Article 16(4) reservation policies limited by Article 335; Article 335 defines 'efficiency of administration'
Question
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration. Statement-II: Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term 'efficiency of administration'. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Options
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
Statement-I is correct; the Supreme Court has consistently cited Article 335 as a constitutional ceiling on the extent of reservations (Article 16(4)) to maintain administrative efficiency. Statement-II is incorrect; while the Constitution mentions "efficiency of administration" in Article 335, it never defines what that term actually means.
Answer: (c).
Question details
Year
2023
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q40
Subject
Polity
Sub-topic
Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Duties
Type
Assertion-Reason
Difficulty
Hard
Nature
Static
Source hint
Constitution Art.335
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