Regarding 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements:
1. Within a State, the notification of an area as a Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President.
2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block.
3. The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023: General Studies (SET - A - Held on 28 May)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points'Scheduled Areas' in India

Notification of Scheduled Areas:
- According to Article 244 and the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the President can notify an area as a 'Scheduled Area' through an order, usually after consultation with the Governor of the respective state.
- Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Administrative Units of Scheduled Areas:
- The administrative units of a Scheduled Area can vary in size, ranging from an entire district to specific blocks or clusters of villages.
- There is flexibility in how Scheduled Areas are defined and demarcated based on tribal population, social and economic status, and other factors.
- Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Reporting on Administration of Scheduled Areas:
- According to the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, the Governor of a state with Scheduled Areas is required to submit a report on the administration of these areas to the President.
- It is not the Chief Minister's responsibility, nor is the report submitted to the Union Home Ministry.
- Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2: Only two.