QUESTION BANK

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS

MODULE ONE

1. What do you meant by Natural resources?

Answer : Natural resources includes air, water, forests, animals, fishes, marine life, biomass,
fossile fuels, like coal, petroleum and natural gases, wild life, renewable energy sources like solar
energy, wind energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy etc

2. What is Renewable energy

Answer: energy which is generated from natural sources i.e. sun, wind, rain, tides and can be
generated again and again as and when required.
• They are available in plenty and by far most the cleanest sources of energy available on this
planet.

3. Write examples of Renewable resources.

Answer: Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Geothermal Energy, Biomass Energy From Plants, Tidal
Energy are the examples of Renewable resources.

4. What is Non Renewable Resource

Answer: A non renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be re-made at a scale
comparable to its consumption. Non-renewable sources are not environmental friendly and can
have serious effect on our health.
• They are called non-renewable because they cannot be re-generated within a short span of time.

5. What are the uses of Forest Resources

Answer: They stop the rain-bearing winds and cause the rainfall.
• They increase the moisture content in the atmosphere and thereby provide additional precipitation
(i.e., rainfall) in the locality
• They minimize the extreme variation in climatic condition and make the climate more equable.
• They control floods during heavy rain by absorbing excess rain water.
• They prevent soil erosion by checking the force of flowing of water.
• The thick roots of the trees absorb large quantity of water thus, forest help in the flow of rivers
and streams.

6. List out the major Reasons for the large scale depletion of forest.
Answer: Expansion of agriculture, more forest have been cleared for agriculture.
• Large area of forest lands have been cleared for urbanization and human settlement.
• Commercial exploitation of forest.
• Forest fires.
• Mining activities in forest areas.
• Forest diseases are also partly responsible for depletion forest.

7. What are the adverse effects of depletion of trees?

Answer: It has contributed to rise in temperature.
• It has contributed to lesser precipitation.
• It is responsible for increased rate of soil erosion.
• It is responsible for increase in the frequency and volume of floods.
• It has lead to loss of soil productivity.
• It is responsible for loss of biodiversity.
• It has lead to extinction of several species of plants and animals.
• It has caused imbalance in ecosystem.

8. What do you meant by Deforestation?

Answer: Deforestation means reckless or large-scale felling or cutting of trees by man for
commercial and other purposes.

9. List out the major Causes of deforestation.

Answer: Desertification.
• Soil degradation and soil erosion.
• Loss of vegetation cover.
• Destruction of natural habitat and loss of wildlife.
• Changes in climatic condition.
• Environmental pollution.
• Damage to ecosystem
• Reduction in soil moisture

10. What do you meant by floods?

Answer: Floods have been serious environmental hazards from centuries.
• Deforestation causes flood that kills people, damage crops and destroys homes.
• Rivers changes its course during floods and tons of valuable soil is lost to the sea.

11. What is Mineral Resources?

Answer: A mineral is a naturally occurring substance of definite chemical composition and
identifiable physical properties.
• Minerals are formed over a period of millions of years in the earth’s crust.
• Iron, aluminum, zinc, manganese and copper are the important raw materials for the industrial
use.
 12. What is Fisheries?
Answer: Fish is an important protein food in many part of the world.
• This includes fresh water and marine water fish.
• The supply of the food from fisheries has been increased now days.

13. What is Land Degradation?

Answer: Farmland is under threat due to more and more intensive utilization.
Every year, between 5 to 7 million hectares of land worldwide is added to the existing degraded
farmland.
• The use of more and more chemical fertilizers poisons to the soil so that eventually the land
becomes unproductive.
• As urban centers grow and industrial expansion occurs, the agricultural land and forest shrinks.
This is a serious loss and long term ill effect on the human civilization.
• Soil erosion is also considered as one kind of land degradation.

14. List out the Individual’s role in forest conservation

Answer: The measures to conserve forests save trees, and planting new trees
Include- Not felling the trees in forests, farms, roads, or houses if they are green.
• Not uprooting the existing trees while constructing a house but planting fast growing plant species
in open area of the house.
• Planting herbs, shurbs, or suitable trees in and around the house.
• Maintain lawn and garden in open place in your house, if possible.
• Participating in community plantation programmes.

15. Explain the Individual’s role in sustainable agriculture and soil protection
Answer: Reducing use of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides to check soil pollution.
• Using bio fertilizers.
• Using biological control measures for pest control.
• Avoid over irrigation without proper irrigation to prevent water logging
• Discouraging monoculture practice in agriculture.
• Adopting mix cropping.
• Adopting drip irrigation to avoid washing out soil nutrients.
• Observing December 23 as world farmer’s day.
• Observing June 17 as a day to combat desertification and deserts.
• Observe November 21-27 as national land resource conservation week.

16. Define ecology

Answer: Ecology is the study of interactions among organism or group of organisms with their
environment. The environment consists of both biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic
components (non – living organisms). or Ecology is the study of ecosystems

17. What are the different types of ecosystem?

Answer: 1. Terrestrial ecosystem
This ecosystem is related to land.
Example:Grassland ecosystem, forest ecosystem, desert ecosystem, etc.,
2. Aquatic ecosystem
This ecosystem is related to water. It is further sub classified into two types based on salt content.
•Fresh water ecosystem,(i)Running water ecosystems.
Examples:Rivers, Streams
(b) Standing water ecosystems
Examples: Pond, lake
(ii) Marine ecosystem
Example: Seas and sea shores

18. What are the functions of ecosystem?

Answer: 1. Primary function
The primary function of all ecosystems is Manufacture of starch (photosynthesis).
2. Secondary function. The secondary function of all ecosystems is distribution energy in the form
of food to all consumers.
Tertiary Function
All living systems diet at a particular stage. These dead systems are decomposed to initiate third
function of ecosystems namely “cycling”.
The functioning of ecosystems may be understood studying the following terms.
•Energy and material flow.
•Food chains
•Food webs
•Food pyramids

19. What are the different Types of food chain?

Answer: 1. Grazing food chain
2. Detritus food chain
1. Grazing food chain
Found in Grassland ecosystems and pond ecosystems. Grazing food chain starts with green plants
(primary procedures) and goes to decomposer food chain or detritus food chain through herbivores
and carnivores.
2. Detritus food chain
Found in Grassland ecosystems and forest ecosystems. Detritus food chain starts with dead organic
matter (plants and animals) and goes to decomposer food chain through herbivores and carnivores.

