Minimalist IAS
Polity & governance

Prelims ┬╖ Polity & governance ┬╖ 38 questions

Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Duties

Every UPSC Prelims question on this topic, 2016тАУ2026, newest first. Tap an option to check yourself; the answer and explanation open below it.

Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Duties questions per year: 2016: 0, 2017: 6, 2018: 1, 2019: 2, 2020: 5, 2021: 4, 2022: 0, 2023: 3, 2024: 1, 2025: 1, 2026: 2 Asked in 9 of 11 years ┬╖ most in 2017 (6)

Practising Polity & governance? Take it as timed sets of 25 тЖТ

UPSC syllabus: тАЬIndian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.тАЭ Sub-topics in the detailed syllabus тЖТ

Prelims 2026 ┬╖ Q52

Medium Provisional key

рдПрдХ рдмрд╣реБрдЬрд╛рддреАрдп рдЬрд╝рд┐рд▓реЗ рдореЗрдВ, рдЬрд╣рд╛рдБ рдЖрд░реНрдерд┐рдХ рдкреНрд░рддрд┐рд╕реНрдкрд░реНрдзрд╛ рдФрд░ рдРрддрд┐рд╣рд╛рд╕рд┐рдХ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рдпрддреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдкрд░рд┐рдгрд╛рдорд╕реНрд╡рд░реВрдк рдкреНрд░рд╛рдпрдГ рд╕рд╛рдореБрджрд╛рдпрд┐рдХ рддрдирд╛рд╡ рдЙрддреНрдкрдиреНрди рд╣реЛрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ, рд╡рд╣рд╛рдБ рдПрдХ рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддреАрдп рдЙрдкрдЧреНрд░рд╛рдо рдХреЗ рдирд┐рдХрдЯ рдПрдХ рдЕрдкрд╢рд┐рд╖реНрдЯ рдкреНрд░рдмрдВрдзрди рд╕реБрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛-рдХреЗрдВрджреНрд░ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рднреВрдорд┐ рдЖрдмрдВрдЯрд┐рдд рдХрд░рдиреЗ рд╕рдВрдмрдВрдзреА рдПрдХ рд╕рд░рдХрд╛рд░реА рдирд┐рд░реНрдгрдп рд╕реЗ рдПрдХ рдЪрд┐рдВрдЧрд╛рд░реА рдирд┐рдХрд▓реА рдФрд░ рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддреАрдп рд╕рдореБрджрд╛рдп рдХрд╛ рд╡рд┐рд░реЛрдз рднрдбрд╝рдХ рдЙрдард╛, рдЬрд┐рд╕рдореЗрдВ рджрд╛рд╡рд╛ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ рд╣реИ рдХрд┐ рдпрд╣ рднреВрдорд┐ рдЙрдирдХреА рд╕рд╛рдВрд╕реНрдХреГрддрд┐рдХ рдкрд╣рдЪрд╛рди рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдкрд╡рд┐рддреНрд░ рдФрд░ рдорд╣рддреНрддреНрд╡рдкреВрд░реНрдг рд╣реИред рдЙрд╕реА рд╕рдордп, рд╢рд╣рд░реА рдирд┐рд╡рд╛рд╕реА рдФрд░ рд╕реНрдерд╛рдиреАрдп рдЙрджреНрдпреЛрдЧ рд╕рдореВрд╣ рдПрдХ рдЙрдкрдпреБрдХреНрдд рдирд┐рдкрдЯрд╛рди рд╕реНрдерд▓ рдХреЗ рди рд╣реЛрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рдХрд╛рд░рдг рдЙрддреНрдкрдиреНрди рдареЛрд╕ рдЕрдкрд╢рд┐рд╖реНрдЯ рдХреА рдЧрдВрднреАрд░ рдЪреБрдиреМрддрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдФрд░ рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рд╕реНрдереНрдп рдЪрд┐рдВрддрд╛рдУрдВ рдХрд╛ рд╣рд╡рд╛рд▓рд╛ рджреЗрддреЗ рд╣реБрдП рдЗрд╕ рдкрд░рд┐рдпреЛрдЬрдирд╛ рдХрд╛ рд╕рдорд░реНрдерди рдХрд░рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рдпрд╣ рд╕рдВрдШрд░реНрд╖ рд╕рдбрд╝рдХ рдЕрд╡рд░реЛрдз, рд╕реЛрд╢рд▓ рдореАрдбрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЕрднрд┐рдпрд╛рдиреЛрдВ, рдФрд░ рдкреБрд▓рд┐рд╕ рдХреЗ рдЕрддрд┐рд░реЗрдХ рдХреЗ рдЖрд░реЛрдкреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдЪрд▓рддреЗ рддреАрд╡реНрд░ рд╣реЛ рдЧрдпрд╛ред

