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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2024, GK

Which one of the following organizations challenged the constitutionality of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in the Supreme Court of India?

  1. A.Naz Foundation (India) Trust
  2. B.Bachpan Bachao Andolan
  3. C.Sambhav Foundation India
  4. D.ActionAid India

Correct answer

A. Naz Foundation (India) Trust

Explanation

The correct answer is A, Naz Foundation (India) Trust. This Delhi-based NGO, working on HIV/AIDS, led the long legal fight against Section 377 of the IPC.

Section 377 punished "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" and was used against consensual same-sex relations. In 2009 the Delhi High Court, in Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi, read down the section for consenting adults. The Supreme Court reversed this in Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation (2013), and Naz Foundation filed a curative petition. Finally, in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), a five-judge bench decriminalised consensual adult same-sex relations, holding that they are protected by Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21.

B is wrong because Bachpan Bachao Andolan, founded by Kailash Satyarthi, works against child labour and trafficking. C is wrong because Sambhav Foundation was not the petitioner in the Section 377 cases. D is wrong because ActionAid India is an anti-poverty charity, not the party that challenged the section.

Exam tip: Section 377: Naz Foundation (Delhi HC 2009), Koushal (SC 2013), Navtej Singh Johar (SC 2018).

Practice Questions

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2020, GKEasy

Which one of the following statements with regard to the functioning of the Panchayats is not correct?

  1. A.Panchayats may levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, etc.
  2. B.A person who has attained the age of 25 years will be eligible to be a member of a Panchayat.
  3. C.Every Panchayat shall ordinarily continue for five years from the date of its first meeting.
  4. D.A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution shall continue only for the remainder of the full period.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. A person who has attained the age of 25 years will be eligible to be a member of a Panchayat.

Under Article 243F, the minimum age to become a member of a Panchayat is 21 years, not 25. Part IX of the Constitution, added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 and in force from 24 April 1993, lays down the framework of Panchayati Raj.

Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2024, GKHard

As per Article 371G of the Constitution of India, special provisions have been made with respect to the state of Mizoram. Accordingly, no Act of Parliament shall apply on certain matters unless the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram so decides by a resolution. Which one of the following matters is not covered under this Article ?

  1. A.Religious or social practices of the Mizos
  2. B.Mizo customary law and procedure
  3. C.Administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Mizo customary law
  4. D.Ownership and transfer of natural resources
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Ownership and transfer of natural resources

Article 371G protects the ownership and transfer of land in Mizoram, not of natural resources in general. Article 371G was added by the 53rd Amendment Act, 1986, when Mizoram became a state after the Mizo Peace Accord.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IEasy

Who was the President of the Constituent Assembly ?

  1. A.B. R. Ambedkar
  2. B.Rajendra Prasad
  3. C.Alladi Krishnaswami Aiyar
  4. D.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Rajendra Prasad

Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946 and presided over it until the Constitution was adopted.