Structure

Schedules of the Constitution

Twelve Schedules containing detailed lists that support the main Articles.

First

The States and Union Territories

Purpose: Lists the 28 States and 8 Union Territories of India along with their territorial extents.

Contents

  • Part I: Names and territorial descriptions of 28 States.
  • Part II: Names and territorial descriptions of 8 Union Territories.
Related Articles:Art. 1Art. 4

Amendments:7th (1956) — States Reorganisation · 32nd (1973) — AP · 36th (1975) — Sikkim as State · 56th (1987) — Goa · J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 — UTs of J&K & Ladakh

PYQs

  • UPSC Prelims (2019): Which schedule deals with the States and Union Territories?
Second

Emoluments, Allowances and Privileges

Purpose: Specifies emoluments, allowances, privileges of constitutional functionaries.

Contents

  • President, Governors of States.
  • Speaker & Deputy Speaker (LS), Chairman & Deputy Chairman (RS), Speaker & Deputy Speaker (LA), Chairman & Deputy Chairman (LC).
  • Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
  • Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
Related Articles:Art. 59Art. 65Art. 75Art. 97Art. 125Art. 148Art. 158Art. 164Art. 186Art. 221
Third

Forms of Oaths and Affirmations

Purpose: Prescribes the forms of oaths for various constitutional office-holders.

Contents

  • Union Ministers, MPs, candidates for elections, Judges of SC and HCs, CAG, State Ministers, State Legislators.
Related Articles:Art. 75Art. 99Art. 124Art. 148Art. 164Art. 188Art. 219
Fourth

Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha

Purpose: Allocates seats to States and UTs in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

Contents

  • Table of State-wise/UT-wise seat allocation totalling 245 max.
Related Articles:Art. 4(1)Art. 80(2)

Amendments:7th (1956) · AP Reorganisation Act, 2014

Fifth

Administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes

Purpose: Contains provisions for administration and control of Scheduled Areas and STs in States (other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram).

Contents

  • Executive power of Union & State, Tribes Advisory Council, application of laws, Governor's regulation-making power.
Related Articles:Art. 244(1)

PYQs

  • UPSC Prelims (2019): PESA Act, 1996 extends Panchayat Raj to Fifth Schedule areas. True/False.
Sixth

Administration of Tribal Areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram

Purpose: Provides for Autonomous District Councils and Regional Councils.

Contents

  • 10 Autonomous Districts across four States; Councils have legislative, executive, judicial and financial powers.
Related Articles:Art. 244(2)Art. 275(1)

PYQs

  • UPSC Mains GS-2 (2015): The provisions in Fifth & Sixth Schedules seek to protect the interests of tribals. Compare.
Seventh

Union, State and Concurrent Lists

Purpose: Divides legislative subjects between the Union and the States.

Contents

  • Union List (~97 subjects — Defence, Foreign Affairs, etc.).
  • State List (~59 subjects — Police, Public Health, Agriculture).
  • Concurrent List (~52 subjects — Criminal law, Marriage, Education).
Related Articles:Art. 246

Amendments:42nd (1976) — 5 subjects moved to Concurrent List including Education, Forests.

PYQs

  • UPSC Mains GS-2 (2020): Discuss the changing dynamics of Union-State legislative relations under 7th Schedule.
Eighth

Languages recognised by the Constitution

Purpose: Lists languages officially recognised for enrichment of Hindi and for representation.

Contents

  • 22 Languages (originally 14). Later additions: Sindhi (21st Am., 1967); Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali (71st Am., 1992); Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (92nd Am., 2003).
Related Articles:Art. 344(1)Art. 351

Amendments:21st (1967) · 71st (1992) · 92nd (2003)

PYQs

  • UPSC Prelims (2013): Which of the following languages are included in the Eighth Schedule?
Ninth

Validation of certain laws (Land Reforms etc.)

Purpose: Protects listed laws from judicial review on the ground of violation of Fundamental Rights.

Contents

  • Currently ~284 Acts and Regulations, mostly land reform laws.
Related Articles:Art. 31B

Amendments:1st (1951) — Introduced Ninth Schedule and Art. 31B.

PYQs

  • UPSC Mains GS-2 (2018): 'Ninth Schedule laws are no longer immune to judicial review after I.R. Coelho.' Discuss.
Tenth

Anti-Defection Law

Purpose: Provides for disqualification of MPs/MLAs on grounds of defection.

Contents

  • Disqualification for voluntary giving up of party, voting against direction (whip), exception for merger (2/3 rule).
  • Decision by Speaker/Chairman; subject to judicial review (Kihoto Hollohan, 1992).
Related Articles:Art. 102(2)Art. 191(2)

Amendments:52nd (1985) — Introduced. · 91st (2003) — Deleted 'split' exception; PM/CM cabinet size capped at 15%.

PYQs

  • UPSC Mains GS-2 (2019): Analyse the working of the Anti-Defection Law.
Eleventh

Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats

Purpose: Lists 29 functional items under the jurisdiction of Panchayats.

Contents

  • 29 subjects: agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, education, health, women & child, PDS, etc.
Related Articles:Art. 243G

Amendments:73rd (1992) — Introduced.

Twelfth

Powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities

Purpose: Lists 18 functional items under the jurisdiction of Municipalities.

Contents

  • 18 subjects: urban planning, land-use regulation, water supply, public health, slum improvement, fire services, urban forestry, etc.
Related Articles:Art. 243W

Amendments:74th (1992) — Introduced.

Also see: Amendments and Parts.