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Questions and Answers
What is required for reasonable classification under Article 14?
Article 14 allows for class legislation without any conditions.
False
The scheme that provided liberalized benefits to pensioners who retired after _______ was challenged.
April 1, 1979
What does 'intelligible differentia' mean in the context of classification?
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Match the following conditions with their definitions:
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Who were the petitioners challenging the pension scheme?
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The pension given to retirees before April 1, 1979, was higher than that of those who retired after this date.
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What was the basis for differentiating pensioners in the revised pension scheme?
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What is Article 14 of the Indian Constitution primarily concerned with?
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Classification based on the date of retirement is deemed rational and principled in the context of pension distribution.
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What are the two tests under Article 14 of the Constitution of India?
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The classification of pensioners based on a specified date is considered __________.
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Match the tests of Article 14 with their components:
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Which of the following statements correctly expresses a provision concerning pensioners under the 1972 rules?
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The division of pensioners into classes based on retirement date is constitutional under Article 14.
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What outcome did the court declare for pensioners governed by the 1972 rules?
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Study Notes
Article 14 Overview
- Article 14 prohibits class legislation but allows reasonable classification for legislative purposes.
- Reasonable classification must be based on an intelligible differentia that distinctly groups individuals or entities.
- The differentia must have a rational connection to the objective of the statute in question.
D.S. Nakara v. Union of India (1983)
- The case clarified the interpretation of reasonable classification under Article 14.
- Emphasized the necessity for a causal connection between the basis of classification and the statute's objectives.
Pension Scheme Revision
- The Union of India revised its pension scheme, differentiating benefits based on the retirement date.
- Pensioners retiring after April 1, 1979, received more liberalized benefits compared to those who retired earlier.
- Petitioners included a retired civil servant from 1972 and an armed forces member, each receiving significantly lower pensions.
Legal Framework and Provisions
- Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection within India.
- The legal tests under Article 14 involve:
- Test of Reasonable Classification:
- Intelligible Differentia
- Rational Nexus
- Test of Proportionality
- Test of Reasonable Classification:
Key Issues Raised
- Determination of whether pensioners under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules form a coherent class.
- Examination of whether the date of retirement is a valid criterion for differentiating pension benefits under a new calculation formula.
- Challenge against the classification based on retirement date for its arbitrary nature.
Court's Findings
- The classification of pensioners created two groups based on a specified date was deemed arbitrary and lacking a rational basis.
- The ruling highlighted that all pensioners under the 1972 Rules and Army Pension Regulations are entitled to the benefits of the liberalized pension scheme from the specified date, regardless of retirement date.
Conclusions on Classification
- The choice of retirement date for classification was criticized as arbitrary and ineffective.
- The ruling stated that there should be no classification among retired government employees solely based on the retirement date.
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Description
Test your understanding of Article 14 of the Constitution, which addresses the principles of class legislation and reasonable classification. This quiz will explore key cases like D.S. Nakara v. Union of India and the importance of intelligible differentia in legal contexts.
