coinage credited to (b) Yes, it causes instability in the
BJP, having been entrenched in federal 106. On July 15, 2020, the ______the
Haryana MLA Gaya Lal who changed elected government
governance, increasingly resembling India-European Union Summit was
his loyalty to parties thrice in a short
the machinations of Congress in (c) Yes, once joined a party can be held through video conferencing.
span of time in 1967. Haryana had
the last quarter of the 20th century, left
two other stalwarts in the defection (a) 12th (b) 14th
the anti-defection law appears to (d) None of the above
game — Rao Birendra Singh and (c) 15th (d) 16th
be in need of some urgent surgical
BhajanLal.
treatment through constitutional
BhajanLal in 1980 had defected (Q106-Q110):
amendment. 107. Which of the following can be replaced
to Congress after Indira Gandhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi with [2] in the above passage?
returned to power post-Emergency. Wednesday raised the issue of the
100.
Which schedule of the Indian (a) Ursula von der Leyen
He along with his ministers and ongoing border standoff with China
MLAs merged with Congress to Constitution contains Anti-defection (b) Angela Markel
at the India-European Union (EU)
remain chief minister. Probably that law? (c) Jean Claude Juncker
Summit even as both sides lauded each
made Parliament in March 1985 to (a) 7th (b) 8th other for sharing common universal (d) Walter Halstein
insert the Anti defection law, which (c) 9th (d) 10th values of “democracy, pluralism,
then had validated defection of one- inclusivity, respect for international
third of MLAs of a party and merger 108. Which of the following organization
institutions, multilateralism, freedom,
of one party with another if two- 101. Which amendment brought the Anti- signed the nuclear deal with India
transparency”.
thirds of MLAs of the merging party defection law? during summit?
The India-EU Summit took place
favoured it. (a) 52nd (b) 74th (a) NATO
for the first time on the virtual
The Constituion gave the [3] (c) 75th (d) 55th platform. It was held between PM (b) EURATOM
of LokSabha and assemblies Modi and Charles Michel, President, (c)
European Coal and Steel
unquestionable power in deciding 102. Who is the Adjudicating Authority to European Council (which defines Community
petitions seeking disqualification decide the defection? the EU’s overall political direction (d) European Nuclear Committee
of MLAs under the anti-defection and priorities) and [2] President,
(a) Governor
law. This was challenged in the European Commission (EU’s
Supreme Court, which by a slender (b) President 109. A roadmap to which year was created
executive branch).
3-2 majority in KihotoHollohan case (c) Speaker of the House during the summit?
PM Modi said India and the 27-nation
[1992 Supp (2) SCC 651] ruled that (d) Majority of the House bloc are “natural partners” even (a) 2025 (b) 2026
[3], while deciding petitions under as both should “adopt a long-term (c) 2028 (d) 2029
anti-defection law, exercised judicial strategic perspective”.
103. Which of the following is not a
powers akin to a tribunal and hence
ground for defection? “Along with this, an action-oriented 110. Which of the following agency of
their decisions would be subject to
(a)
If any member who is agenda should be implemented, India launched negotiations to combat
scrutiny of HCs and the SC.
independently elected joins any which can be implemented within organised crime and terrorism along
Finding split and merger the stipulated time frame,” Modi said
party. with Europol?
concessions in the Anti defection in his opening remarks during the
law getting exploited repeatedly, (b) If any nominated member joins (a) RAW (b) CBI
summit.
the NDA government under any political party after the end (c) NIA (d) IB

100. (d) 10th merge into another party. perceived problem of instability caused by research and development in nuclear energy.
Anti-Defection Law is contained in the In the situation where two-thirds of the democratically elected legislators in India’s The European Atomic Energy Community is
Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which legislators of a political party decide to Parliamentary System of Government an international organisation established by
was introduced by the 52nd Amendment in merge into another party, neither the shifting allegiance from the parties they the Euratom Treaty on 25 March 1957 with
1985 during tenure of Rajiv Gandhi. members who decide to merge, nor the ones supported at the time of election. the original purpose of creating a specialist
who stay with the original party will face market for nuclear power in Europe.
101. (a) 52nd disqualification. 106. (c) 15th
As per 52nd amendment, articles 101, 102, The 15th India-European Union Summit 109. (a) 2025
190 and 191 were changed. It laid down 104. (a) 91st was held virtually. India was led by PM India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap
the process by which legislators may be Earlier, a ‘defection’ by one-third of the Modi and European Union was led its to 2025 has been endorsed between India
disqualified on grounds of defection. elected members of a political party president Ms Ursula von der Leyen and and EU as a common roadmap to guide joint
was considered a ‘merger’. The 91st other delegates. action and further strengthen the Strategic
102. (c) Speaker of the House Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, Partnership over the next five years.
Any question regarding disqualification changed this. So now at least two-thirds of 107. (a) Ursula vonder Leyen
arising out of defection is to be decided by the members of a party have to be in favor of In July 2019, the European Council 110. (b) CBI
the presiding officer or speaker of the House. a “merger” for it to have validity in the eyes nominated Ursula von der Leyen to succeed India and EU are expected to finalise an
The decision on disqualification questions of the law. Jean-Claude Juncker, and she was elected the agreement between Europol and the Central
on the ground of defection is referred to the 13th president of the European Commission Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on having a
Speaker or the Chairman of the House, and 105. (b) Yes, it causes instability in the elected by the European Parliament on 16 July. working arrangement to deal with organised
his/her decision is final. government crime and terrorism.
The anti-defection law in India, technically 108. (b) EURATOM
103. (c) In the situation where two-thirds of the Tenth Schedule to the Indian The leaders at the summit welcomed the
the legislators of a political party decide to Constitution, was enacted to address the signing of India-EURATOM agreement on
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 11 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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of both the Houses of Parliament or record and that does not include
and the assent of the President of any other details like name of the
India. PAN holder and other information
about them, said a PTI Report.
114. Which of the following landmark 4)” While furnishing the information,
judgment recognized Transgender as the specified income-tax authority
third gender? shall form an opinion that sharing
of such information is necessary for
(a) Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of
the purposes of enabling the FIU
India
to perform its function under its
(b) National Legal Services Authority respective laws,” the CBDT said.
v. Union of India
(c) K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of
116. FIU-IND reports to the Economic
India
Intelligence Council (EIC). Who
(d) MohoriBibi v. Union of India heads the Economic Intelligence
Council (EIC)?
(Q111-Q115):
below 18 to cohabit with their natal 115. In July 2020, which state government (a) Governor of RBI
The Transgender Persons (Protection family. announced the inclusion of (b) Finance Secretary
of Rights) Act, 2019 is an act of Activists | Families are often a source transgenders in pension scheme?
(c) Finance Minister
the Parliament of India with the of gruesome violence against the trans (a) Maharashtra
(d) CEO
objective to provide for protection community leading them to separate (b) Odisha
of rights of transgender people, their from the natal family. (c) Karnataka
welfare, and other related matters. 3) The Act | Criminalises begging. 117. FIU is empowered to obtain the
(d) Tamil Nadu CTRs from banks under which of
The Transgender Persons (Protection
Activists |It does not offer reservations
of Rights) Bill, 2019 was passed by the following; redacted as [y] in the
for employment and education.
Parliament in 2019 and it came into (Q116-Q120): passage?
force as an Act in January 2020. The 4) The Act | Strongly focuses on
As per the Central Board of Direct (a)
International Monetary Fund
Act defines a transperson as someone transwomen and hijras.
Taxes, the Income Tax Department and Bank Act, 1945
whose gender does not match the Activists | There is little emphasis on can now share the PAN data of an (b) The Banking
one assigned at birth. It prohibits the intersex, gender queer and even individual or an entity with Financial Regulation(Companies) Rules,
discrimination against them in transmen. Intelligence Unit (FIU). This sharing 1949
employment, education, housing, of data will assist FIU to dig deeper (c) Prevention of Money Laundering
healthcare and other services. 111. Which of the following judgment has into large cash transaction or any Act, 2002
The Act allows self perception of abolished Section 377 of Indian Penal suspicious transactions at the banks.
(d)
The Banking Ombudsman
gender identity. But it mandates Code? The order to share the data was issued
Scheme, 2006
that each person would have to be (a) Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of on July 16.
recognised as ‘transgender’ on the India Financial Intelligence Unit was
basis of a certificate of identity issued set by the Government of India 118. How many digits are there in a PAN
(b) National Legal Services Authority
by a district magistrate. in November 2004 as the central number?
v. Union of India
A recommendation from the 2016 national agency responsible for (a) 8 (b) 10
(c) K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of
Standing Committee to have a receiving, processing, analyzing and (c) 11 (d) 12
India
screening committee was rejected. disseminating information relating to
Opposition MPs had raised concerns (d) MohoriBibi v. Union of India suspect financial transactions.
119. Who is the present Chairperson
about certain provisions when the Bill Here are the five key points of the
of Central Board of Direct Taxes
was introduced. 112. According to activists, the bill goes CBDT order:
(CBDT)?
The trans community had also against the right to dignity and 1) A bank has to furnish a CTR or, a cash
bodily autonomy of trans people. (a) Sushil Chandra
vehemently rejected the Bill citing transaction report to the FIU every
several clauses that are detrimental to Which Article of Indian Constitution month. The CTR should have details (b) Pramod Chandra Mody
their fundamental rights: safeguards right to dignity? of all transactions over ₹10 lakh or (c) Neelam Raj Singh
1) The Act | States that transgender (a) Article 16 (b) Article 21 its equivalent in foreign currency (d) None of the above
persons will have the right to “self- (c) Article 41 (d) Article 47 or a series of integrally connected
perceived” gender identity. transactions that add up to more than
120. Which of the following is NOT a
Activists | Change of gender identity ₹10 lakh .
113. When does a bill become Act? direct tax?
in documents cannot be done 2) The FIU is empowered to get the
(a) When it is passed by Lok Sabha (a) Income Tax
without a certification by the District CTRs under the [y].
Magistrate after proof of a sex (b) When it is passed by Rajya Sabha (b) Wealth Tax
3) As per the procedure, banks provide
reassignment surgery is provided. (c) When it is passed by both the the CTRs to FIU with only the PAN (c) Corporation Tax
2) The Act | Enforces a minor’s right of Houses (permanent account number) that (d) Sales Tax
residence compelling any transperson (d) When it has received the approval was mentioned on the transaction slip

111. (a) Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India the draft of a legislative proposal, which 116. (c) Finance Minister civil servant in the Government of India. The
On 6 September 2018, the Court ruled becomes a law after receiving the approval Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is an current Chairperson of CBDT is Pramod
unanimously in Navtej Singh Johar v. of both the houses of the Parliament and the independent body reporting directly to Chandra Mody. Mody, a 1982-batch IRS
Union of India that Section 377 was assent of the President. the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) (IT) officer, succeeded Sushil Chandra.
unconstitutional “in so far as it criminalises headed by the Finance Minister.
consensual sexual conduct between adults 114. (b) National Legal Services Authority v. 120. (d) Sales Tax
of the same sex”. Union of India 117. (c) Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Income tax, wealth tax and corporation tax
The Supreme Court in National Legal 2002 are all direct taxes and levied by the central
112. (b) Article 21 Services Authority v. Union of India &Ors The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is government. Sales tax, Excise duty and
Article 21 of Indian Constitution assured recognized the third gender along with the nodal central agency that is authorised custom duty are indirect taxes.
that the right to live with human dignity the male and female and upheld that to obtain cash transaction reports (CTRs) The new draft Environment Impact
and free from any exploitation. State has transgenders should be treated as third from public and private sector banks every Assessment (EIA) 2020 proposed by the
obligatory duty to protect from the violation gender for the purpose of safeguarding their month, under the Prevention of Money Union government is a regressive departure
of fundamental rights especially to the fundamental rights. Laundering Act, 2002. from the 2006 version that it seeks to replace.
weaker section of the society. It is an attempt to weaken environmental
115. (b) Odisha 118. (b) 10 regulation and silence affected
113. (d) When it has received the approval of On July 18, 2020, Odisha Government A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a communities.
both the Houses of Parliament and the announced that transgenders are to be 10-digit alphanumeric number allotted by The draft seems to favour the industries
assent of the President of India. included under MadhuBabu Pension the income tax department to a person, firm and seems to be largely neglecting the
The most significant function of the Yojana. MadhuBabu Pension Yojana is a or entity. balance between sustainable development
Parliament is to take legislative decisions social security scheme that was launched and environment protection. The Union
such as making a law or amending it. All in the state of Odisha. Under the scheme, 119. (b) Pramod Chandra Mody government, on the contrary, argues that the
legislative proposals are brought before around 5,000 transgenders are to be reached. The Chairperson, Central Board of Direct new draft will reinforce transparency and
Parliament in the form of bills. A bill is Taxes (CBDT) is the senior-most IRS (IT) expedite the process.

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(Q126-Q130): Justice of India remarked, “During
The Union Ministry of Housing and Covid-19 situation, nobody is going
Urban Affairs proposed a Central to do anything [on the project] and
Vista redevelopment project in 2019. there is no urgency.”
The Central Vista is an iconic 3 km
stretch in the heart of New Delhi that 126. Who is the current Union Minister of
runs from the RashtrapatiBhavan to Housing and Urban Affairs?
India Gate. Flanked by large green (a) DV Sadanada Gowda
spaces and containing significant
(b) Hardeep Singh Puri
structures such as Parliament, the
Secretariat buildings and the National (c) Pralhad Joshi
Archives, it is recognised around (d) Santosh Gangwar
the world as a striking example
of innovative urban planning and 127. What is the length of Central Vista,
(Q121-Q125):
as per the terms on which permission
architecture. redacted as [x] in the passage?
Environment impact assessment is has been given. What is the frequency
of report submission according to the From an economic perspective, the (a) 1km
a process under the Environment
new draft EIA notification 2020? estimated cost of Rs. 20,000 crores
(Protection) Act, 1986, which prevents (b) 2km
is equivalent to 1% of the Centre’s
industrial and infrastructural projects (a) Every 3 months (c) 3km
purported Covid-19 relief package
from being approved without proper (b) Every 4 months (and 0.1% of India’s GDP). (d) 4km
oversight. This process ensures that
(c) Once a year The redevelopment entails altering
every project should go through
the EIA process for obtaining prior (d) No change in this regard some structures and demolishing 128. HCP Design, the firm which was
environmental clearance. certain buildings within the awarded the contract for redesigning
123. According to the new draft EIA, the Parliament complex, modifying the the Central Vista, was the highest
EIA covers projects such as mining of
Government has the power to declare National Archives and constructing bidder among the four firms that
coal or other minerals, infrastructure
any project as ‘strategic’. Which of the several new buildings along the qualified for the financial round
development, thermal, nuclear and
following is TRUE in this regard? Central Vista, including residences for for the project. Which state is HCP
hydropower projects, real estate and
the prime minister and vice president, design based in?
other industrial projects. The projects (a) Once a project is considered as
completely altering its layout.
are assessed based on their potential strategic, the draft notification (a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Maharashtra
impact on the environment. Based on states that no information related So far, two petitions have filed before
(c) Haryana (d) Gujarat
the assessments, they are granted or to such projects shall be placed in the Delhi High Court against the
denied environmental clearance by a the public domain. change in land use of plots within the
panel of experts. Central Vista. The first petition was 129. India’s parliament house was designed
(b) Violations can only be reported by?
abruptly transferred from the High
The EIA new draft 2020 allows post- suomotu by the project
Court to the Supreme Court in “larger (a) Lutyens
facto clearance. This means that even proponent, or by a government
public interest”, without being “a (b) Baker
if a project has come up without authority, appraisal committee,
reflection on the proceedings before
environment safeguards or without or regulatory authority. (c) Both (I) and (II)
the High Court, in any manner”,
getting environment clearances, it (c) Both (I) and (II) (d) None of the above
according to the top court. But in
could carry out operation under the
(d) Neither (I) nor (II) its order, the Supreme Court did not
provision of the new draft EIA 2020.
stay the project. It merely ordered 130. What is the proposed shape of the new
This is disastrous because we that any steps taken by the authorities
124. In May-June 2020, Oil India Limited’s parliament building under Central
already have several projects that are during the petition’s pendency “will
Baghjan oil wells in Tinsukia district Vista Redevelopment Project?
running without EIA clearances. An be subject to the outcome of the
example is the LG Polymer Plant in of Assam went up in flames. It is (a) Cubical
situated only a few kilometers from proceedings”.
Vishakhapatnam, where the styrene (b) Triangular
a national park. Name that National The fate of the second petition was
gas leak happened on May 7. It was (c) Pentagonal
Park. even more dismal – it was rejected on
revealed that the plant had been (d) Hexagonal
(a) Kaziranga National Park April 30 by the Supreme Court with
running for over two decades without
liberty to the petitioner to amend the
clearances. (b) Manas National Park
first petition. In doing so, the Chief
(c) Dibru Saikhowa National Park
121. Under the Draft EIA 2020, what (d) Orang National Park
is the time provided for the public
to submit their responses during a
125. Under the new draft EIA notification,
public hearing?
the validity of the environment
(a) 15 days
clearances for mining projects and
(b) 20 days river valley projects have been
(c) 25 days increased. What is the new validity
(d) 30 days for such projects?
(a) 40 years and 20 years
122. The 2006 EIA notification required (b) 45 years and 15 years
that the project proponent submit a (c) 40 years and 20 years
report every six months, showing that (d) 50 years and 15 years
they are carrying out their activities

121. (b) 20 days 126. (b) Hardeep Singh Puri questioned the opaque process that resulted
The draft notification provides for a 124. (c) DibruSaikhowa National Park Hardeep Singh Puri is an Indian politician, in the project being awarded to a Gujarat-
reduction of the time period from 30 days Oil India Limited’s Baghjan well is located former diplomat who is the current Civil based architecture firm.
to 20 days for the public to submit their close to DibruSaikhowa National Park and Aviation Minister of India and Ministry of
responses during a public hearing for the ecologically sensitive MaguriMotapung Housing and Urban Affairs in India. He is 129. (c) Both (I) and (II)
any application seeking environmental Wetland. There were fears of environmental a 1974 batch Indian Foreign Service officer Parliament House building was designed
clearance. damage to the area due to the blow out and who served as the Permanent Representative by Edwin Lutyens, known for his strong
fire. of India to the United Nations from 2009 to adherence to European Classicism and
122. (c) Once a year 2013. Herbert Baker, a prominent architect in
The new draft EIA 2020 requires the 125 (d) 50 years and 15 years South Africa.
promoter to submit a report only once The increased validity of the environment 127. (c) 3km
every year. During this period, certain clearances for mining projects (50 years Central Vista Redevelopment Project 130. (b) Triangular
irreversible environmental, social or health versus 30 years currently) and river valley envisages to revamp the 3-km-long Rajpath Central Vista redevelopment project
consequences of the project could go projects (15 years versus 10 years currently) — from RashtrapatiBhavan to India Gate. envisages constructing a triangular
unnoticed because of the extended reporting raises the risk of irreversible environmental, This 3km long path is called Central Vista. Parliament building next to the existing one,
time. social and health consequences on account 128. (d) Gujarat constructing Common Central Secretariat
of the project remaining unnoticed for long. HCP Design is a Gujarat based Architectural and repurposing North and South blocks as
123. (c) Both (I) and (II) firm. Many critics of the project have museums.

