Which of the following are constitutional provisions and laws that aim to protect the rights of Scheduled Castes in India? 1. Article 17 of the Constitution of India 2. The Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 3. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Introduction / Context:
Protection of Scheduled Castes from discrimination and violence is a major constitutional and legislative priority in India. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. The Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 are key statutes that provide detailed mechanisms to enforce these constitutional guarantees and to punish offences committed against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This question requires candidates to recognise how these provisions and laws work together.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question lists one constitutional article and two pieces of legislation.
• Article 17 deals with the abolition of untouchability.
• The Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 further implements the ban on untouchability.
• The SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 addresses more serious offences and atrocities against these communities.
• We must select the combination that correctly groups measures aimed at protecting Scheduled Castes.

Concept / Approach:
Article 17 declares untouchability abolished and makes its practice in any form an offence. The Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 gives effect to Article 17 by defining specific offences related to discriminatory practices and by prescribing penalties. The SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 goes further by defining and punishing a wider range of atrocities committed against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, including social and economic boycotts and physical violence. Together, these three form a legal and constitutional framework aimed at protecting the dignity and rights of Scheduled Castes in particular and marginalised groups more broadly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that Article 17 is a fundamental right which abolishes untouchability and prohibits its practice. Step 2: Recall that the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 was specifically enacted to enforce Article 17 by defining offences and penalties for practising untouchability. Step 3: Recall that the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 was enacted to prevent various atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and to provide for special courts and stringent punishments. Step 4: Note that all three listed measures aim at reducing discrimination and violence against Scheduled Castes in different ways. Step 5: Conclude that items 1, 2, and 3 all qualify as measures for protection of Scheduled Castes. Step 6: Select the option that lists 1, 2, and 3 together.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can think of how these measures are described in standard polity and social justice chapters. Article 17 is always mentioned as a key equality and anti discrimination provision. The Protection of Civil Rights Act is often introduced as the law that converts this constitutional promise into enforceable penal provisions. The SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act is highlighted as a special law to deal with serious offences and social practices targeting these communities. Since all three sources explicitly state that these instruments are designed to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it is clear that the correct answer includes all three.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The option listing 1 and 3 only excludes the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, ignoring an important implementing statute for Article 17. The option listing 1 and 2 only omits the 1989 Act, which is crucial for dealing with atrocities. The option listing 2 and 3 only leaves out the constitutional foundation provided by Article 17. Each of these options therefore gives an incomplete picture of the protective framework.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to focus only on constitutional provisions and overlook statutory instruments that operationalise those rights. Another pitfall is to think that the Prevention of Atrocities Act is concerned only with criminal law and not with protection of rights, when in reality it is a key rights protecting measure. To avoid these errors, it is helpful to see the Constitution and these Acts as parts of a single system aimed at ending caste based discrimination.

Final Answer:
All three listed measures, namely Article 17, the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, and the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, together form an important framework for protecting the rights of Scheduled Castes.