Question 1

With reference to the evolution of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), consider the following statements:
1. The 65th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1990 established a multi-member National Commission for SCs and STs, replacing the single Special Officer.
2. The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 bifurcated the combined National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies.
3. The original Constitution, under Article 338, provided for a multi-member commission for SCs and STs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is correct as the 65th Amendment Act of 1990 replaced the single Special Officer with a multi-member commission. Statement 2 is also correct as the 89th Amendment Act of 2003 created two separate commissions: the NCSC (Article 338) and the NCST (Article 338-A). Statement 3 is incorrect because the original Constitution provided for the appointment of a single Special Officer, not a multi-member commission.

Question 2

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and appointment of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC):
1. The NCSC consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and five other members.
2. The members of the NCSC are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
3. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the members are determined by the Parliament through legislation.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the NCSC consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and three other members. Statement 3 is incorrect; the conditions of service and tenure of office are determined by the President, not the Parliament. Statement 2 is correct as the members are indeed appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. The question asks for the incorrect statements.

Question 3

Consider the following functions.
How many of the functions listed below are currently discharged by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)?
1. Inquiring into specific complaints regarding the deprivation of rights of SCs.
2. Discharging functions related to the protection and welfare of the Anglo-Indian Community.
3. Discharging functions related to the protection and welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
4. Advising on the planning process for the socio-economic development of SCs.

Accepted Answer

Only three functions. The NCSC is responsible for inquiring into complaints for SCs (1), advising on their socio-economic planning (4), and discharging similar functions for the Anglo-Indian Community (2). However, it was relieved of its responsibility towards the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) by the 102nd Amendment Act of 2018. Therefore, only three of the listed functions are currently discharged by the NCSC.

Question 4

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) submits its annual report directly to the Parliament, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on its recommendations.
Statement II: If a report of the NCSC pertains to a state government, the President forwards it to the state governor, who then places it before the state legislature.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. Statement I is incorrect because the NCSC submits its report to the President, not directly to the Parliament. The President then places the report before the Parliament. Statement II is correct; reports pertaining to a state are forwarded by the President to the governor, who is responsible for placing them before the state legislature.

Question 5

With reference to the powers of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), consider the following pairs:
1. Power to regulate its own procedure : Vested in the Commission
2. Power to issue summons for witness examination : Equivalent to a criminal court
3. Power to requisition public records : From any court or office
4. Power to receive evidence : Only through oral testimony on oath
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is correct; the Commission has the power to regulate its own procedure. Pair 3 is correct; it can requisition public records from any court or office. Pair 2 is incorrect; the Commission has the powers of a civil court, not a criminal court. Pair 4 is incorrect; the Commission can receive evidence on affidavits, not just through oral testimony. Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Question 6

Consider the following statements regarding the establishment of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):
1. The NCST was established by the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act.
2. The NCST is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament.
3. The separate National Commission for STs came into existence in 2003.
4. Article 338-A of the Constitution deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
How many of the statements given above are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

Only three statements. Statements 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect. The separate NCST was created by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 and came into existence in 2004. The 65th Amendment created the combined commission for SCs and STs. The NCST is a constitutional body under Article 338-A, not a statutory one. Only statement 4 is correct.

Question 7

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and appointment of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):
1. The Commission consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and five other members.
2. The members of the Commission are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
3. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the members are determined by the Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. The NCST consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and three other members, not five. While the members are appointed by the President, their conditions of service and tenure are also determined by the President, not by Parliament. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

Question 8

How many of the functions listed below are within the mandate of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)?
1. Inquiring into specific complaints regarding the deprivation of rights of STs.
2. Advising on the planning process of socio-economic development of STs.
3. Recommending measures to ensure full implementation of the PESA Act, 1996.
4. Directly conferring ownership rights in respect of minor forest produce to STs.

Accepted Answer

Only three functions. The NCST's mandate includes inquiring into complaints, advising on planning, and recommending measures for PESA implementation. However, the Commission's role regarding minor forest produce is to recommend 'measures to be taken over conferring ownership rights', not to confer the rights directly. Therefore, the first three functions are within its mandate, but the fourth is not.

Question 9

Statement I: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes submits its annual report directly to the Parliament.
Statement II: The President must forward the Commission's report pertaining to a state government to the respective state governor for it to be laid before the state legislature.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. The NCST submits its report to the President, who then places it before the Parliament along with an action-taken memorandum. Therefore, Statement I is incorrect. For reports pertaining to a state, the President forwards them to the state governor to be placed before the state legislature, making Statement II correct.

Question 10

With reference to the powers of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), consider the following statements:
1. While inquiring into any complaint, the NCST has the powers of a criminal court.
2. The Central and state governments are required to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting the Scheduled Tribes.
3. The Commission has the power to requisition any public record from any court or office.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. The NCST is vested with the powers of a civil court, not a criminal court, while investigating matters or inquiring into complaints. One of these civil court powers is to requisition public records. It is also mandatory for the Union and state governments to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting STs. Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, but statement 1 is incorrect.

