Consider the following statements regarding Quasi-judicial powers in investigation of complaints:
1. The Commission maintains the authority to receive evidence on affidavits as part of its procedural framework during the inquiry process.
2. The 102nd Amendment inserted Article 342A into the Constitution, which empowers the President to specify the socially and educationally backward classes in various States and Union Territories.
3. The 102nd Amendment Act established the National Commission for Backward Classes as a statutory body, and it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the NCBC is vested with the powers of a civil court, including receiving evidence on affidavits, under Article 338B. Statement 2 is correct because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, introduced Article 342A, granting the President the power to notify SEBCs in consultation with Governors. Statement 3 is incorrect because the 102nd Amendment elevated the NCBC from a statutory body to a Constitutional body, not a statutory one.
Consider the following statements regarding Quasi-judicial powers in investigation of complaints:
1. Article 338B(5) provides for the Commission to present annual reports to the Parliament, and these reports are subsequently forwarded to the State Legislatures for implementation of recommendations.
2. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes holds the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister in the Government of India.
3. The Commission includes a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President, and the selection process is overseen by the Union Public Service Commission.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the Chairperson of the NCBC is accorded the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister. Statement 1 is incorrect because, under Article 338B(5)(c), the Commission submits reports to the President, who causes them to be laid before Parliament; reports concerning State-specific matters are sent to the Governor for presentation to the State Legislature, not directly forwarded for implementation. Statement 3 is incorrect because the members are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, and there is no provision for the UPSC to oversee this selection process.
Consider the following statements regarding Scope of jurisdiction over State-specific OBC lists:
1. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional status under Article 338B.
2. Following the 105th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2021, states retain the power to prepare and maintain their own list of socially and educationally backward classes.
3. The 102nd Amendment introduced Article 342A, which empowers the National Commission for Backward Classes to finalize the state-specific lists of OBCs in consultation with the Governor.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018, granted constitutional status to the NCBC by inserting Article 338B. Statement 2 is correct because the 105th Amendment Act, 2021, was enacted to restore the power of state governments to identify and specify their own lists of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) following the Supreme Court's Maratha reservation judgment. Statement 3 is incorrect because Article 342A, introduced by the 102nd Amendment, empowers the President to notify the Central list of OBCs, while the NCBC's role is to advise the Union and States on welfare measures, not to finalize state-specific lists.
Consider the following statements regarding Distinction between NCBC and National Commission for SCs:
1. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members, with the tenure of each member fixed at four years from the date of assumption of office.
2. The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 established the National Commission for Backward Classes as a separate entity to oversee the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes submits its annual reports directly to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which then tables these reports in both Houses of Parliament.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the tenure of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and members of the NCSC is three years, not four. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act (2003) bifurcated the erstwhile National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies, whereas the NCBC was granted constitutional status later by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018. Statement 3 is incorrect because the NCBC submits its annual reports to the President of India, who then causes them to be laid before each House of Parliament, rather than submitting them directly to the Ministry.
Consider the following statements regarding Composition and service conditions of members:
1. The members of the National Commission for Backward Classes are appointed for a term of three years from the date on which they assume office.
2. At least one member of the National Commission for Backward Classes is required to be a woman as per the rules notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
3. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes holds the rank equivalent to a Cabinet Minister of the Government of India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
The NCBC (Salaries and Allowances and other Conditions of Service of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2018, mandate a three-year tenure for members and explicitly require at least one woman member to be appointed to the Commission. Furthermore, the Chairperson is granted the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister, while the Vice-Chairperson holds the rank of a Minister of State, and other members hold the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
Consider the following statements regarding Protection of interests of socially and educationally backward classes:
1. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
2. Under the provisions of the 2018 amendment, the Commission possesses the authority to issue binding directives to State Governments regarding the implementation of reservation policies in local bodies.
3. Article 338B of the Constitution empowers the Commission to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for socially and educationally backward classes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as per Article 338B, which mandates the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) to consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President. Statement 3 is correct because Article 338B, inserted by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, explicitly empowers the Commission to monitor and investigate all safeguards provided for socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NCBC functions as a recommendatory body; while it has the powers of a civil court to investigate complaints, it does not possess the authority to issue binding directives to State Governments regarding reservation policies.
Consider the following statements regarding Criteria for inclusion and exclusion in the Central OBC list:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 was repealed by the 102nd Amendment to facilitate the transition to a constitutional body.
2. The criteria for identifying the creamy layer among Other Backward Classes were first introduced following the Supreme Court judgment in the Indra Sawhney case of 1992.
3. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional status under Article 338B.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
The National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993, was repealed by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018, which simultaneously granted the NCBC constitutional status under Article 338B to ensure greater autonomy. The concept of the 'creamy layer' was formally mandated by the Supreme Court in the landmark Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) judgment to exclude socially advanced members of OBCs from reservation benefits. All three statements are factually correct as they accurately reflect the legislative history, judicial directives, and constitutional provisions governing the NCBC.
Consider the following statements regarding Protection of interests of socially and educationally backward classes:
1. The President of India is empowered to determine the service conditions and tenure of the members of the Commission, which are currently fixed at five years from the date of appointment.
2. The Commission maintains a regional office structure established under the 1993 Act, with the primary administrative headquarters located in Bengaluru to oversee southern state representations.
3. The power to identify and specify socially and educationally backward classes for the purpose of the Central Government is vested in the Commission, subject to the approval of the Parliament.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the service conditions and tenure (3 years) of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and members are determined by the Central Government, not the President. Statement 2 is incorrect as the NCBC does not have a regional office structure mandated by the 1993 Act, and its headquarters are located in New Delhi. Statement 3 is incorrect because, under Article 342A inserted by the 102nd Amendment Act, the power to specify the list of socially and educationally backward classes for the Central Government lies with the President, while the Parliament has the power to include or exclude any caste from this list by law.
