II.

ProvisionsrelatingtoSCs
II.ADefinitionandSpecificationofSCs
Art.

Title

Preamble
341

ScheduledCastes

366

Definitions
II.BSocialSafequards

17

AbolitionofUntouchability

25

Freedomofconscienceandfreeprofession,practiceandpropagationofreligion
II.CEducational,EconomicandPublicEmploymentrelatedSafequards

15

Prohibitionofdiscriminationongroundsofreligion,race,caste,sexorplaceofbirth

16

Equalityofopportunityinmattersofpublicemployment

46

PromotionofEducationalandEconomicinterestsofScheduledCastes,ScheduledTribesand
otherweakersections

320

FunctionsofPublicServiceCommissions

335

ClaimsofScheduledCastesandScheduledTribestoservicesandposts
II.DPoliticalSafequards

330

ReservationofseatsforScheduledCastesandScheduledTribesintheHouseofthePeople

332

ReservationofseatsforScheduledCastesandScheduledTribesintheLegislativeAssemblies
oftheStates

334

Reservationofseatsandspecialrepresentationtoceaseaftersixtyyears

243D

Reservationofseats(inPanchayats)

243T

Reservationofseats
II.EAgencyformonitoringsafequards

338

NationalCommissionforScheduledCastes

II.ADefinitionandSpecificationofSCs
XVI.SpecialProvisionsrelatingtocertainclasses
341.ScheduledCastes
1. ThePresidentmaywithrespecttoanyStateorUnionTerritory,andwhereitisaState,afterconsultation
withtheGovernorthereof,bypublicnotification,specifythecastes,racesortribesorpartsoforgroups
withincastes,racesortribeswhichshallforthepurposesofthisConstitutionbedeemedtobeScheduled
CastesinrelationtothatStateorUnionTerritory,asthecasemaybe.
2. ParliamentmaybylawincludeinorexcludefromthelistofScheduledCastesspecifiedinanotification
issuedunderclause(1)anycaste,raceortribeorpartoforgroupwithinanycaste,raceortribe,but
saveasaforesaidanotificationissuedunderthesaidclauseshallnotbevariedbyanysubsequent
notification.
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XIX.Miscellaneous
366.Definitions

InthisConstitution,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires,thefollowingexpressionshavethemeaningshereby
respectivelyassignedtothem,thatistosay
(24)"ScheduledCastes"meanssuchcastes,racesortribesorpartsoforgroupswithinsuchcastes,racesor
tribesasaredeemedunderarticle341tobeScheduledCastesforthepurposesofthisConstitution
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II.BSocialSafeguards
III.FundamentalRights
17.AbolitionofUntouchability
"Untouchability"isabolishedanditspracticeinanyformisforbidden.Theenforcementofanydisabilityarising
outof"Untouchability"shallbeanoffencepunishableinaccordancewithlaw.
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25.Freedomofconscienceandfreeprofession,practiceandpropagationofreligion
1. Subjecttopublicorder,moralityandhealthandtotheotherprovisionsofthisPart,allpersonsare
equallyentitledtofreedomofconscienceandtherightfreelytoprofess,practiseandpropagatereligion.
2. NothinginthisarticleshallaffecttheoperationofanyexistinglaworpreventtheStatefrommakingany
law
a. ****
b. providingforsocialwelfareandreformorthethrowingopenofHindureligiousinstitutionsofa
publiccharactertoallclassesandsectionsofHindus.
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II.CEducational,EconomicandPublicEmploymentrelatedSafeguards
15.Prohibitionofdiscriminationongroundsofreligion,race,caste,sexorplaceof
birth
1. TheStateshallnotdiscriminateagainstanycitizenongroundsonlyofreligion,race,caste,sex,placeof
birthoranyofthem.
2. Nocitizenshall,ongroundsonlyofreligion,race,caste,sex,placeofbirthoranyofthem,besubjectto
anydisability,liability,restrictionorconditionwithregardto
a. accesstoshops,publicrestaurants,hotelsandplacesofpublicentertainmentor
b. theuseofwells,tanks,bathingghats,roadsandplacesofpublicresortmaintainedwhollyor
partlyoutofStatefundsordedicatedtotheuseofgeneralpublic.
3. ****
4. Nothinginthisarticleorinclause(2)ofarticle29shallpreventtheStatefrommakinganyspecial
provisionfortheadvancementofanysociallyandeducationallybackwardclassesofcitizensorforthe
ScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribes.
5. Nothinginthisarticleorinsubclause(g)ofclause(1)ofarticle19shallpreventtheStatefrommaking
anyspecialprovision,bylaw,fortheadvancementofanysociallyandeducationallybackwardclassesof
citizensorfortheScheduledCastesortheScheduledTribesinsofarassuchspecialprovisionsrelateto
theiradmissiontoeducationalinstitutionsincludingprivateeducationalinstitutions,whetheraidedor
unaidedbytheState,otherthantheminorityeducationalinstitutionsreferredtoinclause(1)ofarticle
30.
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16.Equalityofopportunityinmattersofpublicemployment
1. Thereshallbeequalityofopportunityforallcitizensinmattersrelatingtoemploymentorappointmentto
anyofficeundertheState.
2. Nocitizenshall,ongroundsonlyofreligion,race,caste,sex,descent,placeofbirth,residenceoranyof
them,beineligiblefor,ordiscriminatedagainstinrespectof,anyemploymentorofficeundertheState.
3. NothinginthisarticleshallpreventParliamentfrommakinganylawprescribing,inregardtoaclassor
classesofemploymentorappointmenttoanofficeundertheGovernmentof,oranylocalorother
authoritywithin,aStateorUnionterritory,anyrequirementastoresidencewithinthatStateorUnion
territorypriortosuchemploymentorappointment.

