Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A)...

Let the capacitance of each capacitor be $C$. The equivalent capacitance of the series branch containing $C_2$ and $C_3$ is $\dfrac{C}{2}$.

Since $C_1$ is in parallel with this series branch, the potential difference $V$ across both branches is the same.
The charge stored in $C_1$ is $Q_1 = C_1 V = CV$.
The charge drawn by the series branch is $Q_s = C_s V = \left(\dfrac{C}{2}\right)V$.
In a series combination, the charge on each capacitor is equal to the total charge of that branch. Therefore, the charge on $C_2$ is $Q_2 = \left(\dfrac{C}{2}\right)V$.

Comparing the charges, $Q_1 = 2Q_2$. The charge stored in $C_1$ is twice the charge stored in $C_2$, not half. Thus, Assertion (A) is false.

Reason (R) is a correct statement of principle. For branches in parallel, the potential difference $V$ is constant, so the charge $Q = CV$ is directly proportional to the equivalent capacitance of the branch. The branch with lower capacitance draws less charge.

Answer: Assertion (A) is not correct but Reason (R) is correct