UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 13: Polity and Governance
Consider the following statements about the minorities in India: I. The Government of India has notified five communities, namely, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians as Minorities. II. The National Commission for Minorities was given statutory status in 1993. III. The smallest religious minority in India are the Zoroastrians. IV. The Constitution of India recognises and protects religious and linguistic minorities. Which of these statements are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Statements I, II and IV are correct. The Centre notified five communities as minorities in 1993 (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians), the National Commission for Minorities got statutory status in 1993, and Articles 29 and 30 protect religious and linguistic minorities. Statement III is wrong: Jews are fewer in number than Parsis. Remember that Jains were notified as a sixth minority in 2014.
- I. Five communities were notified as minorities in 1993.
- II. The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 came into force in 1993, giving it statutory status.
- III. Jews are a smaller community than the Zoroastrians.
- IV. Articles 29 and 30 protect religious and linguistic minorities.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) III is false, so I and III cannot both be right.
- (b) I and IV are right, but II is also correct and is left out.
- (c) III is false and I is left out, though it is correct.
- (d) Right: I, II and IV are correct.
Worth knowing: Jains were notified as a sixth national minority in 2014, so statement I's list of five is out of date today.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.