SC/ST: Ending Exclusion

Upholding Constitutional and Legal safeguards for marginalized groups.

What are the key constitutional safeguards, demographics, and budgets for SC and ST communities?	- SC Definition: Under Article 341, comprising ~16.6% of India's population (2011 Census). - ST Definition: Under Article 342, comprising ~8.6% of the population. - Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989/2018): Strict penalties; 2018 amendment removed the need for preliminary inquiry before FIR. - Art 17: Abolition of Untouchability. - PESA (1996): Self-governance in Scheduled Areas. - Budgetary Allocation (2023-24): Budget for welfare of SCs and STs reached 6.19% of total budget (up from 2.86% in 2015-16).
What was the group inclusiveness (SC/ST) trajectory and targets under the 12th Five-Year Plan?	12th FYP: Group Inclusiveness (SC/ST) Trajectory (Source: 12th FYP Vol. I & III / Latest Stats: Union Budget & NITI MPI) The 12th Plan focused on "Closing the Gap" between SC/ST and General populations in indicators like Infant Mortality and Literacy. 12th Plan Progress Indicators: - Poverty (SC): 40.6% → Reduce by 10% pts → ~15% (Exit from Multi-dim. Poverty) - Poverty (ST): 47.4% → Reduce by 10% pts → ~25% (Regional disparities high) - Literacy Gap: 13% → Reduce by 50% → ~10% (Gap narrowed but persists) - Budget Earmarking: 16.2% (SC) / 8.2% (ST) → Mandatory → ₹1.65L Cr (SC) / ₹1.2L Cr (ST) Key Institutional Transitions: - SCSP/TSP Guidelines (2014): The 12th Plan issued strict guidelines for the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), making funds Non-Lapsable and prohibiting "General Scheme" bookkeeping tricks. - Post-Matric Scholarships: Targeted for 100% coverage of eligible SC/ST students to reduce higher-education dropouts. - PM-JANMAN Precursor: The 12th Plan prioritized the "Conservation-cum-Development" (CCD) plans for 75 PVTGs, which eventually scaled into the PM-JANMAN Mission (2024). Key Takeaway: The 12th Plan recognized that SC/ST welfare must move from Allocation to Targeted Utilization. It introduced the 'Nodal Department' concept where the Social Justice/Tribal Ministry has the final say in how other departments spend their SCSP/TSP earmarks.
What are the primary issues and statistics concerning Scheduled Castes (SC)?	- Atrocities: NCRB 2020 data shows a 9.4% rise in crimes. Conviction rate is low at 26.86%. - Economic: 71% of SC farmers are agricultural labourers; 45% are landless. - Malnutrition: 42.8% of SC children are stunted (NFHS).
What strategies (NAMASTE, PEMSRA) protect manual scavengers and sanitation workers?	- NAMASTE Scheme: National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem — ensures safety and livelihood. - PEMSRA 2013: Prohibits manual cleaning without protective gear. - Manhole to Machine-hole: Budget 2023-24 goal for 100% mechanical desludging.
What initiatives (FRA 2006, PVTGs) protect Scheduled Tribes?	- Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006: Recognition of individual and community rights. - MSP for MFP: TRIFED provides support for Minor Forest Produce. - PVTGs: 75 groups identified; highly vulnerable (e.g., Great Andamanese, Jarawas). - Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Quality education in tribal areas.
Detail the legal updates regarding OBC sub-categorization and EWS reservations.	- 102nd/105th Amendment: Constitutional status to NCBC; restored state power to identify OBCs. - Rohini Commission: Sub-categorization of OBCs. - EWS (103rd Amendment): 10% reservation for the economically weaker section; upheld by SC in Janhit Abhiyan case (2022).
List the related modules and key phrases for mains.	- GS3 Economy: [Land Reforms](/upsc/gs3/economy-mains/10_land_reforms_mains) - GS2 Social Justice: [Minorities](/upsc/gs2/social-justice-mains/minorities-mains) Mains Keywords Article 341/342; PEMSRA 2013; Manhole to Machine-hole; NAMASTE Scheme; FRA 2006; Janhit Abhiyan Case; Sub-categorization; Inclusion-Saturated & Justice-Verified Social Saturation.