Introduction

 The Indian society is divided into four varnas,

often referred as “Jatis or Casts”.
 At the lowest rung of the social hierarchy are
‘Sudras’ which has been designated as ‘Harijans’
by Gandhi and as ‘Scheduled Cast’ by the
constitutions.
 Definition of Scheduled Castes

The Scheduled Castes (SCs) is a group of

historically-disadvantaged people recognized
by the Constitution of India or the people who
are placed at the bottom of the traditional caste
system.
People of this group in the history performed
unclean occupations of the society.
 Continued…

We can define the Schedule castes as those

economically, socially, educationally, and politically
backward caste which are kept at a distance by the
other caste as “untouchable”
• They also known as:
Chamars, Mahars, Billavas, Dhobi, edigas, korama,
Machigars, samagaras.

Scheduled Castes population:166,635,700 (16.2%)

 Constitutional Provision

 As per the constitutional provisions (Article 341), the

President of India shall prepare the list of such castes
and tribes for the first time, in consultation with
Governors of States.

 Parliament has been authorized to make subsequent

modifications in such lists as and when required.

 It means the list of the Scheduled Castes and

Scheduled Tribes will not be same for all states but
differ from state to state depending upon social and
educational backwardness of such castes and
communities.
 The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950
lists 1,108 castes across 25 states in its First
Schedule and as per the latest amendment in
2008, the list included 1208 scheduled castes
across India.
 The SCs constitute 16.23% of India's population
spread all over the country, with 80% of them
living in the rural areas.
 Genesis of the Commission
 A Special Officer known as the Commissioner for
Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes was appointed
for the first time on 18th November, 1950. (Article
338)

 The first Commission for SC & ST came into being in

1978. (Non-Statutory)

 The setup of the Commission of 1978 underwent

change in 1987 and it was named as National
Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes.
 In the 89th Amendment of the
Constitution(Article 338 and 338A) it was
decided to have a separate National
Commission for Scheduled Castes & separate
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
(2004)
 Composition

 It has chairman, vice chairman and three other

members. All appointed by the president. Their
condition of service and tenure is determined by
the president. Currently three years.

 Chairman has status of a cabinet minister and

vice chairman has a rank of a minister of state.
 Functions and duties of the commission are:

a)To investigate and monitor all matters relating to

the safeguards provided for the Scheduled
Castes under this Constitution or under any other
law for the time being in force or under any order of
the Government and to evaluate the working of
such safeguard;

b)To inquire into specific complaints with respect to

the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the
Scheduled Castes;
c)To participate and advise on the planning
process of socio-economic development of the
Scheduled Castes.

d)to evaluate the progress of their development

under the Union and any State.

e)To present to the President, annually and at such

other times as the Commission may deem fit,
reports upon the working of those safeguards;
 Continued…

e)To make in such reports recommendations as to the

measures that should be taken by the Union or any State
for the effective implementation of those safeguards and
other measures for the protection, welfare and
socioeconomic development of the Scheduled Castes;
and

f)To discharge such other functions in relation to the

protection, welfare and development and advancement
of the Scheduled Castes as the President may, subject to
the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule
specify.