UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2026

Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India: 1. Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. Some tribes of India are entitled to exemption from paying Income Tax on certain incomes. 3. The Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct?

  1. There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.
  2. There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.
  3. There is only one correct statement.
  4. All three statements are correct.

Answer

Correct Answer

There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram is provided for under the Sixth Schedule, not the Fifth Schedule. Statement 2 is correct because certain specified tribal incomes and income arising in specified areas enjoy exemptions under the Income-tax framework. Statement 3 is correct because the Constitution provides reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Panchayats, and within those reserved seats, reservation for women is also provided. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are the two correct statements.

Topics: constitutional provisions, polity, scheduled areas, scheduled tribes