SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 22

Correct Answer

12

Explanation

The Constitution of India currently contains 12 schedules. Schedules are supplementary lists or tables appended to the end of the main Constitution. They are used to categorize and tabulate administrative arrangements, bureaucratic details, and legal policies so that the primary articles of the Constitution do not become excessively lengthy and complex.

The other options are incorrect because they do not reflect the current framework of the document. When the Constitution was adopted in 1949, it originally contained only 8 schedules. Over the past few decades, four additional schedules (9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th) have been added sequentially through various important constitutional amendments.

Key Points

The 9th Schedule was added by the First Constitutional Amendment Act (1951) to protect land reform laws from judicial review. The 10th Schedule, famously known as the 'Anti-Defection Law', was included through the 52nd Amendment Act (1985) to prevent political defections. The 11th and 12th Schedules were added by the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts (1992) respectively, which granted constitutional status to rural local bodies (Panchayats) and urban local bodies (Municipalities) and defined their powers.

Additional Facts

Each schedule serves a highly specific governance purpose. For instance, the First Schedule contains the list of States and Union Territories along with their territorial jurisdictions. The Third Schedule includes the official forms of Oaths or Affirmations for high-ranking officials such as Union Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Supreme Court Judges. The Seventh Schedule is the core of Indian federalism as it divides legislative powers between the Centre and the States into three distinct lists (Union List, State List, and Concurrent List). Furthermore, the Eighth Schedule recognizes the 22 official languages of the Republic of India.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: Which constitutional amendment added the Tenth Schedule, which contains provisions to disqualify MPs and MLAs on the grounds of defection?

Answer: The 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1985.

Question: Which schedule of the Indian Constitution specifically deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House) to the states and union territories?

Answer: The Fourth Schedule.