20. What is food web?

Answer: The interlocking pattern of various food chains in an ecosystem is known as food web.
In a food web many food chains are interconnected, where different types of organisms are
connected at different tropic levels, so that there is a number of opportunities of eating and being
eaten at each tropic level

21. What are the major Significance of food chains and food webs?
Answer: 1. Food chains and food webs play a very important role in the ecosystem. Energy flow
and nutrient
2. Cycling takes place through them.
3. They maintain and regulate the population size of different tropic levels, and thus help in
maintaining ecological balance.
4. They have the property of bio-magnification. The non – biodegradable materials keep on passing
from one tropic level to another. At each successive tropic level, the concentration keeps on
increasing. This process is known as bio-magnification.
22. What is grassland ecosystem?
Answer: Grassland occupies about 20% of earth’s surface addition to grass species, some trees and
shrubs are/also pre in grasslands. Limited grazing helps to improve the net primary production of
the grasslands. But, overgrazing leads degradation of these grasslands resulting in desertification

MODULE-2 BIO DIVERSITY AND ITS CONSERVATION

PART A (2 MARKS)

1. What is taxonomic?
Is the science of naming, describing and classifying organisms and includes all plants,
animals and microorganisms of the world.

2. What is Pigouvian taxes?

A Pigovian is a tax assessed against private individuals or businesses for engaging in
activities that create adverse side effects for society.A carbon emissions tax or a tax on
plastic bags are examples of Pigovian taxes.

3. Differentiate between solid waste and liquid waste.

 The solid wastes may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. ... The non-
biodegradable wastes include plastics, metals, synthetic materials, polythene,
radioactive wastes etc. Liquid waste. The liquid waste may contain nontoxic inorganic
substances or toxic organic substances.
4. What is semi arid zone?
Regions that have between 10 to 20 inches of rainfall and are capable of sustaining some
grasses and shrubs but not woodland.
5. What is poaching of wildlife?
Poaching is the illegal hunting, capturing, and often killing of wild animals. It has been
done for a number of reasons, including claiming the land for human use, but recently,
the is being done for other ridiculous motives, especially the desire for rare animal products
such as skin, bone etc.
6. What is eco-labeling?
Ecolabelling is a voluntary method of environmental performance certification
and labelling that is practised around the world. An ecolabel identifies products or services
proven to be environmentally preferable within a specific category.

PART-B (5 MARKS)

7. Explain the different types of value of biodiversity.

Species diversity

Genetic diversity

Ecosystem diversity

Landscape diversity

8. Explain the features of endemism of Indian biodiversity.

To regulate access to biological resources of the country with equitable share in benefits
arising out of the use of biological resources.
2) To conserve and sustainably use biological diversity.
3) To set up National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) , State Biodiversity Board (SBB) and
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC’s)
4) To create National, State and local biodiversity fund and its use for conservation of
biodiversity.
5) To respect and protect knowledge of local communities and traditional knowledge
related to biodiversity.
6) To conserve and develop areas of importance from the stand point of biological diversity
by declaring them as biological diversity heritage sites.

9. What is rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is the simple process or technology used to conserve Rainwater by
collecting, storing, conveying and purifying of Rainwater that runs off from rooftops, parks, roads,
open grounds, etc. for later use in three ways

• Water collected from roof tops is used for domestic purpose.

• Micro catchment water harvesting
• Macro catchment water harvesting in the case where runoff or overflow from hill sides
catchments is conveyed to the cropping areas located at hill foot on flat terrain.

10. Explain the causes of solid waste.

solid waste means any garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water
supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material,
resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from
community activities.

The following are some of the major factors that contribute to solid waste pollution:

• Commercial establishments
• Residential houses
• Debris from construction and demolition
• Debris from roads (such as asphalt and scrap metal)
• Scrap from vehicles
• Agriculture

11. What are the objectives of environment protection act?

• To protect and improve the environment and environmental conditions.

• To implement the decisions made at the UN Conference on Human Environment that was
held in Stockholm in the year 1972.
• To take strict actions against all those who harm the environment.
• To enforce laws on environment protection in the areas that are not included by the existing
laws.
• To give all the powers to the Central Government to take strict measures in favour of
environmental protection.

Part- C (15 MARKS)

12. What are the vital sign of hotspot of biodiversity?

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity
that is under threat from humans. A hotspot is an area which faces serious threat from
human activities and supports a unique biodiversity (endemic, threatened, rare species)
with representatives of evolutionary of speciation and extinction.
 Vital sign of hotspot of biodiversity are:
Caribbean- California floristic province- Mesoamerica- tropical andes- choco darien
western Ecuador- atlantic forest- Brazilian cerrado- central chile- Caucasus- Mediterranean
basin- Madagascar and indian ocean islands-eastern arc mountains and coastal forest-
Guinean forest of west Africa-cape floristic region- succulent karoo in Africa- mountains
of south west china- indo Burma.

13. Explain types of pollution and its effects,

Pollution is the introduction of substances (or energy) that cause adverse changes in the
environment and living entities.

