Official UPSC Format

Consider the following statements:
With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule,
I. the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration.
II. the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. I. the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration.

2. II. the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor.

⚡ Quick Recall Snippet

In Fifth Schedule Areas, the state government does not lose its executive power. The Union government may give administrative directions to the state, but there is no constitutional provision for a total federal takeover.

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Detailed Solution & Authority Citations

Correct Answer is Option D
According to the detailed provisions laid out in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, both statements present extreme and legally inaccurate interpretations of administrative powers.
  • Statement I is Incorrect: As per Paragraph 2 of the Fifth Schedule, the executive power of a State extends to the Scheduled Areas therein. The State Government does not lose its authority; rather, its authority is subjected to a protective layer where the Governor can modify or restrict the application of state laws, aided by the Tribes Advisory Council (TAC).

  • Statement II is Incorrect: Under Paragraph 3 of the Fifth Schedule, the executive power of the Union is restricted to giving directions to the State regarding the administration of the said areas. There is zero provision within the Fifth Schedule allowing the Union Government to trigger a 'total takeover' of the administration (a mechanism reserved for Article 356 emergencies, not Scheduled Area governance).

    • 🚨 The Examiner's Trap

    Extreme phrasing like 'loses its executive power' and 'take over the total administration' are classic UPSC distractor templates. Aspirants confusing the Governor's special custodial powers with 'President's Rule' (Article 356) will incorrectly mark these statements as true.

    Active Recall Flashcard

    Tap to Flip

    Does the State Government lose its executive power over an area once it is declared a Fifth Schedule Area?

    No, the State retains its executive power, subject to the special regulatory powers of the Governor.

    Concept Flow Mapping

    State Government
    Retains Executive Power In
    Scheduled Areas
    Governor
    Guided By
    Tribes Advisory Council
    Union Government
    Can Give Directions To
    State Government

    Logic Quest

    "How does the Fifth Schedule differ from the Sixth Schedule regarding local administration?"

    Not analyzing core concepts like Federal Administration of Scheduled Areas through the lens of Previous Year Questions is a serious miss-out. This PYQ engine is specifically designed to help you decode the examiner's mindset and master highly probable Indian Polity questions for your upcoming Prelims.