Consider the following statements regarding Limitations of the Commission in binding executive decisions:
1. Article 338B provides for the Commission to monitor the welfare of backward classes, and the President of India acts upon the Commission's recommendations by issuing executive orders that override existing departmental guidelines.
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 established the body as a statutory entity, and the 102nd Amendment transferred its power to finalize the list of OBCs directly to the state governments.
3. The Commission possesses the powers of a civil court while investigating complaints, and its findings regarding the implementation of reservation quotas are binding on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the NCBC's recommendations are advisory in nature and do not automatically override departmental guidelines. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, empowered the President to notify the central list of OBCs in consultation with the Governor, while the 105th Amendment Act, 2021, restored the states' power to identify their own SEBC lists. Statement 3 is incorrect as the Commission's findings and recommendations are not binding on the government, and it functions primarily as a recommendatory body rather than a decision-making authority for reservation quotas.
Consider the following statements regarding Role in reviewing the progress of development of backward classes:
1. Article 338B provides the Commission with the powers of a civil court, allowing it to summon witnesses and examine them on oath during inquiries into the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations.
2. The Commission submits its annual report directly to the Parliament, which then forwards the document to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the implementation of development schemes.
3. The Chairperson of the Commission holds office for a term of three years, and the service conditions are determined by the Union Cabinet Secretariat under the 2018 rules.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because while the NCBC has civil court powers under Article 338B, its mandate is to investigate complaints and safeguard rights, not specifically to implement Mandal Commission recommendations. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Commission submits its annual report to the President, who then causes it to be laid before Parliament, and it is the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Home Affairs, that handles its administrative matters. Statement 3 is incorrect because, under the NCBC (Salaries and Allowances and Conditions of Service of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2018, the service conditions are determined by the Central Government, but the term of office is specified as three years from the date of assumption of charge.
Consider the following statements regarding Distinction between NCBC and National Commission for SCs:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018, which inserted Article 338B into the Constitution.
2. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes derives its authority from Article 338, which was amended by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 to bifurcate the erstwhile combined commission.
3. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, a procedure shared by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018, granted constitutional status to the NCBC by inserting Article 338B. Statement 2 is correct because the 89th Amendment Act, 2003, bifurcated the erstwhile National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies under Articles 338 and 338A respectively. Statement 3 is correct as the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and other members of both the NCBC and the NCSC are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Consider the following statements regarding Mandatory consultation by Union and State governments:
1. Under Article 338B(9), the Union and every State Government are expected to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting the socially and educationally backward classes.
2. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
3. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional status under Article 338B.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as Article 338B(9) mandates that the Union and State Governments must consult the NCBC on all major policy matters affecting socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 2 is correct because the NCBC consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President, as per the rules notified under the 102nd Amendment. Statement 3 is correct as the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, provided constitutional status to the NCBC by inserting Article 338B into the Constitution.
Consider the following statements regarding Mandatory consultation by Union and State governments:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 was formally repealed following the enactment of the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which coordinates the state-level consultations regarding the central list of OBCs.
3. Article 340 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes, and the current body functions as the permanent successor to the 1953 First Backward Classes Commission.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted constitutional status to the NCBC and formally repealed the NCBC Act of 1993. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NCBC operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Home Affairs. Statement 3 is incorrect because while Article 340 empowers the President to appoint commissions to investigate backward classes, the NCBC is a constitutional body established under Article 338B, not a direct permanent successor to the 1953 Kalelkar Commission.
Consider the following statements regarding Composition and service conditions of members:
1. The Chairperson of the Commission receives a salary equivalent to a Judge of the Supreme Court, and the Vice-Chairperson is entitled to the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India.
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
3. The 102nd Amendment Act of 2018 established the Commission as a constitutional body and granted the Parliament the power to determine the maximum number of members beyond the current five.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as per Article 338B, which mandates the commission consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Chairperson is entitled to the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, while the Vice-Chairperson holds the rank of a Minister of State. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the 102nd Amendment Act granted the commission constitutional status, the power to determine the conditions of service and tenure of members lies with the President, not the Parliament.
Consider the following statements regarding Quasi-judicial powers in investigation of complaints:
1. The Commission is empowered to require the discovery and production of any document during the investigation of complaints regarding the deprivation of rights of backward classes.
2. Under Article 338B(8), the Commission possesses the same powers as a civil court while trying a suit in respect of summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct. The NCBC, granted constitutional status via the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, is vested with the powers of a civil court under Article 338B(8) to summon and enforce the attendance of any person, examine them on oath, and require the discovery and production of any document during its investigations into the deprivation of rights of socially and educationally backward classes.
Consider the following statements regarding Advisory role in socio-economic development planning:
1. Under Article 338B(3), the Union and State Governments are tasked with consulting the Commission on all major policy matters affecting the socio-economic development of socially and educationally backward classes.
2. The Commission possesses the powers of a civil court while investigating any complaint or matter relating to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of backward classes, as per the 2018 Act.
3. The Commission is empowered to issue binding directives to the National Development Council regarding the inclusion of specific schemes for backward classes in the Five-Year Plan documents.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as Article 338B(3) mandates that the Union and State Governments must consult the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) on all major policy matters affecting SEBCs. Statement 2 is correct because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted the NCBC the powers of a civil court while investigating complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Commission holds an advisory role and lacks the authority to issue binding directives to any government body, including the National Development Council or planning authorities.
