Consider the following statements regarding the Group of Ministers’ (GoM) report on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in Assam: I. The GoM recommends creating a new ST (Valley) category to accommodate some of the six communities without affecting the existing ST (Plains) and ST (Hills) quotas. II. The report suggests that all six communities be included in the ST (Plains) list. III. For central government jobs and educational institutions, all recognised STs from Assam must compete under a single national ST pool. IV. The report proposes permanent reservation of the Kokrajhar and Diphu Lok Sabha seats for the existing ST(P) and ST(H) communities through a constitutional amendment. How many of the above statements are correct?

The correct answer is Option 3 In News A Group of Ministers’ report recommending ST status for six OBC communities in Assam was tabled in the Assembly, triggering protests from Bodo student groups and existing ST communities. Key Points The GoM recommends creating a new ST (Valley) sub-category for Ahom, Chutia, tea tribes/Adivasis, and Koch-Rajbongshis (except those in undivided Goalpara). It also states that existing ST(P) and ST(H) quotas will remain protected. Hence, Statement I is correct. The report does not recommend placing all six communities in ST (Plains). Only Morans, Motoks, and Goalpara-based Koch Rajbongshis (with BTC NOC) are proposed for ST (Plains). Hence, Statement II is incorrect. The report states that for central government reservations, all ST communities from Assam will compete under the common national ST pool. Hence, Statement III is correct. The report proposes permanent reservation of the Kokrajhar and Diphu Lok Sabha constituencies for existing ST(P) and ST(H) through a constitutional amendment. Hence, Statement IV is correct. Additional Information The GoM recommends a three-tier ST classification in Assam: ST (Plains),ST (Hills),ST (Valley) It also calls for: Separate rosters & vacancy registers for ST(V). Sub-categorisation of OBCs into seven groups for interim reservation,Reservation for OBCs in local bodies,A law restricting land transfer of six communities and existing STs to outsider and socio-economic survey to determine reservation share on pro-rata basis.