National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SCs)

Q.  Which of the following is/are true regarding National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

1) Originally the Constitution just had a Special officer for SCs and STs.
2) National Commission for SCs came into existence in 2001.
3) 88th Amendment bifurcated the National Commission for SCs and STs in to two.
- Published on 14 Mar 17

a. 1
b. 1, 3
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above

ANSWER: 1
 
  • The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SCs) is a constitutional body.

  • Article 338 of the Constitution says that There shall be a commission for the Scheduled Castes to be known as the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes.

  • Other national commissions are statutory bodies as they are established by acts of the Parliament and have no explicit mention in the Constitution.

    • Evolution of The Commission -

  • Originally, Article 338 of the Constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

  • It was to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for the SCs and STs and to report to the President on their working.

  • He was called the commissioner for SCs and STs.

  • In 1978, the Government through a Resolution set up a non-statutory multi-member commission for SCs and STs.

  • This was along with the office of commissioner for SCs and STs.

  • In 1987, the Government through another Resolution modified the functions of the commission and renamed it as the National Commission for SCs and STs.

  • 65th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1990 provided for the establishment of a high levelmulti-member National Commission for SCs and STs in the place of a single Special Officer.

  • This constitutional body replaced the commissioner for SCs and STs and the commission set up under the Resolution of 1987.

  • The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 bifurcated the commission into two distinct bodies - National Commission for Scheduled Castes (Article 338) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Article 338-A).

  • The separate National Commission for SCs came into existence in 2004.

  • It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three other members.

  • They are appointed by the President.

  • Their conditions of service and tenure of office are determined by the President.

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