HPAS 2010 Polity Topic-Wise Solutions
Who was the Chairman of the First Backward Classes Commission of India?
question 28 :1. Constitutional Foundation Article 340: The “Parent Article.” It empowers the President of India to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs). Article 15(4) & 16(4): These allow the State to make special provisions and reservations for the advancement of any backward classes. 2. First Backward Classes Commission (1953) Appointed by: Jawaharlal Nehru Government (via President Rajendra Prasad). Chairman: Kaka Kalelkar. Key Criterion: Caste as the primary measure of backwardness. Findings: Identified 2,399 castes as backward. Outcome:Rejected. The Chairman himself expressed doubts about the caste-based approach in his forwarding letter. The Union government feared that caste-based reservations would promote “casteism” and preferred economic criteria. Result: In 1961, the Center told States to define their own OBC lists. 3. Second Backward Classes Commission (1979) Appointed by: Janata Party Government (Morarji Desai). Chairman: B.P. Mandal (often called the Mandal Commission). Objective: To determine the criteria for defining SEBCs and recommend steps for their advancement. Key Findings: Determined that 52% of the Indian population (excluding SC/ST) was OBC. Recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions. Implementation: * 1990: V.P. Singh government implemented the 27% job quota. 1992 (Indra Sawhney Case): The Supreme Court upheld the 27% quota but introduced the “Creamy Layer” concept and a 50% cap on total reservations. 4. Modern Era: Constitutional Status 102nd Amendment Act (2018): This was a major shift. National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC): Given constitutional status (previously a statutory body). Article 338B: Details the structure and powers of the NCBC (similar to SC and ST commissions). Article 342A: President notifies the list of SEBCs. 105th Amendment Act (2021): Restored the power of State Governments to identify and maintain their own state-specific lists of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes. Quick Facts for Prelims Commission Year Chairman Govt in Power Key Impact First 1953 Kaka Kalelkar Nehru (Congress) Set the stage for the OBC debate. Second 1979 B.P. Mandal Morarji Desai (Janata govt
Who among the following was the Speaker of the first Lok Sabha?
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Which of the following Schedules of the Indian Constitution contains provisions regarding the disqualification of MPs/MLAs on the ground of defection?
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Which of the following is not correctly matched?
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In which one of the following cases has the Preamble been accepted as a part of the Indian Constitution?
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Who amongst the following is empowered to declare an emergency under the Indian Constitution?
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Under the Constitution of India, who is the guardian of fundamental rights?
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Who decides whether a bill is a money bill or not?
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Match the constitutional provisions of the Indian Constitution given in List-I with the countries from which these have been taken in List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
List-I: A) Concurrent list, B) Parliamentary system, C) Impeachment of president, D) Federal structure
List-II: 1) U.S.A., 2) Canada, 3) Australia, 4) U.K.
Matching Analysis:
- A) Concurrent list: Borrowed from Australia (3).
- B) Parliamentary system: Borrowed from U.K. (4).
- C) Impeachment of president: Borrowed from U.S.A. (1).
- D) Federal structure: Borrowed from Canada (2).
Thus, the correct sequence is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2, which corresponds to code (d).
Under which of the following circumstances can an emergency be declared in India?
(1) External aggression
(2) Armed rebellion
(3) Internal unrest
(4) Financial crisis
Analysis of Emergency Provisions:
- (1) External aggression: Valid ground for National Emergency under Article 352.
- (2) Armed rebellion: Replaced “Internal Disturbance” via the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978; it is a valid ground for National Emergency.
- (3) Internal unrest: This is not a ground for emergency under the current Indian Constitution (it was used in 1975 but removed by the 44th Amendment).
- (4) Financial crisis: Valid ground for Financial Emergency under Article 360.
Therefore, 1, 2, and 4 are correct, making (d) the right choice.
Which one of the following is not properly matched?
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Balwant Rai Mehta Committee is related to:
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Who amongst the following can be the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission?
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MNREGA programme is related to:
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