Consider the following statements regarding Limitations of the Commission in binding executive decisions:
1. The Commission includes a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President, and its decisions on the inclusion of castes in the central list are final once approved by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
2. The 102nd Amendment introduced Article 342A to the Constitution, which empowers the Commission to modify the central list of backward classes without further reference to the Parliament.
3. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission report of 1955 formed the basis for the establishment of the current Commission, and its recommendations regarding the exclusion of creamy layer categories are legally enforceable by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Commission's recommendations are advisory, and the power to include or exclude castes in the central list rests solely with the Parliament under Article 342A. Statement 2 is incorrect as Article 342A mandates that the central list of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) can only be modified by an Act of Parliament, not by the Commission itself. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Kaka Kalelkar Commission was the first backward classes commission, but it is unrelated to the establishment of the current National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), and the Commission's advice is not legally binding on the Ministry.
Consider the following statements regarding Reporting mechanism to the President of India:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes submits an annual report on the working of safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes to the President of India under Article 338B(5)(d).
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes submits its periodic reports directly to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which then forwards the findings to the President of India for parliamentary review.
3. Under the provisions of the 1993 National Commission for Backward Classes Act, the Commission presents its quarterly performance audit to the President of India to ensure timely implementation of reservation policies.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as Article 338B(5)(d), inserted by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, mandates the NCBC to present an annual report to the President regarding the working of safeguards for backward classes. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Commission submits its reports directly to the President, not the Ministry, and the President then causes these reports to be laid before each House of Parliament. Statement 3 is incorrect because there is no provision in the Constitution or the 1993 Act requiring the Commission to submit quarterly performance audits to the President; the reporting mechanism is primarily annual or as the Commission deems necessary.
Consider the following statements regarding Impact of the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act:
1. Article 342A, as introduced by the 102nd Amendment, provides the Parliament with the authority to modify the list of socially and educationally backward classes through a simple majority vote without presidential notification.
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes was originally established by the 77th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1995, which provided the commission with constitutional powers to review the list of backward classes.
3. The 102nd Amendment modified Article 366 by adding clause (26C), which defines socially and educationally backward classes for the purposes of the Constitution.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct because the 102nd Amendment inserted Article 366(26C) to define socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 342A empowers the President to specify the list of backward classes in consultation with states, and any subsequent inclusion or exclusion requires an Act of Parliament, not a simple notification. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NCBC was originally established as a statutory body by the NCBC Act of 1993, not by the 77th Amendment, which actually dealt with reservation in promotions for SC/STs.
Consider the following statements regarding Power to regulate own procedure under Article 338B(5):
1. The Commission maintains a regional office structure established by the 2018 Amendment, which grants state-level Backward Class Commissions the power to override the procedures of the national body.
2. During the conduct of an inquiry, the Commission possesses the status of a High Court, allowing it to frame its own rules of evidence as per the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
3. The annual report submitted to the President under Article 338B(6) includes a summary of the Commission's internal procedural amendments, which are subject to a mandatory judicial review by the Supreme Court.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 338B(5) empowers the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) to regulate its own procedure, and state-level commissions have no constitutional authority to override the national body. Statement 2 is incorrect as the NCBC is vested with the powers of a Civil Court, not a High Court, while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and it is not bound by the Indian Evidence Act. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the Commission submits annual reports to the President, there is no constitutional provision requiring a mandatory judicial review of its internal procedural amendments by the Supreme Court.
Consider the following statements regarding Annual report submission and parliamentary oversight:
1. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other Members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
2. The Commission possesses the powers of a civil court while investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint regarding the deprivation of rights of backward classes.
3. The reports of the Commission concerning any State are forwarded to the Governor of the concerned State for placement before the State Legislature.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as per the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, which grants the NCBC constitutional status with a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three members appointed by the President. Statement 2 is correct because Article 338B(8) empowers the Commission with the authority of a civil court to summon witnesses, require document production, and receive evidence on affidavit. Statement 3 is correct under Article 338B(6), which mandates that reports concerning State-specific issues be submitted to the Governor for tabling before the State Legislature, ensuring decentralized oversight.
Consider the following statements regarding Powers of a civil court vested in the Commission:
1. The 102nd Amendment Act established the Commission as a statutory body in 1993, and it functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. The Commission is authorized to receive evidence on affidavits during the course of an inquiry into matters relating to the protection of socially and educationally backward classes.
3. Under the powers of a civil court, the Commission can require the discovery and production of any public record or document from any court or office.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the 102nd Amendment Act (2018) granted the NCBC constitutional status under Article 338B, whereas it was originally established as a statutory body by the NCBC Act, 1993. Statements 2 and 3 are correct because, under the NCBC Act, the Commission is vested with the powers of a civil court while trying a suit, which explicitly includes receiving evidence on affidavits and compelling the discovery and production of any public record or document from any court or office.
Consider the following statements regarding Scope of jurisdiction over State-specific OBC lists:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President of India.
2. The Mandal Commission report of 1980 recommended the creation of a statutory body, which was subsequently established through the 1993 Act to oversee the inclusion of communities in the central list.
3. Under the provisions of the 105th Amendment, the National Commission for Backward Classes provides advisory recommendations to the State Backward Classes Commissions regarding the inclusion of nomadic tribes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as per Article 338B, which mandates the NCBC to consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President. Statement 2 is incorrect because while the Mandal Commission recommended reservation, the 1993 Act was a legislative response to the Indra Sawhney judgment, not a direct recommendation of the 1980 report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the 105th Constitutional Amendment Act restored the power of State Governments to identify and specify their own lists of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, effectively removing the NCBC's jurisdiction over state-specific lists.