Types of Pollution
As stated before, there are different types of pollution, which are either caused by natural
events (like forest fires) or by man-made activities (like cars, factories, nuclear wastes, etc.) These
are further classified into the following types of pollution:

• Air Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Soil Pollution
• Noise Pollution
The effects of air pollution vary based on the kind of pollutant. But generally, the impact of air
pollution ranges from:

• Increased risk of respiratory illness and cardiovascular problems

• Increased risk of skin diseases
• May increase the risk of cancer
• Global warming
• Acid rain
• Ozone depletion
• Hazards to wildlife

The effects of water pollution

• Disruption of the ecosystem

• Threats to marine life
• Increased risk of water-borne diseases
• Increases toxic chemicals (such as mercury) in water bodies
 The effects of soil pollution

• Loss of soil nutrients, which renders the soil unfit for agriculture
• Impacts the natural flora and fauna residing in the soil
• Degrades vegetation due to the increase of salinity of the soil
• Toxic dust (such as silica dust) can cause respiratory problems or even lung cancer

Effects of noise pollution

• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Sleeping disorders
• Hypertension (high BP)
• Communication problems

14. What is disaster management: flood, earthquake, cyclone and landslides

Disruption on a massive scale, either natural or man-made, occurring in short or long periods is
termed as Disaster. Disasters can be classified into the following categories:

• Water and Climate Disaster: Flood, hail storms, cloudburst, cyclones, heat waves, cold
waves, droughts, hurricanes.
• Geological Disaster: Landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes
• Biological Disaster: Viral epidemics, pest attacks, cattle epidemic, and locust plagues
• Industrial Disaster: Chemical and industrial accidents, mine shaft fires, oil spills,
• Nuclear Disasters: Nuclear core meltdowns, radiation poisoning
• Man-made disasters: Urban and forest fires, oil spill, the collapse of huge building
structures
Disaster Management Act of 2005 defines Disaster Management as an integrated process of
planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary for-

1. Prevention of threat of any disaster

2. Reduction of risk of any disaster or its consequences
3. Readiness to deal with any disaster
4. Promptness in dealing with a disaster
5. Assessing the severity of the effects of any disaster
6. Rescue and relief
7. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

Flood
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry.Floods can also
occur in rivers when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the river channel, particularly at
bends or meanders in the waterway. It often cause damage to homes and businesses if they
are in the natural flood plains of rivers.

Earthquake

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of stored energy in the Earth's crust that
creates seismic waves. In its most generic sense, the word earthquake is used to describe
any seismic event whether a natural phenomenon or an event caused by humans that
generates seismic waves.

Cyclone

A cyclone is a general term for a weather system in which winds rotate inwardly to an area
of low atmospheric pressure. For large weather systems, the circulation pattern is in a
counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and a clockwise direction in the
Southern Hemisphere.

Landslide

Landslides occur when ground on slopes becomes unstable. The unstable ground collapses
and flows down the side of a hill or mountain, and can consist of earth, rocks, mud and any
debris which may be caught in its wake. If a landslide occurs near inhabited areas, it can
cause a great deal of damage.
MODULE 3 – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

PART A (2 marks)

1. Define green accounting/ Environment Accounting?

According to Prof. Peter Wood, “ Green Accounting is an attempt to factor environmental
costs into the financial results of operations.”
2. Define Green Banking.
“Promoting environment friendly banking practices and reducing ‘carbon footprints’ from
banking activities by improving banking operations as well as technology, and making the
habits of the clients environment friendly.”
3. Define green marketing.
“ the process of selling products or services based on their environmental benefits touching
every aspects of a business, from packaging to process of public relations”
4. Define Green Washing.
“ the act of misleading consumer regarding the environmental practices of a company or
the environmental benefits of a product or service”
5. Define Eco- tourism.
The international Eco-tourism Society defines “responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment, sustains the well – being of the local people, and involves
interpretation and education”
6. What is carbon credit and carbon exchange?
Carbon credit – it is a tradable permit or certificate allowing the holder, such as a company,
to emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
Carbon exchange – carbon trade is an exchange of credits between nations designed to
reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.

PART B (5 marks)

1. Importance / objectives of Green ACCOUNTING System

• Identify the negative impacts of economic growth.
 • Provides a linkage between physical resource accounts and monetary
environmental accounts.
• Provide quantitative estimates
• Acts as information based on planning.
• Accounts to the contribution of natural resources.
2. Advantages / benefits of green accounting.
• Improving environmental performance.
• Investment in efficient technologies.
• Developing ‘greener’ products.
• Helps to evaluate choices.
• Adjusting traditional measures of growth.
3. Limitations of green accounting
• No standard accounting method.
• No comparison is possible.
• Difficulty in assigning value.
• Difficulty in valuing resources consumed.
• High cost.
4. Coverages of green banking / green banking financial products
Online banking, green mortgages, remote deposit capture, green car loans, green credit
cards, mobile banking
5. Steps in green business
• Make an environment assessment of products, services and system,
• identify the opportunity,
• life cycle analysis,
• environmental, social, economic assessment of the life cycle of a product
• Calculation and mitigation of carbon footprint
• Quantification of greenhouse gas emission associated with a product and services.
• Calculation of water footprint
• Development of diagnosis report and studies to minimise risk and maximise
opportunities
 6. Green banking initiatives
• Meaning green banking
• International initiatives –
• National initiatives – public, private
7. What is green washing? And explain consequences of green washing.
Green washing refers to a form of marketing that creates the impression that the products,
aims, or policies of a company are ‘green’ and environmentally sound than they really are.
Consequences – loosing confidence of customers, loosing the market of even genuine
products, loosing reputation of product or firm, encouraging consumer scepticism,
diminishing consumer power.
8. What is eco- tourism ? explain its significance / importance.
Importance – preservation of nature, bringing local people into limelight, long term
development, helps in raising awareness, cultural improvement, reduces carbon footprint,
9. Explain Indian eco- tourism opportunities and challenges.
Opportunities – scenic beauty, cultural heritage, birthplace of religious
Challenges – lack of infrastructure, safety and security, accessibility, language problem.
10. What is carbon credit and carbon exchange? And Explain the types of carbon credit.
Carbon credit – it is a tradable permit or certificate allowing the holder, such as a company,
to emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
Carbon exchange – carbon trade is an exchange of credits between nations designed to
reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
Types – Voluntary Emission Reduction (VER) , Certified Emission Reduction (CER)
11. What is environment audit and explain its types.
Meaning of environment audit, types – environment al compliance audit, environmental
management audit, functional environmental audit.
12. What are the Rights of SC, ST OBC
Abolishes untouchability, promote special care the economic and educational interest
towards weaker section of society, special provision for their advancement, reservation,

