Q40 · UPSC Prelims 2023 · Set A · Polity and Governance

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Consider the following statements:Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of the administration.Statement-II: Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term 'efficiency of administration'.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A Both Statements-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
B Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
C Statement-I is correct but Statement- II is incorrect
D Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Correct answer: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement- II is incorrect

Explanation

  1. A

    Both Statements-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

    Both correct and II explains I. Article 335 does not define ‘efficiency of administration’.

  2. B

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

    Both correct but II does not explain I. II is false.

  3. C

    Statement-I is correct but Statement- II is incorrect

    I correct, II incorrect. Courts have read 16(4) with 335; 335 does not define efficiency.

  4. D

    Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

    I incorrect, II correct. The 16(4)–335 link appears in several judgments.

Summary. Official key is (c). The Supreme Court has said that reservations under Article 16(4) are limited by Article 335’s concern for efficiency of administration. Article 335 uses the phrase; it does not define it. Statement-II fails.

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