Consider the following statements regarding Constitutional status under Article 338B:
1. The President submits the Commission's reports to the Lok Sabha, and the Union government is authorized to implement the recommendations within a period of six months from the date of submission.
2. The Commission possesses the powers of a civil court while investigating complaints, and its procedural rules are governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, as applied to statutory bodies.
3. The 102nd Amendment inserted Article 338B into the Constitution, which replaced the existing National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 and transferred its administrative records to the Ministry of Social Justice.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the President lays the reports before each House of Parliament, and there is no constitutional mandate requiring the government to implement recommendations within six months. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Commission follows the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, not the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, when exercising its civil court powers. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the 102nd Amendment Act (2018) introduced Article 338B, the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Act, 2018, repealed the 1993 Act, and the Commission functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, but the constitutional provision itself does not explicitly mandate the transfer of administrative records as a defining feature of its establishment.
Consider the following statements regarding Appointment procedure and tenure of Chairperson:
1. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members who are appointed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for a term of four years.
2. The Chairperson is eligible for reappointment for a second term under the rules notified in 2018, provided the individual has not attained the age of seventy years.
3. The Chairperson submits the annual report of the Commission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice, which oversees the appointment process under the 2018 rules.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three members are appointed by the President of India, not the Ministry, and their tenure is three years, not four. Statement 2 is incorrect as the rules do not specify an age limit of seventy years for reappointment, nor is there a provision for a second term in the 2018 rules. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Commission submits its annual report to the President of India, who then causes it to be laid before each House of Parliament, rather than the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
Consider the following statements regarding Criteria for inclusion and exclusion in the Central OBC list:
1. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission submitted its report in 1955 recommending the inclusion of 2,399 castes in the backward list, and this report served as the primary basis for the 1993 central list notification.
2. The 105th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2021 restored the power of State Governments to maintain their own lists of socially and educationally backward classes.
3. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Kaka Kalelkar Commission report was rejected by the government, and the 1993 central list was instead based on the Mandal Commission report (1980). Statement 2 is correct as the 105th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2021, restored the states' authority to identify and specify their own SEBC lists following the Supreme Court's Maratha reservation verdict. Statement 3 is correct because, under Article 338B, the National Commission for Backward Classes is composed of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President.
Consider the following statements regarding Annual report submission and parliamentary oversight:
1. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
2. The memorandum accompanying the report includes the reasons for the non-acceptance of any of the recommendations made by the Commission.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes submits its annual report to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which then forwards the document to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for immediate parliamentary discussion.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018, inserted Article 338B into the Constitution, granting the NCBC constitutional status. Statement 2 is correct because, under Article 338B(6), the President must lay the Commission's report before Parliament along with a memorandum explaining the reasons for the non-acceptance of any recommendations. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Commission submits its report to the President of India, not the Ministry, and it is the President who causes it to be laid before each House of Parliament.
Consider the following statements regarding Mandatory consultation by Union and State governments:
1. The Mandal Commission report of 1980 identified 3,743 castes as backward, and the current Commission utilizes this list for its annual recommendations to the Ministry of Social Justice.
2. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission submitted its report in 1955, which serves as the primary legal basis for the Commission to review the list of OBCs in Union Territories.
3. The 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2017, established the current composition of the Commission with a fixed five-year tenure for all members.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Mandal Commission identified 3,743 castes, but the NCBC relies on the central list of OBCs maintained by the government, not the Mandal report for annual recommendations. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Kaka Kalelkar Commission report was rejected by the government and does not serve as the legal basis for the NCBC's functions. Statement 3 is incorrect because while the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Act (2018) granted the NCBC constitutional status, the tenure of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and members is three years, not five.
Consider the following statements regarding Powers of a civil court vested in the Commission:
1. The Commission operates under the provisions of the 1993 Act, which allows it to issue binding directives to State Governments regarding the inclusion of communities in the central list of OBCs.
2. The Chairperson of the Commission holds the rank of a Cabinet Minister, while the Vice-Chairperson and other members hold the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
3. Article 340 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes, and this commission holds the power to adjudicate final disputes between the Union and States.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) holds the rank of a Cabinet Minister, while the Vice-Chairperson and members hold the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. Statement 1 is incorrect because the NCBC acts in an advisory capacity and cannot issue binding directives to State Governments regarding the inclusion of communities in the central list. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while Article 340 provides for the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes, the NCBC does not possess the authority to adjudicate final disputes between the Union and States.
Consider the following statements regarding Advisory role in socio-economic development planning:
1. The 1993 National Commission for Backward Classes Act established the body as a statutory entity, and the 2018 constitutional amendment transferred the power of identifying new OBC groups from the State legislatures to the Commission.
2. The Commission submits its annual report to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which then forwards the document to the Finance Commission for the allocation of development funds to backward regions.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted constitutional status through the 102nd Amendment Act of 2018, which inserted Article 338B into the Constitution.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct as the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted the NCBC constitutional status by inserting Article 338B. Statement 1 is incorrect because the power to identify and notify OBC groups rests with the President in consultation with the Governor, not the Commission, and the 1993 Act did not involve State legislatures in this process. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Commission submits its annual report to the President, who then causes it to be laid before each House of Parliament, and there is no constitutional mandate for it to be forwarded to the Finance Commission for fund allocation.
Consider the following statements regarding Constitutional safeguards for backward classes under Article 340:
1. Under Article 340, the report presented by the Commission is laid before the Lok Sabha by the Speaker, who then forwards the recommendations to the Union Council of Ministers for implementation.
