Scheduled Castes are communities listed in the constitution of India for protection and welfare and are notified by the president of India under Article 341. Approximately 16.6% of India’s total population is Scheduled Caste as per the 2011 census (Wikipedia, “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”). This article is about the meaning and implications of the term scheduled castes, operation of the listing, status, and reasons for the litigation challenging the Constitution’s linking it with religion. It is a general discussion and should not be construed as legal advice.
What are scheduled castes?
Article 366(24) of the constitution defines Scheduled Castes as the castes, races or tribes, or parts of or groups within them, that are included in the presidential notification issued under Article 341 (Constitution of India, Article 366(24) as quoted by Wikipedia). As per Article 341(1), the president, after consulting the governor of the state in question, issues the notification. The Constitution is available on legislative.gov.in
In effect, a community is recognized as a scheduled caste if it is included in the First Schedule of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 of the relevant state (Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, paragraph 2) The Order, 1950, includes 1108 castes in its first Schedule (Wikipedia). The status is a legal classification, it does not reflect the religion or occupation of a person.
Scheduled Castes meaning
The term ‘Scheduled Castes’ is an official term to refer to the communities formerly referred to as ‘untouchables’ (now considered a derogatory term), and many of its members referred to as ‘Dalit’ (information on Dalit is available in our post ‘Who are the Dalits’). Our post on ‘What is the Varna system’ states that these communities are outside of the four broad classes. The abolition of ‘Untouchability’ is covered in Article 17 of the Indian Constitution (our post on this article explains the provision).
Scheduled Castes list: how the order works
The first order was called the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (India Code, Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950). The order has since been amended by the Parliament. Changes to the order are recorded in the footnotes to the order. Acts 63 of 1956 and 15 of 1990 explain changes to the order (Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as amended). Only Parliament can alter the order, and this determines which communities can be included or excluded.
Scheduled Castes: the numbers
In the 2011 census, Scheduled Castes made up approximately 16.6% of the total population (Wikipedia). Scheduled Tribes made up about 8.6%. Our post on ‘Scheduled Tribes’ and ‘Adivasis’ covers the other list.
Legal entitlements
Scheduled Caste status is a legal entitlement and provides protection of the Atrocities Act (our post on ‘The Prevention of Atrocities Act’ explains the law) and assures 15% reservation of jobs (our post on ‘Caste Reservation in India’ explains the law). The word Bahujan brings together the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes (OBCs) (our post on ‘The Meaning of Bahujan’ explains the term).
The religion rule
Paragraph 3 of the 1950 Order pertains to religion. In its original form (issued in 1950), this provision stated that no person who professes a religion other than the Hindu religion would be considered a member of a Scheduled Caste (The Wire, “Explainer: What the Law Says on ‘Scheduled Caste’ Status of Christians and Muslims”). Subsequently, in 1956, Parliament extended this to Sikhs (Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as amended; Insights on India, 2026), and in 1990, to Buddhists (Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as amended). Currently, it states that no person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist religions would be considered a member of a Scheduled Caste.
Our post on Navayana Buddhism explains the impact of the 1990 change from the perspective of Ambedkar’s followers who converted to Buddhism, and our post on Ravidassia Sikhs covers a Scheduled Caste Community. The Scheduled Tribes Order has no such equivalent religion bar (Shankar IAS; Learn Thru Practice).
The 2026 Supreme Court ruling
On 24th March 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Chinthada Anand v State of Andhra Pradesh (2026 INSC 283; [Record of Law] Supreme Court Observer style reports). The appellant is a former Madiga tribal who is now a Pastor and invoke the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC & ST [Prevention of Atrocities Act] 1989), after an alleged assault. The court said Clause 3 is absolute and that a person loses the status of a Scheduled Caste by conversion to any religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism, and such persons cannot claim the protection of the Act ([SCC online]; [Live Law]). On the 15th July 2026, the court refused to consider a review of this case and said the status of a Scheduled Caste can be restored by reconversion to the Hindu religion, depending on the conditions ([LawBeat], July 2026).
