Question

Consider the following statements regarding the 104th Constitutional Amendment:

I. Reservation for SC/STs in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies was extended till January 2030.

II. Reservation for Anglo-Indian members in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies was abolished.

III. This amendment amended Article 334.

Which of the above statements are correct?

• A. I, II, III
• B. I only
• C. II, III only
• D. I, III only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. I, II, III

104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019

• This act significantly altered provisions related to reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Indian Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.

• Statement I is correct: The reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, which was originally set to expire in January 2020, has been extended for another ten years, up to January 25, 2030. This extension is crucial for ensuring continued representation of these communities in legislative bodies.

• Statement II is correct: The 104th Amendment also brought an end to the reservation of seats for the Anglo-Indian community in both the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Prior to this amendment, members of the Anglo-Indian community could be nominated to these bodies if the President or Governors felt they were not adequately represented. This provision has now been discontinued.

• Statement III is correct: The amendment specifically targeted and modified Article 334 of the Constitution. This article deals with the extension of reservations and separate electorates for certain classes, and the 104th Amendment revised its clauses concerning the duration of reservations for SCs and STs and the discontinuation of nomination for Anglo-Indians.

• The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act received the President's assent on January 25, 2020.