4. NothinginthisarticleshallpreventtheStatefrommakinganyprovisionforthereservationof
appointmentsorpostsinfavourofanybackwardclassofcitizenswhich,intheopinionoftheState,isnot
adequatelyrepresentedintheservicesundertheState.
A. NothinginthisarticleshallpreventtheStatefrommakinganyprovisionforreservationinmatters
ofpromotion,withconsequentialseniority,toanyclassorclassesofpostsintheservicesunder
theStateinfavouroftheScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribeswhich,intheopinionofthe
State,arenotadequatelyrepresentedintheservicesundertheState.
B. NothinginthisarticleshallpreventtheStatefromconsideringanyunfilledvacanciesofayear
whicharereservedforbeingfilledupinthatyearinaccordancewithanyprovisionforreservation
madeunderclause(4)orclause(4A)asaseparateclassofvacanciestobefilledupinany
succeedingyearoryearsandsuchclassofvacanciesshallnotbeconsideredtogetherwiththe
vacanciesoftheyearinwhichtheyarebeingfilledupfordeterminingtheceilingoffiftypercent
reservationontotalnumberofvacanciesofthatyear.
5. ****
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IV.DirectivePrinciplesofStatePolicy
46.PromotionofEducationalandEconomicinterestsofScheduledCastes,ScheduledTribes
andotherweakersections
TheStateshallpromotewithspecialcaretheeducationalandeconomicinterestsoftheweakersectionsofthe
people,and,inparticular,oftheScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribes,andshallprotectthemfromsocial
injusticeandallformsofexploitation.
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320.FunctionsofPublicServiceCommission
1. ItshallbethedutyoftheUnionandtheStatePublicServiceCommissiontoconductexaminationsfor
appointmentstotheservicesoftheUnionandtheservicesoftheStaterespectively.
2. *****
3. TheUnionPublicServiceCommissionortheStatePublicServiceCommission,asthecasemaybe,shall
beconsulted
a. onallmattersrelatingtomethodsofrecruitmenttocivilservicesandforcivilposts
b. ontheprinciplestobefollowedinmakingappointmentstocivilservicesandpostsandinmaking
promotionsandtransfersfromoneservicetoanotherandonthesuitabilityofcandidatesforsuch
appointments,promotionsortransfers
c. onalldisciplinarymattersaffectingapersonservingundertheGovernmentofIndiaorthe
GovernmentofaStateinacivilcapacity,includingmemorialsorpetitionsrelatingtosuch
matters
d. onanyclaimbyorinrespectofapersonwhoisservingorhasservedundertheGovernmentof
IndiaortheGovernmentofaStateorundertheCrowninIndiaorundertheGovernmentofan
IndianState,inacivilcapacity,thatanycostsincurredbyhimindefendinglegalproceedings
institutedagainsthiminrespectofactsdoneorpurportingtobedoneintheexecutionofhisduty
shouldbepaidoutoftheConsolidatedFundofIndia,or,asthecasemaybe,outofthe
ConsolidatedFundoftheState
e. onanyclaimfortheawardofapensioninrespectofinjuriessustainedbyapersonwhileserving
undertheGovernmentofIndiaortheGovernmentofaStateorundertheCrowninIndiaorunder
theGovernmentofanIndianState,inacivilcapacity,andanyquestionastotheamountofany
suchaward,
anditshallbethedutyofaPublicServiceCommissiontoadviseonanymattersoreferredto
themandonanyothermatterwhichthePresident,or,asthecasemaybe,theGovernorofthe
State,mayrefertothem:
ProvidedthatthePresidentasrespectstheallIndiaservicesandalsoasrespectsotherservices
andpostsinconnectionwiththeaffairsoftheUnion,andtheGovernor,asrespectsotherservices
andpostsinconnectionwiththeaffairsofaState,maymakeregulationsspecifyingthemattersin
whicheithergenerally,orinanyparticularclassofcaseorinanyparticularcircumstances,itshall
notbenecessaryforaPublicServiceCommissiontobeconsulted.
4. Nothinginclause(3)shallrequireaPublicServiceCommissiontobeconsultedasrespectsthemannerin
whichanyprovisionreferredtoinclause(4)ofarticle16maybemadeorasrespectsthemannerin
whicheffectmaybegiventotheprovisionsofarticle335.
5. *****

