Question

Choose the correct statement(s) regarding the 102nd Constitutional Amendment.

i) The 102nd Amendment granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes under Article 338B.

ii) The amendment was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 31 July 2018.

iii) The 123rd Amendment Bill was introduced by Ravi Shankar Prasad in the Lok Sabha.

iv) Article 342A empowers the President to specify socially and educationally backward classes for States or Union Territories.

• A. i, ii, and iv only
• B. i and ii only
• C. ii and iii only
• D. i and iv only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. i, ii, and iv only

102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018

• This amendment was enacted to provide constitutional recognition to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

• It inserted Article 338B, which deals with the powers, authority, and functions of the NCBC.

• The amendment also inserted Article 342A, empowering the President to notify the socially and educationally backward classes for a State or Union Territory.

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 (which became the 102nd Amendment Act) on August 6, 2018.

• The Lok Sabha passed the bill on August 9, 2018.

• The amendment aimed to strengthen the safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes.

• It effectively removed the power of states to notify backward classes, vesting this power solely with the President.

• The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, came into force on August 14, 2018.

Key Points for Competitive Exams:

• Article 338B: National Commission for Backward Classes.

• Article 342A: Power of President to notify socially and educationally backward classes.

• The amendment addressed issues related to the identification and inclusion of Backward Classes in the Central and State lists.

• It clarified the distinction between 'Backward Classes' and 'Socially and Educationally Backward Classes' in the context of central and state lists.

• The amendment aimed to ensure uniformity in the identification of backward classes across the country.