Unit 4: The Constitutional provisions regarding the Schedules Castes
The Constitution of India contains special
provisions for the upliftment and protection of historically marginalized and
disadvantaged groups, including the Scheduled Castes (SCs), also known as
Dalits. These provisions are outlined in the Constitution's Articles and
Schedules. Here's a detailed explanation of the constitutional provisions
regarding Scheduled Castes:
1. Article 15: This article prohibits
discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
It allows the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially
and educationally backward classes, including Scheduled Castes.
2. Article 17: Article 17 explicitly abolishes
"untouchability" in any form. It declares the practice to be
unconstitutional and enforces penalties for its violation. This article is a
significant step towards the social inclusion and upliftment of the Scheduled
Castes.
3. Article 46: This article emphasizes the
promotion of educational and economic interests of the weaker sections,
including Scheduled Castes. It encourages the state to promote with special
care the educational and economic interests of these sections and protect them
from social injustice and exploitation.
4. Fifth Schedule: The Fifth Schedule of the
Constitution outlines the provisions for the administration and control of
Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in various states. While it mainly focuses
on the Scheduled Tribes, some areas of the Fifth Schedule also apply to
Scheduled Castes in these regions.
5. Sixth Schedule: The Sixth Schedule pertains to
the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
It has a provision for the formation of autonomous districts and regional
councils, which have the authority to make laws on certain specified matters.
While the primary focus is on tribal areas, it indirectly impacts Scheduled
Castes residing within these regions.
6. Seventh Schedule: The Seventh Schedule allocates
powers between the Union and the States. Entries 24, 25, and 97 pertain to the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Entry 24 allows the states to legislate
on matters related to welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and
Scheduled Tribes. Entry 25 empowers states to legislate on matters related to
relief of the poor, which includes Scheduled Castes. Entry 97 allows the Union
to legislate on matters related to any other matter not enumerated in the State
List or the Concurrent List.
7. Reservation in Legislatures: The Constitution
provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes in both the Lok Sabha
(House of the People) and the State Legislative Assemblies. The proportion of
reserved seats is determined by the population percentage of Scheduled Castes
in that particular region.
8. Reservation in Government Jobs and Education:
The Constitution provides for reservation of positions in government jobs and
educational institutions for Scheduled Castes. These provisions are aimed at
enhancing representation and opportunities for members of these communities.
9. National Commission for Scheduled Castes:
Article 338 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of the National
Commission for Scheduled Castes. This commission monitors the safeguards
provided for Scheduled Castes, investigates specific complaints, and reports on
their social, educational, and economic conditions.
10. Special Officer for Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes: Article 338-A of the Constitution provides for the
appointment of a Special Officer for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
This officer is responsible for investigating and monitoring matters relating
to the constitutional safeguards for these communities.
These constitutional provisions
collectively aim to uplift and empower the Scheduled Castes, eliminate social
inequalities and discrimination, and promote their social, educational, and
economic well-being. The provisions underscore the commitment of the Indian
Constitution to creating an inclusive and just society by addressing historical
injustices and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Certainly, here are multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) along with their answers related to the constitutional provisions
regarding Scheduled Castes:
1. Which article of the Indian Constitution
prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place
of birth?
a) Article 14
b) Article 15
c) Article 16
d) Article 17
Answer: b) Article 15
2. Article 17 of the Indian Constitution
specifically addresses the abolition of:
a) Poverty
b) Caste-based reservations
c) Discrimination against women
d) Untouchability
Answer: d) Untouchability
3. Which article emphasizes the promotion of
educational and economic interests of the Scheduled Castes and other weaker
sections?
a) Article 40
b) Article 44
c) Article 46
d) Article 50
Answer: c) Article 46
4. Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution
outlines provisions for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and
Scheduled Tribes?
a) First Schedule
b) Third Schedule
c) Fifth Schedule
d) Sixth Schedule
Answer: c) Fifth Schedule
5. The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
pertains to the administration of tribal areas in which states?
a) Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand
b) West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha,
Tripura
c) Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram
d) Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh
Answer: c) Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura,
Mizoram
6. The reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes in
legislatures is provided under which Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
a) Fifth Schedule
b) Sixth Schedule
c) Seventh Schedule
d) Eighth Schedule
Answer: c) Seventh Schedule
7. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is
established under which article of the Indian Constitution?
a) Article 338
b) Article 340
c) Article 342
d) Article 345
Answer: a) Article 338
8. Which article of the Indian Constitution
provides for the appointment of a Special Officer for Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes?
a) Article 338-A
b) Article 340-A
c) Article 342-A
d) Article 345-A
Answer: a) Article 338-A
9. The proportion of reserved seats for Scheduled
Castes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is determined by:
a) The President of India
b) The Chief Justice of India
c) The Election Commission of India
d) The Population percentage of
Scheduled Castes in the region
Answer: d) The Population percentage
of Scheduled Castes in the region
10. Which entry in the Seventh Schedule of the
Indian Constitution allows states to legislate on matters related to the
welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes?
