UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I

Question 56: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements : With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule

Ithe State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration
IIthe Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

aI only

bII only

cBoth I and II

dNeither I nor II

AnswerThe answer is (d).

The Fifth Schedule covers the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in States other than the four Sixth Schedule States. The State's executive power continues in a Scheduled Area, and no local body takes over total administration; that kind of autonomy is a Sixth Schedule feature. The Governor reports to the President on its administration and the Union's executive power extends to giving directions to the State. Nothing allows the Union to take over total administration of the area on the Governor's recommendation. Both statements are wrong.

I. The State keeps its executive power; total local-body administration is a Sixth Schedule idea.
II. The Union can direct the State on administration, but cannot take over total administration.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement I is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes I.
What you needed to know: The State keeps its executive power; total local-body administration is a Sixth Schedule idea.
Then, if you were sure statement II is not correct, (b) goes: it includes II.
What you needed to know: The Union can direct the State on administration, but cannot take over total administration.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

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) Wrong: the State does not lose its executive power in a Scheduled Area.
(b) Wrong: the Fifth Schedule has no provision for the Union taking over the administration.
(c) Wrong: neither statement matches the Fifth Schedule.
(d) Right: the State keeps its executive power and the Union cannot take over; the Governor reports and the Centre gives directions.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.