Please see the log. Reports for March bench names different judges.
The debate around the rule
The petitioners say, that the order of 1950 has been amended to include Sikhs and Buddhists; therefore it can be amended to include conversion to Christianity or Islam to also protect Dalits. This amendment was suggested by the Ranganath Misra Commission, 2007 (The Wire). A case of similar nature has been pending before the Supreme Court since 2004 (The Wire; Shankar IAS).
The Union government has taken a different approach. In late 2022, it said in an affidavit that the disadvantages faced by converts cannot be equated to those faced by Hindu Dalits, and that the 1950 Order is not unconstitutional (The Wire). In October 2022, the Union government set up a Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, which has since received two extensions (The Wire). As of the latest available report, the constitutional challenge is still pending (The Wire; Drishti Judiciary). The ruling in March 2026 was on a separate criminal appeal (The Wire; Drishti Judiciary). For more background on the case, read our article on the government’s policy on caste-based discrimination.
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes compared
| Scheduled Castes | Scheduled Tribes | |
|---|---|---|
| Article 341 (Defined in 366(24)) | Article 342 (Defined in 366(25)) | |
| Order | Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 | Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 |
| Population 2011 Census | About 16.6% | About 8.6% |
| Religion Bar | Yes: Hindus, Sikhs or Buddhists only | No |
Why this matters outside India
For people outside India, the term “scheduled” refers to why Indian law views caste as a legal construct that differs from US or UK law, as our guide on caste laws around the world explains. (For communities documenting their history, blogging, AI and email marketing skills are vital. The Ambedkarite Educational Program was developed to help acquire these skills.)
Takeaway
Scheduled castes are the communities the President lists under Article 341 of the 1950 Order, about 16.6% of India in 2011. The status gives them reservation and the protection of the Atrocities Act. Only Hindus, Sikhs or Buddhists can avail it, following the 1956 and 1990 amendments. In March 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that converting to Christianity would terminate the status, and dismissed a review petition in July. A separate challenge to the religion rule and a government commission were still pending at the time of reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are scheduled castes?
They are communities listed in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, under Article 341. They are the official name for communities once called “untouchables.”
What is the scheduled castes list?
It is the schedule to the 1950 Order, which lists 1,108 castes across 28 states. Communities can be added or removed only by changing the Order, which Parliament has done.
How many scheduled castes are there in India?
In the 2011 Census, Scheduled Castes were about 16.6 per cent of India’s population.
Can Dalit Christians and Muslims be scheduled castes?
Under the 1950 Order, only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists can. In March 2026, the Supreme Court held that conversion to another religion ends the status. A separate challenge to the rule was still pending when last reported.
What is Article 341?
It lets the President specify which castes are Scheduled Castes, after consulting the Governor of the State concerned. Article 366(24) defines the term.
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SOURCES
- Legitquest, Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (amended up to 2022)
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Compendium, “List of Scheduled Castes” (2016)
- Wikipedia, “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”
- The Wire, “Explainer: What the Law Says on ‘Scheduled Caste’ Status of Christians and Muslims”
- SCC Online, “Conversion to Christianity extinguishes SC/ST status and protection under SC/ST Act,” March 25, 2026
- LiveLaw, “Conversion To Religion Other Than Hinduism, Buddhism Or Sikhism Results In Loss Of Scheduled Caste Status”
- LawBeat, “Supreme Court Rejects Review,” July 2026
- LawBeat, “Conversion To Christianity Ends SC Status,” March 2026
- Record of Law, Chinthada Anand v. State of Andhra Pradesh
- Drishti Judiciary, “Scheduled Castes Status and Conversion”
- Insights on India, “The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950”
- Shankar IAS, “Scheduled Castes & Religion”
- Learn Thru Practice, “Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950”
- Constitution of India, Articles 341 and 366(24) (link: legislative.gov.in)
- Census of India, 2011 (link: censusindia.gov.in)