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 13 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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(c) 2-20 Gigabit per second (Gbps) (SCA) said in a tweet that it welcomes
(d) 5-20 Gigabit per second (Gbps) the addition of Mehsud by the UN to
the ISIL and Al Qaida sanctions list.

134. How many frequency ranges are
available for 5G technology? 136. Which of the following is NOT a
permanent member of UN Security
(a) 2 (b) 3
Council?
(c) 4 (d) 5
(a) Russia (b) France
(c) Germany (d) United Kingdom
135.
To accommodate faster data
transmission speeds, 5G has greater
bandwidth. What other term is 137. Which terror group has been redacted
synonymous with bandwidth? as [x] in the passage?
(Q131-Q135): (a) Capacity (b) Speed (a) Al-Muhajiroun

The government may consider The 4G spectrum auction is likely (c) Connection (d) Strength (b) Al-Ansar
lowering the base price of 5G in October-November, while 5G (c) Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
spectrum to compensate telcos if they airwaves may be offered only next (d) Hizb-ul-Mujahideen
(Q136-Q140):
have to shell out more for buying year. While the 4G bands can be used
The [x] terror group’s leader Noor
non-Chinese equipment. to provide 5G services in the future,
WaliMehsud has been labelled a 138.
What is the consequence of
Officials said the government was India has currently earmarked only
global terrorist by the financing, blacklisting by the UN?
aware that keeping Chinese vendors the 3,300-3,600 MHz bands for the
planning and committing acts on (a) Member states of the UN are
Huawei and ZTE away from India’s next-generation service.
behalf of and in support of entities required to freeze the funds and
5G market may push up network associated with the al-Qaida. other financial assets or economic
deployment costs and is thus open to 131. Which of the following is FALSE
The UN Security Council’s 1267 ISIL resources of the blacklisted
reassessing the base prices suggested regarding the National Digital
and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee individual/entity
by the regulator to make it viable for Communications Policy 2018?
added Mehsud, 42, to the ISIL (b)
Member states of the UN
operators. (a) creation of a National Fibre (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List required to prevent the entry into
In such a scenario, excluding Chinese Authority under a larger roof on Thursday, subjecting the Pakistani or transit through their territories
vendors was “a natural progression or called, “National Digital Grid” national to an assets-freeze, travel ban by the designated individuals.
outcome of the concerns arising out (b) implementing an action plan for and arms embargo.
of national security for countries,” the (c) Both (I) and (II)
rollout of 5G applications and The TTP was blacklisted by the UN
official said. (d) Neither (I) nor (II)
services, enhancing the back- on July 29, 2011 for its association
Experts said the absence of Huawei haul capacity to support the with al-Qaida.
and ZTE would leave Indian telcos development of next-generation 139. The terror group mentioned in the
In June 2018, Mehsud was named the
dependent on European vendors networks like 5G passage has been very active in
leader of [x], following the death of
Ericsson and Nokia, besides South (c) it is set to replace National Pakistan’s FATA region. What does
former leader MaulanaFazlullah.
Korea’s Samsung. This would Telecom Policy 2012 FATA stands for?
increase deployment costs by 15- The Sanctions Committee said that
(d) None of the above under Noor Wali’s leadership, [x] had (a)
Far Areas under Tribal
20%, ultimately hurting retail and
claimed responsibility for numerous Administration
industrial customers.
terrorist attacks across Pakistan. (b)
Frontier Areas under Tribal
The officials said the government 132. In case of any wired or wireless
These include the attack targeting Administration
is aware of the cost implications, connection, there is always a certain
amount of delay between when Pakistani security forces in North (c) Federally Administered Tribal
especially as the two Chinese
an action or a request is made on Waziristan in July 2019 and a bomb Areas
companies have historically
one device and when a response is blast targeting Pakistani soldiers (d) Frontier Administration of Tribal
offered the lowest rates for telecom
received back on that same device. in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in August Areas
equipment.
What is this delay called? 2019.
According to another government
(a) Latency (b) Time delay Additionally, the group had claimed
official, the Digital Communications 140.
The INTERPOL-United Nations
responsibility for an attempted
Commission has accepted Trai’s 4G (c) Lag Security Council Special Notice
bombing in Times Square on May 1,
base price recommendations and is (d) Buffering Period combines the UN sanctions regime
2010. In April 2010 [x] had launched
yet to decide on the regulator’s 5G with INTERPOL’s well-established
a multi-pronged assault against the
pricing suggestions. The commission notice system into an effective law
133. Fill in the blanks – United States Consulate in Peshawar,
is an inter-ministerial body that is the enforcement tool. It is issued for
Steering Committee on 5G report killing at least six Pakistanis and
highest decision-making group in the individuals and entities that are
points out that with 5G, the peak wounding 20 others.
department of telecommunications. subject to sanctions imposed by the
network data speeds are expected to The United States domestically United Nations Security Council.
“This leaves a window of opportunity
be in the range of _________ Gigabit designated Noor Wali as a terrorist in Where is INTERPOL headquartered?
for the government to lower the
per second (Gbps). September 2019, it said in the tweet.
5G prices so that there is better (a) Paris (b) Berlin
competition during the auction,” the (a) 5-10 Gigabit per second (Gbps) The US State Department’s Bureau
(c) Lyon (d) Madrid
official said. (b) 2-5 Gigabit per second (Gbps) of South and Central Asian Affairs

131. (d) None of the above to be in the range of 2-20 Gigabit per 136. (c) Germany required to prevent the entry into or transit
National Digital Communications Policy second (Gbps). This is in contrast to 4G link The Council is composed of 15 Members: through their territories by the designated
2018 will replace the existing National speeds in averaging 6-7 Megabit per second Five permanent members: China, France, individuals.
Telecom Policy-2012, to cater to the modern (Mbps) in India as compared to 25 Mbps in Russian Federation, the United Kingdom,
technological advancements such as 5G, advanced countries. and the United States, and ten non- 139 (c) Federally Administered Tribal Areas
IoT, M2M etc. in the Telecom Sector. permanent members elected for two-year FATA was a semi-autonomous tribal region
134. (a) 2 terms by the General Assembly. in northwestern Pakistan that existed from
132. (c) Latency Two different frequency ranges are available 1947 until being merged with neighbouring
The response is not exactly immediate when for the 5G technology and the different 137. (c) Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
issuing a command now on a smartphone, ranges have been designated FR1 - frequency Tehrik-i-Taliban in Pakistan, alternatively
such as starting a web search. A lag of range 1 (also called sub-6 Ghz) and FR2 - referred to as the Pakistani Taliban, is a 140. (c) Lyon
50 to several hundred milliseconds is frequency range 2 (also called millimeter radical terrorist armed group which is an The International Criminal Police
common, partly because signals often must wave frequency). The bands in FR1 are umbrella organization of various militant Organization, commonly known as
pass between different carrier switching envisaged to carry much of the traditional groups based along the Afghan–Pakistani INTERPOL, is an international organisation
centers. 5G, which uses newer networking cellular mobile communications traffic. border. Most Taliban groups in Pakistan that facilitates worldwide police cooperation
technology, was designed to reduce this coalesce under the TTP. and crime control. It is headquartered in
latency down to a few milliseconds. 135. (b) Speed Lyon, France. INTERPOL works closely
Bandwidth describes the maximum data 138. (c) Both (I) and (II) with the sanctions committee and uses its
133. (c) 5-10 Gigabit per second (Gbps) transfer rate of a network or Internet Blacklisting by the Security Council entails well established notice system to alert police
The report of the nine-member Steering connection. It measures how much data can that all states are required to freeze the globally to individuals and entities who are
Committee, headed by Stanford University be sent over a specific connection in a given funds and other financial assets or economic subject to sanctions imposed by the United
Professor AJ Paulraj points out that with 5G, amount of time (ie speed) resources of allocated to individuals Nations Security Council.
the peak network data speeds are expected and entities without delay. They are also

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(a) Carpel (b) Dried Stigma Arab Youths.
(c) Dried stem (d) Petals
146. What is the name of the mission
145. Which of the following ministries/ referred to in the above passage?
departments gives the GI Tag in (a) Mangalyaan
India?
(b) MAVEN
(a)
Department of Industry
(c) HOPE
Promotion and Internal Trade
(d) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
(b) Department of Industrial Policy
& Promotion
(c)
Department of Geographical 147. Which of the following will replace
Indication Registry (1) in the above passage?
(Q141-Q145):
of 1,600 metres, saw a steep decline (a) UAE
in production by around 65%, from (d) Department of Small Industries
The J&K administration on Saturday (b) Egypt
issued the certificate of geographical 16 tonnes to 5.6 tonnes in 2018.
According to an official data, land (Q146-Q150): (c) Saudi Arabia
indication (GI) registration for
saffron grown in the Kashmir Valley, under saffron cultivation has also The (1) has become the first-ever (d) Qatar
even as the crop sees a decline in its come down to 3,715 hectares in 2009- Arab country to launch the Mars
production and shrinking of land 10 from 5,707 hectares in 1996. Mission when the blast-off of the 148. Tanegashima Space Center is located
under cultivation. unmanned spacecraft took place from in which country?
Describing it as “a momentous 141. 1. The Lieutenant-Governor of J&K Tanegashima Space Center on July (a) Japan
decision of the Centre”, J&K has been redacted by [1]. Who is he? 20. The project was handled from the
(b) China
Lieutenant-Governor G.C. Murmu (a) R. K. Mathur command and control centre at (2).
said this was the first major step to (c) South Korea
(b) G. C. Murmu BurjKhalifa, the tallest building in
put saffron produced in the Kashmir the world, was decorated and it was (d) Germany
Valley on the world map with (c) Satya Pal Malik
lit up hours before the launch with
authentication. (d) A. B. Pandey a symbolic 10-second countdown in 149. Which of the following will replace
“With the GI tag, Kashmir saffron anticipation of the launch that had to (2) in the above passage?
will acquire more prominence in 142. Recently, which state seeks GI tag for be delayed due to weather conditions
(a) Mohammed Bin Rashid Space
the export market and would help ‘Rasabali’? this month.
Centre
farmers get the best remunerative (a) MP (b) Rajasthan The Mars Mission is expected to reach
(b) SharJah Academy of Astronomy
price,” he said. the orbit of the planet by February
(c) Odhisa (d) Tamil Nadu (c) Mohammed Bin Akhlaq Space
Mr. Murmu, while complimenting 2021, which will also mark the 50th
143.
________ district of the Union Centre
the Director-Agriculture, Kashmir, anniversary of the unification of the
Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, UAE. (d) Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Space
said restoring the pristine glory of
is known as the hub of saffron Centre
Kashmir saffron is top priority for The main objective of the mission is to
cultivation.
both the government of the Union provide a comprehensive image of the
Territory as well as the Centre. (a) Pulwama (b) Poonch weather dynamics in the atmosphere 150. UAE is a federation of how many
The GI tag would also stop (c) Kathua (d) Doda of Mars and lead the way for a Emirates?
adulteration prevalent in its trade, he scientific breakthrough but the UAE (a) Five (b) Six
said. 144. Which part of flower is known as the government also wants this project to
(c) Seven (d) Eight
Kashmir saffron, grown at an altitude saffron? act as a source of inspiration for the

141. (b) G. C. Murmu Several people of the district earn a living by 145. (a) Department of Industry Promotion The United Arab Emirates has become the
Girish Chandra Murmu is the first selling the sweet. and Internal Trade first-ever Arab country to launch the Mars
lieutenant governor of the Union Territory This tag is given by the Geographical Mission when the blast-off of the unmanned
of Jammu and Kashmir. He was a 1985 143. (a) Pulwama Indication Registry under the Department spacecraft took place from Tanegashima
batch Indian Administrative Service officer Pampore, in the Pulwama district of the of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Space Center, Japan on July 20. The project
of Gujarat cadre and was principal secretary Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, is Ministry of Commerce and Industry. was handled from the command and control
to NarendraModi during his tenure as Chief known as the hub of saffron cultivation. It centre at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space
Minister of Gujarat. is also grown in Budgaum, Kishtwar and 146. (c) HOPE Centre located in Dubai.
Srinagar. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is situated
142. (c) Odhisa 147. (a) UAE in the Southeast of the Arabian Peninsula,
The residents of Kendrapada have recently 144. (b) Dried Stigma bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. In
demanded that Rasabali — a sweet dish Saffron is a spice derived from the dried 148. (a) Japan December 1971, the UAE became a
that had originated in the 400-year-old stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus federation of six emirates - Abu Dhabi,
149. (a) Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
Baladevjew Temple in the district — be (Crocus sativus), a species of crocus in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain,
given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. the family Iridaceae. The flower has three 150. (c) Seven and Fujairah, while the seventh emirate, Ras
Rasabali consists of deep-fried flattened stigmas, which are the distal ends of the Al Khaimah, joined the federation in 1972.
reddish brown patties of cheese that are plant’s carpels. Hint (Q146-Q150): The capital city is Abu Dhabi, located in the
soaked in thickened and sweetened milk. largest and wealthiest of the seven emirates.

SECTION ON QUANTITATIVE
TECHNIQUES
A Venn diagram is a diagram that shows the relationship
between and among a finite collection of sets.
If we have two or more sets, we can use a Venn
diagram to show the logical relationship among
De Morgon’s Law states that the complement of the union
these sets as well as the cardinality of those
of two sets is the intersection of their complements
sets. In particular, Venn Diagrams are used
and the complement of the intersection of two
to demonstrate De Morgan’s Laws. Venn
sets is the union of their complements.
diagrams are also useful in illustrating
relationships in statistics, probability, logic, This law can be expressed as ( A ∪ B) ‘ = A
and more. ‘ ∩ B ‘. In set theory, these laws relate the
intersection and union of sets by complements
Venn diagrams are particularly useful in helping
us think carefully about set operations as they give
us a visual depiction of the relationships involved.

