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Consider the following statements about the membership of Zonal Councils:

  1. Each state in the zone nominates two ministers to the council.

  2. The NITI Aayog nominates a person as an advisor to each Zonal Council.

  3. The Chief Minister of each state is a permanent member of the council.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A1 and 2 only

B1 and 3 only

C2 and 3 only

D1, 2, and 3

Answer:

B. 1 and 3 only

Read Explanation:

Zonal Councils

  • Establishment: Zonal Councils were established by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. They are advisory bodies and not constitutional bodies.

  • Objective: The primary aim of Zonal Councils is to promote interstate cooperation and coordination on matters of common interest, such as economic planning, social welfare, and border disputes.

  • Membership Structure:

    • Chairman: The Union Home Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of all five Zonal Councils.

    • Vice-Chairman: The Union Minister of State, nominated by the Central Government, acts as the Vice-Chairman. He or she serves as the Chairman for one year at a time, rotating among the states included in the zone.

    • Members: Each state included in a zone nominates:

      • The Chief Minister as a member.

      • Two other ministers as members.

    • Advisory Role: The NITI Aayog does not nominate a person as an advisor to each Zonal Council. Instead, it may provide expertise or data as needed, but direct nomination of advisors is not part of the Zonal Council structure.

  • Zonal Council Areas: India is divided into five zones:

    • Northern Zonal Council: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Chandigarh.

    • Central Zonal Council: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

    • Eastern Zonal Council: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.

    • Western Zonal Council: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

    • Southern Zonal Council: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

  • Island Territories: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are not included in any of the five Zonal Councils.

Key Points for Exams:

  • Zonal Councils are statutory bodies, not constitutional.

  • The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of all Zonal Councils.

  • The Chief Minister of each state is a permanent member of the respective Zonal Council.

  • Each state nominates two ministers besides the Chief Minister.


Related Questions:

The Secretary General of the Rajya Saba is appointed by who among the following?
ഇന്ത്യൻ ദേശിയ പ്രസ്ഥാനത്തിന് കരുത്ത് പകർന്ന പ്രാദേശിക പത്രങ്ങളെ നിയന്ത്രിക്കുന്നതിന് വേണ്ടി ബ്രിട്ടിഷുകാർ കൊണ്ടുവന്ന പ്രാദേശിക ഭാഷാ പത്രനിയമം നിലവിൽ വന്ന വർഷം?

Consider the following statements with regard to the appointment and tenure of the CAG:

i. The CAG is appointed by the President of India and takes an oath before them.

ii. The CAG’s term is 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

iii. The CAG can be removed only by the President on the grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, following a special majority in both Houses of Parliament.

iv. The CAG is eligible for further office under the Government of India after completing their term.

v. The CAG’s salary is determined by the President after consultation with the CAG.

Which of the above statements are correct?

Regarding the concept of judicial review, which of the following statements are accurate?

  1. Judicial review primarily assesses the rights and wrongs of a conclusion reached.
  2. Judicial review primarily aims to enforce government actions without scrutiny.
  3. Judicial review establishes new laws through court proceedings.
  4. Judicial review challenges the procedure by which a decision was made.

    With reference to the powers and limitations of the CAG, consider the following statements:

    i. The CAG can inspect any office or department subject to its audit and call for any records or documents.
    ii. The CAG has control over fund withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund of India.
    iii. The CAG cannot demand details of secret service expenditure and must accept a certificate from the competent authority.
    iv. The CAG compiles and maintains the accounts of the Central Government.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?