PART C (15 marks)

13. What is Green Banking? Explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Green accounting – advantages- avoiding usage of paper, creating awareness to business
people, saving of time, saving of cost, benefits to future generations, natural resource
conservation. Disadvantages – difficult to operate, customer care, security concern,
technical breakdown.
14. What is green marketing? Explain need/ benefits / importance, objectives and challenges
of green marketing .
• Meaning of green marketing
• Need and benefits / importance/ objectives of green marketing – promote g of pure
quality products, fair dealing with customers and society, protection of ecological
environment, avoiding waste, reinvesting products, making green, access to new
market, creating eco-friendly messaging, competitive advantage, brand loyalty and
increased brand equity.
• Challenges of green marketing – lack of awareness about green products, higher
cost of green products, difficulty in convincing the customers, difficulty to sustain,
non-cooperation, lack of trust, lack of standardisation.
15. What is environment audit? Explain the need for environment audit.
Environment audit refers to an assessment or verification of the extent to which an
organisation is observing practices which minimise harm to the environment.
Need / importance – safeguarding the environment, verifying compliance, assessing
training programs, providing credit to environmental performance, identifying areas of cost
savings, comparing information, showcasing the commitment of the company, identifying
the environment risk, avoiding legal action.
 Module IV
Right to Information Act 2005

Review Questions

Part A

Short Answers

1. What is RTI Act?

Right to Information (RTI) is an Act of the Parliament of India to provide for setting out
the practical regime of the right to information for citizens and replaces the erstwhile Freedom of
information Act, 2002. Under the provisions of the Act, any citizen of India may request
information from a "public authority" (a body of Government or "instrumentality of State") which
is required to reply expeditiously or within thirty days. The Act also requires every public authority
to computerize their records for wide dissemination and to proactively certain categories of
information so that the citizens need minimum recourse to request for information formally.

This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came fully into force on 12
October 2005. The first RTI application was filed at a police station in Pune by Shahid Raza
Burney. Every day, over 4800 RTI applications are filed. In the first ten years of the
commencement of the act over 17,500,000 applications have been filed.

2. What do you mean by right to information?

According [section. 2(j)] right to information means the right to information accessible
under this Act which is held by or possessed or under the control of any public authority and
includes the right to –

1. inspection of work, documents, records

2. taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records
3. taking certified samples of material,
 4. obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in
any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in
a computer or in any other device.

3. Define public authority.

According to [section. 2(h)] Public authority means any authority or body or institution of self-
government established or constituted;

1. by or under the Constitution

2. by any other law made by Parliament

3. by any other law made by State Legislature

4. by notification issued or order made by the Central or State Govt. It also includes bodies
owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Central Govt. or a State Govt.

5. and also a non-Government organization substantially financed, directly or indirectly by

funds provided by the appropriate Government.

4. What do you competent authority?

According to [section. 2(e)] competent authority means the

1. Speaker in the case of the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State or a
Union territory having such Assembly
2. The Chairman in the case of the Council of States or Legislative Council of a State;
3. The Chief Justice of India in the case of the Supreme Court;
4. The Chief Justice of the High Court in the case of a High Court;
5. The President or the Governor, in the case of other authorities established or constituted
by or under the Constitution and
6. The administrator appointed under article 239 of the Constitution

5. Define appropriate government.

 According to [section. 2(a)] Appropriate Government means in relation to a public
authority means one which is established, constituted, owned, controlled or substantially financed
by funds provided directly or indirectly by the Central Government or the Union territory
administration, the Central Government; by the State Government, the State Government.

6. Who is a third party under RTI Act?

According to section 2 (n) 'third party' means a person other than the citizen making a
request for information and includes a 'public authority'. This implies that the term 'third party'
includes anyone other than the appellant or the respondent.
7. Define information.

According to [section. 2(f)] information means any material in any form, including records,
documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks,
contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and
information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any
other law for the time being in force.

8. What do you mean by record?

According to [section. 2(i)] record includes

1. any document, manuscript and file;

2. any microfilm, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document any reproduction of
image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or not); and
3. any other material produced by a computer or any other device.

Part B

Short Essays

9. Explain features RTI Act.

1. All citizens possess right to information.

2. Information can be obtained within thirty days from the date of request in a normal case.
 3. If information is a matter of life and liberty of a person it can be obtained within forty eight
hours from the time of request.
4. Every public authority is under obligation to provide information on written request or by
electronic means.
5. Restrictions are made for third party information.
6. Appeal against the decision of the Central Information Commission or State Information
can be made to an officer who is senior in rank.
7. Reason cannot be asked for giving information.
8. Persons belonging to BPL category need not give application fee for getting information.
9. Information deemed to be refused after the lapse of prescribed period.
10. No prescribed application format but should contain name and complete postal address of
the applicant
10. What are the obligations of public authority RTI Act?

