Report
Who can be Scheduled Caste? The 1950 religion clause, and where the question stands
Since 1950, a single paragraph has decided that a Dalit who converts to some religions loses Scheduled Caste status. What the clause says, how it has changed, and the inquiry and court case still open.
Explains: The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (C.O. 19), Gazette of India Extraordinary No. 371, 11 August 1950, and its consolidated text; The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Act, 1990 (No. 15 of 1990); Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notifications S.O. 4742(E) of 6 October 2022, S.O. 4780(E) of 30 October 2024 and S.O. 5000(E) of 4 November 2025; Supreme Court of India, Record of Proceedings, Civil Appeal Nos. 329-330 of 2004 and connected matters, 7 December 2022