The Supreme Court of India recognised 'transgenders' as 'third gender with all rights' in the case of:

Bar Council of India v. A.K. Balaji

National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India

Suresh Kumar Koushal v. NAZ Foundation

State of Punjab v. Jagjit Singh

In National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India (2014) 5 SCC 438, the Supreme Court:

Recognized transgender persons as the 'Third Gender' with fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21

Affirmed their right to self-identify their gender

Observed that social morality changes from age to age

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was conferred constitutional status by inserting Article 338B through which Constitutional Amendment Act?

The Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment) Act, 2018

The erstwhile National Commission for SCs and STs was bifurcated, creating a separate dedicated 'National Commission for Scheduled Tribes' (NCST) under Article 338A, by:

The Constitution (Eighty-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2003

Under Article 338(8) of the Constitution (and All India Indian Overseas Bank SC/ST Employees Assn. (1996) 6 SCC 606), what are the legal powers of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)?

It has the procedural powers of a Civil Court while investigating matters (summoning witnesses, requisitioning public records), but CANNOT issue binding interim injunctions or grant substantive final relief

It has full criminal trial powers to jail offenders

It can strike down parliamentary legislation

Its recommendations are automatically binding as judicial decrees

Under Article 340 of the Constitution of India, the President may by order appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs). Which historic commissions were appointed under this provision?

First Backward Classes Commission (Kaka Kalelkar Commission, 1953) and Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Commission, 1979)

Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission

Shah Commission and Liberhan Commission

By the Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Act, 2020 (effective January 25, 2020):

Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha (Art 330) and State Assemblies (Art 332) was extended for a further 10 years (from 70 to 80 years, up to 2030), while nomination of Anglo-Indians under Articles 331 and 333 was DISCONTINUED

All political reservations were completely abolished

Anglo-Indian nomination was increased to 5 seats

In National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India (2014) 5 SCC 438, the Supreme Court delivered a historic verdict recognizing transgender rights, holding that:

Transgender persons have the constitutional right to self-identify their gender as male, female, or Third Gender under Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 21, and directed the Centre/States to treat them as socially and educationally backward classes for affirmative action

Transgender persons cannot hold government employment

Gender identity is determined solely by biological surgery

Article 15 does not apply to gender identity

📖 Constitution of India•🎯 13 Practice MCQs

Part XVI: Special Provisions for SCs, STs, OBCs & Classes (Articles 330–342A)

Chapter-wise objective questions with statutory bare act articles, landmark Supreme Court case laws, and past judicial service citations.

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Part XVI: Special Provisions for SCs, STs, OBCs & Classes (Articles 330–342A) • 13 Questions

📚 Chapter Practice Coverage

This practice module for Part XVI: Special Provisions for SCs, STs, OBCs & Classes (Articles 330–342A) contains 13 Multiple Choice Questions tailored for State Judicial Service Preliminary Examinations (including UP PCS-J, Delhi Judicial Service, Bihar Judiciary, MP Judiciary, Rajasthan Judicial Service), CLAT LL.M, All India Bar Examination (AIBE), and UGC-NET Law.

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