National Commission For Scheduled Caste

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body of India that protects the rights and interests of the Scheduled Castes. It keeps watch over the safeguards that the Constitution and various laws give to Scheduled Castes, looks into complaints of injustice, and advises the government on their social and economic development. It is set up under Article 338 of the Constitution.

These notes explain what the Commission is, how it came into being, how it is organised, what it does and why it still matters today. For more notes on how India is governed, see our Indian Polity collection.

History and Background

The original Special Officer

When the Constitution came into force, the original Article 338 did not create a full commission. Instead, it provided for a Special Officer for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who came to be known as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This single officer was expected to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards for these communities and report to the President.

Towards a multi-member commission

In time, one officer was felt to be too little for such a large task. In 1978 the government set up a non-statutory, multi-member Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes through a resolution. In 1987 the government decided to give this body a wider role, and steps were taken to place it on a firmer footing.

The 65th Amendment, 1990

The Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1990 replaced the single Special Officer with a high-level, multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This gave the body full constitutional status, with a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and five other members.

The 89th Amendment, 2003

The needs of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are not the same, so one joint commission could not give full attention to both. The Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003 split the joint body into two separate commissions: the National Commission for Scheduled Castes under Article 338, and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A. The separate National Commission for Scheduled Castes was formally established on 19 February 2004, and its first Chairperson was Suraj Bhan.

Constitutional Provisions

The Commission does not work alone. It sits inside a wider constitutional promise of equality and dignity for Scheduled Castes. A few key provisions are:

• Article 338: creates the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and lays down its duties and powers.
• Article 17: abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
• Article 15(4) and Article 16(4): allow the State to make special provisions and reservations for the advancement of Scheduled Castes.
• Article 46: a Directive Principle that asks the State to promote the educational and economic interests of the Scheduled Castes and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation.
• Article 335: says the claims of Scheduled Castes shall be kept in mind in appointments to public services, in a way that is consistent with efficient administration.

Structure and Composition

The Commission is a team, not a single official. It is made up of:

• A Chairperson
• A Vice-Chairperson
• Three other members

All of them are appointed by the President of India by warrant under his hand and seal. Their conditions of service and length of term are also decided by the President. Members usually serve a term of three years.

Functions and Responsibilities

Article 338(5) lists the main duties of the Commission. Put simply, they are:

1. To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards given to Scheduled Castes under the Constitution or any other law, and to judge how well those safeguards are working.
2. To inquire into specific complaints about the denial of rights and safeguards to Scheduled Castes.
3. To take part in and advise on the planning of the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes, and to review how that development is going.
4. To present reports to the President, every year and at other times, on how these safeguards are working.
5. To make recommendations about the steps the Union or a State should take for the protection, welfare and development of Scheduled Castes.
6. To carry out any other duties for the protection, welfare and advancement of Scheduled Castes that the President may specify.

The Commission is also asked to look after similar safeguards for the Anglo-Indian community.

Powers of the Commission

To do this work properly, the Commission has real teeth. While investigating a matter or inquiring into a complaint, it has all the powers of a civil court trying a case, under Article 338(8). In particular, it can:

• Summon any person from any part of India and question them on oath.
• Ask for any document to be produced.
• Receive evidence on affidavit.
• Call for any public record from a court or office.
• Issue summons for the examination of witnesses and documents.

Reports and Accountability

The Commission presents its annual report, and any special reports, to the President of India. The President then places these reports before Parliament, along with a note explaining what action has been taken on the Commission's advice, and the reasons for not accepting any of it. When a report concerns a State, a copy goes to the State Governor, who places it before the State legislature. This is how the Commission's findings reach the lawmakers who can act on them.

Why it still matters

The Commission is not a page from the past. It is active right now. Its seventh Commission is currently led by Chairperson Kishor Makwana. On 12 August 2026 the Commission submitted its Annual Report for 2024 to 2025 to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, exactly as Article 338 requires.

Its day-to-day work shows why such a body is still needed. The Commission runs an online e-grievance portal where any citizen can file a complaint of caste-based injustice and follow its progress. It also holds review meetings with large public-sector companies to check whether reservation and fair-treatment rules are being obeyed: for example, on 19 May 2026 it reviewed Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. In this way the Commission turns constitutional promises into real questions put to real institutions.

Learning about bodies like the NCSC helps you see how India tries to match its ideal of equality with everyday practice. To link this topic to other subjects and current affairs, explore the Learnacy Hub, and browse more free study notes in our Resources library.

Quick revision

• What it is: a constitutional body, under Article 338.
• When the separate body began: 19 February 2004, after the 89th Amendment, 2003.
• Members: a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three others, appointed by the President for three years.
• Its job: guard the safeguards for Scheduled Castes, hear complaints, advise on development, and report to the President.
• Its powers: those of a civil court while it inquires.

Sources

1. National Commission for Scheduled Castes, official website: https://ncsc.nic.in/
2. National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Commission_for_Scheduled_Castes
3. National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), BYJU'S IAS: https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/national-commission-for-scheduled-castes-ncsc/
4. Press Information Bureau, Shri Kishor Makwana assumes charge of Chairman, NCSC: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2013507

Key takeaways

• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body established under Article 338 of the Indian Constitution to protect the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes.
• It evolved from a single Special Officer (Commissioner) to a multi-member commission through the 65th Amendment Act of 1990, and became a separate body for Scheduled Castes after the 89th Amendment Act of 2003.
• The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members, all appointed by the President of India for a term of three years.
• Its main functions include investigating safeguards for Scheduled Castes, inquiring into complaints of rights denial, advising on socio-economic development, and presenting reports to the President.
• The Commission has the powers of a civil court when investigating matters, including summoning persons, demanding documents, and receiving evidence on affidavit.

Test yourself

Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the National Commission for Scheduled Castes established?

Article 338

When was the separate National Commission for Scheduled Castes formally established?

19 February 2004

Who was the first Chairperson of the separate National Commission for Scheduled Castes?

Suraj Bhan

Frequently asked questions

What was the original role of the Special Officer under Article 338?

The original Article 338 provided for a single Special Officer, known as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who investigated matters related to safeguards for these communities and reported to the President.

Why was the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes created in 1990?

The 65th Amendment, 1990 replaced the single Special Officer with a multi-member commission to address the large-scale tasks of protecting Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe rights more effectively.

How did the 89th Amendment, 2003 change the structure of the commission?

The 89th Amendment, 2003 split the joint commission into two separate bodies—the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes—because their needs and issues were not the same.

What are the key constitutional provisions that support the NCSC’s work?

The NCSC operates within constitutional provisions like Article 338 (its creation), Article 17 (abolition of untouchability), Article 15(4) and 16(4) (special provisions for advancement), Article 46 (Directive Principle for social and economic interests), and Article 335 (consideration in public service appointments).