Polity · 15 Aug 2026

Article 17 Untouchability Protection of Civil Rights Act

Consider the following statements:

  1. Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes "untouchability" and forbids its practice in any form.
  2. The Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 was renamed the Protection of Civil Rights Act in 1976.
  3. Offences under the Protection of Civil Rights Act can be prosecuted only when committed by a public servant or government official.
A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: The Ground That Needed "Purifying": An Old Ritual Returns to Haldwani
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 15 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

A "shuddhikaran havan" performed at a Haldwani ground two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's rally revived debate on untouchability enforcement; Kharge raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, 2026, demanding action under the Untouchability (Offences) Act.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests the precise legal architecture behind a trending event rather than the event itself - here, whether aspirants know the PCR Act's actual scope (any person, not just officials) rather than just the Article 17/renaming facts.

Prelims summary

Article 17 abolishes untouchability as a Fundamental Right; its practical enforcement runs through the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (renamed 1976), which applies to any person - not solely public officials - though proving intent remains a high evidentiary bar.

On web, answers are shown once after a test — no save or reattempt. For unlimited reattempts, Hindi medium, and Mentor Observations, use the TAN App.