2011 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2011 · GS Paper I

Question 33: Polity and Governance

In India, if a religious sect/community is given the status of a national minority, what special advantages it is entitled to ?

  1. 1.It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.
  2. 2.The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha.
  3. 3.It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Under Article 30(1), religious and linguistic minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Recognised minority communities also benefit from the Prime Minister's New 15-Point Programme for minority welfare. Minority status does not give any community a nominated member in the Lok Sabha: only the Anglo-Indian community had that, under Article 331, a provision that has since lapsed. So statements 1 and 3 are correct.

  • 1. Article 30(1) lets minorities establish and administer educational institutions.
  • 2. Only Anglo-Indians had nominated seats, and not for minorities in general.
  • 3. The Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme is for minority welfare.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.

    What you needed to know: Only Anglo-Indians had nominated seats, and not for minorities in general.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: The Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme is for minority welfare.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Omits the 15-Point Programme, from which minorities benefit.
  • (b) Includes statement 2; no minority automatically gets a nominated Lok Sabha seat.
  • (c) Right: educational rights and the 15-Point Programme.
  • (d) Includes the false statement 2.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2011, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.