Consider the following statements :
Statement-I:
The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration.
Statement-II :
Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a)
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b)
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c)
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d)
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Explanation
The correct answer is (c). Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
Article 335 does not define the term “efficiency of administration.” Instead, it simply states that the government must take into account the need to maintain efficiency of administration when making appointments to government jobs. The meaning of “efficiency of administration” has been left to be determined by the courts on a case-by-case basis.