In India, if a religious sect/community is given the status of a national minority, what special advantages is it entitled to?
- 1.It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.
- 2.The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha.
- 3.It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct, so the answer is (c). Minorities have a Fundamental Right under Article 30(1) to set up and run educational institutions of their choice. Notified minority communities also benefit from the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme. Statement 2 is wrong. The President's nomination to Lok Sabha under Article 331 applied only to the Anglo-Indian community, and only if the President judged it inadequately represented. It was never automatic for every minority.
- ✓ 1. Article 30(1) gives all minorities, whether based on religion or language, the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
- ✗ 2. Article 331 let the President nominate not more than two members, and only of the Anglo-Indian community. This applied only if he was of opinion that the community was not adequately represented in the House of the People. The nomination was discretionary, not automatic, and no other minority had such a provision.
- ✓ 3. The Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme is aimed at notified minority communities. Under the schemes covered by the programme, 15% of the outlays and targets are, to the extent possible, earmarked for notified minorities.
Remember · Article 30(1): minorities can establish and administer educational institutions. The 15 Point Programme earmarks benefits for notified minorities. Only Anglo-Indians had presidential nomination to Lok Sabha (Art. 331), and it was discretionary.
Sources
- Constitution of India (Legislative Department), Part III, Article 30 ↗ “All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. … the President may, if he is of opinion that the Anglo-Indian community is not adequately represented in the House of the People, nominate not more than two members of that community”
- PIB, Ministry of Minority Affairs: PM's New Welfare Programme for Minorities ↗ “Under these schemes covered under 15 Point Programme, 15% of the outlays and targets are, to the extent possible, earmarked for notified minorities.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2011, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
