Consider the following statements : Statement-I : In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons. Statement-II : In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Why the answer is (a)
• Statement-I is correct: 'Prisons' is Entry 4 of the State List, so each State Government runs its prisons under its own prison manual and rules.
• Statement-II is correct: the colonial Prisons Act, 1894 (still the framework law in most States) placed prisons under the Provincial Governments, and the Government of India Act, 1935 confirmed prisons as a provincial subject.
• That historical allocation is why prisons remain a State responsibility today, so Statement-II explains Statement-I.
• The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023 is a Central model law that States may adopt.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct…
- The 1894 Act's allocation to provinces is the historical reason for State control, so II explains I.
- (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- Statement-II is correct: the Prisons Act, 1894 did place prisons under provincial governments.
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
- Statement-I is correct: prisons are a State subject.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.