Correct answer: (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
Explanation
- A
protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
The Fifth Schedule deals with administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in States other than those under the Sixth Schedule. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district and regional councils in specified tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Together they protect tribal interests. This option is the official key.
- B
determine the boundaries between States
State boundaries are dealt with under Articles 2–4 and related parliamentary law, not by the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. This option is therefore not the key.
- C
determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
Powers of Panchayats are in Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule. The Fifth and Sixth Schedules are a different tribal-area scheme. This option is not the key.
- D
protect the interests of all the border States
The Schedules are not a general charter for all border States; they target Scheduled Tribes and specified tribal areas. This option is therefore wrong.
Summary. Official key is (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes. Fifth Schedule covers Scheduled Areas and Tribes outside the Sixth Schedule States; Sixth Schedule creates autonomous councils in listed north-eastern tribal areas. Boundary-making and Panchayat devolution sit elsewhere in the Constitution. The Schedules are not a blanket border-State guarantee. Only (a) states their purpose.
PYQ trend
When UPSC asked this
Related PYQs from other years, newest first. Open a question to read it.
-
2022 · Q73 · General Studies · 2 marks
If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? -
2020 · Q8 · General Studies · 2 marks
Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)? 1. Preamble 2. Directive Principles of State Policy 3. Fundamental Duties Select the correct answer using the code given below: -
2020 · Q18 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. They shall be enforceable by courts. 2. They shall not be enforceable by any court 3. The principles laid down in this part are to influence the making of laws by the State. Select the correct answer using the code given below: -
2019 · Q47 · General Studies · 2 marks
The Ninth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution of India during the prime ministership of -
2019 · Q50 · General Studies · 2 marks
Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? -
2019 · Q52 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibition or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following? -
2018 · Q5 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgement can be made on it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2017 · Q76 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected. 2. According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker's post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker's to the Opposition. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?