Minor Law SC ST Act MCQs for Rajasthan APO 2026 Exam

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is an important topic under Minor Law for the Rajasthan APO examination. Questions are commonly asked on its objectives, important definitions, offences under Section 3, duties of public servants, amendments, and landmark judicial interpretations.

Practising SC/ST Act MCQs helps candidates understand the application of the Act, improve conceptual clarity, and become familiar with the type of legal questions asked in the Rajasthan APO exam. The questions below cover the most important provisions and concepts relevant for exam preparation.

Minor Law SC ST Act MCQs

Practising MCQs on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is essential for Rajasthan APO 2026 preparation, as questions are frequently asked from its key provisions, amendments, and judicial interpretations. 

The following MCQs will help you assess your conceptual understanding and improve accuracy for the examination. 

1. The expression "unless the context otherwise requires" occurring in Section 2 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 signifies that—

A. Definitions are mandatory in every circumstance.

B. Courts may depart from the statutory definition where the context so requires.

C. Definitions apply only to criminal proceedings.

D. Definitions are merely directory in nature.

Answer: B. Courts may depart from the statutory definition where the context so requires.
Explanation: The phrase "unless the context otherwise requires" is a standard legislative drafting device that allows courts flexibility — it means the definitions given in Section 2 will apply generally, but if the context of a particular provision demands a different interpretation, courts may depart from the statutory definition.

2. Which of the following definitions under Section 2 has been specifically borrowed from another Central legislation?

A. Atrocity 

B. Victim 

C. Manual Scavenger

D. Negligence

Answer: C. Manual Scavenger
Explanation: The definition of "Manual Scavenger" under Section 2 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 has been specifically borrowed from the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, making it the definition sourced from another Central legislation.

3. An offence under Section 3 of the Act is attracted only when—

A. The accused belongs to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.

B. The victim belongs to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, irrespective of the status of the accused.

C. The accused is not a member of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and the victim belongs to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.

D. Both the accused and the victim belong to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.

Answer: C. The accused is not a member of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and the victim belongs to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.
Explanation: Section 3 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is attracted only when the perpetrator/accused does NOT belong to SC/ST community and the victim belongs to SC/ST community. If both belong to SC/ST, or if the accused belongs to SC/ST, the Act is not applicable.

4. Read the following statements:

• Every offence under the Act is an atrocity.

• Every offence against an SC/ST person is an offence under the Act.

• Section 3 applies only where the accused is not a member of SC/ST.

• Motive alone is sufficient to constitute an offence under Section 3.
  Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 and 4 only

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct — every offence under the Act is an atrocity by definition. Statement 3 is correct — Section 3 applies only when the accused is not an SC/ST member. Statement 2 is incorrect — not every offence against SC/ST is covered under the Act, only specific offences listed in Section 3. Statement 4 is incorrect — motive alone is not sufficient; the act must actually be committed.

5. The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is primarily enacted to—

A. To abolish untouchability only.

B. To prevent atrocities against members of SCs and STs and provide relief and rehabilitation.

C. To regulate reservation in public employment.

D. To establish Human Rights Commissions.

Answer: B. To prevent atrocities against members of SCs and STs and provide relief and rehabilitation.
Explanation: The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was primarily enacted to prevent commission of offences/atrocities against SC/ST communities and to provide for Special Courts, relief, and rehabilitation of victims. Untouchability is addressed separately by the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.

6. The definition of "Manual Scavenger" under Section 2 is borrowed from—

A. Contract Labour Act

B. Employment Exchanges Act

C. Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013

D. Factories Act

 Answer: C. Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
Explanation: The definition of "Manual Scavenger" used in Section 2 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 has been specifically borrowed from the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, which is the dedicated Central legislation dealing with the prohibition and rehabilitation of manual scavengers.

7. An offence under Section 3 of the Act is generally attracted when—

A. Both accused and victim belong to SC/ST.

B. Accused belongs to SC/ST.

C. Accused is not a member of SC/ST and the victim belongs to SC/ST.

D. Victim belongs to any backward class.

Answer: C. Accused is not a member of SC/ST and the victim belongs to SC/ST.
Explanation: Section 3 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is attracted only when the accused is NOT a member of SC/ST community and the victim IS a member of SC/ST. If the accused belongs to SC/ST, the Act does not apply.

8. Section 5 provides for enhanced punishment in case of—

A. First conviction

B. Subsequent conviction under Chapter II of the Act

C. Every IPC offence

D. Juvenile offenders

Answer: B. Subsequent conviction under Chapter II of the Act
Explanation: Section 5 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 provides for enhanced punishment for persons who have been previously convicted of an offence under Chapter II of the Act. It is a provision specifically for repeat offenders/subsequent convictions under the same Act.

9. Section 7 empowers the Court to order forfeiture of—

A. All movable property

B. Property used in the commission of the offence

C. Ancestral property

D. Government property

Answer: B. Property used in the commission of the offence
Explanation: Section 7 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 empowers the Court to order forfeiture of property that was used in the commission of the offence. It does not extend to all movable property, ancestral property, or government property — only the property directly connected to the commission of the atrocity.

10. Section 9 empowers the Central Government to—

A. Amend the Act

B. Confer powers of arrest, investigation and prosecution on officers for carrying out the purposes of the Act.

C. Constitute Special Courts

D. Appoint High Court Judges

Answer: B. Confer powers of arrest, investigation and prosecution on officers for carrying out the purposes of the Act.
Explanation: Section 9 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 empowers the Central Government to confer powers of arrest, investigation, and prosecution upon officers for effectively carrying out the purposes of the Act. Amending the Act is a Parliamentary function, Special Courts are constituted under Section 14, and High Court Judges are appointed under the Constitution.