Schedules & Special Provisions MCQs for UPSC Prelims

85 practice questions on Schedules & Special Provisions from the Polity & Governance section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 85 come with a written explanation and 17 are actual previous year questions. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

14 Easy 38 Medium 33 Hard 17 from past papers

Sample questions

Q1
Previous year question hard

Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002: Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm. Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. B Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. C Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

The Flag Code of India, 2002 prescribes that the flag must be rectangular with a length to height ratio of 3:2, so Statement-II is correct. Statement-I is incorrect because 600 mm x 400 mm, though in 3:2 proportion, is not among the nine standard sizes listed in the Flag Code, which include sizes such as 450 mm x 300 mm, 225 mm x 150 mm and 150 mm x 100 mm. The trap in this question is that a 3:2 rectangle is not automatically a standard size; only the enumerated dimensions qualify, so options accepting Statement-I fail.

Q2
Previous year question easy

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?

  1. A This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
  2. B This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
  3. C This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
  4. D The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.

The Fifth Schedule deals with the administration of Scheduled Areas, and under it the Governor can make regulations that prohibit or restrict the transfer of land from tribal people to non-tribals and regulate money lending, which is the central protective consequence. Local self-governing bodies exist throughout India under Parts IX and IXA and are not created by Fifth Schedule status. Declaring a Scheduled Area has nothing to do with converting territory into a Union Territory, which requires a parliamentary law. Special Category State status is a Finance Commission and planning era concept, not a Fifth Schedule outcome. Hence the first option is correct.

Q3
Previous year question medium

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 ?

  1. A 1 only
  2. B 2 only
  3. C Both 1 and 2
  4. D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - 1 only

Only statement 1 is correct. Parliament can place a law in the Ninth Schedule (via constitutional amendment under Article 31B) to shield it from challenge on fundamental-rights grounds. Statement 2 is wrong after the Supreme Court's I.R. Coelho judgment (2007), which held that laws added to the Ninth Schedule after 24 April 1973 are open to judicial review if they violate the basic structure. So blanket immunity does not exist, making 'A' (1 only) correct.

Q4
Previous year question medium

The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?

  1. A To provide self-governance
  2. B To recognize traditional rights
  3. C To create autonomous regions in tribal areas
  4. D To free tribal people from exploitation
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - To create autonomous regions in tribal areas

PESA, 1996 extends Panchayati Raj to Fifth Schedule areas to enable tribal self-governance, recognise customary traditions and rights, and protect tribals from exploitation, so options (a), (b) and (d) are genuine objectives. It does not aim to create autonomous regions; autonomous councils relate to Sixth Schedule areas, not PESA. Therefore the objective NOT identified is in option (c).

Q5
Previous year question easy

The Ninth Schedule was introduced in the Constitution of India during the prime ministership of

  1. A Jawaharlal Nehru
  2. B Lal Bahadur Shastri
  3. C Indira Gandhi
  4. D Morarji Desai
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Jawaharlal Nehru

The Ninth Schedule was inserted by the very first Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951, along with Article 31B, to protect land reform and zamindari abolition laws from being struck down by courts. Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister at that time. Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai all held office much later, so those options are wrong even though many laws were added to the Schedule during Indira Gandhi's tenure.

Q6
Previous year question hard

Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education? 1. Directive Principles of State Policy 2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies 3. Fifth Schedule 4. Sixth Schedule 5. Seventh Schedule Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. A 1 and 2 only
  2. B 3, 4 and 5 only
  3. C 1, 2 and 5 only
  4. D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Every listed provision touches education. The Directive Principles direct the State to provide free and compulsory education and to promote educational interests of weaker sections (Articles 41, 45, 46). The 73rd and 74th Amendments empower rural and urban local bodies to handle education including primary schools (Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules). The Fifth and Sixth Schedules govern administration of Scheduled and Tribal Areas, where education of tribal populations is a key concern. The Seventh Schedule distributes the subject of education between the Union, State and Concurrent Lists. Since all five have a bearing on education, the answer is 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and any partial selection is incomplete.

Q7
Previous year question medium

Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constitution of India?

  1. A Inter-State trade and commerce is a State subject under the State List.
  2. B Inter-State migration is a State subject under the State List.
  3. C Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
  4. D Corporation tax is a State subject under the State List.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.

Entry 81 of the Union List covers both inter-State migration and inter-State quarantine, so quarantine across states is a Union subject and the statement about it is correct. Inter-State trade and commerce falls under Entry 42 of the Union List, not the State List. Inter-State migration is likewise a Union subject under Entry 81. Corporation tax is a Union subject under Entry 85 of the Union List, not a State subject.

Q8
Previous year question hard

With reference to Scheduled Areas in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President. 2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block. 3. The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States. How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. A Only one
  2. B Only two
  3. C All three
  4. D None
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Only two

Statements 1 and 2 are correct while statement 3 is not. Under the Fifth Schedule, the President declares an area to be a Scheduled Area by Order, after consultation regarding the State concerned. In practice the unit of declaration ranges from a whole district at the largest down to clusters of villages within a block at the smallest. Statement 3 is wrong because it is the Governor of the State, not the Chief Minister, who reports on the administration of Scheduled Areas, and the report goes to the President rather than to the Union Home Ministry.

Practice all 85 Schedules & Special Provisions questions free

Timed practice, instant scoring, and explanations for every question. Free forever - no card, no catch.

Start practicing I am a teacher - create a test

More Polity & Governance topics

Parliament 100 Constitutional Bodies 93 Centre-State Relations & Federalism 84 Fundamental Rights 57 Judiciary 57 Governance, Transparency & Accountability 54 Amendment of Constitution 49 Local Government 48 Directive Principles 45 Elections & Representation 44 Union Executive 43 Statutory & Regulatory Bodies 41 Social Justice & Welfare 39 State Legislature & Executive 38 Constitutional Framework 37 Citizenship 32 Emergency Provisions 32 Bills & Acts 31 Rights Issues & Mechanisms 31 Fundamental Duties 27