UPSC Prelims 2024 Q72: Indian Polity – Constitutional Framework & Development
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1, 2 and 4
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
71st Amendment Act 1992 - Languages Added to 8th Schedule
The 71st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 added three languages to the Eighth Schedule:
| Language | Added by | Amendment Year |
|---|---|---|
| Konkani | 71st Amendment | 1992 |
| Manipuri (Meitei) | 71st Amendment | 1992 |
| Nepali | 71st Amendment | 1992 |
| Maithili | 92nd Amendment | 2003 |
Before the 71st Amendment, the 8th Schedule had 15 languages.
After the 71st Amendment: 18 languages (added Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali).
After the 92nd Amendment (2003): 22 languages (added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali).
Maithili was added by the 92nd Amendment (2003), NOT the 71st Amendment.
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The 71st Amendment (1992) added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali to the Eighth Schedule. Maithili was added later by the 92nd Amendment in 2003.
- (b) Incorrect. Maithili was NOT added by the 71st Amendment (1992). It was added by the 92nd Amendment in 2003. The 71st Amendment added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali.
- (c) Incorrect. Maithili was added by the 92nd Amendment (2003), not the 71st. The question specifically asks about the 71st Amendment of 1992.
- (d) Incorrect. Maithili was not part of the 71st Amendment. The 71st Amendment only added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali.
Key point
71st Amendment (1992) = Konkani + Manipuri + Nepali added to 8th Schedule (15 to 18 languages). 92nd Amendment (2003) = Bodo + Dogri + Maithili + Santhali (18 to 22 languages). Maithili is NOT a 71st Amendment addition.
Remember
The 71st Amendment (1992) added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali to the Eighth Schedule. Maithili was added by the 92nd Amendment in 2003.
Common mistakes
- Including Maithili in the 71st Amendment - Maithili was added much later by the 92nd Amendment in 2003, not in 1992.
- Not knowing the current total of 8th Schedule languages (22) - added progressively from the original 14 at Constitution adoption.
- Confusing Manipuri (Meitei script, northeastern language, 71st Amendment) with Maithili (spoken in Bihar/Nepal border, 92nd Amendment).
Exam tip
71st Amendment 1992 = KMN = Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali (3 languages). 92nd Amendment 2003 = BDMS = Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (4 languages). Total 8th Schedule languages = 22. Original (1950) = 14.
Sources
- Constitution of India - Eighth Schedule
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science - Federalism and Language Policy