Answer: A

Exp:

In May, a speeding car, allegedly driven by a teenager, killed two young techies in Pune. As prescribed by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, or the JJ Act, 2015, the adolescent was initially brought before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), which granted him bail under seemingly lenient conditions. 

About Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015:

• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, replaced the Juvenile Delinquency Law and the Juvenile Justice Act of 2000. 
• It was enacted to address issues related to juveniles who violate the law and to provide care and protection for children.

Key Features:

• Statement 1 is correct: It permits juveniles aged 16 to 18 to be tried as adults for heinous offences.
• Handling Heinous Crimes by Juveniles: Juveniles aged 16 to 18 who commit heinous crimes can be transferred to a Children’s Court (Court of Session) after a preliminary assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board.
• Juvenile Justice Board:
  • A Juvenile Justice Board is responsible for determining the nature of the crime committed by a juvenile and deciding whether they should be tried as a minor or an adult.
  • This gained prominence following the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, where one of the offenders was a minor.
• Provisions for Adoption:
  • The Act included provisions for adoption, repealing the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (1956) and the Guardians of the Ward Act (1890).
• Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA):
  • Statement 2 is correct: It is a statutory body under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) was made the statutory framework for adoption-related matters.
  • Special measures ensure that disabled children and children who are physically or financially ineffectual are given priority in adoption.
• Registration of Child Care Institutions:
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: All Child Care Institutions, whether run by the State Government or by voluntary/non-governmental organisations, must be registered under the Act within six months of its implementation.

Answer: B

Exp: 

The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, passed by the Cabinet, mandates that if qualified or suitable local candidates are not available, it will fall to the firms to take steps to train and engage local candidates within three years.

About Domicile-Based Reservations in India:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Constitution provides for equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on place of birth or residence (Articles 15 and 16). 
  • However, it allows for affirmative action to promote the interests of socially and educationally backward classes. 
  • Any state legislation providing domicile-based reservation must balance these constitutional provisions to avoid being struck down by the courts.
• Statement 2 is correct: According to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Indra Sawhney case (1992), total reservations should not exceed 50 per cent of available seats or posts. 
• • This cap includes all categories of reservations, including those based on domicile.

Answer: B

Exp: 

The Centre has stopped funding for Samagra Shiksha program for school education in three opposition-ruled states that have refused to implement its PM SHRI scheme.

About Samagra Shiksha program:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Samagra Shiksha scheme is an integrated scheme for school education covering the entire gamut from pre-school to class XII. 
• The scheme treats school education as a continuum and is in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal for Education (SDG-4). 
• The scheme not only provides support for the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 but has also been aligned with the recommendations of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 
• The scheme aims to ensure that all children have access to quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment which should take care of their diverse background, multilingual needs, different academic abilities and make them active participants in the learning process. 
• The scheme has been extended for a period of five years i.e., from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Statement 2 is correct: The PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme is part of the broader Samagra Shiksha program.
• Samagra Shiksha subsumed previous schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE).
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Funding for Samagra Shiksha is shared in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and states.

Answer: D

Exp: 

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government on July 16 reconstituted the NITI Aayog, with four full-time members and 15 Union Ministers, including from BJP allies, as either ex-officio members or special invitees.

About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: It is a government think-tank formed in 2015 via a resolution of the Union Cabinet, replacing the erstwhile Planning Commission.
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: The Prime Minister of India leads NITI Aayog.
  • Composition of Governing Council:
    • Statement 2 is incorrect: It is chaired by the Prime Minister and comprises Chief Ministers of all the States and UTs with legislatures and Lt Governors of other Union Territories.
    • The council also comprises Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Full-Time Members, NITI Aayog; and Special Invitees.
  • Ex-officio members include up to four Union Council of Ministers nominated by the PM.
  • Special invitees are domain experts and practitioners nominated by the PM.
  • Regional Councils: Address specific multi-state or regional issues.
  • Statement 3 is correct: CEO: Appointed by the PM for a fixed tenure, holding the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
• Twin Mandate:
  • SDG Adoption and Monitoring: NITI Aayog oversees the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India.
  • Competitive and Cooperative Federalism: It promotes collaboration among states and UTs while encouraging healthy competition through transparent rankings.

Answer: A

Exp:

President Droupadi Murmu has refused to clear a Punjab government Bill seeking the removal of Governor Banwarilal Purohit as the Chancellor of state-run universities.

Assent to Bills:

• When a Bill is passed by the Legislative Assembly of a State (or both Houses of the Legislature, in the case of a State with a Legislative Council), it is presented to the Governor.
• The Governor has three options:
• • Assent: The Governor can declare that they assent to the Bill.
  • Withhold Assent: The Governor may withhold assent from the Bill.
  • Statement 1 is correct: Reservation for President’s Consideration: The Governor can reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President.
    • The reservation is obligatory where the bill endangers the position of the state high court.

President’s Role:

• If the Governor reserves a Bill for the President’s consideration, the enactment depends on the President’s assent or refusal.
• Statement 2 is correct: The President may direct the Governor to return the Bill to the State Legislature for reconsideration (if it’s not a Money Bill).
• The State Legislature must then reconsider the Bill within 6 months, and if passed again, it is presented to the President.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: In contrast with the power of the Governor regarding a reconsidered Bill, it is not obligatory for the President to give his assent to a reconsidered Bill.