рдПрдХ рдЬрд╝рд┐рдореНрдореЗрджрд╛рд░ рд╕рд░рдХрд╛рд░реА рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрд╛рд░реА рдХреЗ рд░реВрдк рдореЗрдВ, рдЖрдкрдХреЛ рдордзреНрдпрд╕реНрдерддрд╛ рдХреЗ рдорд╛рдзреНрдпрдо рд╕реЗ рдЗрд╕ рд╕реНрдерд┐рддрд┐ рдХрд╛ рд╕рдорд╛рдзрд╛рди рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдПрд╡рдВ рдкрд░реНрдпрд╛рд╡рд░рдгреАрдп рдЖрд╡рд╢реНрдпрдХрддрд╛рдУрдВ, рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддрд┐ рдХреЗ рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрд╛рд░реЛрдВ, рдФрд░ рд╢рд╣рд░реА рдЬрди-рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рд╕реНрдереНрдп рдХреЗ рдмреАрдЪ рд╕рдВрддреБрд▓рди рдмрдирд╛рддреЗ рд╣реБрдП рдПрдХ рд╕рдВрдзрд╛рд░рдгреАрдп рдкрд░рд┐рдгрд╛рдо рд╕реБрдирд┐рд╢реНрдЪрд┐рдд рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдХрд╛рд░реНрдп рд╕реМрдВрдкрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ рд╣реИред

рдЙрдкрд░реНрдпреБрдХреНрдд рдХреЗ рд╕рдВрджрд░реНрдн рдореЗрдВ рдирд┐рдореНрдирд▓рд┐рдЦрд┐рдд рдХрдердиреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рд╡рд┐рдЪрд╛рд░ рдХреАрдЬрд┐рдП :

