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What are vulnerable groups?
Breaking up the term
Vulnerable
easily harmed, less able to protect oneself
Groups
sections of society
The weaker sections - the most vulnerable sections of society
  • Vulnerable means easily harmed, and less able to protect oneself.
  • Groups here means sections or communities of society.
  • So vulnerable groups are the sections of society that are most easily harmed and least able to protect their own interests.
  • The chapter calls them the weaker sections and the most vulnerable sections of society .
Which are the vulnerable groups in society?
  • Based on what the chapter names:
Group
Where the chapter mentions it
Scheduled Castes
Article 46
Scheduled Tribes
Article 46
Weaker sections of the people
Article 46
Women
Women's reservation in local bodies
  • The chapter also says communities must be protected regardless of caste, gender, religion or regional background .
What does the Constitution mention about vulnerable groups?
Article 46:
  • "the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes , and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation."
  • It says the State , not the government of the day.
  • Two promises: promotion of their interests, and protection from injustice and exploitation.
What is the role and responsibility of the government?
Equally or Equitably? the book says equitably
Equally
Everyone gets the same
Example:
ignores past disadvantage
Equitably
Everyone gets what they need
Example:
corrects for past disadvantage
  • It is the duty of the government to protect all communities, regardless of caste, gender, religion or regional background.
  • It must ensure resources are distributed equitably .
  • Special attention must go to the most vulnerable sections , without discrimination .
  • The book says equitably , not equally.
  • That word is doing real work.
Equally
Equitably
Everyone gets the same
Everyone gets what they need to reach a fair position
Ignores past disadvantage
Corrects for past disadvantage
Why must the rights of vulnerable groups be safeguarded?
  • Historical factors have led to an unequal distribution of opportunities and resources .
  • Without special care, these groups would stay behind even if the law treated everyone the same.
  • Example: a child whose family has never been to school needs extra support.
  • Free books or a scholarship help that child reach the same starting line as a child whose parents were educated.
Quick self-check
1. What are vulnerable groups?
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The sections of society that are most easily harmed and least able to protect their own interests - the chapter calls them the weaker sections.

2. Name two vulnerable groups mentioned in Article 46.
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The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

3. What does Article 46 promise?
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That the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections. It shall also protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

4. What is the difference between distributing resources equally and equitably?
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Equally means everyone gets the same. Equitably means everyone gets what they need to reach a fair position, correcting for past disadvantage.

5. Why do vulnerable groups need special care?
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Because historical factors have led to an unequal distribution of opportunities and resources. Without special care they would stay behind, even if the law treated everyone the same.

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