Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “The Role of Caste in Indian Politics” suitable for the Civil Services Examination

Which of the following articles in the Indian Constitution addresses the abolition of untouchability?
- A) Article 15
- B) Article 17
- C) Article 46
- D) Article 25
  Answer: B) Article 17
The Mandal Commission was established to address the political representation of which of the following groups?
- A) General category
- B) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- C) OBCs (Other Backward Classes)
- D) Minorities
  Answer: C) OBCs (Other Backward Classes)
What term is used to describe the electoral strategy that seeks to mobilize caste identities to gain votes?
- A) Caste politics
- B) Identity politics
- C) Vote bank politics
- D) Regional politics
  Answer: C) Vote bank politics
Which political party in India is primarily associated with the representation of the Dalit community?
- A) Indian National Congress
- B) Bharatiya Janata Party
- C) Bahujan Samaj Party
- D) Communist Party of India
  Answer: C) Bahujan Samaj Party
The concept of ‘social justice’ in Indian politics is largely influenced by which of the following factors?
- A) Economic status
- B) Caste hierarchy
- C) Gender equity
- D) Religious affiliation
  Answer: B) Caste hierarchy
Which of the following statements best describes the role of caste in Indian elections?
- A) Caste has no influence on voting behavior.
- B) Caste is a significant factor in voter mobilization.
- C) Caste only matters in rural areas.
- D) Caste identity is diminishing in politics.
  Answer: B) Caste is a significant factor in voter mobilization.
Which of the following amendments introduced the provision for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in local bodies?
- A) 61st Amendment
- B) 73rd Amendment
- C) 74th Amendment
- D) 86th Amendment
  Answer: B) 73rd Amendment
In which Indian state did caste politics play a crucial role in the formation of the regional party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)?
- A) Uttar Pradesh
- B) Tamil Nadu
- C) West Bengal
- D) Maharashtra
  Answer: B) Tamil Nadu
Which of the following is a major consequence of caste-based politics in India?
- A) Increased social cohesion
- B) Fragmentation of political parties
- C) Greater political participation of all classes
- D) Uniformity in voting behavior
  Answer: B) Fragmentation of political parties
The term ‘kothari’ is associated with which caste group in Indian politics?
- A) Brahmins
- B) Kshatriyas
- C) Dalits
- D) OBCs
  Answer: A) Brahmins
Which of the following acts aimed at promoting social justice by providing legal protections to the Scheduled Castes?
- A) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- B) The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- C) The Panchayati Raj Act, 1992
- D) The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
  Answer: A) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
The influence of caste in politics can lead to which of the following negative outcomes?
- A) Political accountability
- B) Policy inclusivity
- C) Social fragmentation
- D) Enhanced democratic processes
  Answer: C) Social fragmentation
Which caste-based party emerged in Uttar Pradesh focusing on the interests of the backward classes?
- A) Bharatiya Janata Party
- B) Samajwadi Party
- C) Indian National Congress
- D) Janata Party
  Answer: B) Samajwadi Party
The term ‘Dalit’ refers to which of the following?
- A) Upper caste communities
- B) Minority groups
- C) Scheduled Castes
- D) Agrarian communities
  Answer: C) Scheduled Castes
The implementation of caste-based reservations in educational institutions primarily aims to achieve which of the following?
- A) Economic growth
- B) Social equity
- C) Political stability
- D) National integration
  Answer: B) Social equity
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of caste-based politics?
- A) Mobilization of votes based on caste identity
- B) Coalition governments formed on caste lines
- C) Unification of all castes against a common enemy
- D) Political parties targeting specific caste groups
  Answer: C) Unification of all castes against a common enemy
Which political leader is known for championing the rights of the marginalized and the Dalit community?
- A) B. R. Ambedkar
- B) Mahatma Gandhi
- C) Jawaharlal Nehru
- D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  Answer: A) B. R. Ambedkar
The phenomenon of ‘caste panchayats’ refers to which of the following?
- A) Formal judicial systems
- B) Community-based decision-making bodies
- C) Political parties
- D) Government institutions
  Answer: B) Community-based decision-making bodies
Which of the following concepts describes the shifting alliances among caste groups in electoral politics?
- A) Caste consolidation
- B) Caste fragmentation
- C) Caste fluidity
- D) Caste rigidity
  Answer: C) Caste fluidity
Which state in India is known for the significant role of the Patidar caste in its political landscape?
- A) Gujarat
- B) Rajasthan
- C) Maharashtra
- D) Punjab
  Answer: A) Gujarat
What is the primary criticism of caste-based reservations in India?
- A) It helps uplift the marginalized.
- B) It creates further divisions in society.
- C) It enhances social mobility.
- D) It promotes inclusivity.
  Answer: B) It creates further divisions in society.
Which of the following movements aimed at the social upliftment of lower caste groups in India?
- A) Khilafat Movement
- B) Non-Cooperation Movement
- C) Bhoodan Movement
- D) Dravidian Movement
  Answer: D) Dravidian Movement
The Indian Constitution provides for the representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in which of the following?
- A) Rajya Sabha only
- B) Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
- C) Municipalities only
- D) Panchayati Raj institutions only
  Answer: B) Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
Caste-based identity politics has often led to the emergence of which of the following?
- A) National parties with unified platforms
- B) Regional parties catering to specific caste groups
- C) Reduced political participation
- D) Increased voter turnout
  Answer: B) Regional parties catering to specific caste groups
The political landscape in India often witnesses a coalition of which two major caste groups in certain states?
- A) Brahmins and Kshatriyas
- B) Dalits and OBCs
- C) Upper castes and Scheduled Tribes
- D) Scheduled Castes and Upper castes
  Answer: B) Dalits and OBCs
Which of the following is considered a major strength of caste-based politics?
- A) It fosters communal harmony.
- B) It ensures representation for marginalized groups.
- C) It simplifies governance.
- D) It reduces political competition.
  Answer: B) It ensures representation for marginalized groups.
The 1989 elections in Bihar witnessed a significant rise in the political influence of which caste group?
- A) Brahmins
- B) Yadavs
- C) Rajputs
- D) Bhumihars
  Answer: B) Yadavs
Caste politics often influences which aspect of governance in India?
- A) Economic policies only
- B) Educational policies only
- C) Reservation policies
- D) Foreign policies
  Answer: C) Reservation policies
The term ‘caste-based mobilization’ primarily refers to:
- A) Formation of unions based on caste
- B) Political strategies leveraging caste identities for electoral gains
- C) Religious movements within caste groups
- D) Economic reforms targeting caste discrimination
  Answer: B) Political strategies leveraging caste identities for electoral gains
Which of the following best describes the influence of caste in the decision-making processes of political parties?
- A) It is non-existent.
- B) It plays a minimal role.
- C) It is a crucial factor in candidate selection and electoral strategies.
- D) It only affects local-level politics.
  Answer: C) It is a crucial factor in candidate selection and electoral strategies.

These questions are designed to assess knowledge of the role of caste in Indian politics, including its implications, influences, and consequences on governance and society.

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