Q. Consider the following statements:
1.State governments are empowered to modify the President’s list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) if they find it necessary based on local demographics, social dynamics, and specific community needs.
2.Under the ruling of Indra Sawhney vs Union of India, the Supreme Court declared that sub-classifications within socially and educationally backward classes for government services were permissible.
3.Only the President, in consultation with the respective state’s Governor, has the authority to specify the list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) for each state, while only Parliament holds the power to make modifications.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statement 1 is incorrect. State governments do not have the authority to modify the President’s list of Scheduled Castes. The classification of SCs is a central subject, and only the Parliament or the President has the power to make changes to the list of SCs, as per Article 341 of the Constitution.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. In the Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992) case, the Supreme Court upheld the concept of sub-classification within the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for the purpose of providing reservations in government services. The Court recognized that there are varying degrees of backwardness within the OBC category and that sub-classification would help ensure that the benefits of reservations reach the most deserving individuals and groups. Under the Constitution of India, the President, in consultation with the Governor of the state concerned, has the power to specify the list of Scheduled Castes for each state. This is done through a notification in the official gazette, which can be modified subsequently only by a law made by Parliament, as per Article 341 of the Constitution.
Source: The Hindu
