Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Offices connected with a religious or denominated institution may be reserved for members professing the particular religion to which the institution relates. 2. The State may reserve any post or appointment in favour of any backward class of citizens who, in the opinion of the State, are not adequately represented in the services under that State. 3. No citizen shall, on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or any of them, be ineligible for any office under the State. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

All three statements are correct based on Article 16 of the Indian Constitution. Statement 1 refers to Article 16(5), which provides an exception allowing offices connected to a religious or denominational institution to be reserved for members of that specific religion or denomination. Statement 2 is derived from Article 16(4), which empowers the State to make provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens if the State believes they are not adequately represented in its services [1]. Statement 3 aligns with Article 16(2), which mandates that no citizen shall be ineligible for or discriminated against in any office under the State on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence [2]. Together, these provisions balance the principle of equality of opportunity with necessary affirmative action and religious autonomy [3].

Sources

1. [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > p. 110
2. [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 32: MINORITIES, SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES > CHAP. 32] MINORITIES, SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES 457 > p. 457
3. [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 7: Citizenship > MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE > p. 61