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XVI.SpecialProvisionsrelatingtocertainclasses
335.ClaimsofScheduledCastesandScheduledTribestoservicesandposts
TheclaimsofthemembersoftheScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribesshallbetakenintoconsideration,
consistentlywiththemaintenanceofefficiencyofadministration,inthemakingofappointmentstoservicesand
postsinconnectionwiththeaffairsoftheUnionorofaState:
Providedthatnothinginthisarticleshallpreventinmakingofanyprovisioninfavourofthemembersofthe
ScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribesforrelaxationinqualifyingmarksinanyexaminationorlowering
thestandardsofevaluation,forreservationinmattersofpromotiontoanyclassorclassesofservicesorposts
inconnectionwiththeaffairsoftheUnionorofaState.
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II.DPoliticalSafeguards
XVI.SpecialProvisionsrelatingtocertainclasses
330.ReservationofseatsforScheduledCastesandScheduledTribesintheHouseofthe
People
1. SeatsshallbereservedintheHouseofthePeoplefor
a. theScheduledCastes
b. theScheduledTribesexcepttheScheduledTribesintheautonomousdistrictsofAssamand
c. theScheduledTribesintheautonomousdistrictsofAssam.
2. ThenumberofseatsreservedinanyStateorUnionterritoryfortheScheduledCastesortheScheduled
Tribesunderclause(1)shallbear,asnearlyasmaybe,thesameproportiontothetotalnumberofseats
allottedtothatStateorUnionterritoryintheHouseofthePeopleasthepopulationoftheScheduled
CastesintheStateorUnionterritoryoroftheScheduledTribesintheStateorUnionterritoryorpartof
theStateorUnionterritory,asthecasemaybe,inrespectofwhichseatsaresoreserved,bearstothe
totalpopulationoftheStateorUnionterritory.
3. ****
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332.ReservationofseatsforScheduledCastesandScheduledTribesintheLegislative
AssembliesoftheStates
1. SeatsshallbereservedfortheScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribes,excepttheScheduledTribes
intheautonomousdistrictsofAssam,intheLegislativeAssemblyofeveryState.
2. *****
3. ThenumberofseatsreservedfortheScheduledCastesortheScheduledTribesintheLegislative
AssemblyofanyStateunderclause(1)shallbear,asnearlyasmaybe,thesameproportiontothetotal
numberofseatsintheAssemblyasthepopulationoftheScheduledCastesintheStateorofthe
ScheduledTribesintheStateorpartoftheState,asthecasemaybe,inrespectofwhichseatsareso
reservedbearstothetotalpopulationoftheState.
4. *****
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334.Reservationofseatsandspecialrepresentationtoceaseaftersixtyyears
NotwithstandinganythingintheforegoingprovisionsofthisPart,theprovisionsofthisConstitutionrelatingto
a. thereservationofseatsfortheScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribesintheHouseofthePeople
andintheLegislativeAssembliesoftheStatesand
b. therepresentationoftheAngloIndiancommunityintheHouseofthePeopleandintheLegislative
AssembliesoftheStatesbynomination,
shallceasetohaveeffectontheexpirationofaperiodofsixtyyearsfromthecommencementofthis
Constitution:

