Explanation : 

Fact – Alpha women of Hampi – The Hindu BusinessLine
ADMINSTRATION-OF-VIAJANAGAR-converted.pdf (ykcollege.ac.in)

Explanation : 

Mughal Empire’s Administrative Hierarchy

In medieval India, particularly during the Mughal Empire, administrative divisions were organized in a hierarchical structure. The correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size is:
1. Paragana
2. Sarkar
3. Suba

Paragana

This was one of the smaller administrative units, typically consisting of a cluster of villages. It was overseen by an official known as an ‘Amil’ or ‘Shiqdar’. Revenue collection and local law and order were managed at this level.

Sarkar

A Sarkar was a larger unit that comprised several Paraganas. It was a sort of district within the Mughal administration, and it was managed by officials appointed by the central government. The Sarkar was responsible for revenue collection, maintaining law and order, and ensuring the implementation of imperial policies within its boundaries.

Suba

This was one of the largest administrative divisions, equivalent to a province. A Suba was governed by a Subedar or a governor who was directly appointed by the emperor. The Subedar had considerable autonomy and was responsible for the administration, finance, and military control of the province. The Suba was further divided into several Sarkars, which were then divided into Paraganas.

So, the correct sequence from smallest to largest is Paragana – Sarkar – Suba, as you have indicated.

Explanation : 

Article 14 of the Constitution of India

Article 14 of the Constitution of India states that “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.” This article embodies the general principles of equality before the law and prohibits discrimination. It ensures that every person is treated equally under the law and that no person or group is given preferential treatment or subjected to arbitrary action by the state.

When a piece of legislation confers on the executive or administrative authority an unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the matter of the application of law, it potentially violates Article 14. This is because such unguided discretion can lead to arbitrary action, which is antithetical to the concept of equality before the law. The absence of clear guidelines or principles for the exercise of discretion means that decisions could be made based on personal preferences, biases, or whims, rather than on a consistent and objective application of the law.

Role of the Supreme Court in Upholding Article 14

The Supreme Court of India has, in various judgments, held that laws and executive actions must be fair, just, and reasonable, not arbitrary, and they must pass the test of reasonableness and non-arbitrariness to comply with Article 14. Laws that give authorities unbridled discretion without any checks and balances can be struck down as unconstitutional if they are found to be arbitrary and violating the equality clause.

Therefore, if a law provides for uncontrolled discretionary power without any guiding policy or principles, it could be challenged under Article 14 for being arbitrary and violating the right to equality before the law.

Comparison with Other Constitutional Articles

The other articles mentioned have different purposes:
– Article 28 deals with the freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions.
– Article 32 provides the right to constitutional remedies for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
– Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy and deals with the Uniform Civil Code for the citizens.

None of these articles are directly related to the issue of unguided and uncontrolled discretionary power in the application of the law. Hence, the correct answer to the question is Article 14.

Explanation : 

Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, also known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), is a pivotal legislation in India that acknowledges the rights of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other traditional forest-dwelling communities to the forest resources upon which they have historically depended. This Act is designed to rectify the historical injustices faced by these communities by providing them with legal recognition and protection for their land and resource rights.

Role of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in Implementing the FRA

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the central agency responsible for the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act at the national level. Its responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the implementation of the Act across India.
• Providing guidance and support to state governments in recognizing and vesting forest rights.
• Developing rules and issuing guidelines to aid the implementation of the Act.
• Monitoring the progress and addressing challenges in the Act’s implementation.
• Coordinating with other relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to ensure that environmental conservation goals are balanced with the objectives of the Act.
• Advocating for the rights of STs and other traditional forest dwellers to ensure their concerns are considered during the implementation process.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs primarily focuses on the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes in India. The Forest Rights Act is under its jurisdiction as it directly impacts the rights and livelihoods of these communities. The ministry collaborates with state governments, which handle the on-the-ground implementation of the Act, including processing claims and distributing land titles.

