UPSC Prelims 2024 Q84: Indian Polity – Social Justice & Vulnerable Sections
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Recognition of Scheduled Tribes - Constitutional Provisions
Statement-by-Statement Breakdown:
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | It is the Governor who recognizes and declares any community as a Scheduled Tribe | FALSE | Under Article 342, it is the President of India (not the Governor) who specifies Scheduled Tribes by a Public Notification. The President acts in consultation with the Governor of the state, but the final authority is the President. Parliament can by law include/exclude from this list. |
| 2 | A community declared as ST in one State need not be so in another State | TRUE | Scheduled Tribe lists are state-specific. A community may be recognized as ST in one state but not in another. For example, some communities are ST in Assam but not in West Bengal. |
Key constitutional provision:
| Article | Content |
|---|---|
| Article 342 | President specifies STs by public notification (in consultation with Governor). Parliament can include/exclude by law. |
| Article 341 | President specifies SCs (Scheduled Castes) - same mechanism |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false - the President (not the Governor) specifies Scheduled Tribes under Article 342. The Governor is consulted but does not make the declaration.
- (b) CORRECT. Only Statement 2 is correct. ST status is state-specific - a community can be ST in one state but not in another. Statement 1 is wrong (President, not Governor, specifies STs).
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false - the President specifies STs under Article 342, not the Governor.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is absolutely correct - ST lists are state-specific, so the same community can have different status in different states.
Key point
PRESIDENT (not Governor) specifies Scheduled Tribes under Article 342, in consultation with the Governor. ST lists are state-specific - a community can be ST in one state but not another.
Remember
Under Article 342, the President of India (not the Governor) specifies Scheduled Tribes by public notification. ST status is state-specific - a community recognized as ST in one state need not be ST in another.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the Governor specifies STs - the Governor is consulted but the President makes the final notification under Article 342.
- Thinking ST status is uniform across India - the same community can be ST in one state but not another, making ST status state-specific.
- Confusing Article 342 (Scheduled Tribes) with Article 341 (Scheduled Castes) - both follow the same mechanism (Presidential notification with Governor consultation), but one covers STs and the other SCs.
Exam tip
Articles 341 and 342: PRESIDENT specifies SCs and STs respectively. Governor is CONSULTED but not the authority. Parliament can modify the lists by law. ST lists are state-specific - same community can have different ST status in different states.
Sources
- Constitution of India - Articles 341 and 342
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science - Chapter 3: Election and Representation