NCERT Notes on important GK topics for the UPSC Prelims, State PCS, NDA, CDS, CAPF, AFCAT etc. This article explains the NCSC, its history, composition and functions etc. Check Other NCERT Notes Here
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes (SC) in India. Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission.
Initially, the constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer under Article 338. The special officer was designated as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The Constitution (65th Amendment) Act 1990, amended Article 338 of the Constitution. It replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
By 89th amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions from the year 2004 which were:
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), under the chairmanship of Suraj Bhan and
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) - under Article 338-A.
Composition: NCSC has Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and other 3 members. They are appointed by the President of India.
The Chairman of NCSC has the status of Cabinet minister, and the Vice-Chairman has the rank of a state minister.
Functions:
It monitors and investigates all the issues concerning the safeguards provided for Scheduled Castes under the Constitution of India.
NCSC enquires into the complaint related to the safeguards of SCs.
It participates in and advises on the planning process of various developments of Scheduled Castes and also evaluates their development under any state and union.
The commission presents the reports on working on those safeguards to the president annually or at other times when the commission wants.
The National Commission for Scheduled Caste can discharge other functions for the welfare, protection, and development of the Scheduled Castes of India.
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