Who among the following is the ex officio Chairman of the North Eastern Council?
- A.The President of India
- B.The Prime Minister of India
- C.The Union Home Minister
- D.The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, The Union Home Minister. Since 2018 the Union Home Minister has been the ex officio Chairman of the North Eastern Council (NEC).
The NEC was set up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 and began work in 1972 at Shillong as an advisory body for the balanced development of the region. Sikkim was added as its eighth member state in 2002. In June 2018 the Union Cabinet approved a change by which the Union Home Minister became the ex officio Chairman and the Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) the Vice-Chairman; the Governors and Chief Ministers of all eight states are members. Before this the DoNER minister had chaired the council.
A is wrong because the President does not head any regional council. B is wrong because the Prime Minister chairs bodies such as NITI Aayog's Governing Council and the Inter-State Council, not the NEC. D is wrong because the DoNER minister is now the Vice-Chairman, not the Chairman.
Exam tip: NEC, Shillong (1971 Act, 1972): Chairman = Union Home Minister, Vice-Chairman = DoNER minister, eight states including Sikkim (2002).
Practice Questions
View allWhich one of the following is not among the principal languages of Jammu and Kashmir?
- A.Urdu
- B.Gujari
- C.Koshur
- D.Monpa
Show answer
Monpa is spoken in Arunachal Pradesh, not in Jammu and Kashmir. The Monpa people live mainly in the Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group.
Read the full explanation →In January 2020, the administration of which of the following Union Territories has been merged together?
- A.Daman and Diu and Puducherry
- B.Puducherry and Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- C.Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- D.Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Show answer
The two western Union Territories were joined into a single Union Territory from 26 January 2020. Parliament passed the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act in December 2019, and the merger took effect on 26 January 2020.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is the first State in India to have 100 percent households with tap water connection ?
- A.Gujarat
- B.Goa
- C.Delhi
- D.Andhra Pradesh
Show answer
Goa became the first State in India where every rural household had a functional tap water connection.
Read the full explanation →Pakyong Airport is located in
- A.Sikkim
- B.Jammu and Kashmir
- C.Arunachal Pradesh
- D.Mizoram
Show answer
Pakyong Airport, near Gangtok in the Pakyong district of Sikkim, is the first and only airport of the state. The airport was built by the Airports Authority of India and inaugurated by the Prime Minister in September 2018, with commercial flights starting in October 2018.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is an ethnic community of Assam?
- A.Bhil
- B.Gond
- C.Ahom
- D.Adi
Show answer
The Ahoms are a community of Assam descended from the Tai people who founded the Ahom kingdom there.
Read the full explanation →