2. The Second Backward Classes Commission, chaired by B.P. Mandal, identified 3,743 castes as socially and educationally backward and proposed their inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
3. The Mandal Commission was established in 1979 by the Morarji Desai government and submitted its report in 1980 recommending a 27 percent reservation for OBCs in public sector undertakings.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because, under Article 340, the President causes the report to be laid before each House of Parliament, not the Speaker. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Mandal Commission identified 3,743 castes but recommended 27% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions, not inclusion in the Ninth Schedule. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the commission was established in 1979 and submitted its report in 1980, it recommended 27% reservation in central government services and public sector undertakings, but the statement as a whole is invalidated by the inaccuracies in the other two points.
Consider the following statements regarding Powers of a civil court vested in the Commission:
1. The Commission possesses the authority to summon and enforce the attendance of any person from any part of India and examine them on oath.
2. Article 338B of the Constitution empowers the Commission to exercise the powers of a civil court while investigating complaints regarding the deprivation of rights of backward classes.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted the status of a constitutional body through the 102nd Amendment Act of 2018.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct. The NCBC, granted constitutional status via the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018, is vested with the powers of a civil court under Article 338B(8) while investigating matters or inquiring into complaints, which includes the authority to summon and enforce the attendance of any person from any part of India and examine them on oath.
Consider the following statements regarding Appointment procedure and tenure of Chairperson:
1. The Chairperson of the Commission holds office for a term of three years from the date on which they assume charge of the office.
2. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional status under Article 338B.
3. The Chairperson of the Commission is entitled to the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister while the other members hold the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as the Chairperson and members of the NCBC hold office for a term of three years from the date they assume charge. Statement 2 is correct because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, inserted Article 338B into the Constitution, granting the NCBC constitutional status. Statement 3 is correct as the Chairperson is accorded the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, while the Vice-Chairperson and other members are granted the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
Consider the following statements regarding Advisory role in socio-economic development planning:
1. The 102nd Amendment introduced Article 342A, which empowers the President to notify the list of socially and educationally backward classes in consultation with the Governor of the respective state for the purpose of the Central List.
2. Article 340 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes, and the 1953 Kalelkar Commission report served as the primary basis for the current 2018 constitutional framework.
3. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Commission maintains a permanent regional office in every state capital to monitor socio-economic planning.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 342A empowers the President to notify the list in consultation with the Governor only for the State list, while the Central list is determined by Parliament. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 1953 Kalelkar Commission report was not accepted by the government; the current framework is primarily based on the Mandal Commission (1980) report. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the Chairperson holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, the NCBC does not have permanent regional offices in every state capital, and its mandate is to advise on socio-economic development rather than monitor it through a decentralized regional network.
Consider the following statements regarding Annual report submission and parliamentary oversight:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes submits its annual report to the President of India under the provisions of Article 338B of the Constitution.
2. The President causes the annual report of the Commission to be laid before each House of Parliament along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on the recommendations.
3. Article 338B(5)(d) directs the Commission to present reports upon the working of the safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes to the President.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct because Article 338B, inserted by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, mandates the National Commission for Backward Classes to present annual or special reports on the working of safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes to the President. Under Article 338B(6), the President is constitutionally obligated to cause these reports to be laid before each House of Parliament, accompanied by a memorandum detailing the action taken or proposed to be taken on the Commission's recommendations and the reasons for the non-acceptance of any such recommendations.
Consider the following statements regarding Impact of the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act:
1. The 102nd Amendment Act integrated the functions of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes with the National Commission for Backward Classes, creating a unified body to oversee reservation policies under Article 338.
2. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act introduced Article 338B, which grants the National Commission for Backward Classes the authority to investigate complaints regarding the deprivation of rights of socially and educationally backward classes.
3. Article 342A was inserted into the Constitution via the 102nd Amendment, empowering the President to specify the socially and educationally backward classes in various States and Union territories in consultation with the Governor.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the 102nd Amendment Act did not merge the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) with the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC); instead, it granted constitutional status to the NCBC as a separate body under Article 338B. Statement 2 is correct as Article 338B empowers the NCBC to monitor safeguards and investigate complaints regarding the deprivation of rights of socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 3 is correct because Article 342A, inserted by the 102nd Amendment, empowers the President to notify the list of socially and educationally backward classes for each State and Union Territory in consultation with the Governor.
Consider the following statements regarding Constitutional safeguards for backward classes under Article 340:
1. Article 340 provides the legal framework for the states to prepare their own lists of backward classes, which are then reviewed by the Parliament through a joint session of both Houses.
2. The first Backward Classes Commission was established in 1953 under the chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar to identify criteria for defining backwardness.
3. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission report of 1955 suggested the recognition of women as a distinct backward class and proposed their inclusion in the list of beneficiaries for educational grants.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the first Backward Classes Commission was indeed established in 1953 under Kaka Kalelkar to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 340 empowers the President to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes, not to provide a framework for states to prepare lists or for Parliament to review them via joint sessions. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Kaka Kalelkar Commission did not recommend the recognition of women as a distinct backward class, but rather focused on caste-based criteria for identifying social and educational backwardness.
Consider the following statements regarding Constitutional status under Article 338B:
1. Under Article 338B(5), the Commission presents an annual report to the President regarding the working of the safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes.
2. The Union and every State Government are required to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting the socially and educationally backward classes as per Article 338B(9).
3. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the members of the Commission are determined by the President through rules notified under Article 338B(3).
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct as per the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, which inserted Article 338B to grant constitutional status to the NCBC. Statement 1 is accurate under Article 338B(5)(d), which mandates the Commission to report annually to the President. Statement 2 is correct under Article 338B(9), which explicitly requires the Union and State Governments to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 3 is correct as Article 338B(3) empowers the President to determine the conditions of service and tenure of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and other members through rules.
