Q. What are the exceptions exclusively mentioned under Article 15 of Indian Constitution that allows the State to make special provisions for certain classes?
1. Special provision for transgender communities
2. Special provision for women and children
3. Special provision for economically weaker sections of citizens
4. Special provision for physically disabled persons
5. Special provision for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Article 15 provides that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
Statements 2, 3 and 5 are correct: There are four exceptions to the general rule of non-discrimination mentioned under Article 15 of Indian Constitution.
- The state is permitted to make any special provision for women and children. For example, reservation of seats for women in local bodies or provision of free education for children.
- The state is permitted to make any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. For example, reservation of seats or fee concessions in public educational institutions.
- The state is empowered to make any special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens.
Statements 1 and 4 are incorrect: Constitution under Article 15 does not provide any exclusive exception for the Special provision for transgender communities with extended scope and Special provision for physically disabled persons.
| Important Tips Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019 • It introduced economic reservation by amending Articles 15 and 16. It inserted Article 15 (6) and Article 16 (6) in the Constitution to allow reservation for the economically backward in the unreserved category. • It was enacted to promote the welfare of the poor not covered by the 50% reservation policy for SCs, STs and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). • It enables both the Centre and the states to provide reservation to the EWSs of society. |
