Welfare Schemes for SC/ST/OBC — Reservation Policy, Sub-categorisation, EWS

What should you study in Welfare Schemes for SC/ST/OBC?

• Reservation — Art.15(4), 15(5), 16(4); Indra Sawhney case 50% ceiling
• EWS quota — 103rd Amendment; constitutional validity upheld 2022
• Sub-categorisation of SCs — SC/ST Commission recommendation; 2024 SC verdict
• Welfare schemes — scholarship, hostels, coaching for SC/ST/OBC

How often is Welfare Schemes for SC/ST/OBC asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 5 of 10 years, including 2 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: asked
2. 2017: not asked
3. 2018: asked
4. 2019: not asked
5. 2020: asked
6. 2021: not asked
7. 2022: asked
8. 2023: not asked
9. 2024: asked
10. 2025: not asked

About the Mains GS Paper II paper

GS Paper II is a 250-mark descriptive Mains paper covering governance, the Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations. See all 40 Mains GS Paper II topics.

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