Question 11

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and appointment of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC):
1. The Commission consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and five other members.
2. The members of the Commission are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
3. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the members are determined by the Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the Commission consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and three other members. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect; the conditions of service and tenure of office are determined by the President, not the Parliament.

Question 12

Statement I: The 102nd Amendment Act of 2018 conferred constitutional status on the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), changing it from a statutory body.
Statement II: The amendment inserted a new Article 338-B in the constitution, placing the new Commission on par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.. Both statements are factually correct. The 102nd Amendment Act did grant constitutional status to the NCBC, which was previously a statutory body. It achieved this by inserting Article 338-B, which outlines its new constitutional role and structure, making it analogous to the NCSC and NCST. Therefore, Statement II correctly explains the mechanism and effect described in Statement I.

Question 13

While investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has the powers of a civil court. Consider the following powers:
1. Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person
2. Receiving evidence on affidavits
3. Requisitioning any public record from any court or office
4. Issuing summons for the examination of witnesses and documents
How many of the powers listed above are vested with the NCBC?

Accepted Answer

All four. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), when investigating a matter or inquiring into a complaint, is vested with all the powers of a civil court. This includes all four listed powers: summoning persons, receiving evidence on affidavits, requisitioning public records, and issuing summons for examining witnesses and documents.

Question 14

Consider the following statements regarding the reporting and accountability of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC):
1. The Commission submits its annual report directly to the Parliament.
2. The President forwards a report of the Commission pertaining to a state government directly to the state legislature.
3. A memorandum explaining the reasons for the non-acceptance of any recommendation must accompany the report when placed before the Parliament or a state legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the Commission submits its report to the President, who then places it before the Parliament. Statement 2 is incorrect; the President forwards the report to the state government, which then places it before the state legislature. Statement 3 is correct; a memorandum explaining the action taken and reasons for non-acceptance of recommendations is mandatory.

Question 15

With reference to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), consider the following:
1. To inquire into specific complaints regarding the deprivation of rights of socially and educationally backward classes.
2. To advise on the socio-economic development of the socially and educationally backward classes.
3. To determine the conditions of service and tenure of its own members.
4. To present reports on the working of safeguards directly to the state governments.
How many of the functions/powers listed above are correctly stated for the NCBC?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Items 1 and 2 are core functions of the NCBC. Item 3 is incorrect; the conditions of service and tenure are determined by the President. Item 4 is incorrect; the Commission presents its reports to the President, who may then forward them to the concerned state government. Therefore, only two of the listed items are correct.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities:
1. The provision for this office was part of the original Constitution of India.
2. The office was created based on a recommendation by the States Reorganisation Commission (1953–55).
3. The Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 inserted Article 350-B to create this post.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 only. Statement 1 is incorrect. The original Constitution did not have a provision for the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities. Statements 2 and 3 are correct; the office was created by the 7th Amendment Act of 1956, following a recommendation from the States Reorganisation Commission.

Question 17

Consider the following statements about the institutional design of the office of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities:
1. The headquarters of the Commissioner is located in New Delhi.
2. The Commissioner falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
3. The Constitution explicitly specifies the tenure, salaries, and service conditions of the Special Officer.
4. The Commissioner has regional offices in Belgaum, Chennai, and Kolkata.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statements 2 and 4 are correct. The Commissioner is under the Ministry of Minority Affairs and has regional offices in Belgaum, Chennai, and Kolkata. Statement 1 is incorrect; the headquarters is in Allahabad (Prayagraj). Statement 3 is incorrect; the Constitution does not specify the tenure, salaries, allowances, or service conditions.

Question 18

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities submits his reports on matters related to safeguards directly to the President of India.
Statement II: The President is constitutionally mandated to place all such reports before each House of Parliament and also send them to the governments of the states concerned.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. Statement I is incorrect because the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities submits the reports to the President *through* the Union Minority Affairs Minister, not directly. Statement II is correct as Article 350-B mandates that the President shall cause all such reports to be laid before each House of Parliament and sent to the concerned state governments.

Question 19

With reference to the functions and objectives of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, consider the following:
1. To investigate all matters related to constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities.
2. To handle representations for redress of grievances related to safeguards.
3. To spread awareness amongst linguistic minorities about the safeguards available to them.
4. To submit reports on the status of implementation of safeguards to the President.
How many of the above are listed as functions or objectives of the Commissioner?

Accepted Answer

All four. All four statements are correct. The Commissioner's role includes investigating matters (function), handling grievances (objective), spreading awareness (objective), and submitting reports to the President (function), all aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of safeguards for linguistic minorities.

Question 20

Consider the following statements regarding the appointment and constitutional status of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities:
1. The Special Officer is appointed by the President of India.
2. The Constitution of India does not specify the qualifications or procedure for removal of the Special Officer.
3. The Special Officer submits annual reports to the President through the Union Home Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is correct as Article 350-B specifies appointment by the President. Statement 2 is also correct as the text explicitly notes that the Constitution does not specify qualifications, tenure, or removal procedure. Statement 3 is incorrect; the report is submitted through the Union Minority Affairs Minister, not the Home Minister.

National Commissions for SCs, STs, BCs & Linguistic Minorities

Unlock All Questions