  1. 1.рддрдХрдиреАрдХреА рд╡рд┐рдХрд▓реНрдкреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рдЪрд░реНрдЪрд╛ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рд╕реЗ рдкрд╣рд▓реЗ, рд╡рд┐рд░реЛрдз рдХрд░рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддрд┐ рд╕рдореБрджрд╛рдп рдХреА рд╕рд╛рдВрд╕реНрдХреГрддрд┐рдХ рдЪрд┐рдВрддрд╛рдУрдВ рдХреЛ рд╕реНрд╡реАрдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рд╣реА, рдПрдХ рд╕рдлрд▓ рд╕рдВрдШрд░реНрд╖ рд╕рдорд╛рдзрд╛рди рдкреНрд░рдХреНрд░рд┐рдпрд╛ рдЕрд╡рд╢реНрдп рдЖрд░рдВрдн рдХреА рдЬрд╛рдиреА рдЪрд╛рд╣рд┐рдПред
  2. 2.рд╢рд╣рд░реА рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рд╕реНрдереНрдп рдЪрд┐рдВрддрд╛рдУрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рдорд╛рдзрд╛рди рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП, рд╕рд░рдХрд╛рд░ рдХреЛ рдЕрд╡рд┐рд▓рдВрдм рдкрд░рд┐рдпреЛрдЬрдирд╛ рдХреЛ рдЖрдЧреЗ рдмрдврд╝рд╛рдирд╛ рдЪрд╛рд╣рд┐рдП, рдЬреЛ рдХрд┐ рдХрд┐рд╕реА рд▓рдШреБ рд╡рд░реНрдЧ рдХреА рднрд╛рд╡рдирд╛рдУрдВ рд╕реЗ рдХрд╣реАрдВ рдЕрдзрд┐рдХ рдорд╣рддреНрддреНрд╡рдкреВрд░реНрдг рд╣реИред
  3. 3.рдкрд╛рд░рд╕реНрдкрд░рд┐рдХ рд╕рдордЭ рд╡рд┐рдХрд╕рд┐рдд рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдФрд░ рддрдирд╛рд╡реЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдХрдо рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдореЗрдВ рд╕рд╣рд╛рдпрддрд╛ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддрд┐ рдиреЗрддрд╛рдУрдВ, рдкрд░реНрдпрд╛рд╡рд░рдг рд╡рд┐рд╢реЗрд╖рдЬреНрдЮреЛрдВ, рдФрд░ рдирдЧрд░ рдкрд╛рд▓рд┐рдХрд╛ рдХреЗ рдкреНрд░рддрд┐рдирд┐рдзрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рд╕рдореНрдорд┐рд▓рд┐рдд рдХрд░рддреЗ рд╣реБрдП рдПрдХ рдмрд╣реБ-рд╣рд┐рддрдзрд╛рд░рдХ рд╕рдВрд╡рд╛рдж рдордВрдЪ рдХрд╛ рдЧрдарди рдХрд░рдирд╛ред
  4. 4.рд╕рд╛рдХреНрд╖реНрдп-рдЖрдзрд╛рд░рд┐рдд рдирд┐рд░реНрдгрдпрди рдХреЛ рд╕реБрдХрд░ рдмрдирд╛рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдПрдХ рд╕реНрд╡рддрдВрддреНрд░ рдкрд░реНрдпрд╛рд╡рд░рдгреАрдп рдФрд░ рд╕рд╛рдорд╛рдЬрд┐рдХ рдкреНрд░рднрд╛рд╡ рдореВрд▓реНрдпрд╛рдВрдХрди (ESIA) рдХреЛ рд╕рдВрдЪрд╛рд▓рд┐рдд рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдФрд░ рдкреНрд░рд╛рдкреНрдд рдирд┐рд╖реНрдХрд░реНрд╖реЛрдВ рдХреЛ рджреЛрдиреЛрдВ рдкрдХреНрд╖реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рдкрд╛рд░рджрд░реНрд╢реА рд░реВрдк рд╕реЗ рд╕рд╛рдЭрд╛ рдХрд░рдирд╛ред

рдЙрдкрд░реНрдпреБрдХреНрдд рдХрдердиреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рдХреМрди-рд╕реЗ, рдЗрд╕ рд╕рдорд╛рдзрд╛рди рдкреНрд░рдХреНрд░рд┐рдпрд╛ рдореЗрдВ рдпреЛрдЧрджрд╛рди рджреЗрдВрдЧреЗ ?

Read this question in English

In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which claimed that the land was sacred and critical to their cultural identity. At the same time, urban residents and local industries supported the project, citing severe solid waste challenges and health concerns due to lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has escalated with road blockades, social media campaigns, and allegations of police excesses.

As a responsible Government official, you are tasked with resolving the situation through mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome that balances environmental needs, tribal rights, and urban public health.

Consider the following statements with reference to the above:

1. A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives.

2. The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group.

3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform тАФ including tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives тАФ to build mutual understanding and help de-escalate tensions.

4. Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently with both sides to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.

Which of the statements given above would contribute to the resolution process?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only ┬╖ (b) 2, 3 and 4 only ┬╖ (c) 1 and 2 only ┬╖ (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

рдЙрддреНрддрд░ рдФрд░ рд╡реНрдпрд╛рдЦреНрдпрд╛ ┬╖ explanation in English

Answer: (a) рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ 1, 3 рдФрд░ 4

The task is to mediate and balance three legitimate interests, so steps that listen, bring all sides together and put shared evidence on the table help, while a decision that dismisses one side does not. Statements 1, 3 and 4 do this; statement 2 overrides the tribal community's concerns and is likely to deepen the conflict.

