National Commission for Scheduled Castes

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body. It is constituted under Article 338 of the Constitution.

Article 338 of the original constitution provides for the appointment of a Special Officer for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, who should inspect and submit to the President all matters related to the constitutional protection of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

Article 338 was amended by the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act 1990 to constitute a 7-member (milt-member) National Commissions for these sections by the President, consisting of Chairman, Vice-Chairman member) National Commission for these sections by and 5 Members.

This National Commission was divided into two parts by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act (Act came into effect from 19.02.2004) 2003 and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes under Art 338) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Article 338A) two new Commissions) were created.

A separate National Commission for Scheduled Castes came into existence from the year 2004, although the structure of both the Commissions is the same and in each Commission there is a provision of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and three other members. He is appointed by the President and his conditions of service and term have been determined by the President, as per rules, he has a term of 3 years.

The chairman of a Scheduled Caste can become one who is a member of the Scheduled Caste and is an expert in the social and political field.

The Chairman and Deputy airman of each Commission have been given the status of Union Minister and Minister of State respectively and the members of the Commission as Secretary to the Government of India.

Functions of Scheduled Caste Commission:

(1) Its main function is to review, supervise, superintend and implement all matters related to the protection and development of Scheduled Castes mentioned in the Constitution.

(2) To investigate and hear any matter which violates the interests of the Scheduled Castes.

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Sample Questions

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Question : 1

Which of the following are correct : (a) Function of Scheduled Caste Commission is to investigate and hear any matter which violates the interests of the Scheduled Castes. (b) Function of Scheduled Caste Commission is to report annually to the Prime Minister about the working of safeguards. (c) Function of Scheduled Caste Commission is to do other work assigned by the Prime Minister regarding the protection, welfare, development and upgradation of Scheduled Castes.
A. Only (a) is correct.	B. Only (b) is correct.	C. Only (c) is correct.	D. All of these.
Right Option : A
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Question : 2

Article 338 was amended by the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act 1990 to constitute a ______________________ National Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.
A. 5-member	B. 7-member	C. 9-member	D. None of these.
Right Option : B
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Question : 3

Which of the following are correct : (a) Article 338 was amended by the 68th Constitutional Amendment Act 1990. (b) National Commission was divided into two parts by the 90th Constitutional Amendment Act.
A. Only (a) is correct.	B. Only (b) is correct.	C. Both (a) and (b) are correct.	D. None of these.
Right Option : D
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