UPSC Prelims 2023 Q40: Indian Polity – Social Justice & Vulnerable Sections
- (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II is the correct explanation for Statement - I
- (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
Answer: (c) Statement - I is correct but Statement - II is incorrect
Explanation
Article 16(4) and Article 335 — reservation in services
| Article | What it says |
|---|---|
| 16(4) | State may reserve posts for backward classes not adequately represented |
| 16(4A) | Reservation in promotion for SCs and STs |
| 335 | Claims of SCs and STs to be considered consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration |
Statement I — correct. In Indra Sawhney (1992) and M. Nagaraj (2006), the Supreme Court held that reservation under Art 16(4) must be balanced with efficiency under Art 335.
Statement II — incorrect. Article 335 does not define 'efficiency of administration'. The courts have interpreted it case by case.
Key cases:
| Case | Holding |
|---|---|
| Indra Sawhney (1992) | 50% ceiling; no reservation in promotion (later changed by amendment) |
| M. Nagaraj (2006) | Promotion quotas need data on backwardness, representation and efficiency |
| B.K. Pavitra (2019) | Efficiency must be judged by overall administration, not merit alone |
Answer: (c) Statement - I is correct but Statement - II is incorrect.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement II is false, so it cannot explain Statement I.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II is false; Article 335 uses the phrase but does not define it.
- (c) CORRECT. Courts have linked Art 16(4) to Art 335 efficiency, but Art 335 does not define the term.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement I is true, as seen in Indra Sawhney and M. Nagaraj.
Key point
Art 335 asks that SC/ST claims be balanced with 'efficiency of administration' but never defines the term; the courts interpret it.
Remember
Article 335 mentions efficiency of administration but does not define it.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a constitutional phrase is defined in the same article; Art 335 gives no definition.
- Confusing Article 16(4) (backward classes) with 16(4A) (promotion for SC/ST).
- Forgetting the M. Nagaraj conditions: backwardness, inadequate representation and efficiency.
Exam tip
Words like 'defines' are traps. The Constitution often uses a term without defining it.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 16(4), 16(4A), 335
- Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992)
- M. Nagaraj v. Union of India (2006)