Tamil Nadu Economy Textbook Questions – Reservation: Concept and Rationale · Constitutional Provisions and Amendments · Commissions and Landmark Judgments · History of Reservation in Tamil Nadu · Present Reservation System: Tamil Nadu and the Union · Access to Social Resources · Debates: Creamy Layer, 50% Ceiling, Internal Reservation, Caste Enumeration · Tamil Nadu and India: A Comparison (Part 1)
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1 and 2 are correct. 3 is wrong: Act 4 of 2009 gives Arunthathiyars 16% preference within SC seats, not ST seats.
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Tamil Nadu Economy Textbook Questions – Reservation: Concept and Rationale · Constitutional Provisions and Amendments · Commissions and Landmark Judgments · History of Reservation in Tamil Nadu · Present Reservation System: Tamil Nadu and the Union · Access to Social Resources · Debates: Creamy Layer, 50% Ceiling, Internal Reservation, Caste Enumeration · Tamil Nadu and India: A Comparison (Part 1) – 19 questions, subject: Tamil Nadu Economy. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.
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1.
Match the textbook term with its meaning:
| a. Varna system | 1. Identity a person gets by being a member of a section of society |
| b. Panchamar | 2. Ancient practice of classifying people on the basis of birth |
| c. Social identity | 3. Special concessions given only to some because of office, talent or caste |
| d. Privileges | 4. Oppressed people not mentioned in the varnashrama order |
Correct Answer: C [2 4 1 3]
Explanation:
Varna - ancient birth-based order; Panchamar - oppressed, outside varna; social identity - from group membership; privileges - from post, skill, caste.
2.
Which amendment inserted Article 15(4) into the Constitution?
Correct Answer: D [First Amendment, 1951]
Explanation:
Article 15(4) was added by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, from 18.6.1951; the 93rd Amendment added 15(5).
3.
Under which Article of the Constitution was the Mandal Commission (1979) appointed?
Correct Answer: A [Article 340]
Explanation:
Article 340 lets the President appoint a commission on backward classes; Kalelkar (29.1.1953) and Mandal (1.1.1979) were both under it.
4.
Match the case with the year of its judgment:
| a. Champakam Dorairajan | 1. 1962 |
| b. M.R. Balaji | 2. 2022 |
| c. Indra Sawhney | 3. 1951 |
| d. Janhit Abhiyan | 4. 1992 |
Correct Answer: C [3 1 4 2]
Explanation:
Champakam Dorairajan 9.4.1951, M.R. Balaji 28.9.1962, Indra Sawhney 16.11.1992, Janhit Abhiyan 7.11.2022.
5.
Who chaired the first Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission (1969)?
Correct Answer: D [A.N. Sattanathan]
Explanation:
Set up by G.O. 842 (13.11.1969) under A.N. Sattanathan; Ambasankar headed the second commission (1982); Mandal and Kalelkar were central commissions.
6.
What is the reservation for Most Backward Classes / Denotified Communities (MBC/DNC) in Tamil Nadu?
Correct Answer: B [20%]
Explanation:
MBC/DNC 20% (since 1989); BC (non-Muslim) 26.5%, SC 18%, BC Muslims 3.5%; total 69% (Policy Note 2026-27).
7.
Match the category with its reservation in central government services:
| a. Scheduled Castes (SC) | 1. 27% |
| b. Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 2. 15% |
| c. Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 3. 10% |
| d. Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 4. 7.5% |
Correct Answer: A [2 4 1 3]
Explanation:
Central Government: SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27% (DoPT, 24.07.2024); EWS up to 10% (Articles 15(6), 16(6)).
8.
As per the 2008 delimitation, how many Lok Sabha seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes?
Correct Answer: D [47]
Explanation:
Of 543 Lok Sabha seats, 84 are reserved for SC and 47 for ST (ECI); 72 and 26 were the SC and ST seats in the first election.
9.
What is the present annual parental income limit for the OBC creamy layer in central government services?
Correct Answer: C [₹8 lakh]
Explanation:
Raised from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh (notified 23.8.2017, effective 1.9.2017), reaffirmed in 2022; Rs 15 lakh was only a 2015 recommendation.
10.
Match the event with its date:
| a. OBC sub-categorisation commission constituted | 1. 1.8.2024 |
| b. Decision on caste enumeration (CCPA) | 2. 1.9.2017 |
| c. Davinder Singh judgment | 3. 2.10.2017 |
| d. Creamy layer limit of ₹8 lakh | 4. 30.4.2025 |
Correct Answer: B [3 4 1 2]
Explanation:
OBC sub-categorisation commission 2.10.2017, caste enumeration decision (CCPA) 30.4.2025, Davinder Singh judgment 1.8.2024, Rs 8 lakh creamy layer 1.9.2017.
11.