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LEGAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Court order, which set aside the recent (HC) had ruled that the successor to the
ordinance passed by the Andhra Pradesh erstwhile royals could not claim to be in
government.The Andhra Pradesh control of the SreePadmanabhaswamy
Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Temple after the amendment of
Ordinance, 2020, was brought to definition of ‘Ruler’ in Article 366 (22)
amend Section 200 of the Andhra of the Constitution of India.However,
Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. The the SC rejected this and said that, as per
amendments includes Restricting the customary law, the members of the royal
State Election Commissioner (SEC) post family have the shebait rights even after
to only retired High Court judges and the death of the last ruler.Shebait rights
1. The Union Cabinet has approved a six-
Curtailing the tenure of the SEC from means right to manage the financial
month extension to the commission
five years to three years.The High Court affairs of the deity.The SC held that,
appointed to examine sub-categorisation
Putin’s terms so that it will be the first (HC) had set aside the amendments on for the purpose of shebait rights the
of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), up
election under the new Constitution for restriction of SEC post, by saying the definition of Ruler would apply and
to 31st January 2021. The commission
him, to be held in 2024.According to the ordinance does not qualify the test of would transfer to the successor.
is headed by Justice (Retd.) G Rohini,
referendum, the current President of reasonableness specified in Article 14 of
and was constituted under Article 340 13. The Supreme Court has issued a notice
Russia Vladimir Putin can stay in power the Constitution of India.
(which deals with the appointment to the Kerala government on a plea
of a commission to investigate the for two more six-year terms (until 2036) 10. Australia has suspended its extradition challenging the Kerala Animals and
conditions of backward classes) of the after his term expires in 2024. treaty with Hong Kong in response to
Constitution with the approval of the 6. Recently, the Prime Minister of India
President on 2nd October 2017. It had briefed the President on ‘issues of
been constituted to complete the task of national and international importance’.
sub-categorising 5000-odd castes in the The meeting took place against the
central OBC list so as to ensure more backdrop of border tensions with China,
equitable distribution of opportunities in economic crisis and the Covid-19
central government jobs and educational situation.Article 78 of the Constitution
institutions. deals with the duties of the Prime Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968.
Minister with respect to the furnishing The Act prohibits sacrifice of animals
2. The Central government has introduced
of information to the President. a new national security law imposed and birds in temples to ‘please’ the deity.
the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020
by China.The extradition treaty was in It also criminalises the intent behind the
to amend various provisions in the 7. The legal and legislative committee place since 1993.China bypassed Hong animal sacrifice and not animal sacrifice
Electricity Act 2003.The electricity of Kuwait’s National Assembly has Kong’s Legislative Council to impose the per se.The SC highlighted the dichotomy
amendment seeks to end the malaise
national security law which prohibits in animal protection law which allows
in the production, distribution and
activities which are viewed by China the killing of animals for food but does
transmission. Further, it seeks to revive
as secessionist, subversive or terrorist not permit the killing of animals as an
investments and promote growth in line
activities or foreign intervention in offering to a deity.According to the
with the vision of a $5 trillion economy
Hong Kong affairs.Under the law, SC, there may be a point in saying that
in the near future. The key amendment
police have sweeping powers to conduct taking lives is permissible in certain
includes setting up a National Selection
searches without warrants and order circumstances but cruelty is not.
Committee,instead of the separate
internet service providers and platforms
Selection Committee (for appointment 14. Supreme Court of India referred to a
to remove messages deemed to be in
of Chairperson and members of State approved the draft expat (expatriate) seven-judge bench the issue whether
violation of the legislation.Thus, the law
Electricity Regulatory Commissions- quota bill.According to the bill, Indians states can grant benefit of remission
is considered as an attack on human
SERCs), and Introduction of Direct should not exceed 15% of the population to convicts under the Constitution by
rights especially freedom of speech and
Benefit Transfer. and if it is enacted into law, over 8 lakh laying down a common policy.The legal
freedom of assembly of the people of
Indians could be forced out of Kuwait. issue has arisen before the Supreme
3. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Hong Kong.
Kuwait is a country located in the Persian Court (SC) while hearing the bail plea
has constituted a national level
Gulf region.The draft expat quota bill 11. The Supreme Court of India observed of a murder case convict PyareLal.
has been deemed constitutional and that persons suffering from disabilities The SC was told that PyareLal has
will be transferred to the respective are also socially backward and entitled been released from the jail after being
committee so that a comprehensive plan to the same benefits of relaxation as granted the benefit of remission by the
is created.Lawmakers and government Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Haryana Governor under Article 161 of
officials including the Prime Minister of candidates in public employment the Constitution, as per a 2019 policy of
Kuwait have been calling to reduce the and education.The decision came the state government.The larger bench
number of expats from 70% to 30% of on a petition filed by Aryan Raj, a will also look into whether states can
the population. special needs person, against a Punjab exercise such powers without placing
and Haryana High Court order.Raj “facts and materials” of each case before
committee for reform in criminal law. 8. The Ministry of Commerce and was denied relaxation in minimum the Governor.
The committee has been constituted Industry is considering replacing the qualifying marks in the Painting and
under Ranbir Singh and several other Multimodal Transportation of Goods 15. The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Applied Art course in the Government
members.The committee would be Act, 1993 (MMTG) with a National refused an appeal by Bahrain, Saudi
College of Arts, Chandigarh.The college
gathering opinions online by consulting Logistics Efficiency and Advancement Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab
insisted that disabled persons too need to
with experts and collating material for Predictability and Safety Act (NLEAPS). Emirates (UAE) which challenged
meet the general qualifying standard of
their report to the government.The MMTG provides for the regulation 40% in the aptitude test, whereas SC/ST
consultation exercise would start on 4th of multimodal transportation of candidates were given a relaxation to 35%.
July 2020 and go on for the next three goods from any place in India to any
months. place outside India.NLEAPS aims to 12. The Supreme Court of India upheld
streamline the logistics ecosystem in the the right of the Travancore royal family
4. The central government has extended
the term of K.K. Venugopal as Attorney country, with a view to promote growth
General (AG) for one year.Venugopal of the sector.Modernise and formalise
was appointed the 15th AG of India in the logistics services and promote
2017. He succeeded MukulRohatgi who digitisation in the sector, which is key
for the smooth movement of goods. the authority of the International
was AG from 2014-2017.The Attorney
Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
General (AG) of India is a part of the 9. The Supreme Court (SC) of India to adjudicate on the legality of the
Union Executive. AG is the highest law refused to pass any interim orders on Qatar blockade.In June 2017, Qatar’s
officer in the country.Article 76 of the the Andhra Pradesh government’s neighbouring Arab nations of Saudi
Constitution provides for the office of plea to stay the Andhra Pradesh High Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt shut off
AG of India.
to manage the property of deity at shipping routes and air space with Qatar
5. The Russian citizens have supported a set SreePadmanabhaswamy Temple in for its alleged support for terrorism
of constitutional amendments including Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala). The and its ties with Iran.The blockade
continuation of presidency by Vladimir Supreme Court (SC) reversed the 2011 still remains in force and the ICAO is
Putin in a recently held referendum Kerala High Court decision, which had expected to deliver its verdict in 2021.
in the country.The new Constitution directed the Kerala government to set The ruling will be in Qatar’s favour and
doesn’t change the two-term limit in up a trust to control the management will be a major win for the country and
theory, but in practice, it resets Mr and assets of the temple.The High Court its national carrier, Qatar Airways.

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16 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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5G or Fifth Generation 15th India-Eu Summit Afghanistan–Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (Aptta) Air India Flight 101 and Mont Blanc

All India Tiger Estimation 2018, Guinness World Record Anti Defection Law and Recent Developments Article 164 (1A). & 91st Constitutional Amendment Aryan Raj Judgement and Reservation For Disabled

Assam floods and Kaziranga National park Bhutan-china Border Dispute Central Vista Redevelopment Project

Chabahar Project Chattogram Port and India Bangladesh Relationship China-Iran Trade and Military Partnership and Recent Developments

Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Norms 2020 Draft of 'Aids to Navigation Bill, 2020

Labout Reforms

E-Commerce Sites Must State Country of Origin Enrica Lexie Case Hagia Sophia Hope Mission of UAE

India Bans Chinese Apps Iran has Issued an Arrest Warrant for US President
Donald Trump and Interpol Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Economic Corridor
Migrant Workers and their Movement

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17 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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Kerala Gold Smuggling Case Kuwait’s Draft Residency Bill Manhattan Project Mount Rushmore

Monetary Policy Changes

Multidimensional Poverty Index Nagorno-Karabakh National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) Padmanabhaswamy Temple Case

Permanent Commission (PC) To Women Officers in

The Indian Army Plea Bargaining Police Reforms in India and Sashi Kant Agarwal Commission

Postal Ballots and ECI Prasad Scheme SDG Index 2020

Seabed 2030 Project Section 309 of IPC Srebrenica Massacre

smrofeR tuobaL

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 The Supreme Court has Refused to Review its 2018 The Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Judgment which Decriminalised Adultery. Un Blacklists Pakistan Taliban Terror Group's Leader

Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) World Intellectual Property Indicators-2019 Report Kuwait’s Draft Residency Bill Anti-Kremlin Protests in Russia's Far-East
tnemevoM rieht dna srekroW tnargiM

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 18 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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ONE LINERS
1. Through video conferencing, Prime successfully launch edits intelligence 16.
Marathi writer and playwright
satellite ‘Ofek-16’ into the Low Earth
Orbit (LEO).
9. The United States Government has

Ningombamnamedas the new

Minister of India Narendra Modi Officiating President of Hockey India.
will be inaugurating the 750 MW 25. World’s top-ranked women’s squash
Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Plant on 10th player, Raneem El Welily from Egypt
July2020. Ratnakar Matkari will be has announced her retirement on 9
posthumously honoured with the July 2020.
2. Indian Railways is taking decisive submitted its notice to the Secretary-
Natvarya Prabhakar Panshikar award
steps to transform itself as a ‘Net Zero’ General of the United Nations to 26. The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM),
for lifetime contribution to theatre by
Carbon Emission Mass Transportation withdraw from the WHO by the 6th of
the Maharashtra government.
Network by2030. July2021.
17. Elton John became these condartist
3. A commemorative stamp would 10.
On 9th July 2020,except for the
to be honored by Britain’s Royal Mint
Indian State – owned Doordarshan’s
with a commemorative coin paying
news channel DDNews, Nepal based
tribute to the decorated British singer-
Multi-System Operators have issued
songwriter.
a broadcasting ban on all other Indian
News Channels in Nepal. 18.
Retired 1983 batch Indian
11.
The fourth edition of the virtual

also known as Mangalyaan mission,

be released soon by the Centre in of the ISRO, has captured the image of
honour of former Prime Minister PV the closest and biggest moon of Mars,
Narasimha Rao on his 100th birth named Phobos.
anniversary, said by Union Minister G 27. The first earth observation satellite to
Kishan Reddy. be entirely developed by Brazil will be
4. Private players will begin rail passenger Ministerial on Climate Action was launch by the Indian Space Research
Administrative Service (IAS) officer Organisation (ISRO).
services by April 2023, and they will co-chaired by European Union, China
from the Odisha Cadre- Injeti
and Canada. 28. Honorable Vice President of India,
Srinivas has been appointed as the
12.
In accordance with the “INFORM 1st Chairman of the 1st Chairman of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, launched
Report2020: Shared evidence for the International Financial Services
managing crises and disasters” released Centre Authority (IFSCA) on 6th
by research centre INFORM, operating July2020.
under European Commission (EU),
19. Luxury Ride has signed singer Sukhbir
India has ranked at 31st place with
Singh as its brand ambassador.
an inform risk of 5.4, means risk of
humanitarian crises and disasters. 20. ‘Security and Growth for All in the
run only five percent of the Railways’
Region’–Following this vision of
total mail and express trains. 13. India’s Global Real Estate Transparency
Index ranking has improved by one
5. Through video conferencing, Prime
Minister of India Narendra Modi has
inaugurated the 750 MW Rewa Ultra
Mega Solar Plant on 10th July2020.
6. The birth anniversary of Former and an indigenous social media app
‘Elyments’ on 5th July 2020, through
video conferencing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 29.
Former RBI governor,Urjit Patel
Indian Navy began ‘MissionSagar’ to
extend India’s helping handa cross the
Indian Ocean.
notch to 34 on the back of regulatory 21. ‘Samudra Setu’ meaning ‘SeaBridge’,
reforms, better market data and green Inaneffort to repatriate Indian Citizens
the 14th Chief Minister of Andhra initiatives, according to property from overseas, the Operation Samudra
Pradesh Y.S Raja sekhara Reddy is consultant JLL. India was ranked 35th Setu was launched on 5th May 2020 by
celebrated as Rythu Dinotsavam in the index during 2018 bi-annual the Indian Navy.
meaning Farmer’s Day. survey, while the country was at 36th
22.
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland)
position in 2016 and 39th in2014.
7. The Manila, Philippines based Asian has written a book titled ‘Overdraft
Development Bank (ADB) has joined 14. India has been ranked at 117th position : Saving the Indian Saver’ will be
the Central Banks and Supervisors in the Sustainable Development Goal releasing later this month.
Network for Greening the Financial (SDG) Index 2020, released on 30
System (NGFS) as an observer on 23 June2020. 30.
A book titled ‘His Holiness the
June2020. Fourteenth Dalai Lama:An Illustrated
15. Indian Railway in collaboration with Biography’ is authored by one of
8. On 6th July 2020, from Central
Israel’s Palmachim Airbase Israel has

has won the Austrian Grand Prix2020.

23.
The 23 year – old G.Akash from
Chennai,Tamil Nadu becomes the
country’s 66th Grandmaster with
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited rating of 2495.
(BHEL) has set up a 1.7 Megawatt solar
24. Manipur’s, Gyanendro
power plant at Bina, MadhyaPradesh.
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 19 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
The CLAT Post • July 2020
the Dalai Lama’s closest aides and Anniversary of Bhanubhakta Acharya, Property (IP) filing activity, as per as the next Ambassador of India to
advisor of over 40 year, Tenzin Geyche he was the first writer to translate the World Intellectual Property Indicators Turkmenistan.
Tethong. Great Epic of Ancient India- Ramayan – 2019 Report.
56. The Board of Control for Cricket in
from Sanskrit to Nepali. Bhanu Jayanti
31.
The Himalayan butterfly named 48. India is the third top-most country
is also celebrated across the state of
Nepal on 13th July everyyear.
39. Human Resources and Development

Golden Bird wing has become India’s India (BCCI) has appointed Hemang
largest butterfly and broke the record among 48 nations, in the 2020 Global Amin as its interim chief executive
set by an unknown specimen, which Manufacturing Risk Index (MRI), for officer (CEO).
was held for 88 years. having the most-suitable locations
57. Vikram Doraiswami, Indian Foreign
Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank for global manufacturing in terms of
32. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Service officer has been appointed
launched the first on-line NISHTHA cost competitiveness and operating
Corporation Limited (HSBC) is to set as the next Ambassador of India to
programme for one thousand 200 Key conditions.
up the IFSC Banking Unit at Gujarat Bangladesh.
Resources Persons of AndhraPradesh.
International Finance Tec -City, GIFT 49. The United States-based Multinational
58. Ashok Lavasa was appointed as the
city in Gandhinagar Gujarat. 40.
Lee Hsien Loong has become the Corporation-Qualcomm has informed
Prime Minister of Singapore after the on 12th July 2020 that it has invested
33. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced
ruling People”s Action Party won the Rs 730 crore in Reliance Industries‟
General Elections held in the country. subsidiary company - Jio Platforms.
41. The Incumbent President of Poland- 50. Reliance Jio has raised $4.5 billion ( Rs
Andrzej Duda has secured a victory

vice president of Asian Development

Bank.
aninvestment of Rs.75 thousand crore
59. The Youth Olympic Games in Dakar
in India over the next 5 to 7 years
will be celebrated in 2026 after Senegal
through Google for India Digitisation 33,737 crore) from the search giant,
and the International Olympic
Fund to help accelerate country’s Google for a 7.77%stake.
Committee (IOC) “mutually agreed”
digital economy.
51. Arunachal Pradesh filmmaker Kezang to postpone the Games from 2022.
34.
The Iran Government has decided D Thong dok has bagged the Dada
in the 2020 Presidential Election of 60.
Spanish professional football club,
to drop India from the construction Saheb Phalke Award 2020 for a short
Poland on 12th July2020.
of the Chabahar Port-Zahedan documentary “Chi Lupo“. Chi Lupo,
Railway Line Project and now will be 42. The United Nations Office of Counter documented by Kezang D Thong dok
proceeding with the construction of - Terrorism organised its Virtual is a short documentary on honey
the Project on itsown. Counter - Terrorism Week 2020 from hunting.
6- 10 July2020.
35.
The Union Human Resource and 52. Indian Space Research Organization
Development Minister Ramesh 43.
The Tunisian PM Elyes Fakhfakh
resigned. He presented his resignation

Real Madrid has been crowned La

Liga Champions for the 34th time after
defeating Villarreal 2–1 at Estadio
Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, with
one match remaining.
61. The book titled „A Song of India‟
authored by Ruskin Bond to be
(ISRO) Chief, Kailasavadivoo Sivan
released on July 20, 2020, which will
Pokhriyal „Nishank” released has named for Von Karman Award
mark the 70th year of the author’s
PRAGYATA guidelines on digital 2020 by the International Academy of
literary career.
education. Astronautics (IAA).
62. A new book titled “If It Bleeds”, a
36.
India’s first cable-stayed railway 53.
Hockey legend Gurbux Singh and
bridge „Anji Khad bridge „is being former first – class cricketer Palash
to the President of Tunisia Kais Saied.
constructed by the Indian Railways” Nandy has been named for the Mohun
in Jammu & Kashmir to connect 44.
Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda Bagan Ratna Award 2020 by the
Katra and Reasi Section of Jammu– has been appointed as the first woman football club Mohun Bagan’s executive
Baramullaline. prime minister of Gabon. committee.
37. MP government will now runa Roko 45. On July 15, 2020, the 15th India - 54.
Actor Priyanka Chopra has been
European Union Summit was held

collection of four stories, authored by

Stephen King has been released.
63. Veteran Gujarati journalist, columnist,
writer and political analyst Nagindas
Sanghvi passed away in Surat
-Toko()means stop and campaign for chosen as the ambassador of the 64. Amission title das “Hope” has been
those who do not wear masks. Toronto International Film Festival
through video conferencing. The (TIFF) 2020, joining the list of 50
38. 13th July 2020 marks the 206th Birth
summit aims to strengthen ties celebrated filmmakers and actors who
between India and European Union. are invited as the ambassadors of the
TIFF.
46. The fourth cycle of the All India Tiger
Estimation 2018 has entered the 55. Dr. Vidhu P. Nair has been appointed
Guinness World Record for being the
world’s largest camera trap wild life
survey.
launched to “Mars” by the United
47. India has emerged as the top tenth Arab Emirates.
nation in the ranking of the total
65.
Space X has successfully launched
(resident and abroad) Intellectual