The Act places the public authority in the centre as the main facilitator for the supply of
information. Section 4 deals with the obligations of public authorities. The first step required is
identification and listing of Public Authorities by the respective nodal departments of the State
Government.
➢ The very first activity as highlighted under the operational part of the Act [Section.4 (1) (a)]
requires Public Authorities to ensure that all records that are appropriate to be computerized
are, within a reasonable time and subject to availability of resources, computerized and
connected through a network all over the country on different systems so that access to such
records is facilitated. Accordingly every public authority should maintain all its records duly
categorized and indexed so as to facilitate retrieval of information computerize all the records
that are appropriate to be computerized subject to availability of funds, connect the same
through a network all over the country on different systems and publish all relevant facts while
formulating important policies.
➢ This provision of the Act do not necessitate review of existing retention periods for different
categories of records. It only states that the records are to be catalogued and indexed for easy
retrieval by the PIO or public authority so as to facilitate timely disclosure of information under
the Act.
Sec. 4(1) (b) makes it obligatory for every public authority to make suo motu or voluntary
disclosure in respect of all the particulars of the organization, its functions, its duties etc. The
public authority is not only to publish the seventeen sets of information voluntarily within 120
days from the enactment of the Act, but also need to update the same every year.

11. What are the procedures for request of information under RTI Act?

As per section 6 (1) a person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall make a
request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official language of
that area to the PIO or APIO specifying the particulars of the information sought by him along
with the prescribed fee. Application can be submitted in plain paper also but it should contain the
contacting details of the applicant and details of information required. The PIO is expected to deal
with the requests from persons seeking information and also render reasonable assistance to the
person seeking such information.

12. Explain the time limits under RTI Act.

1. 30 days - On receipt of a request for information, the PIO has either to provide information
or reject the request with reasons for the same.

2. 48 hours - If the information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person the same has to
be provided immediately and in any case, within 48 hours.

3. 5 days - Where PIO intends to disclose any information which relates to or has been
supplied by a third party and has been treated as confidential by the third party , the PIO
has to give a written notice to such third party within five days from the date of receipt of
the application and invite them to make a submission.

4. 10 days - third party to make a submission within 10 days from the date of receipt of the
written notice from PIO, if any.

5. 35 days - An additional 5 days is added if the application for information is received by the
APIO and he has transferred it to PIO.
 6. 35 days - Similarly an additional 5 days is added if the subject of the application pertains
to another public authority (organization /department) and is transferred to that
Department.

7. 45 days- In case an application is received in an intelligence and security organization as

specified in Sec.24(1) asking for information in respect of allegations of violations of
human rights the information shall only be provided after approval of the Information
Commission concerned

13. Explain various fees under RTI Act.

After taking a decision to provide the information, the PIO shall ascertain the further fee if
any, representing the cost of providing information as per the Cost and Fee Regulation Rules
prescribed by the appropriate Governments. The Government of Kerala has notified rules with
regard to the further Fee and Cost. The rates indicated are:

✓ Rs 2/- for each page in A4 size paper.

✓ Actual charge or cost price of the copy in larger size paper.
✓ Actual cost or price for samples or models, maps, plans etc. for inspection of
records.
✓ There is no fees for the first hour and a fee of rupees ten for every subsequent thirty
minutes or fraction thereof.
✓ Further, for providing the information under Sec. 7(5), the fee is for information
provided in diskette or floppy Rs 50/- per diskette or floppy. for information
inspection provided in printed form at the price fixed for such publication or Rs. 2/-
per page of photocopy of extracts from the publication.

14. What are the grounds of rejection under RTI Act?

Section.7 (8) explains the procedure relating to rejection of RTI applications. The PIO is
required under the Act to either provide the information, on payment of the requisite further fee or
reject the request within 30 days of the receipt of the request. Grounds on which the PIO may reject
the request for information are enumerated in Sec. 8 and 9 of the Act. While rejecting a request
under RTI , the following shall be observed by the PIO.
 ➢ The PIO within 30 days of the receipt of the request will communicate the decision to the
person making the request along with:
✓ the reasons for rejection the period within which first appeal against such rejection
may be preferred (within 30 days of the date of the rejection) / and contact details
of the Appellate Authority.
✓ It may be noted that the onus to prove that a denial (i.e., rejection) of a request was
taken in good faith under the provisions of the RTI Act and on the basis of records
available in public domain is totally and exclusively on the PIO. It means that the
opposite party in the appeal, obviously the PIO would have to substantiate his
decision to reject the application with proof and grounds amenable under the RTI
Act.
➢ As per Section.7 (9) , no duty is cast upon the PIO to create information. However, he is
duty bound to furnish the information which is available under the control of the public
authority normally in the form as requested by the citizen as provided for under sec 2(j) of
the RTI Act .If the PIO finds that, in this process, it would divert the resources(both
financial and human resources) disproportionately affect the routine functioning of the
Department or would be detrimental to the safety of those records in question, then he can
judiciously take a decision .This however cannot be considered as a ground for rejection.
He can either summon the applicant to his office and request him to inspect the records or
provide the required information in the form available in the records or another form as
stated in Sec2 (j). Needless to say PIO has to intimate in the reply to applicant the grounds
which necessitated him to offer to provide information in a different form other than the
form requested by the applicant. This procedure could be resorted to when PIO has to spend
too much time to extract and consolidate information from a number of records or when
the information is scattered and held by various sections of the public authority.

15. What do you mean by appeal under RTI Act?

The details of procedure that should be followed before the CIC has been laid down in the
CIC (Management) Regulations 2007. These Regulations provide that every appeal, complaint,
application, statement, rejoinder, reply or any other document filed before the Commission shall
be typed, printed or written neatly and legibly and in double line spacing and the language used
therein shall be formal and civilised and should not be in any way indecent or abusive. The appeal,
complaint or an application shall be presented in at least two sets in a paper-book form. No fee has
been prescribed for appeal or complaint.

16. Explain the contents of appeal or Complaint.

An appeal or a complaint to the Commission shall contain

1. Name, address and other particulars of the appellant or complainant.

2. Name and address of the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO)or the Central Assistant
Public Information Officer (CAPIO) against whom a complaint is made.
3. Particulars of the decision or order, if any, including its number and the date it was
pronounced, against which the appeal is preferred;
4. Brief facts leading to the appeal or the complaint;
5. If the appeal or complaint is preferred against refusal or deemed refusal of the information,
the particulars of the application,
6. Prayer or relief sought;
7. Grounds for the prayer or relief;
8. Verification by the appellant or the complainant.

