UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Limits of neutrality in addressing caste

Q1. Under Clause 3(c) of the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, the term 'caste-based discrimination' was defined as discrimination based on caste or tribe against which of the following?

  • A. Members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes only
  • B. All citizens, including those of the general category, on any ground of birth
  • C. Members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes only
  • D. Members of notified religious minorities and linguistic minorities

Q2. With reference to the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Every institution is required to constitute an Equity Committee headed by the head of the institution. 2. Clause 3(c) defined caste-based discrimination as targeting members of SC, ST and OBC. 3. The Equity Committee is mandated to meet at least twice a year. 4. The 2026 Regulations were enacted to replace the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Every institution is required to constitute an Equity Committee headed by the head of the institution.
  2. Clause 3(c) defined caste-based discrimination as targeting members of SC, ST and OBC.
  3. The Equity Committee is mandated to meet at least twice a year.
  4. The 2026 Regulations were enacted to replace the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q3. In Abeda Salim Tadvi v. Union of India, the Supreme Court directed which body to notify fresh regulations to address caste-based discrimination and student suicides in higher educational institutions?

  • A. The University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • B. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
  • C. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
  • D. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)

Q4. Which constitutional body is exclusively charged with investigating and monitoring all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes, thereby operationalising the substantive-equality guarantees of the Constitution?

  • A. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes
  • B. The National Human Rights Commission
  • C. The National Commission for Backward Classes
  • D. The National Commission for Minorities

Q5. The enabling of special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes in admissions to private unaided educational institutions (Article 15(5)) was introduced by which Constitutional Amendment?

  • A. The 93rd Constitutional Amendment, 2005
  • B. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976
  • C. The 86th Constitutional Amendment, 2002
  • D. The 103rd Constitutional Amendment, 2019

Q6. With reference to the Rohith Vemula episode, consider the following statements: 1. He was a doctoral scholar associated with the Ambedkar Students' Association at the University of Hyderabad. 2. His death by suicide in January 2016 triggered nationwide protests over institutional caste discrimination. 3. A complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was filed following his death. 4. He was enrolled as a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. He was a doctoral scholar associated with the Ambedkar Students' Association at the University of Hyderabad.
  2. His death by suicide in January 2016 triggered nationwide protests over institutional caste discrimination.
  3. A complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was filed following his death.
  4. He was enrolled as a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. The PIL that led to the UGC equity regulations arose from two student deaths. Consider the following statements comparing the two: 1. Rohith Vemula was a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, whereas Payal Tadvi was a postgraduate medical student in Mumbai. 2. Both students died by suicide in the same year, 2016. 3. The PIL before the Supreme Court was filed by their mothers, Radhika Vemula and Abeda Salim Tadvi. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Rohith Vemula was a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, whereas Payal Tadvi was a postgraduate medical student in Mumbai.
  2. Both students died by suicide in the same year, 2016.
  3. The PIL before the Supreme Court was filed by their mothers, Radhika Vemula and Abeda Salim Tadvi.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Consider the following statements comparing constitutional provisions for the protection of weaker sections: 1. Article 17 is a fundamental right and self-executory, whereas Article 46 is a Directive Principle that is not enforceable by courts. 2. Article 15(4) enables special provisions in education, while Article 16(4) enables reservation in public employment. 3. Article 46 is a fundamental right enforceable against private individuals, whereas Article 17 is only a directive to the State. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Article 17 is a fundamental right and self-executory, whereas Article 46 is a Directive Principle that is not enforceable by courts.
  2. Article 15(4) enables special provisions in education, while Article 16(4) enables reservation in public employment.
  3. Article 46 is a fundamental right enforceable against private individuals, whereas Article 17 is only a directive to the State.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The University Grants Commission, which frames regulations such as the Equity Regulations, functions as a statutory body under which of the following?

  • A. The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
  • B. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
  • C. The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education
  • D. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Q10. While staying the 2026 Equity Regulations, the Supreme Court directed that the issues around the caste-discrimination definition be examined by a committee of eminent jurists and experts. This committee was to be approved by the Court and constituted with the involvement of which of the following?

  • A. The University Grants Commission and the Centre
  • B. The NITI Aayog
  • C. The Law Commission of India
  • D. The National Human Rights Commission

Q11. The special criminal law that penalises acts such as preventing a member of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes from entering an educational institution is the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of which year?

  • A. 1989
  • B. 1955
  • C. 1976
  • D. 1995