  • тЬУ 1. Starting with the tribal community's cultural and religious concerns shows respect, lowers tension and makes it possible to discuss technical alternatives afterwards.
  • тЬЧ 2. Public health is among the State's primary duties (Article 47), but the State must equally protect the environment (Article 48A) and look to the welfare of Scheduled Tribes (Fifth Schedule); treating one group's view as automatically outweighing another's ignores the balance the task asks for.
  • тЬУ 3. A platform with tribal leaders, environmental experts and municipal representatives brings all interests to one table and helps reduce tension.
  • тЬУ 4. An independent impact assessment shared openly with both sides gives them common facts, so the decision can rest on evidence rather than on rival claims.

Remember ┬╖ In conflict cases, choose steps that listen to every side, share facts openly and balance rights and needs. Reject options that override one party or rush ahead.

Sources

  • Constitution of India (Legislative Department, Government of India), Fifth Schedule, para 4(2) (Tribes Advisory Council) тЖЧ тАЬIt shall be the duty of the Tribes Advisory Council to advise on such matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes in the State as may be referred to them by the Governor тАж The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties тАж The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.тАЭ

Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper I (2026, Series A) тАФ paper тЖЧ ┬╖ answer key тЖЧ. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ┬╖

Prelims 2026 ┬╖ Q54

Easy Provisional key

тАШXтАЩ, рднрд╛рд░рдд рдХреЗ рд╕рдВрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рди рдХреЗ рднрд╛рдЧ III рдХреЗ рдЕрдиреБрдЪреНрдЫреЗрдж 13 рдореЗрдВ рдпрдерд╛ рдЙрдкрдмрдВрдзрд┐рдд, тАШрд╡рд┐рдзрд┐тАЩ рд╢рдмреНрдж рдХреЗ рдЕрд░реНрде рдкрд░ рдПрдХ рд╕рдВрдЧреЛрд╖реНрдареА рдХреЛ рд╕рдВрдмреЛрдзрд┐рдд рдХрд░ рд░рд╣рд╛ рдерд╛ред тАШXтАЩ рдиреЗ рд╕реНрдкрд╖реНрдЯ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдХрд┐ рднрд╛рд░рдд рдХреЗ рд╕рдВрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рди рдореЗрдВ тАШрд╡рд┐рдзрд┐тАЩ рд╢рдмреНрдж рдХрд╛ рдЕрд░реНрде рдЕрддреНрдпрдзрд┐рдХ рд╡реНрдпрд╛рдкрдХ рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕рдореЗрдВ рдЕрдзреНрдпрд╛рджреЗрд╢, рдЖрджреЗрд╢ рддрдерд╛ рдирд┐рдпрдо рдФрд░ рд╡рд┐рдирд┐рдпрдо рднреА рд╕рдореНрдорд┐рд▓рд┐рдд рд╣реИрдВред тАШYтАЩ рдиреЗ рдзреНрдпрд╛рди рджрд┐рд▓рд╛рдпрд╛ рдХрд┐ рдЕрдиреБрдЪреНрдЫреЗрдж 13 рдореЗрдВ тАШрд╡рд┐рдзрд┐тАЩ рд╢рдмреНрдж рдХреЗ рдЕрдВрддрд░реНрдЧрдд рднрд╛рд░рдд рдХреЗ рд░рд╛рдЬреНрдпрдХреНрд╖реЗрддреНрд░ рдореЗрдВ рд╡рд┐рдзрд┐ рдХрд╛ рдмрд▓ рд░рдЦрдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реА рд░реВрдврд╝рд┐ рдпрд╛ рдкреНрд░рдерд╛ рднреА рд╕рдореНрдорд┐рд▓рд┐рдд рд╣реИ, рдЬрд┐рд╕рд╕реЗ тАШXтАЩ рд╕рд╣рдордд рдирд╣реАрдВ рдерд╛ред

рдЙрдкрд░реНрдпреБрдХреНрдд рдХреЗ рдЖрдзрд╛рд░ рдкрд░, рдиреАрдЪреЗ рджрд┐рдП рдЧрдП рд╡рд┐рдХрд▓реНрдкреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рд╕рд╣реА рдирд┐рд╖реНрдХрд░реНрд╖ рдХреЛ рдЪреБрдирд┐рдП :

Read this question in English

тАШXтАЩ was addressing a seminar on the meaning of the term тАШlawтАЩ as provided under Article 13, Part III of the Constitution of India. тАШXтАЩ explained that the meaning of the term тАШlawтАЩ in the Constitution of India was very comprehensive. It included ordinances, orders and even rules and regulations. тАШYтАЩ pointed out that the term тАШlawтАЩ in Article 13 also included custom or usage having in the territory of India the force of law, to which тАШXтАЩ was not convinced.

Based on the above, select the correct conclusion from the options given below:

(a) тАШXтАЩ is correct in the interpretation of law, including the view on non-inclusion of custom. ┬╖ (b) The view of тАШYтАЩ that тАШlawтАЩ included custom is not correct. ┬╖ (c) The views of both тАШXтАЩ and тАШYтАЩ are correct. ┬╖ (d) The view of only тАШYтАЩ is correct.

рдЙрддреНрддрд░ рдФрд░ рд╡реНрдпрд╛рдЦреНрдпрд╛ ┬╖ explanation in English

Answer: (d) рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ тАШYтАЩ рдХрд╛ рд╡рд┐рдЪрд╛рд░ рд╕рд╣реА рд╣реИред

Article 13(3)(a) defines 'law' to include ordinances, orders, rules, regulations and notifications, and also custom or usage having the force of law in India. So X was right about what 'law' covers but wrong to doubt that custom is included; only Y's view is correct.

  • тЬЧ (a) X's list is right as far as it goes, but he is wrong to leave out custom or usage, which Article 13(3)(a) expressly includes.
  • тЬЧ (b) Y's view is exactly what Article 13(3)(a) says, so it cannot be called incorrect.
  • тЬЧ (c) X's doubt about custom or usage is not sustained, so both cannot be correct.
  • тЬУ (d) Only Y is correct: the definition covers ordinances, orders, bye-laws, rules, regulations, notifications and custom or usage having the force of law.

Remember ┬╖ Art 13(3)(a): 'law' = ordinance, order, bye-law, rule, regulation, notification, custom or usage with the force of law. Any such 'law' that violates a Fundamental Right is void.

Sources

Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper I (2026, Series A) тАФ paper тЖЧ ┬╖ answer key тЖЧ. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ┬╖

Prelims 2026 ┬╖ Q57

Medium Provisional key

рднрд╛рд░рдд рдореЗрдВ рдЕрдиреБрд╕реВрдЪрд┐рдд рдЬрд╛рддрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдФрд░ рдЕрдиреБрд╕реВрдЪрд┐рдд рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рд╕рдВрдмрдВрдзрд┐рдд рдЙрдкрдмрдВрдзреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рд░реЗ рдореЗрдВ рдирд┐рдореНрдирд▓рд┐рдЦрд┐рдд рдХрдердиреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рд╡рд┐рдЪрд╛рд░ рдХреАрдЬрд┐рдП :

  1. 1.рднрд╛рд░рдд рдХреЗ рд╕рдВрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рди рдХреА рдкрд╛рдБрдЪрд╡реАрдВ рдЕрдиреБрд╕реВрдЪреА рдореЗрдВ рдЕрд╕рдо, рдореЗрдШрд╛рд▓рдп, рддреНрд░рд┐рдкреБрд░рд╛ рдФрд░ рдорд┐рдЬреЛрд░рдо рд░рд╛рдЬреНрдпреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддрд┐ рдХреНрд╖реЗрддреНрд░реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рд╕рди рдХреЗ рд╕рдВрдмрдВрдз рдореЗрдВ рдЙрдкрдмрдВрдз рд╣реИрдВред
  2. 2.рднрд╛рд░рдд рдХреА рдХреБрдЫ рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддрд┐рдпрд╛рдБ рдХрддрд┐рдкрдп рдЖрдп рдкрд░ рдЖрдпрдХрд░ рдХреЗ рднреБрдЧрддрд╛рди рд╕реЗ рдЫреВрдЯ рдХрд╛ рджрд╛рд╡рд╛ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХреА рд╣рдХрджрд╛рд░ рд╣реИрдВред
  3. 3.рднрд╛рд░рдд рдХреЗ рд╕рдВрд╡рд┐рдзрд╛рди рдореЗрдВ рдЕрдиреБрд╕реВрдЪрд┐рдд рдЬрд╛рддрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдФрд░ рдЕрдиреБрд╕реВрдЪрд┐рдд рдЬрдирдЬрд╛рддрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреА рд╕реНрддреНрд░рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдкрдВрдЪрд╛рдпрддреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд╕реНрдерд╛рдиреЛрдВ (рд╕реАрдЯреЛрдВ) рдХреЗ рдЖрд░рдХреНрд╖рдг рдХрд╛ рдЙрдкрдмрдВрдз рд╣реИред

