Commission for Backward Classes Practice Questions
20 free Commission for Backward Classes practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Constitutional Amendment Act granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)?
- A 101st Amendment Act
- B 102nd Amendment Act
- C 103rd Amendment Act
- D 105th Amendment Act
Correct answer: 102nd Amendment Act
The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2018 conferred constitutional status on the NCBC. Before this, it was a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the National Commission for Backward Classes established?
- A Article 338
- B Article 338A
- C Article 338B
- D Article 340
Correct answer: Article 338B
Article 338B was inserted into the Constitution to provide for the establishment of the NCBC. Article 338 deals with SCs, while 338A deals with STs.
Who appoints the Chairman and other members of the National Commission for Backward Classes?
- A The Prime Minister
- B The Union Minister of Social Justice
- C The President of India
- D A Committee headed by the Speaker
Correct answer: The President of India
According to the constitutional provisions, the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and other members of the NCBC are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
The National Commission for Backward Classes consists of how many members including the Chairperson?
- A 3
- B 5
- C 7
- D 9
Correct answer: 5
The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members. In total, there are five members who oversee the functions of the commission.
The conditions of service and tenure of office of the NCBC members are determined by:
- A Parliament
- B The President
- C The Supreme Court
- D The Cabinet Secretariat
Correct answer: The President
As per Article 338B(2), the conditions of service and tenure of office of the members are such as the President may by rule determine. Currently, the tenure is usually three years.
Which Article of the Constitution empowers the President to investigate the conditions of backward classes through a commission?
- A Article 338B
- B Article 340
- C Article 341
- D Article 342
Correct answer: Article 340
Article 340 provides for the appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes. This is distinct from the permanent NCBC established under Article 338B.
While investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, the NCBC has all the powers of a:
- A Criminal Court
- B Civil Court
- C High Court
- D Tribunal
Correct answer: Civil Court
Article 338B(8) grants the Commission the powers of a civil court trying a suit. This includes summoning witnesses, requiring the discovery of documents, and receiving evidence on affidavits.
To whom does the National Commission for Backward Classes submit its annual report?
- A Parliament
- B The Prime Minister
- C The President
- D The Chief Justice of India
Correct answer: The President
The Commission presents an annual report to the President. The President then causes such reports to be laid before each House of Parliament along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on recommendations.
If the NCBC report relates to any matter with which a State Government is concerned, a copy of the report is forwarded to:
- A The Chief Minister
- B The Governor of the State
- C The Speaker of the State Legislature
- D The High Court
Correct answer: The Governor of the State
The President forwards any part of the report concerning a state to the respective Governor. The Governor then ensures it is laid before the State Legislature.
Which of the following is NOT a function of the NCBC?
- A To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the backward classes
- B To inquire into complaints of rights violations
- C To participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development
- D To provide reservation percentages in the Parliament
Correct answer: To provide reservation percentages in the Parliament
Determining reservation percentages is a legislative and executive policy matter, not a function of the Commission. The NCBC's role is largely investigatory, advisory, and monitoring-based.
The Union and State Governments are required to consult the NCBC on:
- A All major policy matters affecting socially and educationally backward classes
- B Only matters relating exclusively to subjects listed in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule
- C Only the recruitment of Group A officers
- D Financial budget allocations only
Correct answer: All major policy matters affecting socially and educationally backward classes
Under Article 338B(9), the Union and every State Government must consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting the socially and educationally backward classes.
Which landmark Supreme Court judgment directed the government to create a permanent statutory body for backward classes?
- A Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
- B Indra Sawhney Case (1992)
- C Minerva Mills Case
- D Maneka Gandhi Case
Correct answer: Indra Sawhney Case (1992)
In the Indra Sawhney (Mandal) case, the Supreme Court directed the Central Government to constitute a permanent body to entertain requests for inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion in the list of OBCs.
Before becoming a constitutional body, the NCBC was established as a statutory body in which year?
- A 1953
- B 1979
- C 1993
- D 2005
Correct answer: 1993
The National Commission for Backward Classes Act was passed in 1993 in response to the Supreme Court's direction in the Indra Sawhney case.
Who was the first Chairman of the statutory NCBC established in 1993?
- A Justice R.N. Prasad
- B Justice V. Eswaraiah
- C Bhagwan Lal Sahni
- D Justice M.N. Rao
Correct answer: Justice R.N. Prasad
Justice R.N. Prasad served as the inaugural Chairman of the National Commission for Backward Classes when it was first established as a statutory body in 1993.
Which Article defines 'Socially and Educationally Backward Classes'?
- A Article 338B
- B Article 342A
- C Article 366(26C)
- D Article 15, Clause (4)
Correct answer: Article 366(26C)
Article 366(26C) was added by the 102nd Amendment to define socially and educationally backward classes as those classes which are deemed under Article 342A to be such.
The power of the President to specify the socially and educationally backward classes in a state is provided under:
- A Article 340
- B Article 341
- C Article 342A
- D Article 366
Correct answer: Article 342A
Article 342A empowers the President to specify the socially and educationally backward classes in various states and union territories, in consultation with the Governor.
The 105th Amendment Act (2021) was passed to:
- A Abolish the National Commission for Backward Classes
- B Restore states' power to identify their own OBC lists
- C Increase the number of members in the NCBC
- D Grant the NCBC additional judicial powers
Correct answer: Restore states' power to identify their own OBC lists
The 105th Amendment clarified that State Governments and Union Territories have the power to prepare and maintain their own list of socially and educationally backward classes, following a Supreme Court interpretation that had restricted this power.
What is the rank/status of the Chairperson of the NCBC?
- A Union Cabinet Minister
- B Union Minister of State
- C Secretary to the Government of India
- D Judge of the High Court
Correct answer: Union Cabinet Minister
The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes is given the status of a Union Cabinet Minister, while the Vice-Chairperson has the status of a Minister of State.
Under its civil court powers, the NCBC can issue which of the following?
- A Arrest warrants
- B Summons for the attendance of any person
- C Death sentences
- D Permanent injunctions against the Parliament
Correct answer: Summons for the attendance of any person
As it holds the powers of a civil court, it can issue summons to any person from any part of India and examine them on oath.
Which of the following is true regarding the inclusion of a community in the Central List of OBCs?
- A The NCBC can include it directly.
- B The President can include it only after Parliament passes a law.
- C The Supreme Court must approve every inclusion.
- D The State Governor makes the final decision for the Central List.
Correct answer: The President can include it only after Parliament passes a law.
For the Central List, according to Article 342A, once the President notifies the list, any further inclusion or exclusion can be done only by a law enacted by Parliament.