UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — NCSC seeks report on death of Dalit man in Punjab

Question 1

Under Article 338 of the Constitution of India, which one of the following is a correct statement of the authority of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Accepted Answer

The Union and every State Government are required to consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting the Scheduled Castes.

Answer

The recommendations made by the Commission in its reports are binding upon every State Government to which they are addressed.

Answer

The Commission has the exclusive authority to prosecute all offences of atrocity committed against members of the Scheduled Castes.

Answer

The Commission may regulate its own procedure only with the previous approval of the President of India.

Question 2

With reference to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes under Article 338 of the Constitution, consider the following statements:
1. It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three other Members.
2. While inquiring into a complaint it may requisition any public record or a copy thereof from any court or office.
3. Its Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members are appointed by the Prime Minister by warrant under his hand and seal.
4. Its provisions may be applied to such other backward classes as the President may by order specify.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 3

The first multi-member Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to function as a constitutional body pursuant to the Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act was constituted in the year:

Accepted Answer

1992

Answer

1978

Answer

1987

Answer

1990

Question 4

The Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes set up by the Government of India in July 1978 consisted of a Chairman and how many Members, inclusive of the Special Officer appointed under Article 338?

Accepted Answer

Four

Answer

Two

Answer

Three

Answer

Five

Question 5

The duty of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to present to the President reports upon the working of the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes is derived from which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Article 338(5)(d)

Answer

Article 338(4)

Answer

Article 338(6)

Answer

Article 338(8)

Question 6

Clause (5) of Article 338 of the Constitution enumerates how many duties of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Accepted Answer

Six

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Answer

Eight

Question 7

Which one of the following statements regarding the legal basis of national-level commissions in India is correct?

Accepted Answer

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is a constitutional body under Article 338A, inserted by the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003.

Answer

The National Human Rights Commission is a constitutional body under Article 338B, inserted by the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003.

Answer

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a statutory body constituted under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Answer

The National Commission for Backward Classes was made a constitutional body by the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003.

Question 8

Under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, as amended in 2019, the chairpersons of how many other national commissions or statutory offices are deemed to be Members of the National Human Rights Commission for the discharge of certain of its functions?

Accepted Answer

Seven

Answer

Five

Answer

Six

Answer

Nine

Question 9

With reference to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes' inquiry into the death of a Dalit daily-wage worker in Sangrur district, Punjab, in September 2026, consider the following statements:
1. The Commission acted in exercise of its duty to inquire into specific complaints relating to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes.
2. In discharging such functions the Commission is served by the Ministry of Home Affairs as its nodal ministry.
3. The Commission called upon the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police of the State to furnish a report.
4. Its Chairman holds office by virtue of election by the members of Parliament belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

3 and 4 only

Question 10

In its September 2026 directive on the Sangrur case, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes required the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police to submit their report within a period of:

Accepted Answer

Five days

Answer

Three days

Answer

Ten days

Answer

Fifteen days

Question 11

Under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, an advocate may be appointed by the State Government as a Special Public Prosecutor for a Special Court if he has been in practice as an advocate for not less than how many years?

Accepted Answer

Seven years

Answer

Three years

Answer

Five years

Answer

Ten years

Question 12

Under Article 338, where a report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes relates to a matter with which a State Government is concerned, the copy of the report forwarded to the State is required to be laid before the State Legislature by:

Accepted Answer

The Governor of the State

Answer

The Chief Secretary of the State

Answer

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the State

Answer

The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Union

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — NCSC seeks report on death of Dalit man in Punjab

Q1. Under Article 338 of the Constitution of India, which one of the following is a correct statement of the authority of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Q3. The first multi-member Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to function as a constitutional body pursuant to the Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act was constituted in the year:

Q4. The Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes set up by the Government of India in July 1978 consisted of a Chairman and how many Members, inclusive of the Special Officer appointed under Article 338?

Q5. The duty of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to present to the President reports upon the working of the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes is derived from which one of the following?

Q6. Clause (5) of Article 338 of the Constitution enumerates how many duties of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Q7. Which one of the following statements regarding the legal basis of national-level commissions in India is correct?

Q8. Under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, as amended in 2019, the chairpersons of how many other national commissions or statutory offices are deemed to be Members of the National Human Rights Commission for the discharge of certain of its functions?

Q10. In its September 2026 directive on the Sangrur case, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes required the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police to submit their report within a period of:

Q11. Under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, an advocate may be appointed by the State Government as a Special Public Prosecutor for a Special Court if he has been in practice as an advocate for not less than how many years?

Q12. Under Article 338, where a report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes relates to a matter with which a State Government is concerned, the copy of the report forwarded to the State is required to be laid before the State Legislature by: