56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2014

By simple majority—There are some provisions in the Constitution which Parliament can amend by a simple majority. Such amendments are not treated as “amendments of the Constitution” for the purposes of Article 368. For example—changing the names and boundaries of states or creating new states; creating or abolishing Legislative Councils in states; increasing the salaries of the President, Governors, and the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, etc. These are done by simple majority. 2. By special majority—Under the procedure of Article 368(2), Parliament can amend most Articles of the Constitution by passing a bill in each House by a special majority (i.e., a majority of the total membership of the House and a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting). 3. By special majority and with state ratification—According to the proviso to Article 368(2), there are certain provisions of the Constitution which require, along with Parliament’s special majority, approval by the legislatures of at least half of the states. For example—election of the President and its procedure; extent of the executive power of the Union and the states; provisions relating to the Supreme Court and High Courts; representation of states in Parliament; Parliament’s power and procedure to amend the Constitution; division of legislative powers between the Union and the states and entries in the lists of the Seventh Schedule; provisions relating to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council (Article 279A), etc. 21. Amnesty International is an organization associated with

aProtection of women’s rights
bProtection of human rights✓ Correct
cAbolition of untouchability
dNone of the above

Explanation

Amnesty International is a worldwide voluntary organization that works for human rights. It was founded in 1961 by a London barrister, Peter Benenson. In 1961, Peter Benenson wrote an article titled “The Forgotten Prisoners” protesting unethical arrests occurring around the world. Amnesty International is a concrete expression of his ideas. Its headquarters are in London.

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