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📍 The Question

Consider the following statements:

1. It is the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any community of that State as a Scheduled Tribe.
2. A community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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✅ Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

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🧠 Indexive Theme of the Question

Constitutional Provisions | Article 342 | Scheduled Tribes | Federal & State-specific Classification

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

🔹 Statement 1: Not Correct

Article 342(1) of the Constitution clearly provides that:

• The President of India, not the Governor, specifies the Scheduled Tribes.
• In the case of a State, the President does so after consultation with the Governor.

👉 The Governor’s role is consultative, not declaratory.
Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.

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🔹 Statement 2: Correct

• The list of Scheduled Tribes is State-specific / UT-specific.
• A community recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in one State may not be recognized as such in another State.

This principle has been repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court to preserve the federal structure and socio-cultural specificity of tribal groups.

👉 Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

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📜 Relevant Constitutional Provision

• Article 342(1): President specifies Scheduled Tribes for each State/UT
• Article 342(2): Parliament alone can include or exclude tribes from the ST list

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🧠 Prelims Memory Hook

ST status = President’s notification + State-specific identity

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🧘 IAS Monk Whisper

A Constitution respects diversity not by uniform labels, but by recognizing context, culture, and geography.