Consider the following statements regarding Role in monitoring implementation of reservation policies:
1. Article 340 of the Constitution provides for the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes, and the 1993 Act established the body as a permanent statutory entity with oversight of the creamy layer criteria.
2. The Commission follows the procedures laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 during its investigations, and its recommendations regarding the inclusion of new castes in the central list are binding on the Union Cabinet.
3. The 102nd Amendment Act replaced the 1993 National Commission for Backward Classes Act and transferred the power of identifying OBCs from the state legislatures to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the 1993 Act did not grant the NCBC oversight of the 'creamy layer' criteria, which is determined by the government, not the Commission. Statement 2 is incorrect because while the Commission possesses the powers of a civil court, its recommendations regarding the inclusion of castes are merely advisory and not binding on the Union Cabinet. Statement 3 is incorrect because the 102nd Amendment Act (Article 338B) granted the NCBC constitutional status, but it did not transfer the power of identifying OBCs to the Ministry of Social Justice; rather, it mandated that the President, in consultation with states, notifies the central list, while states retain the power to maintain their own lists.
Consider the following statements regarding Role in reviewing the progress of development of backward classes:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted constitutional status through the 102nd Amendment Act of 2018, which inserted Article 338B into the Constitution.
2. The 102nd Amendment Act established the National Commission for Backward Classes in 2018, replacing the 1993 statutory body which functioned under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
3. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members, all of whom are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 1 and 3 are correct as the 102nd Amendment Act (2018) inserted Article 338B, granting the NCBC constitutional status, and the Commission is composed of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three members appointed by the President. Statement 2 is incorrect because, while the NCBC was granted constitutional status in 2018, it did not replace the 1993 statutory body; rather, the 102nd Amendment Act repealed the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993, effectively transitioning the existing statutory body into a constitutional one.
Consider the following statements regarding Mechanism for redressal of grievances regarding non-implementation of safeguards:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018.
2. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
3. Under Article 338B, the Commission possesses the powers of a civil court while investigating complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards for backward classes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted the NCBC constitutional status by inserting Article 338B into the Constitution. The Commission is composed of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President, and it is vested with the powers of a civil court to summon witnesses, examine them on oath, and receive evidence during its investigations into grievances regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes.
Consider the following statements regarding Reporting mechanism to the President of India:
1. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes is appointed by the President of India for a fixed tenure of five years, and the Commission reports its findings to the Prime Minister's Office.
2. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional status by inserting Article 338B into the Constitution of India.
3. The President of India causes the annual report of the National Commission for Backward Classes to be laid before each House of Parliament along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on the recommendations.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the NCBC submits its annual report directly to the President of India, not the Prime Minister's Office. Statement 2 is correct as the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, provided constitutional status to the NCBC by inserting Article 338B. Statement 3 is correct because, under Article 338B(5)(d), the President is mandated to lay the Commission's reports before each House of Parliament, accompanied by a memorandum detailing the action taken on the recommendations.
Consider the following statements regarding Criteria for inclusion and exclusion in the Central OBC list:
1. The President of India holds the authority to notify the list of socially and educationally backward classes for each State and Union Territory under Article 342A.
2. The Commission possesses the powers of a civil court while investigating complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards of backward classes.
3. The annual income limit for the creamy layer exclusion was last revised by the Department of Personnel and Training in September 2017 to eight lakh rupees.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
Statement 1 is correct as Article 342A, inserted by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, empowers the President to notify the list of SEBCs for each State and UT in consultation with the Governor. Statement 2 is correct because the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), under Article 338B, is vested with the powers of a civil court to summon witnesses, examine them on oath, and receive evidence on affidavits. Statement 3 is correct because the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an Office Memorandum in September 2017, which raised the annual income limit for the creamy layer exclusion to eight lakh rupees, a threshold that remains in effect.
Consider the following statements regarding Power to regulate own procedure under Article 338B(5):
1. The Chairperson of the Commission is appointed by the President for a fixed term of five years, and the body functions under the direct administrative control of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
2. Under the rules of procedure formulated in 2019, the Commission holds the authority to issue arrest warrants for non-compliance, a power derived from the Code of Civil Procedure of 1908.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 was repealed by the 103rd Amendment, which simultaneously transferred the power to regulate internal proceedings to the Ministry of Social Justice.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
All statements are incorrect: Statement 1 is false because the NCBC is an independent constitutional body under Article 338B and does not function under the NCSC. Statement 2 is false as the Commission possesses the powers of a civil court to summon and examine, but it lacks the authority to issue arrest warrants. Statement 3 is false because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted constitutional status to the NCBC and empowered it to regulate its own procedure, not the 103rd Amendment or the Ministry of Social Justice.
Consider the following statements regarding Reporting mechanism to the President of India:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes possesses the powers of a civil court while investigating any complaint regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards of backward classes.
2. Article 340 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of the National Commission for Backward Classes, which delivers its investigative reports to the President of India through the Governor of the concerned state.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes maintains the power to issue binding directives to State Governments, and these directives are included in the annual report submitted to the President of India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct because under Article 338B, the NCBC is vested with the powers of a civil court while investigating matters related to the deprivation of rights of socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NCBC is a constitutional body established under Article 338B (inserted by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018), not Article 340, and it submits its reports directly to the President, not through the Governor. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Commission's recommendations are advisory in nature and it lacks the authority to issue binding directives to State Governments.
Consider the following statements regarding Appointment procedure and tenure of Chairperson:
1. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes is appointed by the President of India by warrant under his hand and seal.
