Non-Constitutional Bodies

Row 1 is Incorrect: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is responsible for investigating offences of money laundering and enforcing the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. However, it functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, not the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Row 2 is Correct: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India. It is responsible for the enforcement of the Customs Act, 1962, and functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Row 3 is Incorrect: While the Directorate General of Systems and Data Management operates under the Department of Revenue, its primary role is the implementation and maintenance of IT systems for the CBIC. The specific function of carrying out big data analytics to assist tax officers in policy formulation and nabbing tax evaders is the mandate of the Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM), which was specifically established for this analytical purpose.

Note: After the release of the UPSC ANSWER KEY 2025, we have updated it to A.

Statement I: Incorrect Lokpal's jurisdiction includes all Indian public servants, even those posted abroad.

Statement II: Incorrect Chairperson need not be only the CJI; former judges or eminent persons with 25+ years' expertise can also be appointed.

Statement III: Correct Minimum age to be Chairperson or Member is 45 years.

Statement IV: Incorrect Lokpal can inquire against a sitting PM, but with safeguards and restrictions in sensitive areas.

Therefore, only Statement III is correct.

The Rule of Law Index is published annually by the World Justice Project (WJP), an independent, multidisciplinary organization. It measures how the rule of law is experienced and perceived in countries worldwide based on eight primary factors: Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice. The index relies on data from household and expert surveys to provide a comprehensive picture of the rule of law in practice.

The Government of India established NITI Aayog to replace the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission was established in 1950 and played a vital role in India's economic development through five-year plans. However, NITI Aayog, formed in 2015, was designed to be a more agile and forward-looking institution compared to the Planning Commission.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The National Development Council (NDC) is not an organ of the Planning Commission. It's an independent advisory body headed by the Prime Minister and includes Chief Ministers of all states, Union Cabinet Ministers, and members of the NITI Aayog (successor to the Planning Commission). It was set up on 6 August 1952.

Statement 2 is correct: Economic and Social Planning is listed in the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Statement 3 is correct: The Constitution (Article 243G) empowers Panchayats (local village governments) to prepare plans for economic development and social justice at the village level. This promotes decentralized planning and community participation.

Hence, statement one is incorrect and statements two and three are correct.

_Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._

Delimitation Commissions have been constituted four times in India—in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002—under the Delimitation Commission Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972, and 2002.

The Delimitation Commission is a high-power body appointed by the President of India that works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India. Its primary mandate is to redraw the boundaries of the various assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies based on a recent census.

Key features of the Delimitation Commission: 1. Legal Authority: The orders of the Commission have the force of law and cannot be called into question before any court of law. 2. Finality of Orders: When the orders are laid before the Lok Sabha or the State Legislative Assembly, they cannot effect any modifications in the orders. 3. Composition: The Commission consists of three members: a retired judge of the Supreme Court (as Chairperson), the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner nominated by them, and the State Election Commissioner of the concerned state.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Under the Advocates Act, 1961, only individual practitioners can be enrolled as advocates; legal firms are not recognized as advocates. Furthermore, corporate lawyers and patent attorneys are not categorically excluded from recognition; if they are enrolled with a State Bar Council, they are recognized as advocates.

Statement 2 is Correct: Section 7 of the Advocates Act, 1961, empowers the Bar Council of India (BCI) to promote legal education and lay down standards for such education in consultation with Universities and State Bar Councils. The BCI also has the power to recognize Universities whose degree in law shall be a qualification for enrollment as an advocate and to inspect law colleges for this purpose.

The National Development Council (NDC) in India is comprised of the following members:

* The Prime Minister (who chairs the council) * Ministers of the Union Cabinet * Chief Ministers of the States

The Chairman, Finance Commission - while the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in recommending the devolution of financial resources from the central government to the states, the Chairman is not a member of the NDC.

_Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._

Statement 1 is Correct: The National Development Council was established in August 1952 by an executive resolution of the Government of India and is not mentioned in the Constitution. Statement 2 is Correct: The Planning Commission was established in March 1950 by an executive resolution and was a non-constitutional, non-statutory body. Statement 3 is Correct: Zonal Councils are statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956; they are not mentioned in the Constitution.