Centre amends rules for receiving foreign funds

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established under the *North Eastern Council Act, 1971* to ensure the balanced and coordinated development of the North Eastern Region. After the North Eastern Council (Amendment) Act, 2002, the structure and composition of the Council were modified. As per Section 3(1) of the *NEC Act, 1971 (as amended)*, the Council shall consist of the following members: 1. The Chief Ministers of the Constituent States
2. The Governors of the Constituent States
3. Three Members to be nominated by the President of India These are the only members of the Council as defined by the Act. Further, Section 3(2) specifies that:
“The Union Home Minister shall be the ex officio Chairman of the Council, and the Minister of the Central Government in charge of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) shall be the ex officio Vice-Chairman of the Council.” Thus, while the Union Home Minister serves as the ex officio Chairman, he does not form part of the Council as a member under Section 3(1). Similarly, the Minister of DoNER is the ex officio Vice-Chairman, but not a member of the Council.

* Delimitation commissions have been set up four times in the past — 1953, 1962, 1972 and 2002 — under Delimitation Commission Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.   * The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India. The Delimitation Commission in India is a high-power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called into question before any court.  * The Commission’s orders are laid before the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies concerned, but they cannot effect any modifications in the orders. * Composition: Retired Supreme Court Judge, Chief Election Commissioner and respective state election commissioners.

❌ Pair I: The National Automotive Board – Ministry of Commerce and Industry
* Incorrect. It functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, not Commerce and Industry. ❌ Pair II: The Coir Board – Ministry of Heavy Industries
* Incorrect. The Coir Board is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. ❌ Pair III: National Centre for Trade Information – Ministry of MSME
* Incorrect. NCTI is linked to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not MSME.

The question relates to the correct mapping of key investigative and analytical bodies under the Government of India and their parent ministries or departments. ❌ Row I: Incorrect The Directorate of Enforcement does implement the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, but it functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, not the Ministry of Home Affairs. ✅ Row II: Correct The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) enforces the Customs Act, 1962 and works under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. ✅ Row III: Correct The Directorate General of Systems and Data Management aids in big data analytics for tax enforcement and operates under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly on December 9, 1946. This was a temporary position. He served as the Chairman for two days, after which Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946. Here's why the other options are incorrect: * C. Rajagopalachari: He was the last Governor-General of India and played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. * Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. *  T.T. Krishnamachari: He was a prominent member of the Constituent Assembly and later served as the Finance Minister of India.

The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal, having its headquarters at Kolkata and field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Kothagudem and Asansol. It collects and maintains coal production data of all private and public sector coal mines in the country. The information is collected every month. Statement 1 is correct. Under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority concerning coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India. Statement 2 is correct. It is entrusted with the task of monitoring captive mines. Work such as permission for the opening and reopening of coal mines has been entrusted to the CCO. Statement 3 is correct. Under the Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957- the Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government's Notification relating to the acquisition of coal-bearing land and to furnish his reports to the Central Govt. Statement 4 is incorrect. Ensuring that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time is not the function of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO).

Statement 1 is correct. The Governor of RBI is appointed by the Central Government under the RBI Act, 1934. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), led by the Prime Minister, finalizes the selection. The tenure is typically four years, but the government has the authority to extend or terminate the term. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Constitution of India does not have any direct provision allowing the Central Government to issue directions to the RBI. However, Section 7 of the RBI Act, 1934, gives the Central Government the power to issue directions to the RBI in the public interest, but this is a statutory provision, not a constitutional one. Statement 3 is correct. The powers, functions, and responsibilities of the RBI Governor come from the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Act defines the Governor's role, monetary policy responsibilities, and overall authority over banking regulations.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Sixth Schedule (Article 244(2)) of the Indian Constitution specifically governs the administration of Tribal Areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. The Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)) applies to the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than these four. Statement 2 is Correct: Under Section 10(26) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, members of Scheduled Tribes residing in specified regions (including Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh) are exempt from paying income tax on income generated from sources within those areas, as well as on dividends or interest on securities. Statement 3 is Correct: Article 243D of the Constitution mandates the reservation of seats in Panchayats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Furthermore, Article 243D(2) explicitly requires that not less than one-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs must be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. Since Statements 2 and 3 are correct, there are exactly two correct statements, which include Statement 2. Therefore, the correct conclusion is that there are two correct statements, that include statement 2.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) regulates downstream activities like storage, distribution, and marketing—not upstream activities like production. ❌ I. Production of crude oil – Not regulated
* This is an upstream activity regulated by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), not PNGRB. ✅ II. Refining, storage and distribution – Partially regulated
* Storage and distribution are regulated by PNGRB.
* Refining is generally not directly regulated, though PNGRB may set standards affecting it. ✅ III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products – Regulated
* PNGRB authorizes entities to market notified petroleum products and natural gas. ❌ IV. Production of natural gas – Not regulated
* Like crude oil, it’s an upstream activity, not under PNGRB.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) consists of not more than 22 members, not 25, elected by the Lok Sabha (the lower house) and Rajya Sabha (the upper house) of the Indian Parliament according to the principle of proportional representation. Statement 2 is correct: The PAC's primary function is to scrutinize the appropriation (budget) accounts of the Government of India. This involves examining how the government has spent the funds allocated to it by Parliament. Statement 3 is correct: The PAC examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The CAG is an independent constitutional authority that audits the accounts of the Union Government and the State governments. The PAC uses the CAG's reports as a basis for its scrutiny of government spending.

The article states: 'The government has introduced a minimum spending limit of Rs 10 lakh of foreign contribution on its chosen activities over the last two financial years. For an NGO to renew its registration or avoid cancellation, it must have spent the amount of foreign contribution over the last two years on its chosen activities.'

Statement 1 is correct: The article mentions 'The amendments have broadened the definition of 'key functionary... to cover a wide range of roles including... the 'Karta' of a Hindu Undivided Family'. Statement 2 is correct: The article states 'The rules specify that three purposes-- religious education, documentation of faith traditions and preservation of indigenous beliefs-- must be carried out 'excluding proselytisation''. Statement 3 is correct: The article notes 'The NGOs receiving foreign funds must now provide details of their social media accounts in their applications for registration or renewal under FCRA'. Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Statement 1 is correct: The article states 'any association having foreign nationals, other than those of Indian origin, as its key functionaries will 'ordinarily not be considered' for grant of registration or prior permission'. Statement 2 is correct: The article mentions 'The NGOs will have to declare if any books, articles have been published by them or their key, as they are prohibited from producing or broadcasting 'news or current affairs''. Statement 3 is correct: The article notes 'The Centre has also introduced a fee structure through the amended rules where an additional Rs 300 will be charged for every extra state or purpose added to the application'. All three statements are correct.