What is Article 336 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 336: Special provision for Anglo-Indian community in certain services (1) During the first two years after the commencement of this Constitution,
📅 Part XVI – Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes
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Article Number

336

part

Part XVI – Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 336: Special provision for Anglo-Indian community in certain services

  • (1) During the first two years after the commencement of this Constitution, appointments of members of the Anglo-Indian community to posts in the railway, customs, postal ad telegraph services of the Union shall be made on the same basis as immediately before the fifteenth day of August, 1947.
  • During every succeeding period of two years, the number of posts reserved for the members of the said community in the said services shall, as nearly as possible, be less by ten per cent. than the numbers so reserved during the immediately preceding period of two years:
  • Provided that at the end of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution all such reservations shall cease.
  • (2) Nothing in clause (1) shall bar the appointment of members of the Anglo-Indian community to posts other than, or in addition to, those reserved for the community under that clause if such members are found qualified for appointment on merit as compared with the members of other communities.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 336 of the Indian Constitution provides special provisions for the Anglo-Indian community in certain government services. This article specifically mentions that for the first two years after the Constitution came into effect, appointments in railway, customs, postal, and telegraph services should include members of the Anglo-Indian community. This means that during this initial period, the government aimed to ensure representation for this community, which had a unique cultural and historical background in India. The intention was to address their underrepresentation in these key services following India’s independence in 1947. Following the first two years, the article outlines a gradual reduction in the number of reserved posts for the Anglo-Indian community. Every two years, the number of reserved positions will decrease by ten percent. This phased reduction was designed to encourage integration while still providing some level of representation during the transition period. The article states that after ten years, these reservations would completely cease, reflecting a shift towards merit-based appointments. Additionally, it allows for the appointment of Anglo-Indians in other posts if they qualify based on merit, ensuring that they are not entirely excluded from opportunities in public services. The practical impact of this article can be seen in how it aimed to uplift the Anglo-Indian community during the early years of independent India. By providing them with guaranteed roles in government services, the article sought to preserve their presence in a rapidly changing society. Over time, as the community became more integrated into the workforce, the need for such reservations decreased, allowing for a more meritocratic approach to public service appointments. This reflects India’s commitment to equality while recognizing historical injustices faced by minority communities.

Historical Context

Article 336 was included in the Constitution when it was adopted on January 26, 1950. During the Constituent Assembly debates, members discussed the declining population and representation of the Anglo-Indian community. The provision was intended to be temporary, with a clear timeline for its cessation after ten years. This article has yet to be amended, but its relevance diminished over time as the community’s numbers further declined. The Supreme Court addressed issues related to Anglo-Indians in cases like ‘N. S. Raghavan vs. State of Tamil Nadu’, emphasizing the community’s evolving status in society.

Key Features

– It reserves posts for the Anglo-Indian community in specific services.
– The reservation period lasts for a maximum of ten years.
– Every two years, the number of reserved posts decreases by ten percent.
– Members can also be appointed based on merit beyond reserved posts.
– The article aims to promote integration while recognizing historical injustices.

Importance & Impact

– The article ensures representation for the Anglo-Indian community in government jobs.
– The reservation system phases out gradually to encourage merit-based appointments.
– This provision acknowledges the community’s unique historical context in India.
– It encourages Anglo-Indians to qualify based on merit for broader opportunities.
– Over time, it contributes to social integration within public services.

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements regarding Article 336 of the Indian Constitution: 1. It provides reservations for the Anglo-Indian community in specific government services. 2. The provisions of this article will last indefinitely. 3. The number of reserved posts decreases every two years. Which of the statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 1 and 2 only C) 1 and 3 only D) 1, 2 and 3. Explain your answer for each option.

Answer

The correct answer is C) 1 and 3 only. Article 336 provides reservations for the Anglo-Indian community in certain services for a limited time. The second statement is incorrect because the reservations cease after ten years, not indefinitely. Article 336 of the Indian Constitution provides special provisions for the Anglo-Indian community in certain government services.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 336 reserves posts for Anglo-Indians in specific services.
✓ The reservation system phases out over a maximum of ten years.
✓ It encourages merit-based appointments while reserving roles for Anglo-Indians.
✓ The article acknowledges historical injustices faced by the community.
✓ Integration of Anglo-Indians into public services is encouraged.

FAQs

Article 336 reserves specific government job positions for the Anglo-Indian community, ensuring representation in key services. For instance, this provision applied to roles in railways and customs, helping to address historical inequalities. The article allows for merit-based appointments for Anglo-Indians in other positions as well, providing wider opportunities beyond reservations.

This phased reduction was designed to encourage integration while still providing some level of representation during the transition period. The article states that after ten years, these reservations would completely cease, reflecting a shift towards merit-based appointments. Additionally, it allows for the appointment of Anglo-Indians in other posts if they qualify based on merit, ensuring that they are not entirely excluded from opportunities in public services.

By providing them with guaranteed roles in government services, the article sought to preserve their presence in a rapidly changing society. Over time, as the community became more integrated into the workforce, the need for such reservations decreased, allowing for a more meritocratic approach to public service appointments. This reflects India’s commitment to equality while recognizing historical injustices faced by minority communities.

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