Ans: C

Exp: 

Statement 1 is correct: NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs. NITI Aayog was established by an executive resolution on January 1, 2015 as the successor to the Planning Commission for designing strategic and long-term policies and programmes for the Government of India.

Statement 2 is incorrect: NITI Aayog is not a statutory body. It was established through an executive resolution by the Government of India and does not have a specific legal framework or an Act that governs its functioning.

Statement 3 is correct:    The key objectives of NITI Aayog: 

• Foster Cooperative Federalism: collaboration and partnership between the central government and the state governments. 
• Sustainable and Balanced Development across various sectors of the economy
• Long-Term Vision and Strategy: conducts research, analysis, and assessment of various sectors to identify key challenges and opportunities for development.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Assessment of progress and impact of various initiatives and provides recommendations for improvement.
• Innovation and Knowledge Sharing: Promoting  innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge sharing in order to foster a culture of creativity and problem-solving. 

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Working towards strengthening data systems and analytics to provide reliable information for policy formulation and monitoring.

Ans: A

Exp:  

Statement 1 is correct: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Later, it was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964). 

Statement 2 is incorrect:  The CBI is the main investigating agency of the Central Government. It plays an important role in the prevention of corruption and maintaining integrity in administration. It also provides assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and Lokpal. It is not a statutory body. However, it derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, of 1946.

Ans: B

Exp: 

Statement 1 is correct:  Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is an extra-constitutional body that was originally setup as Prime Ministers Secretariat (PMS) in 1947. Later, it reformed to PMO in 1977. It is an administrative agency created  in order to provide secretarial assistance to the Prime Minister in various administrative and policy-related matters.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Prime Minister’s Office comprises a team of officials and staff members who work closely with the Prime Minister to provide administrative support, advice, and coordination on a wide range of issues, including policy matters, communications, and decision-making processes. The Principal Secretary is responsible for coordinating and managing the functioning of the PMO.  

Statement 3 is correct: Functions of PMO (According to Allocation of business Rules 1961):

• • Provide secretarial assistance to the PM and act as a think tank.
  • Helps the PM in discharge of his overall responsibilities as CEO and as head of NITI Aayog.

• Helps to manage the PM’s relief fund and PM’s National Defence Fund.

• To provide Prime Ministerial assistance in examination of cases submitted to him.

Ans: C

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 has inserted Part 14 A in the Constitution of India. This part is entitled as ‘Tribunals‘ and consists of only two Articles – 323A & 323B. Article 323A deals with administrative tribunals. Article 323B deals with tribunals for other matters. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was established in 1985 under Article 323-A of the Indian Constitution. Under the Article, Parliament may, by law, provide for the adjudication or trial by administrative tribunals of disputes and complaints with respect to recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State or of any local or other authority.

Statement 2 is correct: CAT aims to resolve and settle disputes and grievances related to the recruitment and conditions of service of government employees. It was set up to fast-track the decisions and settlements related to employee grievances.

Statement 3 is correct: The members and chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal would be appointed  by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. The chairman and the members of a state administrative tribunal shall be appointed by the President of India after consultation with the Governor of that particular state. 

Ans: C

Exp:

Central Information Commission was established in 2005 by the Central government under provisions of Right to Information Act 2005.

The members are appointed by the President on recommendation of a selection committee consisting of:

1) Prime Minister as Chairperson

2) Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha

3) A Union cabinet minister nominated by Prime Minister

Members appointed should not be a member of Parliament or member of state legislature of any state or union territory. They should not hold any office of profit.