UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC asks States to evolve plan on domestic workers’ wages

Q1. In Penn Thozhilalargal Sangam v. Union of India (2026), the petitioners' argument that non-payment of minimum wages to domestic workers amounts to 'forced labour' was anchored primarily on which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Article 19
  • B. Article 21
  • C. Article 23
  • D. Article 24

Q2. With reference to how the Code on Wages, 2019 differs from the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, consider the following statements: 1. Whereas the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 applied minimum wages only to 'scheduled employments', the Code on Wages, 2019 extends coverage to all employments in both organised and unorganised sectors. 2. The Code on Wages, 2019 introduces a statutory 'floor wage' to be fixed by the Central Government, a concept absent in the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. 3. Unlike the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Code on Wages, 2019 explicitly lists 'domestic work' as a scheduled employment at the Central level, making State notification unnecessary. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Whereas the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 applied minimum wages only to 'scheduled employments', the Code on Wages, 2019 extends coverage to all employments in both organised and unorganised sectors.
  2. The Code on Wages, 2019 introduces a statutory 'floor wage' to be fixed by the Central Government, a concept absent in the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
  3. Unlike the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Code on Wages, 2019 explicitly lists 'domestic work' as a scheduled employment at the Central level, making State notification unnecessary.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The Supreme Court Bench that disposed of Penn Thozhilalargal Sangam v. Union of India on 29 January 2026, asking States to evolve a plan on domestic workers' wages, was headed by which one of the following?

  • A. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
  • B. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna
  • C. Chief Justice B.R. Gavai
  • D. Chief Justice Surya Kant

Q4. The National Policy for Domestic Workers, intended to provide a framework for minimum wages, social security and grievance redressal for domestic workers in India, was drafted by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • B. Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • C. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • D. Ministry of Rural Development