Which of the following provision provides for affirmative action under the Indian Constitution?

Article 16

The correct answer is Option (3) → Article 16

Reservation and affirmative action: Article 16 is also based on the equality principle of Article 14. It provides for equality of opportunity in matters of public or State employment and bars any discrimination to any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence. However, this article allows State to provide reservation or affirmative action programs for government jobs to backward classes like Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes who because of historical and continued disadvantages based on caste status and otherwise have not been adequately represented in the services under the State.