a) Entry 20
b) Entry 21
c) Entry 24
d) Entry 25
Answer: c) Entry 24
11. The Constitutional provisions regarding
Scheduled Castes aim to address historical:
a) Injustices and inequalities
b) Ethnic conflicts
c) Economic disparities
d) Linguistic differences
Answer: a) Injustices and
inequalities
12. Article 46 of the Indian Constitution
emphasizes the promotion of the educational and economic interests of:
a) All citizens
b) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes
c) Women only
d) Religious minorities
Answer: b) Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes
13. Which article of the Indian Constitution
explicitly abolishes untouchability in any form?
a) Article 14
b) Article 15
c) Article 16
d) Article 17
Answer: d) Article 17
14. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes
monitors the safeguards provided for Scheduled Castes and:
a) Women
b) Children
c) Religious minorities
d) Scheduled Tribes
Answer: d) Scheduled Tribes
15. The Constitution provides for the establishment
of a Special Officer for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under which
article?
a) Article 338
b) Article 338-A
c) Article 339
d) Article 339-A
Answer: b) Article 338-A
16. Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution
pertains to the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura,
and Mizoram?
a) First Schedule
b) Fifth Schedule
c) Sixth Schedule
d) Seventh Schedule
Answer: c) Sixth Schedule
17. The proportion of reserved seats for Scheduled
Castes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is determined based
on:
a) The Union Government's decision
b) Population percentage of Scheduled
Castes in that particular region
c) The Chief Minister's
recommendation
d) The Election Commission's
discretion
Answer: b) Population percentage of
Scheduled Castes in that particular region
18. Which entry in the Seventh Schedule allows the
Union to legislate on matters not enumerated in the State List or the
Concurrent List?
a) Entry 24
b) Entry 25
c) Entry 40
d) Entry 97
Answer: d) Entry 97
19. Which provision specifically focuses on
abolishing untouchability in India?
a) Article 14
b) Article 15
c) Article 16
d) Article 17
Answer: d) Article 17
20. The Constitutional provisions for Scheduled
Castes are part of India's commitment to creating a society that is:
a) Economically prosperous
b) Socially inclusive and just
c) Dominated by a single culture
d) Isolated from international relations
Answer: b) Socially inclusive and
just
21. The provision of reservation in government jobs
and educational institutions is aimed at:
a) Excluding Scheduled Castes from
these opportunities
b) Promoting urbanization
c) Enhancing representation and
opportunities for Scheduled Castes
d) Reserving all opportunities for
Scheduled Castes only
Answer: c) Enhancing representation
and opportunities for Scheduled Castes
22. The Constitutional provisions related to Scheduled
Castes contribute to which of the following goals?
a) Promoting cultural assimilation
b) Addressing historical injustices
and inequalities
c) Excluding Scheduled Castes from
public life
d) Establishing a religious state
Answer: b) Addressing historical
injustices and inequalities
23. Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution
provides for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled
Tribes?
a) First Schedule
b) Third Schedule
c) Fifth Schedule
d) Seventh Schedule
Answer: c) Fifth Schedule
24. Article 17 of the Indian Constitution is aimed
at the eradication of:
a) Gender discrimination
b) Religious discrimination
c) Social inequality
d) Economic disparities
Answer: c) Social inequality
25. The primary objective of Article 46 of the
Indian Constitution is to promote the:
a) Interests of the upper castes
b) Isolation of tribal communities
c) Educational and economic interests
of weaker sections
d) Assimilation of cultural practices
Answer: c) Educational and economic
interests of weaker sections
26. Which provision of the Constitution establishes
the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?
a) Article 338
b) Article 338-A
c) Article 342
d) Article 345
Answer: a) Article 338
27. What is the significance of the Sixth Schedule
of the Indian Constitution?
a) It provides for the abolition of
untouchability
b) It focuses on the administration
of tribal areas
c) It outlines the rights of women in
society
d) It emphasizes economic development
only
Answer: b) It focuses on the
administration of tribal areas
28. Article 15 of the Indian Constitution allows
the state to make special provisions for the advancement of:
a) Urbanization
b) Religious groups
c) Historically marginalized classes
d) All citizens
Answer: c) Historically marginalized
classes
29. The Constitutional provisions regarding
Scheduled Castes reflect India's commitment to:
a) Maintaining a class-based society
b) Promoting religious discrimination
c) Upholding cultural assimilation
d) Social justice and equality
Answer: d) Social justice and
equality
30. Which article of the Indian Constitution
specifically addresses the prohibition of untouchability?
a) Article 14
b) Article 15
c) Article 16
d) Article 17
Answer: d) Article 17
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