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| What is Article 342 of Indian constitution |
Article 342 of the Indian Constitution deals with the identification of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India.
🧾 Article 342 – Scheduled Tribes
📌 Clause-wise Explanation:
| Clause | Description |
|---|---|
| (1) | The President may, in consultation with the Governor of a State, specify the tribes or tribal communities (or parts/groups within them) as Scheduled Tribes for that State or Union Territory through a public notification. |
| (2) | Once notified, only Parliament can include or exclude any community from the list of Scheduled Tribes by law. The President cannot change the list later on his own without Parliament’s approval. |
✅ Key Points:
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ST status is State/UT-specific, meaning a tribe recognized in one state may not be considered ST in another.
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The initial notification is done by the President, but any modification (addition/removal) must be made by the Parliament through legislation.
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Scheduled Tribes are entitled to:
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Reservations in education, jobs, and legislatures.
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Welfare schemes and constitutional protections.
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Safeguards under laws like the Forest Rights Act (2006) and PESA Act (1996).
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🏛️ Related Developments:
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Numerous amendment acts have been passed by Parliament to update ST lists in different states.
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The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) under Article 338A play major roles in advising and monitoring tribal welfare.
📘 Related Articles:
| Article | Content |
|---|---|
| Article 341 | Defines and identifies Scheduled Castes |
| Article 338A | Establishes National Commission for Scheduled Tribes |
| Article 15(4) & 16(4) | Allow special provisions/reservations for STs |
| Fifth Schedule | Provisions for administration of Scheduled Areas and STs in most states |
| Sixth Schedule | Provisions for autonomous districts in tribal areas of Northeast India |
🧠 Example:
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A tribe like Gond may be recognized as ST in Madhya Pradesh, but not necessarily in Uttar Pradesh, unless notified separately for that state.
Here is a comparison chart between Article 341 and Article 342 of the Indian Constitution:
📊 Comparison Chart: Article 341 vs Article 342
| Feature | Article 341 | Article 342 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Scheduled Castes (SCs) | Scheduled Tribes (STs) |
| Who Issues Notification? | President of India | President of India |
| Who Must Be Consulted? | Governor of the concerned State/UT | Governor of the concerned State/UT |
| Purpose | Identifying castes, races, or tribes to be included in the SC list | Identifying tribes or tribal communities to be included in the ST list |
| Applicable To | Specific States or Union Territories | Specific States or Union Territories |
| Modification After Initial Notification | Only Parliament by law can include or exclude castes | Only Parliament by law can include or exclude tribes |
| Initial Power of President | Can issue public notification after consultation | Can issue public notification after consultation |
| Repeal or Additions After Initial Notification? | President cannot change the list without Parliament's law | President cannot change the list without Parliament's law |
| Importance | Legal basis for SC reservations and welfare schemes | Legal basis for ST reservations and tribal development policies |
| Linked Constitutional Bodies | National Commission for SCs (Article 338) | National Commission for STs (Article 338A) |
| Examples | Chamar, Jatav (in UP, Punjab, etc.) | Gond, Bhil, Santhal (in MP, Odisha, etc.) |
✅ Summary:
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Both articles give constitutional authority to classify SCs and STs on a State/UT-specific basis.
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Once notified, only Parliament can make changes—not the President or State government.
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These lists are essential for providing reservations, protections, and special benefits under Indian law.
MCQs on Article 342 – Scheduled Tribes
1. Article 342 of the Indian Constitution is related to which of the following?
A) Scheduled Castes
B) Scheduled Tribes
C) Backward Classes
D) Minority Communities
✅ Correct Answer: B) Scheduled Tribes
2. Who has the authority to declare any tribe or tribal community as a Scheduled Tribe under Article 342?
A) Governor
B) Prime Minister
C) President
D) Parliament
✅ Correct Answer: C) President
3. According to Article 342(1), the President may, with respect to any state or union territory, specify the tribes or tribal communities as Scheduled Tribes—
A) After consulting the Prime Minister
B) After consulting the Chief Minister of the State
C) After consultation with the Governor of the State
D) After consultation with the Governor of the State or Union Territory
✅ Correct Answer: D) After consultation with the Governor of the State or Union Territory
4. Any amendment to the list of Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 requires—
A) Presidential notification only
B) A simple majority in the State Legislature
C) A law made by Parliament
D) Approval of the Supreme Court
✅ Correct Answer: C) A law made by Parliament
5. Once a tribe is declared a Scheduled Tribe under Article 342, can it be removed or altered?
A) No, it is permanent
B) Yes, by State Government order
C) Yes, by an order of the Supreme Court
D) Yes, only by law made by Parliament
✅ Correct Answer: D) Yes, only by law made by Parliament
6. The objective of Article 342 is to—
A) Provide reservation in jobs
B) Identify tribes for constitutional benefits
C) Create new states
D) Remove caste-based discrimination
✅ Correct Answer: B) Identify tribes for constitutional benefits
7. The power to amend the list of Scheduled Tribes in a state lies with—
A) State Legislature
B) Governor
C) Parliament
D) President alone
✅ Correct Answer: C) Parliament
8. Can different states have different lists of Scheduled Tribes under Article 342?
A) No, there is one national list
B) Yes, every state can have its own list
C) Only Union Territories can have separate lists
D) Yes, but only with Supreme Court approval
✅ Correct Answer: B) Yes, every state can have its own list
9. The benefits given to Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 are for—
A) Economic upliftment
B) Political representation
C) Educational benefits
D) All of the above
✅ Correct Answer: D) All of the above
10. Article 342 comes under which part of the Indian Constitution?
A) Part III – Fundamental Rights
B) Part XVI – Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes
C) Part XIV – Services Under the Union and the States
D) Part XV – Elections
✅ Correct Answer: B) Part XVI – Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes
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