Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India are historically marginalized communities recognized under Article 341 of the Constitution. Various constitutional provisions, legislative measures, and government schemes aim to ensure their social justice, equality, and empowerment.

• The term "Scheduled Caste" was coined by the Simon Commission and the Government of India Act in 1935. 
• Mahatma Gandhi referred to them as "Harijans" or "children of God," while Dr Ambedkar used the term "depressed class."
• Scheduled Castes are castes/races identified as such according to Article 341 of the Constitution.
• The Indian government implemented reservation policies to uplift Scheduled Castes and ensure their equal status in society.
• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) was established under Article 338 by the 89th Amendment Act.

Key Facts About Scheduled Castes

• As per the Census 2011 they constitute the 16.6% of total population.
• The literacy rate is below the national literacy rate i.e. 933.
• SC female literacy increased from 42% in 2001 to 56.5% in 2011.
• Male literacy rates in SC increased from 66.6% to 75.2%.
• The states with the biggest proportions of SC citizens are Punjab, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

Constitutional Provisions for Scheduled Castes

• Article 46: The State must take special care to advance the economic and educational interests of the weaker members of society, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and must shield them from all forms of exploitation and social injustice.
• The Constitution's Article 15(4) addresses reservations in educational institutions, while Articles 16(4), 16(4A), and 16(4B) address reservations in positions and services.
• Article 334: It provides for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha.

Social and Economic Issues Faced by Scheduled Castes

• Social: These issues were related to the ideas of contamination and purity. In society, the untouchables were assigned a very low status. 
• Hindus of high caste kept their distance from them on a social level. Numerous necessities of life were withheld from them, as opposed to high-caste Hindus. 
• Economic: They experienced several economic issues. They experienced a great deal of financial difficulty and were not adequately compensated for their service. 
• Untouchables were historically denied access to their own lands. They were prohibited from operating any businesses. 
• Approximately 34% of SCs, compared to those from other castes (9%) still live below the poverty line (BPL). Similar to this, India's whole SC population owns a relatively small portion (7%) of the nation's wealth, which is 2.5 times less than their entire population.
• Political: During the British era, they first gained the ability to vote. The Harijans/Tribes received equal political privileges and opportunities after independence.
• These Communities are still in the process of becoming an organised political force.
• According to the department of personnel and training (DoPT), the percentage of officers from Scheduled Castes (SC) holding the positions of joint secretary and secretary in the Government of India is 4%.
• Victimization of the community: According to a recent study, people from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are overrepresented in jails in India compared to their populations. 
• Although these groups make up 24% of the population in India, they are substantially more prevalent—34%—in jails.
• Other issues: Landlessness, Poor representation in higher level govt services, Malnutrition, Poverty and exploitation, Poor implementation of constitutional and legislative safeguards, Inclusion and exclusion errors in welfare programmes, Cultural humiliation and political marginalisation 

Government Schemes for Scheduled Castes

Economic Empowerment

• Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for the Scheduled Castes: To promote entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among the Scheduled Caste population in India by providing credit support.
• Stand-Up India Scheme: Promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and women entrepreneurs.
• Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes: Promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among Scheduled Caste entrepreneurs.
• National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation: Provide financial support and promote economic development among Scheduled Caste individuals.

Educational Empowerment

• Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana: Provide hostels for Scheduled Caste students to pursue higher education.
• Dr Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students: Provide financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students for pre-matric and post-matric education.
• Shreshtha Scheme: Offering scholarships for exceptionally talented boys and girls from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to attend the top-rated private residential school in the nation.

Social Empowerment

• Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY): Its objective is to decrease poverty in the SC community via creating more work options through skill development, income-generating schemes, and other measures. 
• Also, to raise socioeconomic development indicators by making sure that the SC-dominated communities have the necessary infrastructure and services.
• By providing adequate housing in high-quality institutions and residential schools where necessary, especially in aspirational districts/SC-dominated blocks in India, to increase literacy and encourage SC enrollment in schools and higher education institutions.

Legislative Measures

• Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989: To stop atrocities and hate crimes against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, the Indian Parliament passed the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (official name). 
  • The Act, 1989, was passed by the Parliament in recognition of the ongoing grave injustices and crimes committed against Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
  • Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015 - Provides for more stringent provisions for prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
• The ‘Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013
• The law aims to outlaw the use of unhygienic restrooms and forbid hiring of manual scavengers. Additionally, it forbids dangerous hand septic tank and sewer cleaning.
• Further the offences under the act are cognizable and not subject to bail.
• The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 - Provides punishment for the preaching and practice of Untouchability.

Judicial Measures

• The Supreme Court has inherent powers under Article 142 of the Constitution or that of the High Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to quash proceedings under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989 (SC/ST Act).

Institutional Measures

National Commission for Scheduled Castes 

• In order to protect Scheduled Castes and Anglo-Indian communities from being exploited and to advance and defend their social, educational, economic, and cultural interests, special provisions were made in the Constitution. 
• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is an Indian constitutional body that reports to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Government of India.
• It is governed under the Article 338.

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)

• Currently NCSK is an interim non-statutory organization, looks into the working conditions of Safai Karamcharis (waste collectors) in India and gives recommendations to the Indian government.
• The NCSK ACT, 1993 authorised the creation of NCSK on August 12, 1994, as a statutory body with a three-year lifespan. It continued until the relevant Act expired in February 2004.