UPSC CARE Mains Practice 25th March 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Examine the constitutional and social implications of restricting Scheduled Caste status to specific religions in India. (GS Paper II – Polity (Constitutional Provisions, Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections)
- Discuss the significance of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 in strengthening democratic representation in India. Also examine the challenges associated with its implementation. (GS Paper II – Polity and Governance)
Q. Examine the constitutional and social implications of restricting Scheduled Caste status to specific religions in India.
(GS Paper II – Polity (Constitutional Provisions, Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections)
Introduction:
The Scheduled Caste (SC) status in India is governed by the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which restricts recognition to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. The recent Supreme Court ruling reaffirming this position has reignited debate on the relationship between caste and religion.
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Constitutional Position
- Clause 3 of the 1950 Order clearly limits SC status to specified religions.
- The rationale is that caste-based disabilities originated within these religious frameworks.
- Conversion to other religions results in immediate loss of SC status.
Social Implications
1. Persistence of Caste
- Caste identity often continues even after conversion.
- Converted individuals may still face social discrimination.
2. Loss of Affirmative Benefits
- Converts lose access to:
- Reservation
- Legal protection under SC/ST Act
3. Identity Conflict
- Creates tension between:
- Religious freedom
- Social justice entitlements
Issues with Current Framework
- Distinction between SC and ST creates policy inconsistency
- Exclusion may violate principles of equality (Article 14)
- Difficulty in proving reconversion and community acceptance
Way Forward
- Reassess link between caste and religion
- Extend anti-discrimination safeguards irrespective of religion
- Develop evidence-based policy reforms
- Ensure balance between constitutional intent and social realities
Conclusion:
While the constitutional framework restricts SC status to certain religions, the persistence of caste discrimination beyond religious boundaries calls for a more inclusive and nuanced approach to ensure substantive social justice.
Q. Discuss the significance of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 in strengthening democratic representation in India. Also examine the challenges associated with its implementation.
(GS Paper II – Polity and Governance)
Introduction:
The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 (106th Constitutional Amendment) marks a historic step towards enhancing women’s political participation by reserving one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. It seeks to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in India’s democratic institutions.
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Significance of the Act
1. Strengthening Democratic Inclusivity
- Enhances representation of women, currently around 15% in Lok Sabha.
- Promotes participatory democracy by including diverse voices.
2. Advancing Gender Equality
- Aligns with constitutional ideals of equality and international commitments like CEDAW.
- Helps bridge the gender gap in political empowerment.
3. Better Governance Outcomes
- Evidence from Panchayati Raj Institutions shows women representatives focus more on social sectors like health, education, and welfare.
4. Empowerment and Role Modelling
- Encourages women’s leadership and inspires future generations.
- Breaks patriarchal norms and stereotypes in politics.
Challenges and Concerns
1. Delayed Implementation
- Linked to census and delimitation, causing uncertainty in timeline.
2. Absence of OBC Sub-Quota
- Does not provide reservation for OBC women, raising concerns of equitable representation.
3. Rotation of Seats
- Frequent rotation may discourage long-term political investment and accountability.
4. Structural Barriers
- Patriarchal norms, political violence, and lack of resources may limit effective participation.
5. Tokenism Risk
- Possibility of proxy representation by male family members.
Way Forward
- Ensure time-bound implementation post-delimitation.
- Consider inclusive sub-quotas for marginalized women.
- Promote capacity building, political training, and financial support.
- Strengthen safeguards against proxy representation.
Conclusion:
The Women’s Reservation Act is a transformative reform for India’s democracy. However, its success depends on timely implementation and complementary measures to ensure substantive, not just symbolic, empowerment of women in politics.
