UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Karnataka files plea against quashing of SC/ST quota hike

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. To secure Ninth Schedule protection for its 2022 quota Act, Karnataka has to seek the Union's support instead of acting through its own Legislature.
  2. A constitutional amendment made under Article 368 is excluded from the meaning of 'law' for the purposes of Article 13.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. Consider the following assertion: Even if Parliament were to place Karnataka's 2022 reservation Act in the Ninth Schedule, that would not shield the Act against every possible ground of challenge. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

  1. Article 31B protects a listed law only against the ground that it is inconsistent with, or takes away or abridges, the rights conferred by Part III.
  2. Article 31B leaves a competent Legislature free to amend or repeal a law that has been placed in the Ninth Schedule.
  3. A State law can be invalidated for lack of legislative competence, which is a ground distinct from the violation of fundamental rights.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The 50% ceiling on total reservation that the Karnataka High Court applied is expressly laid down in the text of Article 16(4).
  2. Article 16(4) leaves it to the opinion of the State to judge whether a backward class is inadequately represented in the services under it.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. With reference to the identification of Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A list of Scheduled Tribes notified by the President applies uniformly to all States and Union Territories.
  2. Once the President has notified the Scheduled Tribes for a State, that list cannot be varied by a subsequent Presidential notification.
  3. The President specifies the Scheduled Tribes for a State after consultation with the Governor of that State.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q5. The Karnataka government has challenged the High Court's ruling by filing a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court. Until the Supreme Court decides the matter, what is the most accurate description of the legal effect of the High Court's ruling?

  • A. It takes effect only after the Union Government decides on the State's request for Ninth Schedule protection.
  • B. It remains inoperative until the State Legislature votes on whether to accept or contest the ruling.
  • C. It continues to bind the State unless the Supreme Court passes an interim order staying its operation.
  • D. It stands automatically suspended from the date on which the State's petition is filed in the Supreme Court.