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UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1, question 56

Topic: Polity and governance

Q56

Consider the following statements :

With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule

I. the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration

II. the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a) I only
  2. (b) II only
  3. (c) Both I and II
  4. (d) Neither I nor IICorrect answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) Neither I nor II

  1. Statement I is incorrect: under Paragraph 2 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, the executive power of a State extends to the Scheduled Areas therein, so the State Government does not lose its executive power.
  2. Statement II is incorrect: under Paragraph 3 of the Fifth Schedule, the executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to the State regarding the administration of Scheduled Areas, not taking over total administration on the Governor's recommendation.