17. What are the exemptions from disclosure?

The Act recognizes that there are valid reasons for withholding certain information by
setting out a number of exemptions from right to know, some of which are subject to public
interest. Section 8(1) of the RTI Act lays down certain exemptions. They are
1. Information disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India.
2. Information disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the security, strategic, scientific or
economic interests of the State.
3. Information which would affect the International relations.
4. Information which would lead to incitement of an offence.
5. Information which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any court of law or tribunal.
6. Information, the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of court.
7. Information which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature.
8. Information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the
disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party.
9. Information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship.
10. Information received in confidence from Foreign Government.
11. Information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person.
12. Information which would identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence
for law enforcement or security purposes.
13. Information which would impede the process of criminal investigation or apprehension (arrest)
or prosecution of offenders.
14. Cabinet papers including records of deliberations of Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other
officers until the decision has been taken and the matter is complete.
15. Information which relates to personal information, the disclosure of which has no relationship
to any public activity or interest or would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an
individual.
Part C

Essays

18. What is RTI Act? Explain the obligations of public authorities in RTI Act.

The Act places the public authority in the centre as the main facilitator for the supply of
information. Section 4 deals with the obligations of public authorities. The first step required is
identification and listing of Public Authorities by the respective nodal departments of the State
Government.

The very first activity as highlighted under the operational part of the Act [Section.4 (1)
(a)] requires Public Authorities to ensure that all records that are appropriate to be computerized
are, within a reasonable time and subject to availability of resources, computerized and connected
through a network all over the country on different systems so that access to such records is
facilitated. Accordingly every public authority should maintain all its records duly categorized and
indexed so as to facilitate retrieval of information computerize all the records that are appropriate
to be computerized subject to availability of funds, connect the same through a network all over
the country on different systems and publish all relevant facts while formulating important
policies.

This provision of the Act do not necessitate review of existing retention periods for
different categories of records. It only states that the records are to be catalogued and indexed for
easy retrieval by the PIO or public authority so as to facilitate timely disclosure of information
under the Act.

Sec. 4(1) (b) makes it obligatory for every public authority to make suo motu or voluntary
disclosure in respect of all the particulars of the organization, its functions, its duties etc. The
public authority is not only to publish the seventeen sets of information voluntarily within 120
days from the enactment of the Act, but also need to update the same every year. The following
are these information:

1. the particulars of its organization, functions and duties;

2. the power and duties of its officers and employees;

3. the procedure followed in its decision making process, including channels of supervision
and accountability;

4. the norms set out by it for the discharge of its functions.

5. Information regarding the rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records used by its
employees for the discharge of its functions;

6. a statement of the categories of the documents held by it or under its control;

7. information regarding any arrangement that exists for consultation with or representation
by, members of the public in relation to the formulation of policy or implementation ;

8. a statement of the boards, councils, committees and other bodies constituted for the purpose
of its advice, and whether the meeting of these are open to the public, or the minutes of such
meetings are accessible for public;

9. a directory of its officers and employees;

10. the monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the
system of compensation as provided in its regulations;

11. the budget allocated to each of its agencies, indicating the particulars of all plans, proposed
expenditures and reports on disbursements made ;

12. the details of the implementation of subsidy programmes, including the amount allocated
and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes;

13. particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it;

14. details of the information available to, or held by it, reduced in an electronic form;

15. the particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information, including the
working hours of a library or reading room, if maintained for public use;

16. The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers.

17. Other information as may be prescribed from time to time.

This list is comprehensive and includes almost all the basic information relating to the functioning
of the organization. There could be other information as may be prescribed from time to time. The
Act clearly states that it shall be a constant endeavor of every public authority to take steps in
accordance with the requirement of Sec. 4(1)(b) to provide as much information as possible suo-
motu to the public at regular intervals through various means of communications, including
internet, so that the public have minimum resort to the use of this Act to obtain information. Since
these 17 sets of information are freely available even without specifically asking for the same, the
citizen could easily get them and then seek only those documents or details which are not
voluntarily disclosed.

As per the provisions of Sec. 4 (3) of the Act, the public authority is to disseminate
information widely and also in such form and manner which is easily accessible to the public. It
would be better if these information could be digitized and stored for easy dissemination.

Section 4(4) states that all the above materials shall be disseminated in a cost effective
manner in the local language of that area using the most effective method of communication. This
information should be easily available and accessible with the PIO and he has to make it available
to the citizens free or at such cost of the medium or the print cost as prescribed.

19. Explain exemptions from disclosure of information.

The Act recognizes that there are valid reasons for withholding certain information by setting out
a number of exemptions from right to know, some of which are subject to public interest. Section
8(1) of the RTI Act lays down certain exemptions. They are

1. Information disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India.

2. Information disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the security, strategic, scientific or
economic interests of the State.

3. Information which would affect the International relations.

4. Information which would lead to incitement of an offence.

5. Information which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any court of law or tribunal.

6. Information, the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of court.

7. Information which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature.

8. Information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the

disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party.

9. Information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship.

10. Information received in confidence from Foreign Government.

11. Information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person.

12. Information which would identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence
for law enforcement or security purposes.

13. Information which would impede the process of criminal investigation or apprehension (arrest)
or prosecution of offenders.
14. Cabinet papers including records of deliberations of Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other
officers until the decision has been taken and the matter is complete.

15. Information which relates to personal information, the disclosure of which has no relationship
to any public activity or interest or would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an
individual.

