2013 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I

Question 25: Polity and Governance

The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?

aTo provide self-governance
bTo recognize traditional rights
cTo create autonomous regions in tribal areas
dTo free tribal people from exploitation

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 extends Part IX panchayat provisions to Fifth Schedule areas to give tribal communities self-governance through Gram Sabhas, recognise their traditional rights over resources and customs, and protect them from exploitation. It does not create autonomous regions; autonomous districts and regions are the Sixth Schedule's mechanism for parts of the north-east.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong. Self-governance through Gram Sabhas is a stated objective.
  • (b) Wrong. Recognising traditional rights and customs is an objective.
  • (c) Correct. Autonomous regions are a Sixth Schedule device, not an aim of PESA.
  • (d) Wrong. Freeing tribal people from exploitation is an objective.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.