Finance Commission (Article-280)

Finance Commission is a constitutional body appointed by President of India as mandated by the Article 280 of the Constitution of India.

The role of Finance Commission is to give suggestions on Centre-State financial relations and recommends on the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Centre and States.

Fundamental Duties - Previous Year Questions (UPSC Prelims)

Before discussing previous questions on Fundamental Duties, asked by UPSC in civil services prelims exam, let's know in brief what are Fundamental Duties?

Fundamental Duties are moral duties to be followed by every citizen of India. Fundamental duties were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 on the recommendations of Sardar Swaran Sigh Committee report. 

There are 11 Fundamental Duties enlisted in Article-51A in Part-IV of the Constitution of India. The Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable in nature.

So let's discuss previous year questions on Fundamental Duties asked by UPSC in prelims exam of civil services.

1) Under the Constitution of India, which one of the following is not a fundamental duty ? [UPSC Prelims 2011]

(a) To vote in public elections

(b) To develop the scientific temper

(c) To safeguard public property

(d) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals

Ans: (a) To vote in public elections

Panchsheel Agreement or Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence

Panchsheel Agreement was signed between Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and China's Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing, China on 19th October, 1954. 

The Panchsheel Treaty provides for the set of principles according to which international affairs between two nations should be conducted such that two nations can co-exists peacefully, maintaining friendly relations with each other.  

The main objective of 5 Panchsheel principles is that with assurance of territorial integrity and sovereignty of each country, and of non-aggression, there would be peaceful co-existence and friendly relations between the countries concerned.

Topics Covered:

• History of Panchsheel Agreement
• Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence
• Historical basis of Panchsheel Principles
• Importance and significance of Panchsheel

Article 32 and 226 | Right to CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES

Article 32 is the Right to move to Supreme Court when a fundamental right has been infringed or violated.

In this article, we will discuss about:

1.    What is Article 32 - Right to Constitutional Remedies?

2.    Article 32 and Role of Supreme Court

3.    What happens to Article 32 during National Emergency?

4.    What is Article 226 of High Court?

5.    Can a high court refuse to entertain a case under Article 226?

6.    Can we approach any high court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights against the central government?

7.    Previous Year Questions

Supreme Court gets it’s 47th CJI - Sharad Arvind Bobde

Supreme Court gets it’s 47th CJI - Sharad Arvind Bobde

Sharad Arvind Bobde has replaced 46^th Chief Justice of India - Ranjan Gogoi, who retires on 17^th Nov, 2019 to become 47^th Chief Justice of India.

The OATH ceremony of 47^th Chief Justice of India - Sharad Arvind Bobde was held on 18^th Nov, 2019 and he will hold office till 23^rd April, 2021.