Explanation :-

International Mother Language Day and Language Movement

The correct answer is “2 only.” Here’s the explanation for each statement:

Statement 1: International Mother Language Day by UNESCO

21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNESCO, not UNICEF. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) proclaimed 21st February as International Mother Language Day in November 1999. The day was chosen to commemorate the 1952 Language Movement in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where students and activists protested for the recognition of their mother language, Bangla (Bengali), as one of the state languages of the then Pakistan. This statement is incorrect. Bengali language movement – Wikipedia

Statement 2: The Language Demand in Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly

The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was indeed raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. When Pakistan was formed in 1947, it had two geographically and culturally separate regions: West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The majority of the population in East Pakistan spoke Bangla, and they demanded that it be recognized as one of the national languages alongside Urdu. This demand led to the Language Movement, which ultimately resulted in Bangla being recognized as a state language of Pakistan. This statement is correct.

Therefore, only the second statement is correct.

Explanation : 

Quit India Movement

On 8th August 1942, a pivotal event occurred in the Indian independence movement. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) adopted the Quit India Resolution, signaling the commencement of the Quit India Movement, also known as the ‘Bharat Chhodo Andolan’. This movement was characterized by civil disobedience with the ultimate goal of ending British rule in India.

The resolution was passed during the Bombay session of the AICC at Gowalia Tank Maidan, which is also known as August Kranti Maidan. The movement was spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi, who delivered the iconic “Do or Die” call to action in his speech, encouraging Indians to engage in non-violent resistance against the British.

Other Historical Events in Context

It’s important to distinguish the Quit India Movement from other historical events in Indian history. While the Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians, this was not associated with the events of 8th August 1942.

Similarly, the resignation of Congress ministries in seven provinces occurred in 1939, as a reaction to the Viceroy’s decision to involve India in World War II without consulting Indian leaders.

Furthermore, the proposal of an Indian Union with full Dominion Status after the Second World War was made by Sir Stafford Cripps during the Cripps Mission in March-April 1942. However, this proposal was ultimately rejected by Indian leaders as it did not satisfy the demand for immediate independence nor did it provide a definite timeline for the cessation of British rule.

Explanation : 

Fact

Explanation : 

Statement 1 holds true. The Nizamat of Carnatic, also known as Arcot, was once subordinate to the Hyderabad Deccan and fell under the jurisdiction of the Nizam of Hyderabad until its dissolution. Subsequently, it became independent from Hyderabad.

Statement 2 is accurate. The Wodeyar dynasty, predominantly Hindu, established the Mysore kingdom, which initially functioned as a tributary state of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Statement 3 is not correct. The Kingdom of Rohilkhand emerged during the waning years of the Mughal Empire in 1721 and persisted until 1774.

Explanation : 

Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy and Prevention of Mitochondrial Diseases

Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), also known as mitochondrial donation. This is a special form of in vitro fertilization in which the mitochondria from a donor egg are used to replace those of the mother. This technique involves transferring the nuclear DNA from the mother’s egg or embryo into a donor egg or embryo that has healthy mitochondria and whose own nuclear DNA has been removed. This can be done before fertilization (as in maternal spindle transfer or germinal vesicle transfer) or after fertilization (as in pronuclear transfer). The resulting embryo has the nuclear DNA of the intended parents but the mitochondrial DNA of the donor, thus preventing the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from the mother to the child.

Inheritance of Mitochondrial Diseases

A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from the mother and not from the father. Mitochondria are unique organelles within cells that have their own DNA, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Unlike nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents, mtDNA is typically inherited exclusively from the mother. This is because the mitochondria in the sperm are usually destroyed or degraded after fertilization, and thus do not contribute to the embryo’s mitochondrial pool. Consequently, if a mother has a mitochondrial disease (caused by mutations in her mtDNA), there is a risk that she can pass it on to her children, while fathers do not pass on mtDNA to their offspring, and thus do not transmit mitochondrial diseases.

Therefore, the correct answer is “Both 1 and 2“.

Explanation : 

India’s Constitution Adoption and Republic Status

On January 26, 1950, India adopted its new Constitution and became a republic. The exact constitutional status of India on this date was “Sovereign Democratic Republic.”

– Sovereign: This indicates that India is a fully independent country, not subject to any external authority.
– Democratic: This signifies that the country’s government is elected by its people and that it operates on the principles of democracy.
– Republic: This means that the head of state is elected, not a hereditary monarch.

42nd Amendment and Changes to the Preamble

At this point in time, the words “Socialist” and “Secular” were not part of the preamble to the Constitution. These terms were added later by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. After this amendment, the preamble reads “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.”

Therefore, on January 26, 1950, the correct constitutional status of India was “A Sovereign Democratic Republic.”