Introduction India, with its vast population of over 1.4 billion people, is one of the…
MCQs with answers on “Caste and Reservation Policies in India: A Critical Analysis”
1. Who introduced the concept of reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
C) Mahatma Gandhi
D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Answer: B) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
2. Which of the following provisions of the Indian Constitution deals with the reservation of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)?
A) Article 15
B) Article 16
C) Article 46
D) Article 334
Answer: D) Article 334
3. What is the main objective of India’s reservation system?
A) To promote social equality
B) To create an economically competitive society
C) To ensure equal representation in government services
D) Both A and C
Answer: D) Both A and C
4. Which committee was formed in 1979 to examine the issue of backward classes in India?
A) Kaka Kalelkar Committee
B) Mandal Commission
C) Sargeant Committee
D) Justice Ranganath Misra Commission
Answer: A) Kaka Kalelkar Committee
5. The Mandal Commission recommended a reservation of how much percentage of government jobs and educational seats for OBCs (Other Backward Classes)?
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 27%
D) 50%
Answer: C) 27%
6. Which year did the Supreme Court uphold the 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions?
A) 1992
B) 1990
C) 2000
D) 2006
Answer: B) 1990
7. Which of the following was a key recommendation of the Mandal Commission Report (1980)?
A) Reservation in private sector jobs
B) Introduction of reservations for OBCs in educational institutions
C) Abolition of reservations for Scheduled Castes
D) Introduction of affirmative action for women
Answer: B) Introduction of reservations for OBCs in educational institutions
8. Which amendment to the Constitution of India introduced the provision of 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in 2019?
A) 74th Amendment
B) 103rd Amendment
C) 96th Amendment
D) 91st Amendment
Answer: B) 103rd Amendment
9. The Indian government implemented the reservation policy for which of the following sectors?
A) Education
B) Government jobs
C) Local elections
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
10. Which of the following groups is NOT explicitly covered under the reservation policy in India?
A) Scheduled Castes (SC)
B) Scheduled Tribes (ST)
C) Other Backward Classes (OBC)
D) Upper Castes
Answer: D) Upper Castes
11. What does the term ‘creamy layer’ refer to in the context of OBC reservation?
A) The richest section of the OBCs
B) The poorest section of the OBCs
C) The top 5% of SC/ST
D) None of the above
Answer: A) The richest section of the OBCs
12. Which of the following is an example of a constitutional body that oversees the implementation of reservation policies?
A) National Human Rights Commission
B) Election Commission
C) National Commission for Backward Classes
D) Planning Commission
Answer: C) National Commission for Backward Classes
13. Which Supreme Court judgment held that reservation in promotions for SC/STs in government jobs is not mandatory?
A) Indra Sawhney Case (1992)
B) M. Nagaraj Case (2006)
C) T.M.A. Pai Foundation Case (2002)
D) All India Judges’ Association Case (2002)
Answer: B) M. Nagaraj Case (2006)
14. What does the term ‘social justice’ in the context of reservations primarily aim to achieve?
A) Economic upliftment of marginalized groups
B) Equal educational opportunities
C) Equal political representation
D) Elimination of caste-based discrimination
Answer: D) Elimination of caste-based discrimination
15. What was the main conclusion of the Kaka Kalelkar Committee Report?
A) Recommendation for quotas for OBCs in jobs
B) Recommendation for abolition of caste-based reservation
C) Reservation should be based on economic status
D) Introduction of reservations for minorities in private sector
Answer: A) Recommendation for quotas for OBCs in jobs
16. The idea of reservation for backward classes in India was influenced by which social reform movement?
A) The Brahmo Samaj
B) The Arya Samaj
C) The Dalit Movement
D) The Indian National Congress
Answer: C) The Dalit Movement
17. In which year did the Government of India introduce the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in education and government services?
A) 1947
B) 1950
C) 1956
D) 1961
Answer: B) 1950
18. Which is the first state to implement reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)?
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Kerala
D) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: A) Tamil Nadu
19. Which of the following is a significant critique of the caste-based reservation system?
A) It perpetuates caste divisions
B) It benefits only the economically affluent within the reserved categories
C) It leads to resentment in the general population
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
20. Which of the following states is NOT currently implementing 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)?
A) Kerala
B) Haryana
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Gujarat
Answer: A) Kerala
21. Which committee was set up by the Government of India to review the existing reservation policies in 2005?
A) Sarkaria Commission
B) Rajinder Sachar Committee
C) Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission
D) Shyam Saran Committee
Answer: C) Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission
22. Which of the following is considered the key flaw in India’s reservation system?
A) It is based on outdated social categories
B) It only benefits a small section of the backward classes
C) It increases caste-based politics
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
23. Who was the architect of the Indian Constitution and a strong proponent of affirmative action for marginalized communities?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
D) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer: B) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
24. The concept of ‘reservation’ is part of which part of the Indian Constitution?
A) Directive Principles of State Policy
B) Fundamental Rights
C) Fundamental Duties
D) Union Territories
Answer: A) Directive Principles of State Policy
25. What is the primary objective of caste-based reservation in education?
A) To ensure a higher percentage of students from reserved categories in prestigious institutions
B) To help backward castes gain educational opportunities
C) To reduce the overall number of students in government institutions
D) To increase private sector participation in education
Answer: B) To help backward castes gain educational opportunities
26. In the context of reservations, what does the term ‘positive discrimination’ refer to?
A) Discrimination against upper castes
B) Giving preferential treatment to underprivileged groups
C) Providing scholarships to minority groups
D) Both B and C
Answer: B) Giving preferential treatment to underprivileged groups
27. Which of the following is a constitutional amendment related to reservations?
A) 44th Amendment
B) 102nd Amendment
C) 73rd Amendment
D) 42nd Amendment
Answer: B) 102nd Amendment
28. Which year did the Supreme Court uphold the 50% cap on total reservations in India?
A) 1992
B) 1993
C) 2002
D) 1989
Answer: A) 1992
29. Which of the following has been a major limitation of India’s caste-based reservation system?
A) Widening inequality among backward groups
B) Exclusion of economically disadvantaged non-reserved castes
C) Difficulty in implementing merit-based admissions
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
30. The reservation policy in India primarily focuses on which three categories?
A) Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes
B) Scheduled Castes, Minorities, and Economically Weaker Sections
C) Dalits, Tribals, and Religious Minorities
D) OBCs, Upper Castes, and Economically Backward Classes
Answer: A) Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes
These MCQs provide a comprehensive understanding of India’s caste-based reservation policies, their history, impact, and critiques, all of which are essential for Civil Services Examination preparation.