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 20 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
The CLAT Post • July 2020
South Korea’s first military satellite penned new novel “The End game” 82.
Uttarakhand forest department has which currently stand at more than
“ANASIS-II”. which talks of politics, betrayal, and developed India’s first lichen park in USD 500 billion, are the fifth largest
unimaginable terror. in the world after China, Japan,
66.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Switzerland and Russia, as per the
General Council has granted the 74.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji
International Monetary Fund.
Tandon passed away.
92. India and Bhutan signed the first Indo-

“Observer” status to the central Asian

country Turkmenistan.
Kumaon’s Munsiyari, Pithoragarh
67.
The three-day long Air Force district. Lichens are found in the
Commanders’ Conference conducted 75. Former Australian test wicketkeeper Himalayas up to 5000 metres are
Bhutan joint venture hydroelectric
with the theme is “Indian Air Force in and ex-International Cricket Council important species as they are the best
project on 29 June2020.
the Next Decade”. match referee, Barry Jarman passed bio indicators of the pollution levels.
away. 93.
Former Reserve Bank of India
68.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has 83. In Mizoram, the 34th anniversary of
governor, Chakravarthi Rangarajan
76. The Government of India has launched Mizo peace accord is being celebrated
has been conferred with the first Prof.
an ambitious project of ‘one nation and today on 1st July.
P C Mahalanobis Award in Official
84. Russia’s Energia space corporation has Statistics for life time achievements.
94.
2011 Pulitzer Prize winner Dr
Siddhartha Mukherjee and Harvard

approved the reappointment of

Shyam Srinivasan as the managing
director and chief executive officer
(MD & CEO) of the Kerala-based
private sector lender, Federal Bank, till
September 22,2021. one ration card’ for migrant workers.
69. Former India wicket-keeper batsman 77. Under the fourth phase of ‘Vande
Saba Karim has resigned from his post Bharat Mission’ scheduled to announced that it is to take the first
commence from 3rd July, Air India tourist on a spacewalk in 2023, under
University Economics Professor
will operate 170 flights and bring back the terms of a new contract with a US
Raj Chetty were listed among the
Indian Nationals from 17countries. partner.
38 immigrants to be honoured as
78.
The Ministry of Electronics & 85. Micheal Martin has been elected as the ‘2020 Great Immigrants’ by the
Information Technology has new Prime Minister of Ireland by the Carnegie Corporation.
95.
The common wealth writers
announced Kritika Pandey,the winner
of asian region prize as the overall
as the BCCI General Manager Cricket winner of the 2020 Commonwealth
Operations. Short Story Prize for her story, “The
Great Indian Tee and Snakes”.
70. Largest Solar Power Plant at Indian
Naval Academy, Ezhimala has been 96.
The current President of Iceland,
Gudni Johannesson has been re-
announced that “Government of India elected as the head of the state.
Bans 59 Chinese mobile apps”, which
97. Lazarus Chakwera becomes the new
are prejudicial to sovereignty and
integrity of India, defence of India, the lower house of the Irish parliament.
security of the state and public order”.
86.
The National People’s Congress
79. The Union Ministry of Culture has Standing Committee (NPCSC) has
announced on 27th June 2020 that on unanimously passed the National
Security Law for Hong Kong on 30th
commissioned by the Vice Admiral
June 2020.
Anil Kumar Chawla.
87. A new virus has been discovered by
71.
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes’– Great
scientists in China that is quite similar
Britain) won the 2020 Formula 1 President of Malawi.
Hungarian Grand Prix held on 19 July
98.
President Ram Nath Kovind has
2020.
appointed Uttar Pradesh Governor
72. International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) Anandiben Patel to assume the
additional charge as the Governor of
Madhya Pradesh on 28 June2020.
the call of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi the Ministry has decided to 99. The President of India has reappointed
celebrate a 2 - week long tree plantation
campaign called ‘Sankalp Parva’ from
to the 2009 Swine Flu that caused a
28th June to 12th July 2020.
global pandemic.
80.
President Ram Nath Kovind
88. Pakistan Army has appointed Major
inaugurated Dhamma Chakra Day
General Nigar Johar as 1st female
announced, the T20 Men’s World Cup, 2020 celebrations on 4th July2020.
lieutenant general. She is the 1st female
scheduled to be played in Australia
81.
Madhya Pradesh government will officer to be promoted as Lieutenant
in October - November 2020, has
launch a ‘Kill Corona’ campaign General.
formally been postponed to 2022 due
from July 1 to control the spread of
to COVID-19. 89.
New Zealand has cancelled the
coronavirus in the state.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
73. Crime writer, S Hussain Zaidi has Senior Advocate K.K. Venu gopal as
(APEC) Summit 2021, due to the
the Attorney General for India.
COVID-19 pandemic.
100. Senior diplomat Indra Mani
90.
French Prime Minister Edouard
Pandey has been appointed as the
Philippe has resigned from his post
next Ambassador and Permanent
ahead of a government reshuffle by
Representative of India to the United
President Emmanuel Macron.
Nations and other International
91.
India’s foreign exchange reserves, Organisations in Geneva.

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 21 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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ARTICLES YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS

National Education Policy 2020 |
4-year UG courses in; M.Phil. out
T
he new National Education Policy
approved by the Union Cabinet on
Wednesday will introduce four-
year undergraduate degrees with multiple
entry and exit options, abolish the M.Phil.
degree, and establish a common higher
education regulator with fee fixation for
both private and public institutions. It
also envisions universalisation of early
childhood education from ages 3 to 6
by 2030, a new school curriculum with
coding and vocational studies from Class
6, and a child’s mother tongue being used
as the medium of instruction till Class 5.

This is the first new education policy in 34

years, and was a poll promise of the BJP
in 2014. A panel headed by former ISRO
chief K. Kasturirangan submitted a draft
in December 2018, which was made public
and opened for feedback after the Lok
Sabha election in May 2019.

Language issues

Language issues caused the most outrage

at that time, as the original draft called for
mandatory teaching of Hindi to all school
students. That clause was dropped and the
final policy document makes it clear that
“there will be a greater flexibility in the
three-language formula, and no language instruction until at least Grade 5, but introduced, including the pre-school and be made easier, to test core competencies
will be imposed on any State. The three preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will anganwadi years. A National Mission on rather than memorised facts, with all
languages learned by children will be the be the home language/ mother tongue/ Foundational Literacy and Numeracy students allowed to take the exam twice.
choices of States, regions, and of course the local language/ regional language ... This will ensure basic skills at the Class 3 level Future redesigns could include modular
students themselves, so long as at least two will be followed by both public and private by 2025. Students will begin classes on or semester-wise board exams, exams at
of the three languages are native to India. schools,” said the policy. coding as well as vocational activities different levels of difficulty or separate
Sanskrit will be offered as an option at all from Class 6 onwards. Indian knowledge exams for objective and descriptive type
levels of school and higher education,” Senior officials said that as education was systems, including tribal and indigenous questions.
said the policy, adding that other classical a concurrent subject, with most States knowledge, will be incorporated into the
languages will also be available, possibly as having their own school boards, State curriculum in an accurate and scientific School governance is set to change, with
online modules, while foreign languages governments would have to be brought on manner, said the policy. a new accreditation framework and an
will be offered at the secondary level. board for actual implementation of this independent authority to regulate both
decision. Easier exams, no cramming public and private schools.
“Wherever possible, the medium of
A new curricular framework is to be Class 10 and 12 board examinations will A common higher education regulator is
also on the cards, to oversee the entire sector
except for legal and medical education. In
fact, a Higher Education Commission of
India Bill for such a regulator has been in
draft stage for over a year now. A broad
framework will be set up to regulate fee
fixation for private players as well.

More holistic

Undergraduate education is to become

more holistic and multi-disciplinary, with
four year Bachelors with Research degrees
set to become the norm, although students
who drop out at earlier stages will receive
lesser qualifications as well. An Academic
Bank of Credit will be set up to make it
easier to transfer between institutions. The
M.Phil degree is being scrapped.

The college affiliation system is being

phased out over the next 15 years, so
that every college develops into either an
autonomous degree-granting institution,
or a constituent college of a university.

There is a new focus on technology in

education in the wake of the COVID-19
pandemic, and the policy recommends
expansion of digital offerings for both
schools and universities.

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 22 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
The CLAT Post • July 2020

Rajasthan political crisis

Governor gives nod to Assembly session from August 14
E
nding the impasse with the Congress session on August 14. Sources said the new the Cabinet had repeatedly told the Raj floor test, if it was held, besides asking
government, Rajasthan Governor date met the 21-day notice requirement Bhavan in its replies that the Governor about precautions against the spread of
Kalraj Mishra on Wednesday being insisted upon by the Governor as the was bound by its advice and had no right COVID-19 during the sitting.
approved a revised proposal of the Cabinet first proposal was made on July 23. to know the reasons for its decisions. “The
to convene a session of the Assembly from Cabinet has not responded to my query The function held at the PCC headquarters
August 14. In its proposals sent earlier to the Raj about a reasonable basis for calling the marked formal assumption of office
Bhavan, the government had refrained session urgently. On the other hand, I have by newly appointed Pradesh Congress
Mr. Mishra orally instructed that all from stating that a confidence vote would received a memorandum from 17 MLAs, president Govind Singh Dotasra, who
precautions to prevent the spread of be sought during the session. including the Leader of Opposition, on has replaced Mr. Pilot. Addressing the
COVID-19 infection should be taken the need to ensure free movements and gathering, Mr. Gehlot reiterated his charge

during the sitting of the House. The The Governor had told the ruling party that the BJP had hatched a conspiracy to
more than once that only a written presence of all legislators,” he said.
government had sent the proposal to topple the State government and asked
the Raj Bhavan for the fourth time on undertaking on the trust vote as an agenda While Congress leaders have accused Congress workers not to be worried about
Wednesday evening. of the session could form a basis for calling him of acting “under pressure” from the the ongoing crisis as the top leadership of
the House on a short notice. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government the party was with them.
Earlier in the day, amid a deepening at the Centre, Mr. Mishra said his decision
political crisis, Mr. Mishra had spurned the Mr. Mishra had said in his missive on After using the pandemic as one of the
Wednesday that it would be appropriate in the matter was “dictated by reason,
revised proposal for convening a session of actuated by good faith and tempered reasons for not convening the Assembly
the Assembly and returned for the third for the government to convene a regular session, the Governor had on Wednesday
sitting — like the monsoon session — on a by caution”. He referred to the Supreme
time the Cabinet’s advice to summon the Court’s judgement of 2016 in the Nabam cancelled the customary “At Home”
House from July 31. 21-day notice. “If the government wants to programme to be held at Raj Bhavan on
call the session on a short notice, it should Rebia case in this regard.
Independence Day. Mr. Mishra said there
The Governor asked for “concrete reasons” explain the urgency as well as the reasons The Ashok Gehlot government is keen were 3,381 active cases in the State on July
to call the session on short notice. for convening the sitting in the present on holding the Assembly session as early 1, which had breached the 10,000 mark on
extraordinary situation and adverse as possible for proving its majority on July 28, warranting serious efforts to check
Soon after receiving the missive from circumstances,” he had said, in an apparent
the Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister Ashok the floor of the House. If the now sacked the spread of the viral infection.
reference to the COVID-19 pandemic. deputy CM Sachin Pilot and 18 other
Gehlot had called for a Cabinet meeting to Meanwhile, the hearing in the Rajasthan
deliberate on the future course of action, Before meeting the Governor, Mr. Gehlot dissident MLAs violate the Congress
party’s whip to cast the vote, the Speaker High Court on a petition of BJP MLA
including sending yet another reply to the said at a function at the Pradesh Congress Mandan Dilawar challenging the
Governor. Mr. Gehlot also went to the Raj Committee (PCC) headquarters here that could initiate disqualification proceedings
against them. Assembly Speaker’s decision to reject
Bhavan to meet Mr. Mishra for the second his government would survive a floor his complaint over six Bahujan Samaj
time in recent days, apparently to clarify test, if and when it was carried out in the In his previous missive to the government, Party (BSP) MLAs joining the Congress
the government’s stance. Assembly. “Whether the Governor seeks the Governor had suggested a 21-day remained inconclusive and was adjourned
a notice of 21 days or 31 days to call the notice period to convene the House, sought to Thursday. The BSP has also moved a
According to Congress sources, a revised session, we will be victorious,” he affirmed.
proposal was sent to the Governor, with the clarity on the session’s agenda and advised separate writ petition challenging the
recommendation to convene the Assembly However, Mr. Mishra regretted that a live telecast and video recording of the merger.

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 23 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
The CLAT Post • July 2020

Five Rafale jets take off from

France to India
F
ive Rafale fighter jets took off from
France on Monday morning for
induction into No. 17 ‘Golden
Arrows’ squadron of the Indian Air Force
(IAF) at the Ambala airbase upon arrival
on July 29.

The immediate focus post arrival is on

operationalisation of the aircraft at the
earliest which has gained urgency with the
ongoing tensions with China on the Line of
Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.

“All five Rafales have landed safely in Al

Dhafra airbase in United Arab Emirates
(UAE) after a sortie in excess of seven
hours,” the IAF said on Monday evening.
The jets were accompanied by mid-air
refuelling aircraft of the French Air Force
on the first leg of the visit from Merignac
airbase at Bordeaux in France to the UAE.

After a night halt in the UAE, the jets will

take off on Tuesday to their home base in
Ambala, covering a total distance of close
to 7,000 km between India and France.

“These five include three single-seater

and two twin-seater aircraft. The aircraft
are likely to arrive at Air Force Station,
Ambala, on July 29 subject to weather,” the
IAF said in a statement.

The Air Force had stated that the final the machines to India. It is going to be a Further batches of IAF personnel will Indian request for 8-10 Meteor missiles to
induction ceremony would take place in long flight. It is a remarkable symbol of continue the training over the next nine be given to India by 2020 with the first four
the second half of August. their professionalism, endurance and the months”. Delivery of all 36 aircraft would aircraft.
skills that they have acquired during their be completed as per schedule by end 2021.
“This is going to add a great deal of strength training that they be able to do this with The introduction of Meteor Beyond
to our air power and defence preparedness. mid-air refuelling and just a single stop en In October 2019, on a visit to France for Visual Range air-to-air missile, widely
But it is also a powerful symbol of the route to India which is actually quite a long the 2nd India-France ministerial-level recognised as a game changer in air
strategic partnership between India and distance,” he stated. annual defence dialogue, Defence Minister combat with a range of over 150 km, the
France,” said India’s Ambassador to France Rajnath Singh took formal delivery of the SCALP long-range stand-off attack air-
Jawed Ashraf before the jets took off. The Indian Embassy in Paris said in a first Rafale jet built for India, and IAF pilots to-ground missile and the MICA multi-
statement, “Delivery of 10 aircraft has have since been undergoing training on mission air-to-air missiles into the IAF’s
“Our pilots, who I just spoke to, are very been completed as per schedule. Five will the jets there. During the defence dialogue, inventory will give the force an edge in the
excited. They are very proud to be flying stay back in France for training mission. the French side agreed to consider the neighbourhood.

In addition to these, with the ongoing

border tensions, the IAF has decided to
procure HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular
Munition Extended Range) medium-range
air-to-ground missiles for the Rafales. “The
IAF is looking at these weapons as they
are already integrated [on Rafale]. While
SCALP has much larger range for strategic
level targets, the HAMMER is below 100
km,” a defence source said.

Procurement under emergency powers

These procurement are being done under

the emergency powers given by the Defence
Ministry to the armed forces recently for
off-the-shelf purchase of weapon systems
up to ₹300 crore.

IAF aircrew and ground crew have

undergone comprehensive training on
the aircraft, including its highly advanced
weapons systems, and are fully operational
now, the Air Force had stated.

The five jets are part of the 36 Rafale multi-

role fighter jets contracted from France in
fly-away condition with 13 India Specific
Enhancements (ISE) under a €7.87 billion
Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in
September 2016. However as reported by
The Hindu earlier, the Indian standard
Rafale with all ISE is operationally expected
to be ready latest by second half of 2021.

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 24 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
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Supreme Court to hear on September 1

pleas against Maratha quota
The Supreme Court on Monday listed
for hearing on September 1 petitions
challenging the legality of a Maharashtra
State law providing reservation for the
Maratha community in government jobs
and education.

A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao

refrained from passing any orders for stay
on the implementation of the the Socially
and Educationally Backward Classes
(SEBC) Act providing 12-13% quota to
Maratha community, saying the State
had already issued a government order
on May 4 that there would be no regular
appointments made for the time being.