What is the reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu and in Central Government services, respectively?
Correct Answer: D [1%; 7.5%]
Explanation:
ST reservation is 1% in Tamil Nadu (Policy Note 2026-27) and 7.5% in central direct recruitment (DoPT 24.7.2024); 18/15 are the SC shares.
12.
Which of the following statements about the constitutional provisions for reservation are correct?
- Article 15(4) was inserted by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
- Article 16(4) was part of the original Constitution that came into force in 1950.
- The First Amendment inserted both Articles 15(4) and 16(4).
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 only]
Explanation:
1 and 2 are correct. 3 is wrong: the First Amendment added only 15(4) (from 18.6.1951); 16(4) was in the original Constitution.
13.
Assertion (A): After the Champakam Dorairajan judgment, Article 15(4) was inserted by the First Amendment.
Reason (R): In 1951 the Supreme Court held that the Directive Principles have to conform to and run as subsidiary to the Chapter of Fundamental Rights.
கூற்று–காரண வினாக்களுக்கான தேர்வுகள்
(A) கூற்றும் காரணமும் சரி; காரணம் கூற்றுக்குச் சரியான விளக்கம்
(B) கூற்றும் காரணமும் சரி; ஆனால் காரணம் சரியான விளக்கம் அல்ல
(C) கூற்று சரி; காரணம் தவறு
(D) கூற்று தவறு; காரணம் சரி
Options for Assertion–Reason questions
(A) Both A and R are true; R is the correct explanation of A
(B) Both A and R are true; R is not the correct explanation of A
(C) A is true; R is false
(D) A is false; R is true
Correct Answer: A []
Explanation:
Both are true; the 9.4.1951 judgment held that DPSPs like Art. 46 cannot override Fundamental Rights, so 15(4) was put in Part III; R explains A.
14.
Match the constitutional clause with the amendment that inserted it:
| a. 15(5) | 1. 103rd Amendment |
| b. 16(4A) | 2. 93rd Amendment |
| c. 16(4B) | 3. 77th Amendment |
| d. 16(6) | 4. 81st Amendment |
Correct Answer: C [2 3 4 1]
Explanation:
15(5) - 93rd (2005); 16(4A) - 77th (1995); 16(4B) - 81st (2000); 16(6) - 103rd (2019).
15.
Which of the following statements about the national commissions are correct?
- The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes was constituted w.e.f. 19.2.2004 under Article 338A, inserted by the 89th Amendment.
- The 102nd Amendment (2018) gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
- Under Article 340, Parliament appoints the commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.
Correct Answer: B [1, 2 only]
Explanation:
1 and 2 are correct. 3 is wrong: under Article 340 the backward classes commission is appointed by the President, not Parliament.
16.
Which of the following statements about the judgment in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) are correct?
- The case was heard by a bench of 9 judges.
- Reservation under Article 16(4) should not exceed 50%, but extraordinary situations should not be ignored.
- Reservation under Article 16(4) extends to promotions as well.
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 only]
Explanation:
1, 2 correct: 9 judges; 50% rule bar extraordinary cases. 3 wrong: 16(4) covers only initial appointment, not promotion; the 77th Amendment then added 16(4A).
17.
Assertion (A): In Indra Sawhney (1992) the Supreme Court upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs in central government services.
Reason (R): The Kaka Kalelkar Commission submitted its report on 30.3.1955.
Correct Answer: B []
Explanation:
Both are true, but the 27% upheld in 1992 was based on the Mandal Commission (order of 13.8.1990); the Kalelkar report does not explain it.
18.
Match the date of the order / Act with its outcome:
| a. 7.6.1971 | 1. Separate 20% for MBC/DNC |
| b. 1.2.1980 | 2. 3.5% for BC Muslims |
| c. 28.3.1989 | 3. BC reservation 31% |
| d. 15.9.2007 | 4. BC reservation 50% |
Correct Answer: B [3 4 1 2]
Explanation:
7.6.1971: BC 31%; 1.2.1980: BC 50%; 28.3.1989: separate 20% for MBC/DNC; 15.9.2007: 3.5% for BC Muslims.
19.
Which of the following statements about reservation in Tamil Nadu are correct?
- Act 45 of 1994 was placed in the Ninth Schedule by the 76th Amendment.
- The Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission was made a permanent body on 15.3.1993 under Article 16(4) read with Article 340.
- Act 4 of 2009 gives 16% of the seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes to Arunthathiyars on a preferential basis.
Correct Answer: C [1, 2 only]
Explanation:
1 and 2 are correct. 3 is wrong: Act 4 of 2009 gives Arunthathiyars 16% preference within SC seats, not ST seats.
? Full lessons and explanations – Tamil Nadu Economy PDF textbook (₹299): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/tnpsc-gs-unit-5-tamil-nadu-economy
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