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 41–48 of 48 questions
Explanation
For the purpose of calculating contributions under the Employees’ Provident Funds Act, 1952, "wages" primarily include basic salary, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance. These components form the basis for both employer and employee contributions to the fund. Other variables like overtime, bonuses, or house rent allowances are typically excluded from this definition, ensuring a standardized approach to social security.Explanation
The extreme marginalization of De-notified Tribes in India is largely rooted in the historical stigma of the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act. This legislation branded entire communities as hereditary criminals, leading to systemic social exclusion and police harassment. Although the Act was repealed after independence, deep-seated prejudice and lack of permanent documentation continue to hinder their access to education and employment.Explanation
The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme is a key component of the NSAP, providing financial assistance to persons with severe or multiple disabilities. Eligible beneficiaries must be between eighteen and seventy-nine years of age and belong to households below the poverty line. This targeted support aims to provide a basic social security net for those who face significant physical or mental challenges.Explanation
A major objective of the Ayushman Bharat PM- JAY scheme is to protect poor and vulnerable families from the devastating financial impact of serious illnesses. By providing a health cover of five lakh rupees per family, the initiative aims to significantly reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditures. This allows families to access quality healthcare without the fear of falling deeper into poverty.Explanation
The fundamental rights articles related to social justice in the Indian Constitution follow a logical sequential order starting from Article 14. This article establishes the broad principle of equality before the law. It is followed by Article 15, which prohibits discrimination, and Article 16, which ensures equality in employment. Finally, Article 17 provides specific protection by completely abolishing untouchability.Explanation
Article 46 is a Directive Principle of State Policy that guides the government to promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of society. It specifically mentions the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, urging the State to protect them from social injustice and exploitation. This article provides the constitutional foundation for various affirmative action programs and specialized welfare schemes.| Commission/Case related to OBCs | Key Association |
|---|---|
| A. First Backward Classes Commission | i. Constitutional status to NCBC |
| B. Second Backward Classes Commission | ii. B.P. Mandal |
| C. Indra Sawhney Case | iii. Kaka Kalelkar |
| D. 102nd Constitutional Amendment | iv. 50% ceiling on reservation |
Explanation
The journey of OBC welfare is marked by key commissions and legal rulings. Kaka Kalelkar chaired the First Backward Classes Commission, while B.P. Mandal led the second. The Indra Sawhney case established a significant legal precedent by imposing a fifty percent ceiling on total reservations. More recently, the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (d) Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 |
| 42 | (a) Basic wages, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance |
| 43 | (a) The historical stigma of the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act, which labeled them as born criminals |
| 44 | (c) IGNDPS - Pension for persons with severe disabilities aged 18 to 79 from BPL households |
| 45 | (d) Reducing catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure for poor and vulnerable families |
| 46 | (a) Equality before law Prohibition of discrimination Equality of opportunity in public employment Abolition of untouchability |
| 47 | (c) The weaker sections of the people, especially the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes |
| 48 | (d) A-iii, B-ii, 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.