The court had in the last hearing posted

the case for July 27 to hear arguments on
merits. But lawyers involved in the case
have been repeatedly highlighting the
constraints posed by the virtual court
system on effectively arguing a complex
case. The court on Monday decided to wait
till September 1.
a High Court decision upholding the The appeals had argued that the reservation the appeals said.
The court refused to intervene in the post- Maratha law. They have argued that the law was enacted under “political pressure”
decision is seriously erroneous as the and in “full defiance” of the rule of law They said the SEBC Act was
graduate exams due on July 31, but said it
State law has breached the 50% cap on and equality. “Maharashtra government “unconstitutional” for violating the
would look into the undergraduate exams
reservation fixed by a Constitution Bench has made a mockery of the rule of law. It Bombay High Court’s 2015 order without
due on September 30.
in the Indira Sawhney judgment. has also used its constitutional powers removing its basis, overstepping the
The court, however, said it will hear on arbitrarily and purely for political gains,” constitutional limitations contained in the
August 25 several applications filed to refer In 2019, the top court had refused to stay they said. 102nd Amendment to the Constitution
the challenge to Maratha reservation — the State law but directed the State of and for merely succumbing to political
which takes quota percentage in the State Maharashtra to refrain from implementing “The High Court erred in concluding that pressure, in complete violation of the
over the 50% mark declared by a nine- the quota with retrospective effect from the mere fact that other OBCs would have constitutional principles of rule of law.
judge Bench of the Supreme Court in the 2014. This direction came after senior to share their reservation quotas with the According to the 102nd amendment to the
Indira Sawhney case — to a numerically advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, for Marathas (if the Marathas were simply Constitution, reservation can be granted
superior, possibly 11-judge Bench, of the one of the petitioners, submitted that the included in the existing OBC category) only if a particular community is named in
top court. Maharashtra government was using the constitutes an exceptional circumstance the list prepared by the President.
quota law retrospectively from 2014 to fill warranting a breach of the 50 per cent
The appeals have been filed by individuals up about 70,000 government vacant posts. ceiling limit set by Indira Sawhney,” one of
from all walks of life and NGOs against

Here’s how consumers will benefit under the

new Consumer Protection Act
Consumers can cheer as the Consumer In another move, the Act allows consumers consumer, the manufacturer is liable to
Protection Act, 2019 has recently replaced to file their complaint with the court from compensate the consumer for the injury.
the three decade old Consumer Protection anywhere. This comes as a big relief as Earlier, the consumer would only be
Act, 1986. earlier they were required to file complaint compensated with the cooker’s cost. The
in the area where the seller or service consumer could ask for compensation, but
The new Act proposes a slew of measures provider was located. This is a fitting through a civil court, which usually takes
and tightens the existing rules to further move considering the rise in e-commerce years to resolve a case, and not consumer
safeguard consumer rights. Introduction purchases, where the seller could be forum.
of a central regulator, strict penalties for located anywhere. In addition, the Act also
misleading advertisements and guidelines enables the consumer to seek a hearing The most significant impact of this
for e-commerce and electronic service through video conferencing, saving him provision will be on e-commerce platforms
providers are some of the key highlights. both money and time. as it also includes service providers
under its ambit. “Product liability is
Consumer courts What has changed in the new Act? now extended to service providers and LocalCircles conducted in December last
sellers along with manufacturers. This year showed that 38% respondents out
Consumer redressal commissions, aka means e-commerce sites cannot escape as
consumer courts, are present at the of 6,923 were sold counterfeit products
aggregators anymore,” says Mukesh Jain, from an ecommerce site in one year. These
district, state and national levels to Founder, Mukesh Jain & Associates.
address consumer complaints. The Act guidelines are open for public comment
has increased the pecuniary jurisdiction, until 15 September.
E-commerce under the radar
which means ability of courts to take up Separate regulator
cases depending on the value of the case, E-commerce will now be governed by all
of the consumer courts. “Since access to the laws that apply to direct selling. The The Act proposes establishment of a
district courts is better compared to state guidelines propose that platforms like central regulator, Central Consumer
and national commissions, the increase Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal etc will have Protection Authority (CCPA), to address
in limit to Rs 1 crore of district courts to disclose sellers’ details, such as their issues related to consumer rights, unfair
will be a convenience point,” says M.R. address, website, email, etc and other trade practices, misleading advertisements
Madhavan, Co-Founder and President, conditions related to refund, exchange, and impose penalities for selling faulty
PRS Legislative Research. terms of contract and warranty on their and fake products. Broadly, regulatory
Product liability website to increase transparency. moves of CCPA will be directed towards
Another crucial change says that now the the manufacturers, sellers and service
money spent on buying the product till that The Act has proposed provisions for product The onus of ensuring that no counterfeit providers and will not address customers’
time will determine the value of the case as liability under which a manufacturer or products are sold on these platforms will grievances and disputes directly.
opposed to the previous parameter of total a service provider has to compensate also most likely lie with the companies. If Nevertheless, the overall purpose of CCPA
value of the purchased goods/service. “Say a consumer if their good/service cause any such product is reported or recognised, is to strengthen the existing consumer
something is bought on discount, it’s only injury or loss to the consumer due to the company could be penalised. This move rights.
fair that the amount the consumer has paid manufacturing defect or poor service. For is fitting since cases of fake products sold
is the determiner in place of the MRP,” says instance, if a pressure cooker explodes due through e-commerce platforms is rampant.
Madhavan. to a manufacturing defect and harms the A survey by a social community platform

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 25 India’s Best Institute for CLAT | Other Law Entrances
The CLAT Post • July 2020

Enforcing A Law That Wasn’t:

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019
It’s a paradox in Rajasthan. MLAs are schedule. rights and privileges of the House. They Re-doubting the constitutionality
neither in assembly nor in constituencies, are expected to and do take far reaching
but in resorts. Congress asks speaker to Speaker’s authority is rooted in Paragraph decisions in the Parliamentary democracy. Fifthly, the 1992 Supreme Court
disqualify them. Pilot does not attend CLP 6(1) of the Tenth Schedule, which says: Vestiture of power to adjudicate questions order upholds entire Paragraph 2 of
(Congress Legislative Party) but goes to the “If any question arises as to whether a under the Tenth Schedule in them should Tenth Schedule including 2(1)(a), on
High Court. High Court ‘requests’ Speaker member of a House has become subject to not be considered exceptionable.” constitutionality of which High Court
to wait. Speaker wanted the Supreme disqualification under this Schedule, the wants to hear arguments. Kihoto order
Court to stay the High Court’s ‘request’. In question shall be referred for the decision In Paragraph 42 the Kihoto explained it has specifically referred to paragraph
return gets a direction from the Supreme of the Chairman or, as the case may be, the further: 2(1) relating to a Member of the House
Court to follow High Court. Supreme
Court asked High Court to go-ahead but
says its order will be under their purview.
And High Court ‘directs’ Speaker for status
quo. What a wonderful coordination!
And status quo on horse trading must be
implemented by all. If not, they can be
punished for contempt of court!

The political crisis caused by internal

squabbles of Congress party and
invisible hand of rival party to topple the
government through horse trading has
metamorphosized into constitutional
conflict -Legislature vs Judiciary. Can
the floor become the court? It is not the
judgement of floor or court, but that of
people which reflects a democracy. Both
have a duty to secure the voter’s verdict.

As basics are confined to classrooms, the

dynamics of politics has become the law
and order. The students of Constitutional
law should study the constitutional
conflicts in the High Court order directing
the Speaker not to act.

Point 13 can kill 12 points “In the result, we hold.that the Tenth
Speaker of such House and his decision belonging to a political party by which
shall be final.” Schedule does not, in providing for an he was set up as a candidate at the
First and foremost, it is self-contradictory.
additional grant for disqualification and for election. Under Paragraph 2(1) (a) such
Declaring and taking up the petition
In Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu And adjudication of disputed disqualifications, a Member would incur disqualification if
of Congress rebel Sachin Pilot as
Others (1992), the apex court upheld the seek to create a nonjusticiable constitutional he voluntarily gives up his membership of
‘maintainable’ is conflicting with the 13th
sweeping discretion available to the Speaker area. The power to resolve such disputes such political party.
issue framed in the same order –
in deciding cases of disqualification of vested in the Speaker or chairman is a
(xiii) Whether the judgment of the MLAs, with a rider that Speaker’s final judicial power. That Paragraph 6(1) of In paragraph 20 of the judgement in
Supreme Court in Kihoto Hollohan’s case decisions are subject to judicial review, the Tenth Schedule, to the extent it seeks Kihoto, the Supreme Court upheld Para
can be understood so as to bar the High however, it added, to impart finality to the decision of the 2(1) as follows:
Court from examining the aforesaid Speakers/Chairmen is valid. But the
“having regard to the constitutional concept of statutory finality embodied in “We hold…that the Paragraph 2 of the
questions?
scheme in the Tenth Schedule judicial Paragraph 6(1) does not detract from or Tenth Schedule to the Constitution is
The High Court bench genuinely doubts review did not cover any stage prior to abrogate judicial review under Articles valid. Its provisions do not suffer from
the bar operating against it on examining the making of ta decision by the Speakers/ 136, 226 and 227 of the Constitution in the vice of subverting democratic rights
the 12 questions. If 13th question is Chairmen; and no quia timet (injunction so far as infirmities based on violations of of elected Members of Parliament and
answered yes, no other question stands. Is orders like that was given by Rajasthan HC constitutional mandates, mala fides, non- the Legislatures of the States. It does not
it possible to say ‘no’ to it? in this case) actions are permissible”. compliance with Rules of Natural Justice violate their freedom of speech, freedom
and perversity, are concerned”. of vote and conscience as contended…The
Second significant issue is, the age-old This is the statement of law by three judges Provisions of Paragraph 2 do not violate any
constitutional doctrine of administration binding precedent on any Constitutional The minority view in Kihoto was drastically rights or freedom under Articles 105 and
of justice – the precedent in the 1992 Court, including the Supreme Court. different. Dissenting Judges Lalit Mohan 194 of the Constitution…The provisions
judgment of the Constitution Bench of Sharma and J S Verma, JJ. disagreed saying: are salutary and are intended to strengthen
It was reiterated in 2019, while hearing the
Supreme Court in Kihoto Hollohan Vs. the fabric of Indian Parliamentary
Karnataka Legislators case on 17th July “The tenure of the Speaker is dependent
Zachilhu validating the constitutionality democracy by curbing unprincipled and
2019 by a bench comprising of Chief Justice on the continuous support of the majority
of tenth schedule with specific reference to unethical political defections”.
of India Ranjan Gogoi,Justice Deepak in the House and, therefore, he does
paragraph 2, has been ignored. It prevents
Gupta and Justice Aniruddha Bose, which not satisfy the requirement of such an Two years after Kihoto, in 1994 the
all the courts including the Supreme Court
said that the discretion of the Speaker to independent adjudicatory authority.” Two Para 2(1)(a) was upheld and explained
to reopen the decided question unless a
decide on the resignations of the 15 MLAs judges further added: “An independent specifically by the Supreme Court in
larger bench wanted it.
“should not be fettered by any direction adjudicatory machinery for resolving Ravi Naik v Union of India (AIR 1994 SC
Rajasthan Crisis : Can Governor’s or observation” of the court. However, the disputes relating to the competence of 1558), saying …the Supreme Court has
Discretion Override Govt Demand To bench held that the rebel MLAs “ought Members of the House is envisaged as an interpreted that in the absence of a formal
Summon Assembly Session? not to be compelled to participate in the attribute of the democratic system which is resignation by the member, the giving
proceedings of the…House… and an a basic feature of our Constitution… [the up of membership can be inferred by his
Stepping on the floor! option should be given to them that they Speaker’s] choice as the sole arbiter in the conduct.
can take part in the said proceedings or to matter violates an essential attribute of the
Third issue is the sovereign status of
opt to remain out of the same”. basic feature.” Two years after Ravi Naik case, the para
Rajasthan Legislature as an independent
2(1)(a) was again upheld by the Supreme
estate is undermined with breach of The Supreme Court also examined in This may be the weakest point of Tenth Court in G. Viswanathan Vs. The
doctrine of separation of powers or non- Kihoto whether it was fair to give so much Schedule. But they did not invalidate Para Hon’ble Speaker, Tamil Nadu Legislative
interference with legislative functioning. broad powers to Speaker given that there 2 or the entire Tenth Schedule. Assembly, Madras & Another, AIR 1996
At the initial stage the High Court gave is always a reasonable likelihood of bias. SC 1060,saying that members who have
due respect to the Speaker by ‘requesting’ The majority (3-2) ruled yes. Justices M N At the most, High Court could have left publicly expressed opposition to their
him not to act on petitions against Pilot Venkatachaliah and K Jayachandra Reddy the matter to be dealt appropriately with party or support for another party were
and other 18 members, until 24th July. But, answered: Constitutional Bench of Supreme Court deemed to have resigned.,
within three days the High Court treated with higher number of judges to overrule
him as subordinate and directed him not “The Speakers/Chairmen hold a pivotal Kihoto judgment. Judicial discipline The SC analysed:
to act on petitions until the Court’s decides position in the scheme of Parliamentary requires the High Court to comply with
on the Constitutionality of the tenth democracy and are guardians of the this mandate. ‘it appears that since the explanation to

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paragraph 2(1) of the Tenth Schedule to defiance as a precursor to defect, by Government with help of the rival party. Corporation within hours of joining the
provides that an elected member of a House breaching the trust and pushing their party. There will be by-elections for 24 seats
shall be deemed to belong to the political own party government into difficulties The political experience in Karnataka and in the Assembly. These Ex-MLAs might
party, if any, by which he was set up as a especially when the margin of majority is Madhya Pradesh, where people’s verdict contest elections this time on BJP’s ticket.
candidate for election as such member, thin. The resignations reduce strength and was against BJP, stands to prove that This is a clear case of disrespecting the
such person so set up as a candidate and stability. Congress Governments are vulnerable. people’s verdict with strategic defection.
elected as a member, shall continue to The voter’s verdict was subverted in two
belong to that party. Even if such a member When resignation is a form of defection states because of engineered resignations. In Karnataka too the strategy of
is thrown out or expelled from the party, for Resignation is the new strategy to pull ‘resignations’ was used to pull down the
Sachin Pilot is not just a dissident legislator, down an elected government. coalition government. As the Speaker who
the purposes of the Tenth Schedule he will he is leading a rebel group threatening the
not cease to be a member of the political belonged to Congress party was scrutinised
stability of government, in defiance of the 22 legislators of Jyotiraditya Scindia’s group the ‘voluntariness’ and ‘genuineness’ of
party that had set him up as a candidate party discipline and verdict of the people. resigned in Madhya Pradesh. A legislator
for the election. He will continue to belong resignations as per his Constitutional duty
It is enough to attract disqualification, even is free to resign for his own individual was rejected. The resignations were not
to that political party even if he is treated without defection. reasons. It was a mass resignation, an action
as `unattached’. The further question is based on individual reasons, but the strategy
in group, which is more than expression of of a group who came in chartered flights and
when does a person `voluntarily give up’ As argued by the Congress leaders, Pilot had dissidence and smacks of defection. Isn’t it
his membership of such political party, as luxury buses straight from their five-star
chance of exercising his freedom to criticise obvious that their resignation resulted in
provided in paragraph 2(1)(a)? The act of hotel resort to the Speaker’s chamber and
or show dissidence in CLP meetings which immediate fall of ruling party’s strength
voluntarily giving up the membership of went back. Later they were disqualified for
he chose not to attend. Every member is free which ultimately paved way for installation
the political party may be either express defiance coupled with intention to defect.
to air any policy differences, administrative of BJP government? The developments
or implied. When a person who has been The Supreme Court agreed with Speaker
issues, corruption or leadership issues in proved that Scindia’s move was clear
thrown out or expelled from the party on disqualification but made the legislators
party or government? Were they doing it? defection along with that of elected
which set him up as a candidate and got qualified to contest elections contrary
Avoiding the CLP meetings and herding colleague MLAs of Congress party. Being
elected, joins another (new) party, it will to the objective of 91st Amendment to
its supporters in a resort is far beyond not a member of any legislative house,
certainly amount to his voluntarily giving the Constitution. Supreme Court gave a
mere criticism and nearing the desertion Jyotiraditya Scindia is free to defect. His
up the membership of the political party verdict against the letter and objective of
of party. The tenth schedule aims at right to dissidence is constitutional. But
which had set him up as a candidate for that Constitution (91st Amendment) Act.
guarantying stability to democratically he made 22 legislators to resign and the
election as such member”. With this legal support, the disqualified
elected government from defecting groups moment they were accepted by the speaker MLAs contested elections and most of
often called rebels. the strength of Congress was reduced from
The fact that the Supreme Court has them have won. It is unfortunate that the
analysed para 2(1)(a) in this case should 114 to 92. In the last few weeks three more defection strategists are using the courts of
There should have been a prima facie
have been brought to the notice of Congress MLAs resigned their membership law as battlegrounds to gain more time for
inquiry, especially after the audio clips
Rajasthan High Court. in Legislature and Congress party to horse-trading. Judiciary is the only resort
exposing alleged attempts to bribe the
join BJP. One of the resigned Congress for democracy, to secure people’s verdicts
legislators to defect. Such incidents
Mere giving up of the membership of party MLA’s, Lodhi was given the chairmanship from the conspiracies of rebels through
strengthen doubts that this group of
which fielded him also might amount of Madhya Pradesh State Civil Supplies defections and deceptive resignations.
legislators were trying to pull down the

Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules,

2020: Reining in an unruly horse
The intention of the Legislature is, clearly, to encompass every aspect of e-commerce and keep consumer
interests on the highest pedestal while streamlining the functioning of e-commerce platforms
With the passing of the Consumer resides or personally works for gain. This E-commerce Rules electronic service provider and misleading
Protection Act, 2019, the Legislature is huge relief indeed but, at the same time, advertisement while specifically addressing
took a conscious decision to repeal its is also prone to misuse at the hands of This article is aimed at one of the most the most commonly faced issues such as
predecessor, the Consumer Protection Act, unscrupulous litigants. important features of the Act, which is refusing to take back defective goods or
1986 and enacted a new statute altogether. the targeted and dedicated approach refusing to refund the amount.
While the Legislature was conscious of toward e-commerce platforms. It is to
However, this does not answer the question the woes of customers, the travails of the be noted that although e-commerce The Rules are pretty exhaustive in their
as to why they simply did not incorporate
the amendments in the previous statute ?
For this, we need to understand that we
have a new market, new dynamics and new
challenges, calling for a new law.
Overview
The harmony between market dynamics
and consumer interests has always been a
thin rope to tread on for the governments
across jurisdictions. Markets have,
understandably, been inclined toward
profit margins with scant regard to
consumer interests. With new avenues
of conducting business opening up, for
ex: e-commerce platforms, the gap is
only widening. To protect the interests
of consumers, governments across the
world have stepped in and have enacted
legislation. India has been no exception
to the challenges and has ensured fair consumer fora also did not go unnoticed. In transactions were not alien to the Act of sweep and, at the outset, declares its
competition in the market through the the Act of 1986, the pecuniary jurisdiction 1986, the new Act has made a conscious application to:
Competition Act, 2002. However, what of the then district forum was upto Rs 20 effort to streamline the basic structure of
touches the individuals in their daily needs lakh, and that of State Commission was Rs e-commerce platforms so as to align them (i) All goods and services bought or
as consumer is Consumer Protection Act. 1 crore. Disputes involving amounts above with the interest of the consumers. sold over digital or electronic network
that came under the jurisdiction of the including digital products;
With market dynamics changing every National Commission. With the pecuniary While e-commerce has opened new
single day, and with e-commerce platforms jurisdictions being low, the workload avenues and has made transactions faster (ii) All models of e-commerce, including
becoming a new trend, it was imperative was increasing upstream. The pecuniary and more convenient, they have also been marketplace and inventory models of
to completely revamp the consumer jurisdiction of the District Commission prone to unfair trade practices. Although e-commerce;
protection law keeping in mind the has now been increased to Rs 1 crore, that e-commerce platforms tried to resolve the
challenges and providing effective recourse of State Commission is upto Rs 10 crore, grievance of the customers, there was a (iii) All e-commerce retail, including
against the same. It was with this intention and, above that, it is within the realm of the need to streamline the functioning of the multi-channel single brand retailers and
that the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 National Commission. same. With this perspective, the Central single brand retailers in single or multiple
came into effect. government notified the Consumer formats; and
There are many other important additions Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020.
The tenor of the Act itself demonstrates which are going to render the Act quite (iv) All forms of unfair trade practices
that it is even more consumer-centric now. effective against the challenges of consumer The intention of the Legislature to across all models of e-commerce.
This is evident from the most basic facet rights. For example: the establishment specifically deal with e-commerce and
of territorial jurisdiction of the consumer online transactions was evident from A bare perusal of the same demonstrates
of the Central Consumer Protection that the intention of the Legislature is,
fora. Till the Act of 1986, a complaint Authority, incorporating more stringent the very enlargement of the definition
could be instituted only in the jurisdiction of consumer under Section 2(7) of the clearly, to encompass every aspect of
provisions for default in complying with e-commerce and keep consumer interests
where the opposite party was situated the orders, enforcement of every order of Act by including both online and offline
or where the cause of action arose. But transactions within the scope of ‘buying on the highest pedestal while streamlining
the fora as if it were the decree of a court, the functioning of e-commerce platforms.
now, in addition to this, a complaint can adding the provision of second appeal to goods’ and ‘hiring services’. Further, the Act
also be instituted where the complainant categorically defines relevant e-commerce, This is also demonstrated from the fact
the National Commission, etc.
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that the Rules clearly define the relevant One of the arbitrary actions that directly. Customers were forced to scour than promised.
players of the e-commerce space, such as e-commerce platforms resort to is the the data of the seller from the internet.
e-commerce entity, inventory e-commerce cancellation charges which are levied on the However, things are to take a different The seller is also bound to appoint a
entity, marketplace e-commerce entity and customer if the order is cancelled. After the turn after the notification of the Rules. consumer grievance officer in order to
seller. notification of the Rules, the e-commerce The e-commerce entity is now bound, redress complaints in a clear and effective
entities are not allowed to levy the same on upon a request being made in this regard, manner.
Duties of E-commerce entities the customer unless the e-commerce entity to provide the customer with information
also undertakes to bear similar charges if it such as name and details of its website, Inventory e-commerce entities are also
It is now the duty of every e-commerce unilaterally cancels the order placed by the email address and other information covered within the sweep of the Rules,
entity to appoint a nodal person of customer for any reason whatsoever. required for communication with the seller and the obligations of the seller are also
contact or an alternate senior designated for dispute resolution. applicable to them.
functionary to ensure compliance with the The concept of express consent has
provisions of the Act and Rules. found a place in the Rules. The consent Duties of sellers and inventory e-commerce Conclusion
of the customer shall be recorded only if entities
One of the primary issues faced by that consent is explicit and affirmative. No player of the e-commerce space is
customers is that all service providers, E-commerce platforms are not allowed to The duties and liabilities of e-commerce immune from the application of the
including e-commerce platforms, only record automatic consent of the customer. entities are discussed in the light of defaults Rules. Along with specifying their duties
provide the contact details of their committed by the sellers and, as such, the and liabilities, the Rules also ensure the
customer care helplines that furnish The Legislature has taken ample care to duties of sellers have been categorically compliance thereof by providing that any
tailor-made responses, and are seldom make sure that the goods displayed on been mapped out in the Rules. contravention of the provision of Rules
able to provide a fruitful solution. Under their platforms correspond to their actual would attract the provision of the Act.
the Rules, e-commerce entities are bound form and specifications. For that purpose, Customers are often met with an emphatic
to clearly display the contact details of the marketplace e-commerce entities are denial by the seller to either return the A perusal of the Rules makes it abundantly
their grievance officer along with other now bound to secure an undertaking from goods or refund the price. Instead, the clear that the Legislature has, indeed,
particulars like e-mail, fax, landline and the seller that description, images etc. of customer is forced to take a replacement of walked that extra mile to cover every aspect
mobile numbers of customer care. the goods on the platform are accurate and the same product. It has been specifically of e-commerce transactions and has tried
correspond directly to the actual goods or laid down that the seller is, now, not to ensure that the consumer gets accurate
Along with the same, e-commerce entities services. entitled to refuse to take back the goods information to make an informed decision.
are also bound to establish an adequate or discontinue services or refuse to refund The latest incarnation of the Consumer
grievance redressal mechanism having While e-commerce platforms act as a the consideration if the goods or services Protection Act is, indeed, robust and is
regard to the number of grievances facilitator and a bridge between the seller turn out to be defective, or if they do not at par with the international standards of
ordinarily received from India. and the customer, they have always been match the specification displayed on the consumer laws.
shy of connecting the seller and customer platform, or if the delivery is made later

Italian Marines Case: The Permanent Court of

Arbitration has rightly limited the ‘Sovereignty
of India’, not its ‘Sovereign Rights’
In the face of the obliteration of UNCLOS principles in the waters to the east of India by a certain Communist
regime, this award is surely a reinforcement of the rule of law even between two proud sovereign nations.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The As per UNCLOS, roughly stated, the extent signed in 1982 and further ratified in “DECIDES, by three votes to two, in
Hague (PCA) published its ‘Extracts of the of the Contiguous Zone is earmarked at 24 1995. However, since the Act of 1976 was respect of Italy’s Submission (3)(a) and (c),
Award for Advance Publication’ on July 2, nautical miles from the coastal ‘baselines’, based on the prevailing draft UNCLOS, taking note of the commitment expressed
in the matter of The Italian Republic versus of which the initial 12 nautical miles forms the two were in harmony, as was also by Italy during the proceedings to resume
The Republic of India. part of the Territorial Sea of a coastal readily accepted by the Supreme Court. its criminal investigation into the events
state. Thus, for any such coastal state, its Furthermore, as a pure question of fact, of 15 February 2012, that India must take
In effect this is the second pronouncement ‘criminal jurisdiction on board a foreign the Apex Court wholly accepted the fact the necessary steps to cease to exercise its
on the aspect of India’s jurisdiction to
conduct a criminal trial of the Italian
marines, the first being the Supreme
Court’s contrarian ruling in Republic of
Italy v. Union of India. Insofar as it appears
from the award, the PCA has categorically
rejected India’s contention and submission
that it has the authority to exercise
criminal jurisdiction over the Italian
marines, i.e. sovereignty of India has been
limited thereof. As a corollary, the PCA
has further upheld Italy’s averment as to
sovereign immunity of the said marines.

Though only the operative part of the

award has been published, in my humble
opinion, it was a foregone conclusion that
the Supreme Court’s ruling as above cited
ship’ extends to only the Territorial Sea and that the concerned incident occurred at a criminal jurisdiction over the Marines,
would not hold forth, for it is patently
not the extended Contiguous Zone (Article distance of about 20.5 nautical miles from and that no other remedies are required.”
devoid of an appreciation for India’s
27 UNCLOS). In fact, concerning the the Indian coast and was thus in India’s
obligations under the UN Convention Therefore, though the complete award is
Contiguous Zone, the UNCLOS explicitly Contiguous Zone.
on the Law of the Sea (the UNCLOS) awaited and one must not speculate as to
lays down (Article 33 UNCLOS) that a
and the Territorial Waters, Continental However, though the Apex Court rightly the reasoning adopted thereto, it can be
coastal state may only exercise necessary
Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other observed that it is solely India’s ‘sovereign safely assumed that the same rests upon
control and punish infringement of its
Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (the Maritime rights’ that extend beyond the Territorial the edifice of Article 2(3) of the UNCLOS
customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary
Zones Act). Sea, it erroneously contradicted itself in that subjects a coastal state’s sovereignty
laws and regulations as may have occurred
within its territory or within the above- concluding that “the incident took place over its territorial sea to “this Convention
Towards gaining an understanding of
outlined Territorial Sea; making it manifest within the contiguous zone over which, and to other rules of international law”.
the divergences between the findings of
that India only exercises ‘sovereign rights’ both under the provisions of the Maritime
the PCA vis-à-vis the Supreme Court, Another aspect of concern that the
over zones beyond the Territorial Sea and Zones Act, 1976 and UNCLOS, 1982, India
it is imperative that a distinction be Supreme Court failed to take into account
that ‘sovereignty of India’ only extends till is entitled to exercise rights of sovereignty”
drawn between ‘sovereignty of India’ and pertains to the functional immunity
its territorial waters. and that “India is entitled both under its
‘sovereign rights’ of India under UNCLOS rationae materiae of the Italian marines
domestic law and the public international
as also the Maritime Zones Act. emanating from, insofar as their actions
However, this is precisely wherein the law to exercise rights of sovereignty up to
Apex Court, erroneously and artificially 24 nautical miles”. were concerned, customary international
Briefly stated, as per the UNCLOS,
attempted to enlarge the ‘sovereignty of law. Functional immunity claimed on
the seas of the world are divided into
India’ in scant regard for the separate It is only now with the PCA’s Award dated basis of rationae materiae pertains to solely
Territorial Waters, Contiguous Zone,
regime concerning Contiguous Zones and July 2 that the Supreme Court’s folly has official acts of the State carried out by the
Exclusive Economic Zones and the High
the Exclusive Economic Zone under the been debunked. The Extracts for Advance authorised ‘agents of the state’. Concerning
Seas. Further, within each zone is attached
UNCLOS. Publication make it amply clear that the the present matter, this goes only insofar as
a certain cross-section of rights and
PCA has decided in favour of the Italian ‘shielding’ the said marines from criminal
obligations concerning the coastal state
Chronologically speaking, India enacted Republic’s authority to conduct criminal jurisdiction of India. They would still be
and vessels bearing its flag vis-à-vis other
the Maritime Zones Act in 1976 and it investigation unto the marines vis-à-vis liable to be prosecuted vide Republic of
states and other states’ vessels.
was only thereafter that UNCLOS was the incident in the following terms: Italy’s criminal laws.
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Though the Supreme Court chose not to “DECIDES, by three votes to two, in In conclusion it must be put forth that Yet, the said award must not be seen in
discuss the same, the final adjudication in respect of Italy’s Submission (2)(f), that although the PCA’s Award precludes Indian the binary of a win or a loss. Rather, in the
effect rejected the said averment of granting the Marines are entitled to immunity in courts from exercising criminal jurisdiction tumultuous background of the obliteration
functional immunity to the Italian marines. relation to the acts that they committed over the Italian marines, it does grant of UNCLOS principles in the waters to
Nevertheless, the PCA has gone ahead and during the incident of 15 February 2012, partial relief in the form of compensation the east of India by a certain communist
accepted the self-same arguments put forth and that India is precluded from exercising for violation of India’s ‘freedom of the high regime, this award is surely a reinvigoration
by the Italian Republic with the operative its jurisdiction over the Marines.” seas’ as well as ‘right of navigation’. and a reinforcement of the rule of law even
part concluding that, between two proud sovereign nations.

Can India cut its trade ties with China?

A closer look at Article XXI of the
GATT Agreement
The state has the absolute right to trigger Article XXI of the GATT Agreement, if the measure taken by the
state is ‘for the protection of essential security interest’.
With the passing of the Consumer Authority, incorporating more stringent (iv) All forms of unfair trade practices make sure that the goods displayed on
Protection Act, 2019, the Legislature provisions for default in complying with across all models of e-commerce. their platforms correspond to their actual
took a conscious decision to repeal its the orders, enforcement of every order of form and specifications. For that purpose,
predecessor, the Consumer Protection Act, the fora as if it were the decree of a court, A bare perusal of the same demonstrates the marketplace e-commerce entities are
1986 and enacted a new statute altogether. adding the provision of second appeal to that the intention of the Legislature is, now bound to secure an undertaking from
the National Commission, etc. clearly, to encompass every aspect of the seller that description, images etc. of
However, this does not answer the question e-commerce and keep consumer interests the goods on the platform are accurate and
as to why they simply did not incorporate E-commerce Rules on the highest pedestal while streamlining correspond directly to the actual goods or
the amendments in the previous statute ? the functioning of e-commerce platforms. services.
For this, we need to understand that we This article is aimed at one of the most This is also demonstrated from the fact
have a new market, new dynamics and new important features of the Act, which is that the Rules clearly define the relevant While e-commerce platforms act as a
challenges, calling for a new law. the targeted and dedicated approach players of the e-commerce space, such as facilitator and a bridge between the seller
toward e-commerce platforms. It is to e-commerce entity, inventory e-commerce and the customer, they have always been
Overview be noted that although e-commerce entity, marketplace e-commerce entity and shy of connecting the seller and customer
transactions were not alien to the Act of seller. directly. Customers were forced to scour
The harmony between market dynamics 1986, the new Act has made a conscious the data of the seller from the internet.
and consumer interests has always been a effort to streamline the basic structure of Duties of E-commerce entities However, things are to take a different
thin rope to tread on for the governments e-commerce platforms so as to align them turn after the notification of the Rules.
across jurisdictions. Markets have, with the interest of the consumers. It is now the duty of every e-commerce The e-commerce entity is now bound,
understandably, been inclined toward entity to appoint a nodal person of upon a request being made in this regard,
profit margins with scant regard to While e-commerce has opened new contact or an alternate senior designated to provide the customer with information
consumer interests. With new avenues avenues and has made transactions faster functionary to ensure compliance with the such as name and details of its website,
of conducting business opening up, for email address and other information
ex: e-commerce platforms, the gap is required for communication with the
only widening. To protect the interests seller for dispute resolution.
of consumers, governments across the
world have stepped in and have enacted Duties of sellers and inventory e-commerce
legislation. India has been no exception entities
to the challenges and has ensured fair
competition in the market through the The duties and liabilities of e-commerce
Competition Act, 2002. However, what entities are discussed in the light of defaults
touches the individuals in their daily needs committed by the sellers and, as such, the
as consumer is Consumer Protection Act. duties of sellers have been categorically
been mapped out in the Rules.
With market dynamics changing every
single day, and with e-commerce platforms Customers are often met with an emphatic
becoming a new trend, it was imperative denial by the seller to either return the
to completely revamp the consumer goods or refund the price. Instead, the
protection law keeping in mind the customer is forced to take a replacement of
challenges and providing effective recourse the same product. It has been specifically
against the same. It was with this intention and more convenient, they have also been provisions of the Act and Rules. laid down that the seller is, now, not
that the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 prone to unfair trade practices. Although entitled to refuse to take back the goods
came into effect. e-commerce platforms tried to resolve the One of the primary issues faced by or discontinue services or refuse to refund
grievance of the customers, there was a customers is that all service providers, the consideration if the goods or services
The tenor of the Act itself demonstrates need to streamline the functioning of the including e-commerce platforms, only turn out to be defective, or if they do not
that it is even more consumer-centric now. same. With this perspective, the Central provide the contact details of their match the specification displayed on the
This is evident from the most basic facet government notified the Consumer customer care helplines that furnish platform, or if the delivery is made later
of territorial jurisdiction of the consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020. tailor-made responses, and are seldom than promised.
fora. Till the Act of 1986, a complaint able to provide a fruitful solution. Under
could be instituted only in the jurisdiction The intention of the Legislature to the Rules, e-commerce entities are bound The seller is also bound to appoint a
where the opposite party was situated specifically deal with e-commerce and to clearly display the contact details of consumer grievance officer in order to
or where the cause of action arose. But online transactions was evident from their grievance officer along with other redress complaints in a clear and effective
now, in addition to this, a complaint can the very enlargement of the definition particulars like e-mail, fax, landline and manner.
also be instituted where the complainant of consumer under Section 2(7) of the mobile numbers of customer care.
resides or personally works for gain. This Act by including both online and offline Inventory e-commerce entities are also
is huge relief indeed but, at the same time, transactions within the scope of ‘buying Along with the same, e-commerce entities covered within the sweep of the Rules,
is also prone to misuse at the hands of goods’ and ‘hiring services’. Further, the Act are also bound to establish an adequate and the obligations of the seller are also
unscrupulous litigants. categorically defines relevant e-commerce, grievance redressal mechanism having applicable to them.
electronic service provider and misleading regard to the number of grievances
While the Legislature was conscious of advertisement while specifically addressing ordinarily received from India. Conclusion
the woes of customers, the travails of the the most commonly faced issues such as
consumer fora also did not go unnoticed. In One of the arbitrary actions that No player of the e-commerce space is
refusing to take back defective goods or immune from the application of the
the Act of 1986, the pecuniary jurisdiction refusing to refund the amount. e-commerce platforms resort to is the
of the then district forum was upto Rs 20 cancellation charges which are levied on Rules. Along with specifying their duties
lakh, and that of State Commission was Rs The Rules are pretty exhaustive in their the customer if the order is cancelled. and liabilities, the Rules also ensure the
1 crore. Disputes involving amounts above sweep and, at the outset, declares its After the notification of the Rules, the compliance thereof by providing that any
that came under the jurisdiction of the application to: e-commerce entities are not allowed to contravention of the provision of Rules
National Commission. With the pecuniary levy the same on the customer unless the would attract the provision of the Act.
jurisdictions being low, the workload (i) All goods and services bought or e-commerce entity also undertakes to bear
was increasing upstream. The pecuniary sold over digital or electronic network similar charges if it unilaterally cancels A perusal of the Rules makes it abundantly
jurisdiction of the District Commission including digital products; the order placed by the customer for any clear that the Legislature has, indeed,
has now been increased to Rs 1 crore, that reason whatsoever. walked that extra mile to cover every
of State Commission is upto Rs 10 crore, (ii) All models of e-commerce, including aspect of e-commerce transactions and
and, above that, it is within the realm of the marketplace and inventory models of The concept of express consent has has tried to ensure that the consumer
National Commission. e-commerce; found a place in the Rules. The consent gets accurate information to make an
of the customer shall be recorded only if informed decision. The latest incarnation
There are many other important additions (iii) All e-commerce retail, including that consent is explicit and affirmative. of the Consumer Protection Act is, indeed,
which are going to render the Act quite multi-channel single brand retailers and E-commerce platforms are not allowed to robust and is at par with the international
effective against the challenges of consumer single brand retailers in single or multiple record automatic consent of the customer. standards of consumer laws.
rights. For example: the establishment formats; and
of the Central Consumer Protection The Legislature has taken ample care to

