UTs & Special Areas — Indian Polity

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2010

The Right to Information Act is applicable to the whole of India except to the state of

A. Jammu and Kashmir (not now)

B. Mizoram

C. Manipur

D. Nagaland

Explanation

Why Correct: Jammu and Kashmir had its own RTI law (J&K RTI Act 2009) until Article 370's abrogation in 2019, after which the central RTI Act became fully applicable to all states and union territories.
Distractor Analysis: Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland have always been under the central RTI Act's jurisdiction, with no special exemptions.
Takeaway: Post-2019, all Indian states and union territories are uniformly covered under the RTI Act 2005, removing all regional exceptions.

Answer or skip previous question to unlock.

Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2010

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains provisions for

A. administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram

B. administration and control of Scheduled areas of many States

C. powers and subjects to be looked after by the Union and States

D. disqualification of members on grounds of defection

Explanation

Why Correct: The Sixth Schedule governs administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram through Autonomous District Councils and Regional Councils.
Distractor Analysis: Administration and control of Scheduled areas in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram falls under the Fifth Schedule. Powers and subjects allocated between Union and States are detailed in the Seventh Schedule. Disqualification of members on grounds of defection is covered by the Tenth Schedule.
Takeaway: The Sixth Schedule provides more extensive autonomy to tribal areas in four northeastern states compared to the Fifth Schedule's provisions for other states.

Answer or skip previous question to unlock.

Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2007

The Protection of women from the Domestic Violence Act (2005) is applicable to all States and Union Territories except

A. Arunachal Pradesh

B. Jammu and Kashmir(not now)

C. Lakshadweep

D. Gujarat

Explanation

Why Correct: The Act originally excluded Jammu and Kashmir due to its special constitutional status under Article 370, though this exclusion ended with the 2019 reorganization.
Distractor Analysis: Arunachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, and Gujarat have always been fully covered under the Act since its nationwide implementation.
Takeaway: The Act defines domestic violence broadly to include physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse, and provides for protection orders, residence orders, and monetary relief.

Answer or skip previous question to unlock.

Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2005

Article 370 of the Constitution of India is applicable to

A. Maharashtra

B. Jammu and Kashmir

C. Karnataka

D. Bihar

Explanation

Why Correct: Article 370 granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution and limiting Parliament's legislative power over the state.
Distractor Analysis: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar are regular states governed by the full Constitution without any special provisions like Article 370.
Takeaway: Article 370 was abrogated on August 5, 2019, through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.

Sign in to Papersetters