Q21. What is the most appropriate definition of "Scheduled Castes" under the Constitution of India?
Social Justice and Empowerment: RAS Prelims MCQs
48 RAS Prelims MCQs on social justice and empowerment cover the constitutional provisions, commissions and welfare schemes. Article 15, the Mandal Commission, the 103rd Amendment on EWS reservation, the Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, minority welfare schemes and the laws for senior citizens and Denotified Tribes are asked as facts, matches and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 48 questions
Q22. Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of events related to OBC reservation in India?
Explanation
The evolution of OBC reservations began with the Kaka Kalelkar Commission in 1953, the first of its kind. Later, the Mandal Commission was established in 1979, recommending 27 percent reservation. The legal validity of these quotas was confirmed by the Supreme Court in the landmark 1992 Indra Sawhney judgment. Finally, the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 granted constitutional status to the NCBC.
Q23. The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which introduced the EWS reservation, amended which of the following pairs of Articles of the Constitution?
Explanation
The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, introduced reservations for the Economically Weaker Sections by amending Articles 15 and 16.
Q24. The declaration of an area as a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule primarily leads to which of the following effects?
Explanation
Declaring an area as a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule mandates the establishment of a Tribes Advisory Council in the state. This council consists of representatives from Scheduled Tribes and advises the Governor on matters pertaining to their welfare and advancement. This provision ensures that tribal communities have a voice in local governance and that their specific cultural and land rights are protected.
Q25. Consider the following statements regarding the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018:
I. It inserted Section 18A to the original Act.
II. It mandates that a preliminary enquiry shall not be required for the registration of an FIR against any person.
III. It states that the investigating officer requires prior approval for the arrest of an accused.
IV. It restores the provision that denies the benefit of anticipatory bail to the accused under the Act.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
I. It inserted Section 18A to the original Act.
II. It mandates that a preliminary enquiry shall not be required for the registration of an FIR against any person.
III. It states that the investigating officer requires prior approval for the arrest of an accused.
IV. It restores the provision that denies the benefit of anticipatory bail to the accused under the Act.
Which of the combination of statements given above is correct?
Explanation
The SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Amendment Act, 2018, was enacted to strengthen the original law. It inserted Section 18A, which removes the requirement for a preliminary enquiry before registering an FIR. Furthermore, it clarifies that the investigating officer does not need prior approval for arrests. It also restores the provision that denies anticipatory bail to the accused, ensuring effective protection.
Q26. Which of the following is not a constitutional provision specifically intended to promote the welfare and empowerment of women?
Explanation
Article 330 of the Constitution provides for the reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha specifically for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It does not contain any provisions related to gender-based empowerment. In contrast, Articles 15(3), 39(a), and 42 are dedicated to the welfare of women, enabling special laws, ensuring livelihoods, and providing maternity relief, thereby promoting gender equality.
Q27. In the following question, a statement of
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Choose the correct option:
Assertion (A): The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme places strong emphasis on enforcing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act.
Reason (R): The primary objective of the scheme is to reverse the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and ensure the survival of the girl child.
Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of
Reason (R). Choose the correct option:
Assertion (A): The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme places strong emphasis on enforcing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act.
Reason (R): The primary objective of the scheme is to reverse the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and ensure the survival of the girl child.
Explanation
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme prioritizes the enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act to prevent female feticide. This focus is directly linked to the scheme’s overarching goal of improving the declining child sex ratio in India. By ensuring the survival and protection of the girl child, the initiative seeks to address deep-rooted social biases and balanced growth.
Q28. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme?
Explanation
The Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme is designed to bridge the gap between rural women and government welfare initiatives. A key feature is the deployment of college student volunteers at the block level to act as catalysts for awareness generation. These volunteers help women understand their rights and access various empowerment schemes, ensuring that the benefits of national and state policies reach the grassroots.
Q29. Consider the following statements about the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (now PM POSHAN):
I. It aims to improve the nutritional status of children in classes I-VIII in Government and Government-aided schools.
II. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
III. It encourages the involvement of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Women Self Help Groups.
IV. It provides a hot cooked meal with prescribed nutritional norms.
V. It completely excludes pre-primary or Balvatika students from its coverage under the new guidelines.
Which of the combination of statements given above is incorrect?
I. It aims to improve the nutritional status of children in classes I-VIII in Government and Government-aided schools.
II. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
III. It encourages the involvement of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Women Self Help Groups.
IV. It provides a hot cooked meal with prescribed nutritional norms.
V. It completely excludes pre-primary or Balvatika students from its coverage under the new guidelines.
Which of the combination of statements given above is incorrect?
Explanation
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme, now rebranded as PM POSHAN, is a centrally sponsored initiative aiming to improve child nutrition in government schools. Contrary to being excluded, the new guidelines specifically include children studying in pre-primary or Balvatika classes. The scheme provides hot cooked meals and encourages community participation through local groups, ensuring that nutritional support starts from the earliest stages.
Q30. Match List I (Component of ICDS) with List II (Target Group) and select the correct option:
| Component of ICDS | Target Group |
|---|---|
| A. Supplementary Nutrition | i. Women in the age group of 15-45 years |
| B. Non-formal Preschool Education | ii. Children below 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers |
| C. Immunization | iii. Children 3-6 years |
| D. Nutrition and Health Education | iv. Infants and pregnant women |
Explanation
The Integrated Child Development Services scheme provides a package of services to specific target groups. Supplementary nutrition is for children under six and mothers, while non-formal preschool education targets children aged three to six. Immunization services are prioritized for infants and pregnant women. Additionally, nutrition and health education is primarily directed at women in the fifteen to forty-five age group.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (d) Groups, castes, or tribes deemed to be Scheduled Castes under the provisions of Article 341 |
| 22 | (a) Kaka Kalelkar Commission Mandal Commission Indra Sawhney Judgment 102nd Constitutional Amendment |
| 23 | (c) Articles 15 and 16 |
| 24 | (d) Establishing a Tribes Advisory Council in the State to advise on the welfare and advancement of STs |
| 25 | (a) I, II and IV |
| 26 | (c) Article 330 |
| 27 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 28 | (a) It utilizes student volunteers in backward districts to generate awareness about various women’s schemes |
| 29 | (c) V only |
| 30 | (d) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
Key facts from Social Justice and Empowerment
- Article 15 prohibits discrimination only on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
- The Mandal Commission, the Second Backward Classes Commission, was appointed in 1979.
- The 103rd Amendment, which introduced EWS reservation, amended Articles 15 and 16.
- Under PMUY, beneficiaries are identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 and the support is Rs 1,600 per connection.
- Ayushman Bharat PMJAY covers 3 days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation costs.
- Padho Pardesh gives an interest subsidy on loans for overseas studies; Denotified Tribes were those notified under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Social Justice and Empowerment?
This page has 48 practice MCQs on Social Justice and Empowerment (Indian Economy). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was the Mandal Commission appointed?
In 1979, as the Second Backward Classes Commission under B. P. Mandal. Its recommendation of 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in central posts was implemented in 1990.
Which Amendment introduced EWS reservation?
The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019, which amended Articles 15 and 16 to allow reservation for economically weaker sections in education and public employment, up to 10 per cent.
What does PM Ujjwala Yojana provide?
Free LPG connections to women from poor households, identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, with a financial support of Rs 1,600 per connection to meet the cost of the connection.