UGC-NET (NTA) Human Rights and Duties, SEPTEMBER-2024

(*): The correct details of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment are as follows:
•  The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1984, not in 1975, making statement A incorrect.
• B is correct - The definition of torture under Article 1 of the Convention includes any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted for purposes such as obtaining information, punishment, intimidation, or coercion.
•  C is incorrect - Article 2(3) clearly states that "An order from a superior officer or a public authority may not be invoked as a justification of torture". •  D is correct - As per Article 3, no State Party shall expel, return (refouler) or extradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of torture.
Hence, correct statements are B and D, which are not fully captured in any given option, so the right choice is NONE.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 offers a broad definition of domestic violence, covering multiple dimensions of abuse:
A. Conduct of sexual nature that humiliates or degrades the dignity of a woman falls under sexual abuse, as defined in Section 3 of the Act.
B. Causing bodily pain or danger to life is categorized as physical abuse.
D. Alienation of household assets, whether movable or immovable, is considered economic abuse, which deprives a woman of financial security.
C is incorrect - Access to the shared household is a right granted to the aggrieved woman under the Act, not defined as violence.
Therefore, A, B, and D correctly define acts considered as domestic violence under the Act.

The correct answer is D: Indira Gandhi vs Raj Narain. Among the listed cases, three relate directly to Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty):
A. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) - A landmark judgment that expanded the scope of Article 21, holding that the right to travel abroad is included within the right to personal liberty, and due process must be followed.
B. State of Maharashtra v. Ravikant S. Patil (1991) - Related to violation of Article 21 in a custodial death case.
C. Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India (1984) - Expanded the scope of Article 21 to include right to live with dignity, especially in the context of bonded laborers.
D. Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975) - Concerned with the validity of Indira Gandhi's election and interpretation of electoral laws. It primarily dealt with Article 329(b) and representation of people, not Article 21.
Hence, only D does not relate to Article 21, and the correct choice would be D only, which is not provided, so the answer is NONE.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, is a foundational document of international human rights law.
• A is correct - UDHR contains a total of 30 Articles, outlining the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of all people.
• B is correct - The UDHR sets out principles and postulates for universal protection of human rights and dignity.
• C is incorrect - While many Articles relate to civil and political rights (such as Articles 3-21), there is no official categorization that restricts these to exactly 20 Articles.
• D is also incorrect - Articles 22-27 relate to economic, social, and cultural rights, but again, the numbers do not strictly divide into "10 Articles" as presented. Thus, only A and B are correct, making Option 2 the right choice.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) was a fundamental document of the French Revolution, adopted by the National Constituent Assembly of France.
• A is correct - It was passed during the 1789 French Revolution, heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideals.
• C is correct - It came shortly after the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, symbolizing the overthrow of tyranny.
• D is correct - The Declaration marked the end of the autocratic monarchy and the Old Regime, establishing equality before the law.
• B is incorrect - That refers to the American Declaration of Independence (1776), not the French Declaration.
• E is incorrect - "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is from the US Declaration of Independence, not the French document.
Hence, the correct answer is A, C and D only, making Option 4 correct.

This question matches authors with their renowned works:
A. Ernest Mandel - II. An Introduction to Marxist Economic Theory - Mandel was a Marxist economist and his book introduces Marxist principles of political economy.
B. Kate Millett- III. Sexual Politics - A pioneering feminist text that critiques patriarchy in literature and society.
C. Michael J. Sandel - IV. Liberalism and Its Critics - Sandel is known for his work in political philosophy and critiques of liberal thought.
D. Shulamith Firestone - I. The Dialectic of Sex - A radical feminist text that argues for the abolition of gender inequality through technological and social revolution. Hence, the correct matching is Option 4.

This question links legal provisions to corresponding Articles of the Constitution of India:
A. It is the duty of the state to apply Directive Principles - Article 37 - This Article clarifies that DPSPs are not enforceable by court but fundamental to governance.
B. Executive powers of the Union shall be vested in the President - Article 53 - It establishes the President as the constitutional head of the Union executive.
C. Adult suffrage - Article 326 - Provides that elections to the House of the People and state legislatures shall be based on adult suffrage.
D. Speaker of the House in Parliament has only casting vote - Article 100 - Lays down voting procedure in Houses and mentions casting vote in case of a tie.
Therefore, the correct match is Option 1.

This question matches national commissions with their present Chairpersons (as per latest available information):
A. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights - III. Priyank Kanoongo - He has been reappointed as Chairperson of NCPCR.
B. National Commission for Minorities - IV. Iqbal Singh Lalpura - Appointed as Chairperson of the NCM.
C. National Commission for Scheduled Castes - I. Kishor Makwana - Chairperson of NCSC, focused on SC welfare and rights.
D. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes - II. Antar Singh Arya - Serving as Chairperson of NCST.
Thus, correct answer is Option 2.

This question pairs famous authors with their classic works:
A. Thomas Paine - III. Common Sense - A revolutionary pamphlet advocating American independence.
B. Rousseau - IV. The Social Contract - Lays the foundation for modern democratic theory.
C. Tolstoy - I. Master and Man - A short philosophical story focusing on life, death, and redemption.
D. Gramsci - II. Prison Notebooks - Written during his imprisonment, outlines his theory of cultural hegemony.
Hence, Option 1 is the correct match.

This question links famous political thinkers or leaders to their iconic statements:
A. 'Fraternity' is principle of cooperation - IV. Ernest Barker - British political theorist who emphasized fraternity as essential for democratic life.
B. 'Socialist' and 'Secular' are not capable of clear definition - II. Justice Jeevan Reddy: Observed in S.R. Bommai case regarding the preamble.
C. "Government of one country by two nations.” - I. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Described his apprehension of dual power due to religious division during partition.
D. "England's difficulty was India's opportunity." - III. Subhash Chandra Bose: Used this line to encourage revolution during World War II. Thus, the correct match is Option 1.