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 provides for the removal of the Chairperson by the Union Law Minister following a recommendation from the Rajya Sabha.
3. The Chairperson of the Commission is selected by a high-level committee headed by the Chief Justice of India and serves a fixed tenure of five years.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and other members of the NCBC are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. Statement 2 is incorrect because the NCBC is a constitutional body under Article 338B, and the President-not the Law Minister-holds the power to remove members based on specified grounds. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Chairperson is appointed by the President without a high-level committee headed by the CJI, and the tenure is fixed at three years, not five.
Consider the following statements regarding Impact of the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act:
1. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act received the President's assent on 11 August 2018, marking a significant shift in the constitutional status of the commission.
2. Under the provisions of Article 338B, the National Commission for Backward Classes consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President.
3. Prior to the 102nd Amendment, the National Commission for Backward Classes functioned as a statutory body established under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, which received Presidential assent on August 11, 2018, granted constitutional status to the NCBC by inserting Article 338B, which mandates the commission to consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three members appointed by the President. Prior to this amendment, the NCBC was a statutory body established under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. All three statements are factually accurate as they correctly reflect the historical and structural evolution of the commission.
Consider the following statements regarding Distinction between NCBC and National Commission for SCs:
1. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is empowered to include or exclude communities from the central list of backward classes based on the socio-economic surveys conducted under the 1993 Act.
2. Under Article 338B(5), the National Commission for Backward Classes has the power to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for socially and educationally backward classes.
3. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act introduced Article 338C, which provides the National Commission for Backward Classes the same investigative powers as the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct because Article 338B(5), inserted by the 102nd Amendment Act, mandates the NCBC to monitor and investigate safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes. Statement 1 is incorrect because the power to include or exclude communities in the central list of backward classes rests with the Parliament under Article 342A, not the NCSC. Statement 3 is incorrect because the 102nd Amendment introduced Article 338B for the NCBC, not Article 338C, and it does not equate its powers specifically to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Consider the following statements regarding Scope of jurisdiction over State-specific OBC lists:
1. The Supreme Court judgment in the Maratha Reservation case, delivered in May 2021, interpreted the 102nd Amendment as limiting the state's power to identify backward classes.
2. Article 338B, inserted by the 2018 Amendment, authorizes the National Commission for Backward Classes to adjudicate disputes arising between state governments and the central list of OBCs.
3. The Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, introduced in August 2021, clarified the role of the Union government in maintaining the state list of backward classes to ensure uniformity across the country.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct because the Supreme Court's May 2021 judgment in the Maratha Reservation case ruled that the 102nd Amendment stripped states of their power to identify OBCs, leaving only the Centre with that authority. Statement 2 is incorrect as Article 338B mandates the NCBC to investigate complaints and advise on welfare measures, not to adjudicate disputes between states and the central list. Statement 3 is incorrect because the 127th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2021, was specifically enacted to restore the power of state governments to identify and specify their own lists of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, explicitly overriding the centralizing effect of the 102nd Amendment.
Consider the following statements regarding Power to regulate own procedure under Article 338B(5):
1. Section 11 of the 1993 Act remains in force alongside Article 338B, providing the Commission with the power to modify its internal rules subject to approval by the Union Cabinet.
2. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, which received Presidential assent on 11 August 2018, inserted Article 338B to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
3. Article 338B(5) of the Constitution empowers the National Commission for Backward Classes to regulate its own procedure during the investigation of complaints and inquiries into rights deprivations.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted constitutional status to the NCBC by inserting Article 338B, receiving Presidential assent on 11 August 2018. Statement 3 is correct because Article 338B(5) explicitly grants the Commission the authority to regulate its own procedure during investigations and inquiries. Statement 1 is incorrect because the 1993 Act was repealed by the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Act, 2018, following the constitutional elevation of the body, meaning the Commission now derives its procedural powers directly from the Constitution rather than the defunct 1993 Act.
Consider the following statements regarding Limitations of the Commission in binding executive decisions:
1. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional status under Article 338B.
2. Under the provisions of Article 338B(5), the Commission presents an annual report to the President, which is subsequently laid before each House of Parliament.
3. The Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) case observed that the advice tendered by the Commission regarding the inclusion of communities in the central list remains recommendatory in nature.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
The 102nd Amendment Act (2018) constitutionally established the NCBC under Article 338B, granting it the mandate to investigate and monitor safeguards for backward classes. Under Article 338B(5), the Commission is legally obligated to submit annual reports to the President, which are then tabled in Parliament for legislative scrutiny. The Indra Sawhney judgment established that the Commission's recommendations regarding the inclusion or exclusion of communities in the central list are advisory and not binding on the executive, as the final authority to notify the list rests with the President under Article 342A.
Consider the following statements regarding Role in monitoring implementation of reservation policies:
1. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission submitted its report in 1955 identifying various backward classes, and the 2018 constitutional amendment shifted the authority to modify the central list of OBCs from the Parliament to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
2. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Commission maintains a dedicated regional office in every state capital to monitor the implementation of reservation quotas in local government jobs.
3. The Commission is authorized to participate in the planning process of socio-economic development for backward classes and provides its final approval for the annual reservation roster maintained by the Department of Personnel and Training.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, empowered the President to notify the central list of OBCs, not the NCBC. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Chairperson holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, but the Commission does not have regional offices in every state capital. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the NCBC advises on socio-economic planning, it has no constitutional or legal authority to provide final approval for the annual reservation rosters maintained by the Department of Personnel and Training.
