Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration.
Statement-II :
Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-1
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation:
To answer this question, let’s first understand the meaning of Article 16(4) and Article 335 of the Constitution of India.
Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India allows the state to make provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens, which, in the opinion of the state, is not adequately represented in the services under the state.
Article 335 of the Constitution of India states that the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.
Now, let’s analyze the given statements:
Statement-1 is correct. The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgments that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for the maintenance of efficiency of administration. This is because Article 335 emphasizes the need to maintain efficiency in administration while considering the claims of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for appointments to services and posts.
Statement-II is incorrect. Article 335 does not explicitly define the term “efficiency of administration.” Instead, it emphasizes the need to maintain efficiency in administration while considering the claims of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for appointments to services and posts.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
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