UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 34
With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements :
- Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President.
- The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block.
- 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?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B (Only two)
Explanation: Scheduled Areas are declared by the President, and may encompass a district down to clusters of villages. Governors, not Chief Ministers, report to the President.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct/True - Under the Fifth Schedule, the President specifies Scheduled Areas by order.
2. Correct/True - Administrative coverage may range from districts to blocks or clusters of villages.
3. Incorrect/False - Governors submit reports on Scheduled Area administration to the President, not Chief Ministers to the Union Home Ministry.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-it counts 1, but items 1, 2 qualify, giving 2.
B. Correct-exactly 2 of the 3 listed items satisfy the condition.
C. Incorrect-it counts 3, but only 2 qualify; item(s) 3 do not.
D. Incorrect-it counts 0, but items 1, 2 qualify, giving 2.