Consider the following statements regarding Constitutional safeguards for backward classes under Article 340:
1. Article 340 of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.
2. The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional status under Article 338B.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 was enacted following the Indra Sawhney judgment to provide a statutory body for examining complaints of over-inclusion in the central list of OBCs.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Article 340 empowers the President to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes, and the 102nd Amendment Act (2018) gave the NCBC constitutional status by inserting Article 338B. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the 1993 Act was enacted post-Indra Sawhney, the Commission's mandate was to examine requests for inclusion and complaints of under-inclusion, not over-inclusion, in the central list of OBCs.
Consider the following statements regarding Protection of interests of socially and educationally backward classes:
1. The 102nd Amendment Act introduced Article 340A into the Constitution, which defines the procedure for the inclusion of communities in the central list of backward classes.
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes was accorded constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 established the body as a statutory entity, and its first Chairperson was Justice R.N. Prasad who served until 1996.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018 granted constitutional status to the NCBC by inserting Article 338B. Statement 1 is incorrect because the 102nd Amendment introduced Article 338B and 342A, not 340A, to empower the President to notify the central list of backward classes. Statement 3 is incorrect because while the 1993 Act established the NCBC as a statutory body, its first Chairperson was Justice R.N. Prasad, but he served until 1999, not 1996.
Consider the following statements regarding Composition and service conditions of members:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 remains the primary legislation governing the service conditions, and it allows the Chairperson to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
2. Article 338B of the Constitution, inserted by the 102nd Amendment Act of 2018, provides the constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
3. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and other members are determined by the President through rules framed under the Act.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 2 is correct as Article 338B was inserted by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granting the NCBC constitutional status. Statement 3 is correct because, under the 2018 Act, the President is empowered to determine the tenure and service conditions of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and members via rules. Statement 1 is incorrect because the 1993 Act was effectively superseded by the 2018 constitutional amendment, and the current rules do not impose a limit of two consecutive terms for the Chairperson.
Consider the following statements regarding Role in monitoring implementation of reservation policies:
1. Under Article 338B(5)(d), the Commission is empowered to present reports to the President annually or at such other times as the Commission may deem fit regarding the implementation of reservation safeguards.
2. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018, which inserted Article 338B into the Constitution.
3. The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other Members, all of whom are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal as per the 2018 Act.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct.
All three statements are correct: Article 338B(5)(d) mandates the NCBC to report on the working of safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes, while the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, provided the Commission with constitutional status by inserting Article 338B. Furthermore, the composition of the Commission-comprising a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members-is explicitly defined under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993, and upheld by the 2018 Amendment, with all appointments made by the President under their hand and seal.
Consider the following statements regarding Constitutional status under Article 338B:
1. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, and the appointment process involves a selection committee chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs.
2. Article 338B(2) provides that the Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members appointed by the President.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes was granted constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Chairperson of the NCBC holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister, but the appointment is made by the President under his hand and seal, not by a selection committee chaired by the Home Minister. Statement 2 is correct as Article 338B(2) explicitly mandates the composition of the Commission to include a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members. Statement 3 is correct because the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, inserted Article 338B into the Constitution, thereby granting the NCBC constitutional status.
Consider the following statements regarding Mechanism for redressal of grievances regarding non-implementation of safeguards:
1. Article 340 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of the National Commission for Backward Classes to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.
2. The Commission submits its annual report to the Prime Minister, who then presents it before the NITI Aayog to review the implementation of welfare schemes for the Other Backward Classes.
3. The Chairperson of the Commission holds the rank of a Cabinet Minister, and the tenure of the members is fixed at five years as per the rules notified in the 2018 gazette notification.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 340 empowers the President to appoint a Commission to investigate conditions of backward classes, but the NCBC was established as a statutory body via the 1993 Act and later granted constitutional status under Article 338B by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Commission submits its annual report to the President, who causes it to be laid before each House of Parliament, not the Prime Minister or NITI Aayog. Statement 3 is incorrect because, while the Chairperson holds the rank of a Cabinet Minister, the tenure of the Chairperson and members is fixed at three years, not five, under the NCBC (Salaries and Allowances and Conditions of Service of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2018.
Consider the following statements regarding Role in reviewing the progress of development of backward classes:
1. The Commission maintains a regional office structure across five zones, and the Chairperson is entitled to the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister while performing official duties.
2. The state governments are permitted to consult the National Commission for Backward Classes on all major policy matters affecting the list of backward classes, as per the 2018 constitutional amendment.
3. Under Article 338B(5)(a), the Commission is empowered to monitor and investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for socially and educationally backward classes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Statement 3 is correct as Article 338B(5)(a) mandates the NCBC to monitor and investigate all safeguards provided for socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution or other laws. Statement 1 is incorrect because the NCBC does not have a regional office structure across five zones, and the Chairperson holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister only in terms of protocol, not as a constitutional mandate. Statement 2 is incorrect because, under Article 338B(9), the Union and State Governments are required to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting SEBCs, making consultation a mandatory constitutional requirement rather than a mere permission.
Consider the following statements regarding Mechanism for redressal of grievances regarding non-implementation of safeguards:
1. The Commission is empowered to participate and advise on the socio-economic development of backward classes and to evaluate the progress of such development under the Union and any State.
2. The 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill, which introduced the provision for the Commission, was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2, 2018.
3. The National Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 was repealed by the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, which shifted the oversight of reservation policies to the Ministry of Social Justice.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1 is correct as Article 338B(8) empowers the NCBC to advise on socio-economic development and evaluate progress. Statement 2 is correct because the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill, granting constitutional status to the NCBC, was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2, 2018. Statement 3 is incorrect because the 1993 Act was repealed by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, not the 103rd, and the amendment established the NCBC as a constitutional body rather than shifting oversight to the Ministry.