National Commission for Scheduled Caste, History, Power & Function

National Commission for Scheduled Caste

A constitutional agency called the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is tasked with defending the rights of Scheduled Castes in India. Article 338 of the Indian Constitution established the National Commission for Scheduled Caste. The NCSC’s primary goal is to fully protect the SC community against exploitation and discrimination.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which is covered in this article, is covered in the Indian Polity and Governance of UPSC Syllabus. Students can also go for UPSC Mock Test to get more accuracy in their preparations.

National Commission for Scheduled Caste History

A Special officer was established under Article 338 of the Indian Constitution to protect and advance Scheduled Castes in India. The commissioner of SC was chosen to be the special officer. Additionally, he or she was in charge of looking into all issues pertaining to protecting India’s Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

However, after criticism from Indian parliamentarians, the Indian government decided to establish a multi-member panel in 1987 for the benefit of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Instead of creating a single-member commission, the idea was to create one with multiple members. The National Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, which has many members, has taken the position of the one-member body by the 65th Amendment to the Constitution in order to advance the Idea.

The National Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes was superseded by NCSC and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003. Suraj Bhan served as the inaugural head of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which was established in 2004.

National Commission for Scheduled Caste Function

It keeps track of and looks into every matter involving the protections afforded to Scheduled Castes by the Indian Constitution. The National Commission for Scheduled Caste investigates the complaint on SC protections. It takes part in and provides advice on the planning process for various Scheduled Caste developments and also assesses their progress under any state and union.

Annually, or whenever the panel chooses, the commission reports to the president on its progress in implementing certain protections. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes can carry out additional duties for the welfare, security, and advancement of India’s Scheduled Castes.

National Commission for Scheduled Caste Power

The Commission has the authority to control how it conducts itself. The Commission has civil court-like powers for investigation and inquiry, including the capacity to:

• Any individual from any region of India may be summoned, required to appear, and cross-examined. Any document must be discovered and produced.
• Affidavits may be used as evidence.
• Issuing summonses for the examination of witnesses and documents;
• Requisitioning any public record from any court or office;
• Any other subject as defined by the President.

National Commission for Scheduled Caste Role

It compiles and examines data on incidents covered under the Prevention of Atrocities Act of 1989 and the Civil Rights Act of 1955. One of the most important monitoring activities carried out by the Commission is the creation of special tribunals for the quick trial of violations of the Civil Rights Act and the Atrocities Act.  It also monitors how quickly cases are resolved in these courts. The Commission has conducted a number of on-the-spot inquiries into claims of atrocities over the years.

National Commission for Scheduled Caste Constitutional Provision

The particular arrangements for their advancement are mentioned in Article 15(4). According to Article 16(4A), “SCs/STs, which are not adequately represented in the services under the State, shall be given preference in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the State services.”

Untouchability is abolished under Article 17. The State must “promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation,” according to Article 46.

According to Article 335, when filling positions in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State, consideration for the claims of members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes must be given while maintaining administrative effectiveness.

In the House of the People and in the legislative assembly of the States, seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes under Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution, respectively. Reservation for SC and ST in local governments has been envisioned and granted by Part IX of the Constitution, which deals with Panchayats, and Part IXA of the Constitution, which deals with Municipalities.

National Commission for Scheduled Caste UPSC

Social identities are so engrained in our culture that they frequently affect a person’s outcome. There are other ways for India to attain social equality and access to dignity in addition to jobs, programmes, and law enforcement. One of several steps in this approach is the restructuring of the National Commission for Scheduled Caste’s responsibility. Students can read all the details related to UPSC by visiting the official website of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching.

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