The question asks to identify the correct statements regarding the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). We need to evaluate each statement based on the established objectives and functions of NALSA.
Correct Option: C) Both 1 and 2
The question asks about the functions of the Cabinet Secretariat in India. To answer this, we need to recall the primary roles and responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretariat as defined by the Government of India rules and administrative practices.
C) 1 and 2 only. The Cabinet Secretariat's core functions include preparing the agenda for Cabinet meetings and providing secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees. It acts as a coordinating agency and provides administrative support to the Cabinet.
The question asks to identify the bodies associated with 'planning' in India from the given list. We need to evaluate each option based on its historical and current role in India's planning process.
C) 2 and 5 only
Based on the analysis, the National Development Council (NDC) was directly involved in approving Five-Year Plans, and the Parliament is crucial for approving plans and allocating resources. Therefore, both 2 and 5 are associated with planning in India.
The question asks to identify the language that was most recently granted Classical Language status by the Government of India among the given options. This requires knowledge of the timeline of Classical Language declarations.
A) Odia was declared a Classical Language in 2014, making it the most recent addition to the list at the time the question was asked (UPSC 2015).
The question asks to identify the correct statements regarding the 'Gram Nyayalaya Act'. We need to evaluate each statement based on the provisions of the Act.
Analyze Statement 1: "As per the Act, Gram Nyaylaya can hear only civil cases and not criminal cases."
The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, was enacted to provide for the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas at the grass roots level for the purpose of providing access to justice to the citizens at their doorstep and to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of social, economic or other disabilities. These courts are intended to cover both civil and criminal cases. Specifically, they have jurisdiction over certain civil disputes and criminal offenses specified in the First and Second Schedules of the Act, respectively. Therefore, the statement that they can hear only civil cases and not criminal cases is incorrect.
Analyze Statement 2: "The Act allows local social activists as mediators /reconciliators."
The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, emphasizes conciliation and settlement of disputes. Section 26 of the Act specifically provides for conciliation of disputes. It states that the Gram Nyayalaya shall try to settle the disputes by way of conciliation between the parties and for this purpose, it may appoint one or more conciliators, who may be social activists or other persons of repute. This provision aims to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms at the local level. Therefore, this statement is correct.
Conclusion: Based on the analysis, Statement 1 is incorrect, and Statement 2 is correct.
B) 2 only
Statement 2 is correct as the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, explicitly allows for the appointment of local social activists or other persons of repute as conciliators/mediators to settle disputes.
A) 1 only — This is incorrect because Statement 1 is false. Gram Nyayalayas have jurisdiction over both civil and criminal cases, as specified in the Act's schedules.
C) both 1 and 2 — This is incorrect because Statement 1 is false.
D) Neither 1 nor 2 — This is incorrect because Statement 2 is true.
The question asks about the subject matter associated with the Gadgil Committee Report and the Kasturirangan Committee Report. These reports are significant environmental policy documents in India, and their context is crucial for competitive exams.
D) Protection of Western Ghats — Both the Gadgil Committee Report (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel) and the Kasturirangan Committee Report (High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats) were established to provide recommendations for the conservation and sustainable management of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region in India.