Question

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains _________________.
A.Scheduled Caste
B.Scheduled Languages
C.Scheduled Tribes
D.Scheduled Culture

Answer 1

Hint: India is a land of diverse culture, due to which it is home to numerous ethnolinguistic groups and communities. The framers of the Constitution with the help of affirmative action wanted to protect vulnerable groups and communities who are marginalised and thus there are various protections and policies to empower such communities and help them maintain their cultural and linguistic identities.

Complete Step by Step answer:
Let's examine all the options one by one :
Option A: is incorrect. Scheduled castes are designated minority groups in India that have been historically marginalised. Most of these groups include Dalits who were historically excluded from the caste-system and were considered the lowest caste. The state-wise list of scheduled castes is provided and updated from time to time by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Option B: is correct. The Constitutional provisions of the Eighth Schedule are contained in Articles 344(1) and 351 of the Indian Constitution. It contains 22 official scheduled languages (previously 14, increased by amendments) of the Republic of India. The Eighth Schedule provides for the establishment of the Official Languages Commission by the President of India that would have members representing the various languages contained in the Schedule.
Option C: is incorrect. Similar to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes are also groups of historically marginalised communities. They are not a single group of people rather over 200 communities who speak more than 100 languages and are scattered all over India. The state-wise list of scheduled tribes is provided and updated from time to time by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as well.
Option D: is incorrect. There is a separate list for Scheduled Culture.

Hence, The correct answer is Option B.

Note: Most measures for marginalised groups aim to enforce equality, provide punitive measures for transgressions, eliminate established practices that perpetuate inequities and provide positive treatment in allotment of jobs and access to higher education as a means to accelerate their integration with mainstream society.