National Commission for Scheduled Castes: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities

Article 17 of the Constitution abolished untouchability in 1950, yet a student in a Maharashtra village can still be denied a seat, a well or a wedding procession because of her caste. A law on paper is not the same as a right in practice. Who keeps watch on whether the promises made to Scheduled Castes are kept, and can that body summon officials the way a court can? The Constitution itself answers, in Article 338, by creating the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes.

In two minutes

The National Commission for the Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body under Article 338 that investigates and monitors the safeguards for Scheduled Castes, inquires into complaints, advises on their development and reports to the President; it has the powers of a civil court when investigating or inquiring.

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