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Transgender Act : Not Just Unconstitutional!

The Act is tokenist and piecemeal, ignoring the lived experiences and
struggles of transgender persons.
Before I proceed, I urge you all to please capital, when it suits them. Who cares be attributed to the efforts by transgender with transgender persons, often with
contribute to trans, queer and non- about a marginalised identity (s) and persons submitting representations, a sense of disgust directed at both the
binary persons, sex workers and, other communities? writing op-eds, lobbying through whatever identities. The Act emphasizes that.
marginalised persons and communities networks one could access, and protesting,
who are being rendered vulnerable without In Tamil Nadu, after efforts by trans despite lack of resources and money, in There is also the definition of “persons with
sources of income, food, rations, essentials, persons, the word Thirunangai, multiple states for over the past four years. intersex variations” under Section 2 (i):
work or without funds, affirming support, Thirunambi & Thirunar have evolved, [viii] This predicament has repeated itself
healthcare, education commitments, family owing to the late CM M. Karunanidhi. This year after year. But, time again we were “person with intersex variations” means
needs or for their transition, especially is rooted in the self-respect movements told subtly or not so subtly that we did not a person who at birth shows variation in
during this COVID-19 pandemic-induced grounded in Periyar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, matter; they knew what was best for us and his or her primary sexual characteristics,
lockdown. and Dravidian politics.[v] Will the anti- they would go ahead with it. external genitalia, chromosomes or
colonial & decolonising lobbies also look at
“The terms ‘transgender’ and ‘cisgender’ de-brahminising names for us? Even if we
are derived from Latin. Trans means to were to agree for a moment that the right
move, or moving; Cis means the opposite. terms are yet to be found, what prevents the
So, a transgender person is someone who Union from using “transgender persons”
‘moves’ from one gender to the other, translated in Hindi for the time being in
while a cisgender person is one who ‘stays’ the Act?[vi] Even these terms grounded
in their assigned gender.”[i] in dignity, self-respect are being replaced
with the word ‘third gender’ in Tamil Nadu
The idea here is to not just argue that a law by a rival political faction in power.[vii]
is unconstitutional, but to lay down a few
aspects of the struggles that many of us Before focusing on legislation, it is
trans persons and communities suffered in pertinent to note that not even one
the last four years and more in opposing openly out transgender person happens
this discriminatory law. For a cisgender to be a Member of Parliament. Forget
man or woman lawyer writing on this issue, Parliament, how many trans persons
it may be just another legal analysis, with are your classmates? How many are in
a touch of solidarity, or just an attempt to positions of authority in the government
advance one’s career. However, for me and or outside? How many are even in the State
other trans, intersex, non-binary persons, government or are local representatives
our very lives are on the line here. in urban and rural bodies? How many
are your doctors or medical staff ? The
NALSA v Union of India 2014 judgment number, if the answer is not none, can be About the Act hormones from normative standard of
(hereinafter, NALSA) was delivered counted on your fingers. male or female body;
in April 2014. The judgment, albeit Section 2(k) defines a transgender person
extremely confusing and wrong in some This highlights the fact that none of to include both individual identities & Does this give any substantial rights to
parts, represented a certain skewed the trans, intersex, non-binary persons socio-cultural identities. intersex persons, apart from whatever is
understanding of gender, and attempts in various movements, even the ones part of being recognized as transgender
to historicise it, by the Supreme Court. for social justice, research think tanks, “transgender person” means a person persons? This Act does not even ban the
Nevertheless, it reaffirmed the fundamental organisations, NGOs, etc. are in leadership whose gender does not match with forced and unnecessary sex reassignment
rights of transgender persons and intersex positions. A majority of us are held back by the gender assigned to that person at surgeries performed on intersex infants. It
persons under the Constitution of India. a transphobic caste-community mode of birth and includes trans-man or trans- is one of the forms of medicalised violence
production, endogamy and prejudice that woman (whether or not such person has rooted in society’s prejudiced caste-
What I vehemently reject is the conflation strips us of our families’ acceptance, forces undergone Sex Reassignment Surgery patriarchal ideas of a binary. Why does
of the word ‘third gender’ in NALSA as a us, exploits us and further marginalises or hormone therapy or laser therapy or this Act gloriously forget the judgment
catch-all term when it comes to us. While many amongst us into sex work, begging such other therapy), person with intersex in Arunkumar v Inspector General of
anyone is free to self-identify as third etc. But, day in and day out, many of us trans variations, genderqueer and person having Registration? The Parliament failed to
gender, the very idea of self-identification persons, including me, are approached such socio-cultural identities as kinner, discuss or ban the surgery, something
is against the notion of imposing one word, for research purposes, filling responses hijra, aravani and jogta. which a Single-Judge Bench of the Madras
which is not acceptable to all. It further to surveys, being called to give talks or High Court did when an intersex person
reinstates a sexist exclusionary hierarchy, do sensitisation workshops, provided What’s the definition of a trans man, trans approached the Court. Why do you call
thereby violating Articles 14 and 19. If we sufficiently fit your respectability woman, genderqueer person or for that this Act ‘Protection of Rights’? Whose
every transgender person is supposed to be standards, and these are most often being matter, kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta rights and interests is it actually protecting?
referred to as a third gender person, then unpaid. persons? Even if we were to agree for a
who is the first gender? A cisgender man? moment, that there can be no set or agreed Finally, nowhere does this Act define
Will cisgender women accept the status of On trans persons’ labour, efforts, lived upon definitions and what should matter is gender identity. This makes me wonder,
‘second gender’ under the Constitution?[ii] experiences and exploitation, so many their self-identification – the question that what is the objective of this? Why has
cis persons, whether queer or not, build would arise would be how many persons/ the Parliament not discussed gender
While the struggle for legal rights began their careers. I do not want to commence representatives were consulted before identity, gender non-conforming persons,
much before NALSA, it definitely gave blanket cis bashing, but there are so many including the same? expression or even sexual orientation?
an impetus to take the fight to the High instances now that leave us exhausted. We Have majority of our MPs who passed this
Courts, such as the T. Thanusu case before become subjects to be experimented upon These identities have their own set Act understood what it to means to be a
the Madras High Court. However, what for the medical industry or for the token of histories, geographical locations, genderqueer person?
has followed in terms of Bills after Bills is a ally to call themselves progressive and structures, contexts. Are their structures of
study in itself. inclusive. They make films where our lived care and support being recognized? Would It must be remembered that sex under
experiences are turned into a product of the underlying complexities which often Article 15 of our Constitution has been
Some of the most violent, yet subtler their imagination and hard work, earning differ across regions get erased? What interpreted to now include gender identity,
gender-based policing lies in the legal plaudits for your ‘bravery’, chops for your specific rights are accrued to each of these sexual orientation & sex characteristics
history of transgender persons’ rights. acting skills, in portraying us. But, we are identities? This is a common thread that [in the cases Nalsa, Navtej/Section 377
With every progressive judgment or law, hardly hired both on and off screen. runs with all the other identities being & Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v UOI ). The
only small spaces are opened for us and recognized under this Act, as we shall see answer perhaps lies in a certain skewed
we are expected to be very ‘grateful’ for This means that there rests an immense later. understanding before and after Nalsa.
any improvement as we do not have much responsibility on those who legislate for us; Earlier gender or sex would mean only
in the first place. Whenever a new legal that they reflect this in action, spirit and The definition goes on to include person male or female. Now, it would mean just
development regarding the Act came in, listen to the constituents who do not have with intersex variations. At first glance, the addition of one more category of
many of us would view it with anxiety. It the same power as cis men and women, this might appear to be a good definition. identity. with people parroting for the
felt like Damocles’ sword, with many of us especially those not from dominant caste, However, by classifying intersex persons need of “transgender toilets” without
having to rush our transition process; legal, class, gender backgrounds. under the definition of transgender understanding the connotation of the
physical or otherwise. With the worry of an persons, what the state is essentially same,[ix] this ‘third’ based understanding
uncertain future, we wondered how much Tiruchi Siva’s 2015 bill was by far the conveying is that ‘all intersex persons are and mere hollow repetition of right to
of our documents or progress so far would most progressive and comprehensive with transgender persons’. This is misconceived. self-identification is the reason why we are
be even valid once the Act came in.[iii] minute mistakes, such as Sections 46–48: An intersex person may identify as a where we are,
‘Transgender Courts’. It was the first transgender person, or may not. What
The first issue arose with inaccessibility private members’ bill to be passed in over this section does, in one stroke, is take (Kanmani Ray LR is a savarna trans
to the Act/Bills which were primarily 40 years in Parliament. However, when the away the right to self-identification of woman pursuing LL.B. from Campus Law
in English and Hindi. In a country with Bill came to Lok Sabha, the government intersex persons, violating the spirit of the Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.
multiple languages, the Union failed submitted that it shall bring its own Bill right to self-identification underlying the Her pronouns are she/her. She has been a
to provide any translation.[iv] Official which resulted in the 2016 bill version of Constitution of India, reaffirmed in Nalsa. resource person for some sensitisation
languages of the Union are only Hindi the Act. The latter bill was an insensitive efforts. She aspires to be an advocate
and English. The Hindi version of the Act, rendition of the lives of trans persons, From the time I opened up, until now, I but even more a dancer, lover, mother
which is named as ‘Ubhayalingi Vyakti’ with its Definition Clause reinstating the am constantly asked, “Are you biologically and a teacher someday. She is also one
is a terrible translation for transgender harmful stereotypes that have come to be transgender?”, “Aren’t you born like of the Petitioners in a batch of petitions
persons. This issue has failed to garner associated with transgender persons. this?”, “What are your genitals?”; initially challenging the constitutionality of the
traction. Many persons, whether in I used to be taken aback by this. While Act. She tweets @kanmanisays.).
politics, academia, on social media discuss The Act is no different from its previous these questions stem from many wrong
extensively about decolonising narratives, versions in the sense that it is tokenist and assumptions, the predominant trope is to
for their own political gain and social piecemeal. Any changes in provisions can confuse and conflate all intersex persons
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SECTION ON CRITICAL REASONING

Passage 1: In the study conducted by b) Weakening statement

CRITICAL
Center for Economic and Policy Research,
by Rebecca Ray and John Schmitt, in May c) Strengthening statement
2007, they found that “The United States is
the only advanced economy in the world d) Parallel reasoning statement
that does not guarantee its workers paid Q4. On the basis of the passage consider
vacation. … The gap between paid time the following statements-
off in the United States and the rest of the

REASONING
world is even larger if we include legally 1) Contactless justice system will soon
mandated paid holidays, where the United replace conventional courts.
States offer none, but most of the rest of the
world’s rich countries offer between five 2) All the wings of the Indian system
and 13 paid holidays per year” They go on to are coherently working to for a future of
say that “It is your relaxed and easy worker, solutions.
who is in no hurry, and quite thoughtless
most of the while of consequences, who (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) 1 and 2 (d) None
is your efficient worker; and tension and of these
anxiety, and present and future, all mixed
up together in our mind at once, are the Q5. Statement- The European Online
surest drags upon steady progress and Dispute Resolution platform was provided
hindrances to our success”. by the European Commission to make
online transactions, namely shopping,
“Just as a bicycle chain may be too safer and fairer. In fact, the European
tight, so may one’s carefulness and Union has adopted a regulation which
conscientiousness be so tense as to hinder mandates all merchants in EU countries to
the running of one’s mind.” - William notify consumers about the availability of
James, “The Gospel of Relaxation” ODR.
Q.1 Which one of the following most The above statement is-
closely parallels the reasoning used by
William James in his argument above? a) Strengthening statement

(A) Just as a clock may be wound too tightly, b) Weakening statement

so may one’s time be spent fruitlessly in the
pursuit of perfection. c) Parallel reasoning

