Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule, consider the following statements:

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?

(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II

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✅ Correct Answer: (d) Neither I nor II

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Indian Polity
Fifth Schedule | Scheduled Areas
Centre–State–Tribal Governance
Governor’s Special Responsibilities

This question tests conceptual clarity on the administrative architecture of Scheduled Areas, not just rote knowledge of PESA or the Fifth Schedule.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

Let us examine both statements strictly in light of the Fifth Schedule.

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🔹 Statement I ❌

“The State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration.”

📌 Constitutional Reality:

• Paragraph 2 of the Fifth Schedule clearly states that: The executive power of the State shall extend to Scheduled Areas.
• The State Government does not lose its executive authority.

📌 Role of Governor & Local Bodies:

• The Governor has special responsibilities, such as:
  • Submitting reports to the President
  • Modifying or restricting laws in Scheduled Areas (Paragraph 5)
• Under PESA, 1996, Gram Sabhas and Panchayats are empowered
  👉 but they do not replace the State Government

❌ Therefore, total transfer of administration to local bodies does not occur.

🚫 Statement I is not correct.

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🔹 Statement II ❌

“The Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas on the recommendation of the Governor.”

📌 What the Fifth Schedule actually provides:

• Paragraph 3 empowers the Union Government to:
  • Issue directions to the State regarding Scheduled Areas
• It does not allow takeover of total administration

📌 Key Distinction:

• Administrative takeover can occur only through:
  • Article 356 (President’s Rule)
• This is a separate constitutional mechanism, not part of the Fifth Schedule

❌ Hence, mere Governor’s recommendation under the Fifth Schedule cannot result in Union takeover.

🚫 Statement II is not correct.

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📊 Final Assessment

Statement	Status
I. State loses executive power	❌ Incorrect
II. Union can take over administration under Fifth Schedule	❌ Incorrect

👉 Correct answer: (d) Neither I nor II

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🧩 Prelims Trap Alert

• ❌ “Scheduled Area = State power disappears” → Wrong
• ❌ “Governor recommendation = Union takeover” → Wrong
• ✔️ Fifth Schedule = Special governance, not suspension of federalism

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🧠 One-Line Memory Hook

“Scheduled Areas modify governance, they do not abolish it.”

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

Protection of tribes works within the Constitution, never outside it.