ProvidedthatnothinginthisarticleshallaffectanyrepresentationintheHouseofthePeopleorinthe
LegislativeAssemblyofaStateuntilthedissolutionofthethenexistingHouseorAssembly,asthecasemaybe.
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IX.ThePanchayats
243D.Reservationofseats
1. Seatsshallbereservedfor
a. theScheduledCastesand
b. theScheduledTribes,
ineveryPanchayatandthenumberofseatssoreservedshallbear,asnearlyasmaybe,thesame
proportiontothetotalnumberofseatstobefilledbydirectelectioninthatPanchayatasthepopulation
oftheScheduledCastesinthatPanchayatareaoroftheScheduledTribesinthatPanchayatareabears
tothetotalpopulationofthatareaandsuchseatsmaybeallottedbyrotationtodifferentconstituencies
inaPanchayat.
2. Notlessthanonethirdofthetotalnumberofseatsreservedunderclause(1)shallbereservedfor
womenbelongingtotheScheduledCastesor,asthecasemaybe,theScheduledTribes.
3. Notlessthanonethird(includingthenumberofseatsreservedforwomenbelongingtotheScheduled
CastesandtheScheduledTribes)ofthetotalnumberofseatstobefilledbydirectelectioninevery
Panchayatshallbereservedforwomenandsuchseatsmaybeallottedbyrotationtodifferent
constituenciesinaPanchayat.
4. TheofficesoftheChairpersonsinthePanchayatsatthevillageoranyotherlevelshallbereservedfor
theScheduledCastes,theScheduledTribesandwomeninsuchmannerastheLegislatureofaState
may,bylaw,provide:
ProvidedthatthenumberofofficesofChairpersonsreservedfortheScheduledCastesandthe
ScheduledTribesinthePanchayatsateachlevelinanyStateshallbear,asnearlyasmaybe,thesame
proportiontothetotalnumberofsuchofficesinthePanchayatsateachlevelasthepopulationofthe
ScheduledCastesintheStateoroftheScheduledTribesintheStatebearstothetotalpopulationofthe
State:
ProvidedfurtherthatnotlessthanonethirdofthetotalnumberofofficesofChairpersonsinthe
Panchayatsateachlevelshallbereservedforwomen:
Providedalsothatthenumberofofficesreservedunderthisclauseshallbeallottedbyrotationto
differentPanchayatsateachlevel.
5. Thereservationofseatsunderclauses(1)and(2)andthereservationofofficesofChairpersons(other
thanthereservationforwomen)underclause(4)shallceasetohaveeffectontheexpirationofthe
periodspecifiedinarticle334.
6. NothinginthisPartshallpreventtheLegislatureofaStatefrommakinganyprovisionforreservationof
seatsinanyPanchayatorofficesofChairpersonsinthePanchayatsatanylevelinfavourofbackward
classofcitizens.
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IXA.TheMunicipalities
243T.Reservationofseats
1. SeatsshallbereservedfortheScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribesineveryMunicipalityandthe
numberofseatssoreservedshallbear,asnearlyasmaybe,thesameproportiontothetotalnumberof
seatstobefilledbydirectelectioninthatMunicipalityasthepopulationoftheScheduledCastesinthe
MunicipalareaoroftheScheduledTribesintheMunicipalareabearstothetotalpopulationofthatarea
andsuchseatsmaybeallottedbyrotationtodifferentconstituenciesinaMunicipality.
2. Notlessthanonethirdofthetotalnumberofseatsreservedunderclause(1)shallbereservedfor
womenbelongingtotheScheduledCastesor,asthecasemaybe,theScheduledTribes.
3. Notlessthanonethird(includingthenumberofseatsreservedforwomenbelongingtotheScheduled
CastesandtheScheduledTribes)ofthetotalnumberofseatstobefilledbydirectelectioninevery
Municipalityshallbereservedforwomenandsuchseatsmaybeallottedbyrotationtodifferent
constituenciesinaMunicipality.
4. TheofficesofChairpersonsintheMunicipalitiesshallbereservedfortheScheduledCastes,the
ScheduledTribesandwomeninsuchmannerastheLegislatureofaStatemay,bylaw,provide.
5. Thereservationofseatsunderclauses(1)and(2)andthereservationofofficesofChairpersons(other
thanthereservationforwomen)underclause(4)shallceasetohaveeffectontheexpirationofthe
periodspecifiedinarticle334.
6. NothinginthisPartshallpreventtheLegislatureofaStatefrommakinganyprovisionforreservationof