20. Explain the procedures to be followed to obtain information from public authorities.

As per section 6 (1) a person, who desires to obtain any information under this Act, shall
make a request in writing or through electronic means in English or Hindi or in the official
language of that area to the PIO or APIO specifying the particulars of the information sought by
him along with the prescribed fee. Application can be submitted in plain paper also but it should
contain the contacting details of the applicant and details of information required. The PIO is
expected to deal with the requests from persons seeking information and also render reasonable
assistance to the person seeking such information. The help from the PIO could be in any form as
below:

1. Where a citizen is unable to make a request in writing the PIO or other officers, on PIOs
instruction will render assistance to the person making the request orally to reduce the same in
writing; illiterates and physically challenged persons would benefit by this said clause in the
Act.
2. When the person to whom the access to record is to be provided is sensorily disabled, the PIO
should provide assistance to enable access to the information, including such assistance
appropriate for the inspection.
3. If the application is defective (eg. not accompanied by the application fee or proof of BPL
status or does not give necessary details of the information requested) the PIO shall
communicate the defect for rectification.
4. The application fee shall be paid either by affixing court fee stamp or remitting the amount in
Government Treasury or by cash remittance against proper receipt in the office of the PIO or
APIO or by Demand Draft or Banker's Cheque drawn in favour of the PIO or APIO of the
public authority concerned. In case of Below Poverty Line applicants, certificate issued by the
 Secretary of Grama/Block Panchayat or Municipality/ Municipal Corporation shall be
accompanied with the application.
5. In the case of Central Government Departments, State Public Sector Under takings and
autonomous bodies, treasury remittance and court fee stamp are not admissible. Postal order is
an approved mode of remitting the application fee in Central Government Departments.

Section6(2) states that the applicant making request for information need not give any reason
or other personal details .He needs to give only the details to contact which may be necessary for
contacting him. The PIO is also not expected to ask for reasons for seeking the information. That
doesn’t mean that applicant cannot show reason for seeking information, in the application.
Applicant may have reasons or proofs to show or attach with the application when seeking
information on public interest. For obtaining information within 48 hours the applicant will have
to prove reasons for that.

Section 6 (3) describes the procedure regarding transfer of RTI applications. Where an
application given to a public authority requesting for an information which is held by another
public authority or the subject matter of which is held or more closely connected with the functions
of another public authority, the PIO shall transfer the application or such part of it to that other
public authority and inform the applicant immediately about such transfer.

Such a transfer shall be made as soon as possible but in no case later than five days from the
date of receipt of the application. The responsibility of the PIO does not cease when the request is
transferred to another public authority. While transferring, he has to concurrently inform the
applicant about the same. He should keep a record of transfer in his outward register for future
reference . Sec 6(3) of RTI Act refers to transfer of such application only to a single public
authority.

As per Sec. 7(1) the PIO on receipt of a request under Sec. 6 shall as expeditiously as possible
provide the information. He shall within 30 days of the receipt of the requests provide the required
information or reject the request for any of the reasons specified in Sec. 8 or 9.

"Justice delayed is justice denied". Similarly, there should not be undue delay in providing
information sought by the public. The Act, therefore, stipulates time limits for supply of
information. If the required information is not provided to the applicant within the stipulated
period, the applicant can prefer an appeal against it. If nothing is heard from the PIO within the
time limit Sec.7(2) of the RTI Act stipulates that it shall be deemed as refusal i.e., PIO refused the
request.

MODULE 5 .HUMAN RIGHTS

UNIT 1, 2,3
PART A (2 marks)
1. What is UN Charter?
The Charter of the United Nations represents a significant advancement as to human right
is concerned. This signing of the United Nations Charter incorporates several provisions
concerning human rights.
2. Objectives of UN Charter.
Maintain worldwide peace and security., Developing relations among nations, fostering
cooperation between nations in order to solve economic, social, cultural or humanitarian
problems.
3. What is UNESCO?
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) were
established on 4th November 1946. It was the result of a conference held at London for the
establishment of an educational, scientific and cultural organisation.
4. What is UNICEF?
The United Nations Children’s Fund was created by the General Assembly of United
Nations on 11 december 1946. It was created to provide emergency food and health care
to children and mothers in countries that had been devastated by world war II.
5. What is WHO?
World Health Organisation is the united nation specialized agency for health. It was
established on april 7, 1948. It is celebrated as the world health day.
6. What is ILO?
International Labour Organisation was founded 1919 as a specialized agency of UN. ILO
treaties are called as international labour laws.
7. What is waste disposal?
“the getting rid of and destroying or storing used, damaged or other unwanted industrial,
agricultural or domestic products and substances.”
8. What is Right to Education Act (RTE)?
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act
(RTE), is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted on 4 August 2009, which describes the
modalities of the importance of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and
14 in India under Article 21a of the Indian Constitution. The main objective of the RTE
Act is to ensure that each child in India receives quality elementary education irrespective
of their economic or caste background; this includes children who are forced to drop out
of school.
9. What is NHRC?
 The NHRC is the National Human Rights Commission of India, responsible for the
protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the Act as "Rights Relating To Life,
liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied
in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.

PART B (5 marks)

1. What are the contributions of UN Charter?

• To maintain international peace and security
• To protect human rights
• To deliver humanitarian aid
• To promote sustainable development
• Uphold international law
2. Explain the organs of United Nations
• The UN general assembly
• Security council
• Economic and social council
• Trusteeship council
• International court of justice
• Secretariat
3. What are the principles of declaration of rights of the children?
• Right to equality, right to special protection to child’s health, adequate nutrition,
understanding and love by parents and society, free education, protection against
all forms of neglect
4. What are the rights of minority?
Equality before law, prohibition of discrimination, equality of opportunity, protection of
life and personal liberty, freedom to manage religious affairs,
5. What is waste disposal? And explain its problems.
Waste disposal - “the getting rid of and destroying or storing used, damaged or other
unwanted industrial, agricultural or domestic products and substances.”
 Problems - production of too much waste, most of the waste is toxic, problems generated
through landfills, outdated technologies, not ‘green ‘ technologies.
6. How we protect our environment?
Growing own food, spending some time for a garden, cutting down energy use, use only
reusable water bottles, choose local produce, use a natural sunscreen, use eco – friendly
bags, plant a tree, hosting an event to clean and beautify some area.
7. Explain the powers of NHRC.
The Commission shall, while inquiring into complaints under this Act, have all the powers
of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and in particular in
respect of the following matters, namely :

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath;

(b) discovery and production of any document;

(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;

(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or

documents;

(f) any other matter which may be prescribed

(2) The Commission shall have power to require any person, subject to any privilege which
may be claimed by that person under any law for the time being in force, to furnish information
on such points or matters as, in the opinion of the Commission, may be useful for, or relevant
to, the subject matter of the inquiry and any person so required shall be deemed to be legally
bound to furnish such information within the meaning of section 176 and section 177 of the
Indian Penal Code.

