Question

Consider the following statements regarding the 104th and 106th Constitutional Amendments:

1. The 104th Amendment extended the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures until January 2030.

2. The 106th Amendment, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandana Adhiniyam, provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

3. The 104th Amendment abolished the reservation for Anglo-Indian representatives in the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures.

4. The 106th Amendment was introduced in the Rajya Sabha before the Lok Sabha.

• A. 1, 2, and 3 are correct
• B. 1 and 3 are correct
• C. 2 and 4 are correct
• D. 1, 2, and 4 are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1, 2, and 3 are correct

Key Constitutional Amendments and Their Provisions:

• 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019:
  • This amendment extended the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for another ten years, i.e., until January 25, 2030. This provision was originally due to expire in January 2020.
  • Crucially, it discontinued the provision for the nomination of members of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This means the reservation for Anglo-Indians, which was a part of the original Constitution, has been abolished.
• 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023:
  • This landmark act introduced a significant reservation for women in the legislative bodies. It mandates that one-third (33%) of the seats reserved for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi will be reserved for women belonging to these categories.
  • It also provides for one-third reservation for women in the seats to be filled by nomination in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
  • This amendment is popularly known as the Women's Reservation Bill or the Nari Shakti Vandana Adhiniyam.
  • The reservation provided by this act will come into effect after the completion of delimitation exercise based on the first census subsequent to the commencement of the Act.
• Legislative Process for the 106th Amendment:
  • The bill for the 106th Amendment (The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023) was first introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 19, 2023.
  • It subsequently passed through the Rajya Sabha and received Presidential assent to become an Act.

Significance for Competitive Exams:

• Candidates should be aware of the years in which these amendments were enacted and the specific provisions they brought about.
• Understanding the extension and discontinuation of reservations (like for SC/ST and Anglo-Indians) is crucial.
• The quantum of reservation (33% for women) and the bodies where it applies (Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, Delhi Assembly) are important details.
• The official name of the women's reservation act and the process of its introduction are also frequently tested.
• Distinguishing between the provisions of different amendments is key to answering questions accurately.