The correct answer is (a) President of India.
The President of India is the constitutional authority vested with the power of declaring castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This power is derived from Article 341 of the Constitution of India, which states that the President may, with respect to any State or Union Territory, by public notification, specify the castes, races, or tribes which shall be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in that State or Union Territory, and the President may, by a like notification, from time to time, add to, alter, or omit any entry in the list of Scheduled Castes for any State or Union Territory.
The President’s power to declare castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is a discretionary power. This means that the President is not bound to follow any particular procedure or to consult any particular body before exercising this power. However, the President is expected to act in good faith and in the best interests of the people of India.
The President’s power to declare castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is a very important power. This power has a significant impact on the lives of millions of people in India. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are entitled to a number of special privileges and benefits, including reservation in government jobs and educational institutions. The President’s power to declare castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is therefore a very powerful tool for promoting social justice and equality in India.
The other options are incorrect because they do not have the power to declare castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Prime Minister of India is the head of the government of India, but he does not have any constitutional power to declare castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Minister of Social Welfare is a member of the government of India, but he does not have any constitutional power to declare castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Chairman, SC/ST Commission is the head of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, but he does not have any constitutional power to declare castes and tribes as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.