UPSC Prelims 2015 GS Paper I · Q59 of 100 Polity & Governance easy

The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to

  1. (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) determine the boundaries between States
  3. (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
  4. (d) protect the interests of all the border States

Why the answer is (a)

• The Fifth Schedule (Article 244) governs the administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in ten States, with Tribes Advisory Councils and Governor's powers over land transfer; the Sixth Schedule provides Autonomous District Councils for tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

• Both exist to protect the interests, land and self-governance of Scheduled Tribes — option (a).

• State boundaries (b), Panchayat powers (c, Eleventh Schedule) and border States (d) are unrelated.

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) determine the boundaries between States
State boundaries are dealt with under Article 3, not these Schedules.
(c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
Panchayat functions are in the Eleventh Schedule.
(d) protect the interests of all the border States
Border States are not the subject of these Schedules.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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