Home The Constitution Part XVI Article 338

Art. 338 Part XVI: Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes

National Commission for Scheduled Castes

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) There shall be a Commission for the Scheduled Castes to be known as the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes.

(5) It shall be the duty of the Commission—(a) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under this Constitution or under any other law...; (b) to inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes; (c) to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes...; (d) to present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes as a constitutional body (not just a government department) with the power to investigate SC-related rights violations, inquire into specific complaints, advise on development planning, and report directly to the President — giving it a degree of independence and authority beyond an ordinary administrative agency.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

If you or someone you know faces caste-based discrimination or a violation of SC-specific constitutional safeguards, this Commission is a direct complaint channel — with investigative and reporting powers built into the Constitution itself, not just delegated administrative authority.

Read alongside this one

Art. 17 — Abolition of Untouchability

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 338

Is this Commission different from the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act's enforcement machinery?

Yes — the Commission is a constitutional monitoring and complaint-investigation body, while the Atrocities Act is the criminal law framework with police, special courts, and specific offences/punishments; they work alongside each other but are legally distinct.

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The text above reproduces Article 338 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.