рдЙрдкрд░реНрдпреБрдХреНрдд рдХрдердиреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рдЖрдзрд╛рд░рд┐рдд рдирд┐рдореНрдирд▓рд┐рдЦрд┐рдд рдирд┐рд╖реНрдХрд░реНрд╖реЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рдХреМрди-рд╕рд╛ рд╕рд╣реА рд╣реИ ?

Read this question in English

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?

(a) There are two correct statements, that include statement 2. ┬╖ (b) There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3. ┬╖ (c) There is only one correct statement. ┬╖ (d) All three statements are correct.

рдЙрддреНрддрд░ рдФрд░ рд╡реНрдпрд╛рдЦреНрдпрд╛ ┬╖ explanation in English

Answer: (a) рджреЛ рдХрдерди рд╕рд╣реА рд╣реИрдВ, рдЬрд┐рдирдореЗрдВ рдХрдерди 2 рд╕рдореНрдорд┐рд▓рд┐рдд рд╣реИред

Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram fall under the Sixth Schedule, not the Fifth, so statement 1 is wrong. The Constitution reserves at least one-third of the SC and ST seats in Panchayats for women of those groups, and members of Scheduled Tribes living in specified north-eastern areas are exempt from income tax on income from those areas.

  • тЬЧ 1. Article 244(1) applies the Fifth Schedule to Scheduled Areas in every State other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram; Article 244(2) gives those four States' tribal areas the Sixth Schedule.
  • тЬУ 2. Members of Scheduled Tribes living in specified north-eastern areas pay no income tax on income arising in those areas, so some tribes do have an exemption on certain incomes.
  • тЬУ 3. Article 243D(2) reserves not less than one-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs in a Panchayat for women of those groups; NCERT puts this at 17 per cent of all seats.
  • тАв Since then The Income-tax Act, 2025 has since been enacted and carries the same exemption for Scheduled Tribe members in its Schedule III, in place of section 10(26) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Remember ┬╖ Fifth Schedule = Scheduled Areas in most States; Sixth Schedule = tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram (Art 244). Panchayats: one-third of SC/ST seats go to SC/ST women (Art 243D).

ЁЯУШ Read it in NCERT: Class 12 Social Change and Development in India, Ch 3 (practise this chapter)

Sources

Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper I (2026, Series A) тАФ paper тЖЧ ┬╖ answer key тЖЧ. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ┬╖

The Syllabus X-Ray of this topic

1 of its 11 sub-topics is Core

1 Core ┬╖ 3 High ┬╖ 5 Steady ┬╖ 2 Rare

  • Core #32Directive Principles of State Policy ┬╖ 8 questions
  • HighFreedoms & Article 21: life, liberty, privacy ┬╖ 5 questions
  • HighRight to equality (Articles 14тАУ18) ┬╖ 4 questions
  • HighNature of rights, Article 13 & right to property ┬╖ 4 questions

The X-Ray ranks all 928 sub-topics of the UPSC syllabus by what UPSC has asked since 2016. The 60 Prelims Core sub-topics are behind 51% of Prelims questions.

See the whole X-Ray тЖТ

The same topic in Mains