National Commission For Scheduled Caste (SC)

Article 338 deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Initially, Article 338 dealt with the appointment of a special officer for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In 1978, the Government through a resolution constituted a non-statutory multi-member Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The name National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was adopted through a resolution of Parliament in 1987. The Central Government through a resolution in 1987 revised the functions of the Commission and gave it the name National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The National Joint Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes came into existence on 12 March 1992 under the 65th Constitutional Amendment of 1990. Shri Ramdhan was the first Chairperson of the Commission. Until the 89th Constitutional Amendment of 2003, there was a single common commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 bifurcated the Joint Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and provided for the formation of separate commissions for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes respectively. In 2004, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes came into existence. Both are constitutional bodies. There are five members including the Chairman. The headquarters is in New Delhi (Loknayak Bhawan).

The Chairman and members of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes are appointed by the President of India. The terms of service and tenure of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes are decided by the President of India. The current tenure is three years. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes comes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The main functions of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes are to ensure the constitutional rights of the Scheduled Castes and to work for their social and economic upliftment. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is required to submit its annual report to the President. The said report is submitted to the Parliament by the President. Any report of the Commission relating to a State Government is forwarded by the President to the Governor of the State. The Governor lays it before the State Legislative Assembly.

Powers of National Commission For Scheduled Caste (SC)

The Commission has powers similar to those of a civil court in the following matters when conducting an inquiry:

■ To summon any person from any part of India to appear before the Commission and seek an explanation.

■ To discover and produce any document.

■ To receive evidence on affidavit.

■ To require any public document from any court or office.

■ To issue summons for the examination of witnesses.

■ To perform such other functions as the President may direct.

UPSC/PSC Questions

1. National Commission for Scheduled Castes was formed on - 19 February 2004

2. Article of the Constitution that deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes - Article 338

3. Appointment of the Chairperson and other members of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes - President

4. Number of members of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes - Five members including the Chairperson

5. Term of office of the Chairperson and members of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes - Three years

6. Headquarters of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes - New Delhi

7. First Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes - Suraj Ban (2004)

8. Article that deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes after the 89th Amendment of 2003 - 338

9. The Commission that ensures the constitutional and legal protection of the Anglo-Indian communities and reports to the President on the matter - National Commission for Scheduled Castes Commission

10. The person who served as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for two terms - P.L. Punia (2010-13, 2013-16)