(B) Just as a carousel may spin too quickly, d) None of the above
so may one’s rapid concentration on Q6. What purpose two statements in
several problems prevent a resolution of boldface serve?
difficulties.
a) Statement 1 presents a situation and
(C) Just as a machine may be oiled too statement 2 presents the conclusion.
much, so may one’s heavy drinking of
alcoholic beverages lead to complete b) Statement 1 presents the desired
dissipation. of the Courts. Invariably, technology will and ensure that a problem does not reach
outcome and statement 2 presents the real
be able to bring in efficiency, affordability, the stage of a dispute.
outcome.
(D) Just as a raging river may be frozen and scale to what is an urgent need
into stillness during the winter, so may for sustainable and ongoing access to There have been several pivotal initiatives
c) Both highlight the issues in the argument
one’s career falter at certain times of the justice. This is why Online Dispute through the eCourts project and related
year. Resolution (ODR) has the potential to be a technology augmented moves. Building d) The first is a solution that if adopted,
transformative and disruptive mechanism trust, confidence and efficiency is crucial would solve the main problem; The second
Q.2 Which one of the following, if true, for resolving disputes. for reviving the economy – and we need is a solution drawn in order to support the
would most seriously weaken the argument to explore new systems to contain and main argument
of William James? ODR could potentially help solve small resolve these disputes in an expedient
and medium value disputes before they and collaborative manner. Technology Q7. According to the passage what could
(A) Bicycle chains are used to turn wheels, enter formal court processes. E-commerce will play a crucial role in both equity and be the reason behind relying on online
but the human mind is used to “turn” ideas. disputes have been tackled through ODR affordability. Combining technology and dispute resolution?
for several years now, with eBay having data with negotiation, mediation and
(B) People and bicycles are similar only resolved many million matters through arbitration could potentially create many a) Using the way because western world is
in that both may not function well under this process at its Resolution Center. innovative new approaches to resolve doing
stress. Others too have followed suit with success. disputes well before they come to court.
The European Online Dispute Resolution ODR is a solution whose success will b) Using it is the way to progress in justice.
(C) Bicycles help people with platform was provided by the European depend to a large extent on multi-pronged,
transportation, but careful, conscientious Commission to make online transactions, diverse stakeholder involvement. The c) Courts would function freely then.
thought helps to solve many different namely shopping, safer and fairer. In commitment to collaboratively build this
problems. d) The new generation justice will work on
fact, the European Union has adopted a framework should therefore be unerring.
the line of e-courts.
(D) Extreme tension helps a bicycle chain regulation which mandates all merchants
in EU countries to notify consumers about Q1. Which one of the following conveys
to function efficiently. Passage 3: A few days ago, President Trump
the availability of ODR. the key message of the passage?
signed a proclamation that temporarily
Q3.Based on the information in the given a) Quick and affordable justice is the need restricted certain foreign workers from
passage, which of the following is most The pandemic has forced a shift towards
of the system. entering and working in the US. These
likely to be true? solutions that minimize contact and can
restrictions were applied to a bunch of
be activated through technology, including
b) Rightly dedicated and technologically categories including the extremely popular
(A) Too much worry about work can lead for resolution of disputes. The enhanced
sound approach will help provide quick H-1B visas — mainly used to hire skilled
to stress and physical illness, as well as and crucial role of technology has allowed
and affordable justice. workers in the tech industry.
psychological distress and mental illness. remote contactless support and affordable
access to justice. Progressive and disruptive NASSCOM, the trade body representing
c) Only fast adoption to technology would
(B) Worrying about something you cannot changes in justice delivery are critical Indian IT companies, pointed out that
quicken the justice delivery speed too.
change will forever be the biggest waste of components and they can alter the course the decision would end up harming the
your time. of access to justice in an unprecedented d) The justice system should address the US economy and then added- “Without
way. Each arm of the Indian system is issue of out-of-court dispute resolution. their continued contributions to the
(C) We cannot cure the world of sorrows, working towards a solution-driven future U.S. economy, the economic pain would
but we can choose to live in joy. and that is where the change will be visible. Q2. With regards to dispute resolution, it worsen, industry would slow and the
can be inferred from the passage that- timeline for a treatment and cure of
(D) Work stress leads to greater efficiency. The most encouraging developments
Covid-19 would lengthen.”
recently is just how progressive and in fact 1) A significant change is the demand for
Q4.) Consider the following statement and innovative the Supreme Court has been expeditious justice delivery.
choose the best option: Less forced labor A pretty grim prognosis indeed.
open in adopting technology like Artificial
works better. Intelligence and e-courts initiative. Indian 2) Swift out-of-court settlements require But Trump probably sees things
courts today are quickly adopting leading reform. differently. Here’s what he wrote in the
(A) Probably true. practices, in a sustainable and forward proclamation — “Under the extraordinary
thinking manner. In Justice Chandrachud’s 3) ODR will relieve the court of its burden. circumstances of the economic contraction
(B) Definitely true.
words a couple of months back, the role of resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak,
technology because of the pandemic has (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 2 and 3
(C) Probably false. certain visa programs authorizing such
led to a situation where “the question today employment pose an unusual threat to the
Q3. Statement- ODR is a solution whose
(D) Definitely false. is not whether we should adopt technology employment of American workers.”
success will depend to a large extent
but how well do we adopt technology.”
Passage 2:: The implications of the on multi-pronged, diverse stakeholder
In fact, there’s been a long-running debate
COVID-19 pandemic have understandably ODR ought to have a multi-pronged, multi involvement.
on the damaging effects of the H1-B
extended to justice delivery. The resultant sectoral initiative and an open, efficient, program on the US economy. Multiple
The above statement is-
situation from the pandemic has required transparent process where only those policymakers have contended that tech
a swift and long term relook at dispute disputes that require judicial resolution a) Inference statement companies have abused the program to
avoidance, and conflict resolution outside should reach the courts. It could facilitate
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The CLAT Post • July 2020
replace Americans with foreigners — who d) Inference Statement 2) The seroprevalence level decides the Q5 – The correct option is (A). The
are then employed at lower salaries. level of restriction needed. above statement strengthens the author’s
Passage 4:Global strategies to control argument. The passage advocates the use of
But the Federal guidelines on the H-1B infectious disease have historically included a) 1 only b) 2 only ODR and by citing the above example he
program are clear. It must not “adversely the erection of barriers to international strengthens his case as to why we need an
affect the wages and working conditions” travel and immigration. Between 29 c) Both 1 and 2 d) None of the above ODR.
of Americans. and 50 countries are reported to have
introduced border restrictions on HIV- Q5. What according to the author is the Q6 – The correct option is (B). The desired
Here’s an excerpt from an article in the positive foreigners, usually those planning inference of the passage? outcome being talked of is- efficiency,
Washington Post in relation to this- an extended stay in the country. affordability, and sustainable and ongoing
1) It is not the budget but the implementation
access to justice. The real outcome in Indian
“Most economists agree with the facts Travel restrictions have been established and sensitivity that matters in healthcare.
context as is mentioned in the passage is
learned from dozens of studies that look at primarily by countries in the western mentioned by the 2nd statement.
immigration and labor markets: The effects 2) Pacific and Mediterranean would have
Pacific and Mediterranean regions, where
immigrants have on native wages and followed US path if the number of cases
HIV seroprevalence is relatively low. These Q7 – The correct option is (B) and is
unemployment are negligible, at most. It went high.
regions were known for being travel- mentioned in the passage, whereas other
is easy to say the contrary and maybe even friendly. However, the country with the 3) United States is repeatedly termed to be options find no description in the passage.
popular in some circles, but that doesn’t broadest policy of testing and excluding against human rights.
make it true.” foreigners is the United States. The U.S. Passage 3:
policy has been sharply criticized by a) 1 only b) 2 only
In fact, if there is something that will national and international organizations as Q1 – The passage mentions nothing about
be needed more than ever to return being contrary to public health goals and c) 3 only d) None of the above who was the most affected by the decision
unemployment to normal levels after the human-rights principles. The Immigration of Trump. Option 1 is therefore incorrect.
covid-19 pandemic ends, it is more, not and Nationality Act requires the Public Answers: Option 2 also doesn’t find any mention in
less, immigration. Immigrants, roughly Health Service to list “dangerous contagious the passage. The passage does mention that
15 percent of the U.S. population, are diseases” for which aliens can be excluded Passage1 : 1B, 2D, 3A, 4B “Immigrants, roughly 15 percent of the
responsible for about a quarter of U.S. from the United States. By 1987 there were U.S. population, are responsible for about
start-ups and patents each year, and that Passage 2: 1B, 2D, 3A, 4B, a quarter of U.S. start-ups and patents
seven designated diseases—five of them
percentage has been increasing for decades. 5A 6B, 7B each year”, but there is no direct link about
transmitted and two non-venereal. On June
8, 1987, in response to a Congressional how the economy could worsen without
And then there’s the impact on Indian Passage 3: 1D, 2D, 3C, 4D, immigrants.
direction in the Helms Amendment, the 5A
businesses. Every year, the US issues 85,000 Public Health Service added HIV infection
H-1B visas to immigrants. More than 70% Q2 – Option 1 is incorrect as the author
to the list of dangerous contagious diseases. Passage 4: 1D, 2D, 3C, 4A, makes no case for the need to reform HIB
of the visas tend to go to Indians. In fact,
Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys 5D visa policy. Option 2 is an extreme answer
A just and efficacious travel and immigration
consistently receive more H-1Bs than some policy would not exclude people because of choice and can be eliminated.
Explanation:
of the biggest US tech companies combined. their serologic status unless they posed a
And although Indian IT companies have Q3 – Refer to, “In fact, there’s been a long-
danger to the community through casual Passage 1:
weaned off these dependencies recently, running debate on the damaging effects
transmission. We support well-funded of the H1-B program on the US economy.
H-1B visas still matter. programs to protect the health of travelers Q1 - Option (B) is the correct answer
because it is following the same reasoning Multiple policymakers have contented that
infected with HIV through appropriate tech companies have abused the program to
Q1. Which of the following is an inference immunizations and prophylactic treatment as it has been used in the argument. Options
which can be made from the facts stated in A, C and D follow a different pattern. replace Americans with foreigners — who
and to reduce behaviors that may transmit are then employed at lower salaries.” This
the above passage? infection.
Q2- In the argument author argued that means that Trump’s decision does have a
a) Indians aspiring to work in the US, were We recognize that treating patients infected because bicycle chains are too tight that’s point, and the same is not wholly irrational
the most affected by the decision regarding with HIV who immigrate to the United why they hinder the running of the cycle. or arbitrary.
H1B visa. States will incur costs for the public sector. So, it can be weakened by the argument
that extreme tension helps a bicycle chain Q4 – Option 1 does not mention the
b) Without the continued contributions It is inequitable, however, to use cost as a nationality of employees who were fired.
reason to exclude people infected with to function efficiently. Therefore, option
of immigrants to the U.S. economy, the (D) is the correct answer. We cannot assume it to be Americans.
economic pain caused by COVID would HIV, for there are no similar exclusionary Option 2 is irrelevant.
worsen. policies for those with other costly chronic
diseases, such- as heart disease or cancer. Q3 - In the passage, the main argument
is that too much worry leads to non- Q5 – Refer to “although Indian IT
c) Both 1 and 2 efficiency and it hinders the success. companies have weaned off these
Rather than arbitrarily restrict the dependencies recently.” The dependency
d) Neither 1 nor 2 movement of a subgroup of infected Option (A) is the correct answer because
it is providing that too much worry about could have been reduced only by hiring
people, we must dedicate ourselves to the staff locally.
Q2. Which of the following will the author principles of justice, scientific cooperation, work can lead tostress and physical illness,
agree with? and a global response to the HIV pandemic. as well as psychological distress and mental
Passage 4:
illness. Option (B) is not correct, because
a) While one could make a case to reform Q1. What purpose do the statements in it is not talking about work. Option (C) Q1 – The correct option is (D). Statement
the H1-B program, terminating or boldface serve? is irrelevant. And option (D) is not in 1 talks of the issue here i.e. the growth
temporarily suspending it may not be ideal consonance with the information provided of HIV-positive patients and sealing of
for anybody involved. a) Statement 1 presents a fact; statement 2 above. borders to prevent spread. Statement 2
is the basis of the fact. talks of how not sealing borders but having
b) H1B visa program poses no threat to the Q4 - In the passage, it is provided that
b) Statement 1 is the solution and statement a global response would help contain the
employment of American workers. tension and anxiety, and present and
2 presents the problem. disease.
future, all mixed up together in our mind
c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 at once, are the surest drags upon steady Q2- The correct option is (D). The author’s
c) Statement 1 is a partial statement and progress and hindrances to our success,
Q3. What we can say about the following statement 2 is the basis of the partial argument in the passage is around the
which means that forced labour will lead fact that sealing cross-border movement
statement? “The decision of Trump conclusion to the tension and anxiety and then it will
regarding H1B visa is irrational and is not the solution. And if someone with
hinder the work progress. Therefore, the the disease enters, it would fall on the
arbitrary. d) Statement 1 is the problem and statement
above statement is definitely true. Hence, US public health fund. The author argues
2 is the solution to the problem.
option (B) is the correct answer. that since heart and other diseases do not
a) Definitely true
Q2. Statement- It is inequitable, however, use cost as a reason to exclude people, it
Passage 2:
b) Definitely false to use cost as a reason to exclude people would be wrong to do so with HIV, thus
infected with HIV. Q1 – The correct option is (B). The passage strengthening the core argument. Also the
c) Probably false is based on the premise of how to approach author has stated that US itself has well-
What purpose does the statement serve? funded programs to address HIV patients
d) None of the above technology in justice and adapting to it.
The author in the concluding paragraph in the country.
a) Inference statement
Q4. Which of the following will strengthen talks about using technology to provide
Q3 – The correct option is (C). The
the following statement? “Tech companies b) Weaken the argument equal access to justice as well as quickness
fact mentioned in the passage that the
have abused the program to replace and affordability. Such measures he says
countries, namely Western Pacific and
Americans with foreigners.” c) Flawed argument should be rightly though and dedicated to
Mediterranean, with low pathogen count
the purpose.
d) Strengthen the argument i.e. low seroprevalence started the era of
a) A few years ago Disney USA fired 250 travel restrictions. This is a flawed argument
employees and replaced them with tech Q2 – The correct option is (d) and both
Q3. Which of the following statements is a the statements find mention in the passage. since the same passage, paragraph 4 talks
workers hired from an outsourcing firm in of a just and efficacious travel policy not
India. flaw in the author’s argument? In paragraph 1, the author talks about the
need of reform in swift delivery system. excluding people merely on the basis of
b) Most of the US tech giants have Indian a) Travel restrictions were started by Later on talks about how ODR should be serological status.
CEOs countries with low seroprevalence. used for judicial resolution outside courts,
Q4 – The correct answer is (a). Statement
thereby putting a halt on court’s burden.
c) Both 1 and 2 b) The US has low seroprevalence. 1 comes from paragraph 2 of the passage
Q3 – The correct option is (A). If the where author writes that travel restrictions
d) Neither 1 nor 2 c) Countries with just policies and were primarily started by Western Pacific
stakeholders involved in any dispute look
substantially lower number of pathogens and Mediterranean countries. Statement 2
for an out-of-court settlement, they can
Q5.Statement: Indian IT companies have started the era of travel restrictions. - the serological level decides the level of
resort to ODR and the author infers the
started hiring Americans. same when he says its success will depend restriction is wrong because if it were so,
d) An unjust policy restricts travelers merely there would have been low or no restriction
on the suspicion of higher seroprevalence. on how involved or willing the stakeholders
The above statement is: are. in Western Pacific and Mediterranean. It
is mentioned that seroprevalence was low
a) Assumption statement Q4. Which of the following statements can there.
be inferred : Q4 – The correct option is (b) and is
b) Strengthening Statement mentioned explicitly in paragraph 3-
each arm of the Indian system is working Q5 – The correct answer is (d) - None of
1) The first country to start travel restriction the above. None of the statements can be
c) Weakening Statement was not the US. towards a solution-driven future.
inferred or is mentioned in the passage.
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The CLAT Post • July 2020

LEGAL TERMS CROSSWORD

complete the crossword puzzle below Name:

Complete the crossword puzzle below

1 2

3 4

8 9 10

11 12

13

14 15 16

17 18

19 20

ACROSS DOWN
3. to inflict a serious bodily injury, including mutilation or any harm which 1. To select and install a jury
limits the victim's ability to function physically 2. The benefit of a business having a good reputation under its name
4. peril, particularly danger of being charged with or convicted of a and regular patronage
particular crime. 6. Costs that a party will pay to their lawyer for things like
5. the specific statement of what crime the party is accused of photocopying, faxes, courier charges, filing fees, etc.
7. the transfer of a check, promissory note, bill of exchange or other 9. To intentionally and permanently give up
negotiable instrument to another for money, goods, servic 10. To confirm and adopt the act of another even though it was not
8. These documents set out a party’s position on the evidence, what the approved beforehand
party wants the court to order and the legal basis for w 15. The legal doctrine that a legal right or claim will not be enforced or
11. a generic term for any judge of a court, or anyone officially performing a allowed if a long delay in asserting the right or clai
judge's functions. 16. Trossly negligent to the extent of being recklessly unconcerned
12. a definite fractional share with the safety of people or property
13. to annul or repeal a law 17. To help someone commit a crime
14. where two persons (or business entities through their officers or other
employees) enter into a deceitful agreement
18. A document that is served on a witness to require the witness to attend
a trial to give evidence on a certain day and at a ce
19. way of departure
20. a crime sufficiently serious to be punishable by death or a term in
prison, as distinguished from a misdemeanor which is onl

1. Impanel To select and install a jury 11. Magistrate A generic term for any judge of a court, or anyone officially performing a judge's
2. goodwill The benefit of a business having a good reputation under its name and regular functions.
patronage 12. Aliquot A definite fractional share
3. Maim To inflict a serious bodily injury, including mutilation or any harm which limits 13. Abrogate To annul or repeal a law
the victim's ability to function physically 14. Collusion Where two persons (or business entities through their officers or other
4. Jeopardy Peril, particularly danger of being charged with or convicted of a particular employees) enter into a deceitful agreement
crime. 15. Laches The legal doctrine that a legal right or claim will not be enforced or allowed if a
5. Charge The specific statement of what crime the party is accused of long delay in asserting the right or claim
6. Disbursements Costs that a party will pay to their lawyer for things like photocopying, faxes, 16. Wanton Grossly negligent to the extent of being recklessly unconcerned with the safety of
courier charges, filing fees, etc. people or property
7. Negotiation The transfer of a check, promissory note, bill of exchange or other negotiable 17. Abet To help someone commit a crime
instrument to another for money, goods, servic 18. Subpoena A document that is served on a witness to require the witness to attend a trial to
8. Pleading These documents set out a party’s position on the evidence, what the party wants give evidence on a certain day and at a certain time
the court to order and the legal basis for that 19. Egress Way of departure
9. Abandon To intentionally and permanently give up 20. Felony A crime sufficiently serious to be punishable by death or a term in prison, as
10. Ratify To confirm and adopt the act of another even though it was not approved distinguished from a misdemeanor
beforehand

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