seatsinanyMunicipalityorofficesofChairpersonsintheMunicipalitiesinfavourofbackwardclassof
citizens.
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II.EAgencyformonitoringsafeguards
XVI.SpecialProvisionsrelatingtocertainClasses
338.NationalCommissionforScheduledCastes
1. ThereshallbeaCommissionfortheScheduledCastestobeknownastheNationalCommissionforthe
ScheduledCastes.
2. SubjecttotheprovisionsofanylawmadeinthisbehalfbyParliament,theCommissionshallconsistofa
Chairperson,ViceChairpersonandthreeotherMembersandtheconditionsofserviceandtenureof
officeoftheChairperson,ViceChairpersonandotherMemberssoappointedshallbesuchasthe
Presidentmaybyruledetermine.
3. TheChairperson,ViceChairpersonandotherMembersoftheCommissionshallbeappointedbythe
Presidentbywarrantunderhishandandseal.
4. TheCommissionshallhavethepowertoregulateitsownprocedure.
5. ItshallbethedutyoftheCommission
a. toinvestigateandmonitorallmattersrelatingtothesafeguardsprovidedfortheScheduled
CastesunderthisConstitutionorunderanyotherlawforthetimebeinginforceorunderany
orderoftheGovernmentandtoevaluatetheworkingofsuchsafeguards
b. toinquireintospecificcomplaintswithrespecttothedeprivationofrightsandsafeguardsofthe
ScheduledCastes
c. toparticipateandadviseontheplanningprocessofsocioeconomicdevelopmentoftheScheduled
CastesandtoevaluatetheprogressoftheirdevelopmentundertheUnionandanyState
d. topresenttothePresident,annuallyandatsuchothertimesastheCommissionmaydeemfit,
reportsupontheworkingofthosesafeguards
e. tomakeinsuchreportsrecommendationsastothemeasuresthatshouldbetakenbytheUnion
oranyStatefortheeffectiveimplementationofthosesafeguardsandothermeasuresforthe
protection,welfareandsocioeconomicdevelopmentoftheScheduledCastesand
f. todischargesuchotherfunctionsinrelationtotheprotection,welfareanddevelopmentand
advancementoftheScheduledCastesasthePresidentmay,subjecttotheprovisionsofanylaw
madebyParliament,byrulespecify.
g. tomakeinsuchreportsrecommendationsastothemeasuresthatshouldbetakenbytheUnion
oranyStatefortheeffectiveimplementationofthosesafeguardsandothermeasuresforthe
protection,welfareandsocioeconomicdevelopmentoftheScheduledCastesand
h. todischargesuchotherfunctionsinrelationtotheprotection,welfareanddevelopmentand
advancementoftheScheduledCastesasthePresidentmay,subjecttotheprovisionsofanylaw
madebyParliament,byrulespecify.
6. ThePresidentshallcauseallsuchreportstobelaidbeforeeachHouseofParliamentalongwitha
memorandumexplainingtheactiontakenorproposedtobetakenontherecommendationsrelatingto
theUnionandthereasonsforthenonacceptance,ifany,ofanyofsuchrecommendations.
7. Whereanysuchreport,oranypartthereof,relatestoanymatterwithwhichanyStateGovernmentis
concerned,acopyofsuchreportshallbeforwardedtotheGovernoroftheStatewhoshallcauseittobe
laidbeforetheLegislatureoftheStatealongwithamemorandumexplainingtheactiontakenor
proposedtobetakenontherecommendationsrelatingtotheStateandthereasonsforthenon
acceptance,ifany,ofanyofsuchrecommendations.
8. TheCommissionshall,whileinvestigatinganymatterreferredtoinsubclause(a)orinquiringintoany
complaintreferredtoinsubclause(b)ofclause(5),haveallthepowersofacivilcourttryingasuitand
inparticularinrespectofthefollowingmatters,namely:
a. summoningandenforcingtheattendanceofanypersonfromanypartofIndiaandexamininghim
onoath
b. requiringthediscoveryandproductionofanydocuments
c. receivingevidenceonaffidavits
d. requisitioninganypublicrecordorcopythereoffromanycourtoroffice
e. issuingcommissionsfortheexaminationofwitnessesanddocuments
f. anyothermatterwhichthePresidentmay,byrule,determine.
9. TheUnionandeveryStateGovernmentshallconsulttheCommissiononallmajorpolicymatters
affectingScheduledCastes.
10. Inthisarticle,referencestotheScheduledCastesshallbeconstruedasincludingreferencestosuch
otherbackwardclassesasthePresidentmay,onreceiptofthereportofaCommissionappointedunder
clause(1)ofarticle340byorderspecifyandalsototheAngloIndiancommunity.

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