(3) The Commission or any other officer, not below the rank of a Gazetted Officer, specially
authorised in this behalf by the Commission may enter any building or place where the
Commission has reason to believe that any document relating to the subject matter of the
inquiry may be found,
and may seize any such document or take extracts or copies therefrom subject to the provisions
of section 100 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in so far as it may be applicable.

(4) The Commission shall be deemed to be a civil court and when any offence as is
described in section 175, section 178, section 179, section 180 or section 228 of the Indian
Penal Code is committed in the view or presence of the Commission, the Commission may,
after recording the facts
 constituting the offence and the statement of the accused as provided for in the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973, forward the case to a Magistrate having jurisdiction to try the
same and the Magistrate to whom any such case is forwarded shall proceed to hear the
complaint against the accused as if the case has been forwarded to him under section 346
of the Code
of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

(5) Every proceeding before the Commission shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding
within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purposes of section 196, of the Indian
Penal Code, and the Commission shall be deemed to be a civil court for all the purposes of
section 195 .

(6) Where the Commission considers it necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order,
transfer any complaint filed or pending before it to the State Commission of the State from
which the complaint arises, for disposal in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
Provided that no such complaint shall be transferred unless the same is one respecting
which the State Commission has jurisdiction to entertain the same.

(7) Every complaint transferred under sub-section(6) shall be dealt with and disposed of by the
State Commission as if it were a complaint initially filed before it.

PART C (15 marks)

1. Explain the agencies / organs of UN to protect Human Rights

• United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
• United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• World Health Organisation (WHO)
• International Labour Organisation (ILO)
2. What is human rights? And explain fundamental rights.
Fundamental rights – right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to
freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, right to constitutional rights.
3. Explain the rights of children and women.
Rights to women – article 15 (1) – no discriminate on the ground of sex
article 15 (3) – state make affirmative discrimination in favour of women
article 23 (1) – prohibits traffic in human being
article 39 (a) – right to adequate mean of livelihood
article 39 (d) – equal pay for equal work
article 42 – securing just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
 article 243-D(3) – 1/3 of total seats in panchayat reserved for women.
article 243-T(3) – 1/3 of total seats in MUNCIPALITY reserved for women
LEGAL RIGHTS TO WOMEN
Protection of women from Domestic Violence Act
Immoral traffic (prevention ) act
Indecent representation (prevention ) act
Commission of sati (prevention ) act
Dowry prohibition act
Maternity benefit act
Medical termination of pregnancy act
RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
Prohibition of child marriage act
Child labour (prohibition and regulation ) act
Right to education
Child trafficking
The protection of children from sexual offences act (POSCO) Act
Juvenile justice act
4. Rights of SC, ST OBC
Abolishes untouchability, promote special care the economic and educational interest
towards weaker section of society, special provision for their advancement, reservation,
5. What is industrial pollution? Explain its causes and effects
Industrial pollution refers to all types of pollutions caused by industrial activities causing
water contamination, release of toxins into soil and the air and environmental disasters.
Causes – unplanned industrial growth, lack of effective policies, using old and outdated
technologies, over exploitation of natural resources, improper disposal of waste.
Effects – water pollution, air pollution, global warming.
6. Explain main contents of Gadgil Committee Report on the Western Ghats.
Madhav Gadgil an famous ecologist – assigned to submit a report on western ghats head
of Western Ghats Ecological Expert Panel (WGEEP) – submit the report on govt on 31
Aug. 2011 – western ghats is a sensitive area – divide as 3 zones based on ecological
sensitivity ESZ1, ESZ2, ESZ3
7. What are the recommendations of Ghadgil Committee?
Ban plastic within 3 years, Public land should not be used for private purposes, Green
building code, Water resource conservation plan, Forest land should not be taken for other
uses, Roads and constructions only after study of environmental consequences., Red and
orange industries not allowed, Ban chemical fertilizers, Large scale mining prohibited.
8. Write an essay on Fundamental rights and Indian Constituition.

Articles 12-35 of Indian Constitution deal with Fundamental Rights. These human rights
are conferred upon the citizens of India for the Constitution tells that these rights are
inviolable. Right to Life, Right to Dignity, Right to Education etc. all come under one of
the six main fundamental rights.
Fundamental rights are a very important topic in the polity section of the UPSC exam. It is a
basic static portion of the syllabus but it is highly dynamic in the sense that it is featured in the
daily news in some form or the other. The fundamental rights are:

1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies

9. Explain the HR about protection of SC/ST, BC and minorities.

The constitution of India has prescribed protection of SC/ST AND other weaker section
with the objective to promote education and economic interest and removing the social
disabilities.SC/ST are those castes/race in the country that suffer from extreme social
educational and economic backwardness arising out of age old practice of untouchability.
Constitutional mechanism for upliftment of sc/st and obc
Article 17 abolishes untouchability
Article 46 requires the state to promote the special care the educational and economic
interest of the weaker sections of the people.
Article 335 provide that claims of the member of sc st obc shall take into consideration in
the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the union
or state.
Article 15(a) refers to the special provision for their advancement.