BharatNotes Schedule
noun; verb (transitive)Usage in a UPSC answer
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution confers a distinct administrative architecture on tribal areas, and any move to amend it must be scheduled only after exhaustive consultation with the Autonomous District Councils.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
scheduled (adj), scheduling (v pres.p), scheduler (n), unscheduled (adj), reschedule (v)
Root
Late Latin schedula = papyrus strip, diminutive of scheda; from Greek skhédē = papyrus leaf; via Old French cedule
Etymology
From late Middle English cedule, via Old French from Late Latin schedula ("papyrus strip"), diminutive of Latin scheda, from Greek skhédē ("papyrus leaf").
Memory Hook
Think "SCHEDULE = SHED + RULE": inside the SHED you keep a RULEd timetable telling you exactly when to do each task. (Root link: Greek skhede, a leaf of papyrus on which lists were written.)
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
An appendix to the Constitution containing detailed provisions, and knowing the contents of each of the twelve is directly tested. The First lists States and Union Territories, the Second fixes emoluments of specified officeholders, the Third prescribes forms of oath, the Fourth allocates Rajya Sabha seats, the Fifth governs Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes, the Sixth governs tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram through Autonomous District Councils, the Seventh contains the three legislative Lists, the Eighth lists recognised languages, the Ninth contains laws immunised from challenge, the Tenth carries the anti-defection provisions, and the Eleventh and Twelfth list panchayat and municipal subjects, added by the 73rd and 74th Amendments. Two points repay attention: the Fifth and Sixth Schedules are frequently confused, the Sixth applying only to the four north-eastern States named and creating councils with actual legislative power; and I.R. Coelho held in 2007 that laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after 24 April 1973 remain open to basic structure review.
Don’t Confuse It With
A Schedule supplements the Articles with detailed provisions, and there are twelve. The Fifth Schedule governs Scheduled Areas in States other than the four north-eastern ones, whereas the Sixth Schedule applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram and creates Autonomous District Councils holding legislative powers, which is the stronger form of autonomy. The Ninth Schedule immunises listed laws from challenge, subject to basic structure review for entries made after April 1973. The Eighth Schedule lists recognised languages and confers no official status by that listing alone.
Hindi Meaning
अनुसूची (anusūchī).
Common Questions
- What is the difference between the Fifth and Sixth Schedules?
- The Fifth governs Scheduled Areas generally, while the Sixth applies only to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram and creates Autonomous District Councils with legislative powers.
- Are Ninth Schedule laws immune from judicial review?
- Not entirely. I.R. Coelho held in 2007 that laws inserted into the Ninth Schedule after 24 April 1973 can still be challenged for violating the basic structure.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2025 — Parliament
- Prelims 2025 — Parliament
- Prelims 2024 — Constitutional Schedules
- Prelims 2022 — Federalism
- Prelims 2020 — Directive Principles of State Policy
- Mains 2014 · GS4 · 20 marks — Civil Service Ethics / Sexual Harassment / Integrity
- Mains 2013 · GS3 · 10 marks — Security
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Schedule” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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