The provisions of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India shall not apply to the administration and control of the Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in 1. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha 2. Assam and Tripura 3. Meghalaya and Mizoram Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a)1 only
- (b)1 and 2 only
- (c)2 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Correct — C, 2 and 3 only. The Fifth Schedule governs Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in the country generally, but it expressly excludes the tribal areas of four north-eastern states — Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram — which are instead administered under the Sixth Schedule. So the Fifth Schedule does not apply in item 2 (Assam and Tripura) and item 3 (Meghalaya and Mizoram). Item 1 states (Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha) are classic Fifth Schedule states, so the Fifth Schedule does apply there and item 1 is excluded from the answer.
- (a)1 only — Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha are Fifth Schedule states, so the Fifth Schedule does apply to them — the opposite of what this option claims.
- (b)1 and 2 only — It wrongly includes item 1 (Fifth Schedule states) and omits item 3 (Meghalaya and Mizoram), which are Sixth Schedule areas.
- (d)1, 2 and 3 — It adds item 1, but the Fifth Schedule does apply to Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha, so they cannot be in the 'not apply' list.
Article 244 splits the special administration of tribal areas between two schedules. The Fifth Schedule covers Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes across most of India, while the Sixth Schedule covers the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram through Autonomous District and Regional Councils.
Remember the four Sixth Schedule states (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram); anywhere the Sixth Schedule operates, the Fifth Schedule does not. States like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha fall under the Fifth Schedule.
- The Fifth Schedule (Article 244(1)) covers Scheduled Areas and Tribes in states other than the four Sixth Schedule states.
- The Sixth Schedule (Article 244(2)) covers the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
- Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha are Fifth Schedule states.
- The Sixth Schedule works through Autonomous District and Regional Councils.
The four Sixth Schedule states (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram) are exactly where the Fifth Schedule does not apply.
- Forgetting that the Sixth Schedule covers four states — Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, not just Assam.
- Reversing the question and marking the Fifth Schedule states as the 'does not apply' set.
Statement/pairing item distinguishing Fifth from Sixth Schedule states, or on the bodies each schedule creates.
The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to
- (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
- (b) determine the boundaries between States
- (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
- (d) protect the interests of all the border States
Answer(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
Same pair of schedules. UPSC tests their shared purpose (safeguarding Scheduled Tribes); this NDA item tests the division of territory between them.
Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?
- (a) Third Schedule
- (b) Fifth Schedule
- (c) Ninth Schedule
- (d) Twelfth Schedule
Answer(b) Fifth Schedule
Reinforces the Fifth Schedule's role in Scheduled Areas — the schedule whose territorial scope is the subject of this NDA question.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution applies to the tribal areas of which states?
- (a)Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh
- (b)Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
- (c)Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
- (d)Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana
Answer(b) Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram — administered through Autonomous District Councils.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Special provisions for the administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes (outside the north-east) are contained in which Schedule?
- (a)Fourth Schedule
- (b)Fifth Schedule
- (c)Sixth Schedule
- (d)Seventh Schedule
Answer(b) Fifth Schedule — under Article 244(1) for Scheduled Areas in most states.