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.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q57 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India: 1. Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. Some tribes of India are entitled to exemption from paying Income Tax on certain incomes. 3. The Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct? -
2025 · Q56 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements : With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State in declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule I. the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration II. the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
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?