Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes - Free MCQ Practice Test with solutions,

Article 46 of the Indian Constitution mandates the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of society, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This article emphasizes the need to protect these marginalized groups from social injustice and exploitation, underlining the state's responsibility towards their upliftment and well-being.

1. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: Established in 2004
This pair is correctly matched. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was indeed set up with effect from 2004 by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution, through the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003.

2. Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Follow CBSE curriculum
This pair is correctly matched. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) do follow the CBSE curriculum and are aimed at providing quality education to tribal students.

3. Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana: Launched in 1987
This pair is incorrectly matched. The Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY) was launched by the central government with a view to translate available resources into overall development of the tribal population, but it was not launched in 1987. TRIFED was set up in 1987.

4. Sankalp Se Siddhi: Introduced in 2021
This pair is correctly matched. The 'Sankalp Se Siddhi' initiative, also known as 'Mission Van Dhan', was introduced by the central government in 2021 to establish sustainable livelihoods for India’s tribal population.

Thus, three out of the four pairs are correctly matched.

1. Article 17: Abolishes Untouchability
Correct. Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.

2. Article 15(4): Provides for reservation of seats in the legislative assemblies of the States for SCs/STs
Incorrect. Article 15(4) allows the State to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The reservation of seats in the legislative assemblies is provided under Article 332.

3. Article 335: Promotion of educational and economic interests of SCs/STs
Incorrect. Article 335 specifies that the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State. The promotion of educational and economic interests of SCs/STs is covered under Article 46.

4. Article 338: National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Correct. Article 338 provides for the establishment of a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for them under the Constitution.

So, the correct pairs are:

• Article 17: Correctly matched
• Article 338: Correctly matched

Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

- Statement 1: This is correct. Article 16(4A) of the Indian Constitution indeed provides for reservations in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favor of SCs/STs, which are not adequately represented in the services under the State.

- Statement 2: This is also correct. Article 338 of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This commission has duties to investigate and monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for them, to inquire into specific complaints, and to participate and advise on the planning process of their socio-economic development.

- Statement 3: This is correct as well. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, includes a provision for the punishment of public servants for willful neglect of duties required to be performed under the Act. Specifically, Section 4 of the Act states that any public servant who neglects his duties under the Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to one year.

Thus, all three statements are correct, making Option D the correct answer.

The Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) is an exclusive scheme aimed at the economic development of Scheduled Tribe (ST) women at a highly concessional rate of interest. It focuses on empowering ST women economically, thereby facilitating their financial independence and overall upliftment within tribal communities.

This question assesses your understanding of government schemes targeted at the empowerment of specific demographic groups, emphasizing the importance of economic development for marginalized communities.

1. The Van Dhan Scheme, a component of ‘MSP for MFP’, was launched in 2018.
This statement is correct. The Van Dhan Scheme was indeed launched in 2018 as a part of the initiative for MSP for MFP, aimed at livelihood generation for tribal gatherers and transforming them into entrepreneurs.

2. The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) scheme started in the year 1997-98.
This statement is correct. The EMRS scheme was initiated in the year 1997-98 to provide quality education to tribal students with a focus on their holistic development.

3. The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) extended the provisions of Panchayats to non-scheduled areas.
This statement is incorrect. PESA was specifically enacted to extend the provisions of Panchayats to the Scheduled Areas, not to non-scheduled areas, ensuring that local governance and self-rule are strengthened in tribal areas.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B

Statement-I correctly highlights the key functions of Scheduled Castes Development Corporations, emphasizing the identification of eligible SC families and promoting their involvement in economic development schemes. Statement-II accurately describes the objective of the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSCFD), which provides concessional loans for the economic advancement of scheduled caste families. Statement-II provides additional context and supports the activities mentioned in Statement-I, hence both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically explains Statement-I.

Scheduled Castes make up approximately 16.6% of India's total population as per the 2011 census. This demographic data is crucial in understanding the social composition of India and the representation of marginalized communities within its population.

- Statement 1 is correct: The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSCFD) indeed provides financial assistance in the form of concessional loans to scheduled caste families living below double the poverty line. This aligns with the objective of NSCFD to support the economic development of the targeted group through financial aid and entrepreneurial training.

- Statement 2 is incorrect: The Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) was initially launched before 2015 and not in 2015. The scheme was revised and extended to more villages in 2015, but its initial launch was prior to this date.

- Statement 3 is correct: The Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes was indeed announced in 2014. Its aim is to provide financial support and encourage entrepreneurship among young and start-up entrepreneurs from scheduled castes, thereby promoting job creation within this community.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

1. Article 341 of the Indian Constitution deals with the notification of Scheduled Castes.- Correct: Article 341 indeed pertains to the notification of Scheduled Castes, defining who would be considered Scheduled Castes with respect to any State or Union Territory.

2. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes was constituted in 2004 with Kunwar Singh as its Chairperson.- Incorrect: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes was actually constituted in 2004 with Suraj Bhan as its Chairman, not Kunwar Singh.

3. Mizoram and Lakshadweep have the highest percentage of their population as Scheduled Tribes, approximately 95%, as per the 2011 Census.- Correct: Mizoram and Lakshadweep indeed had the highest percentage of their population as Scheduled Tribes, approximately 95%, according to the 2011 Census.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, the correct answer is:

Option C: 1 and 3 Only