Part XVI: Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes
Articles 330–342A · Part XVI carries the Constitution's reservation and representation framework for historically disadvantaged groups — Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and (through later additions) socially and educationally backward classes — in legislatures, government jobs, and education.
The provisions in this Part cited most often
With landmark Supreme Court cases that shaped how they're actually applied.
Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
Guarantees SCs and STs a share of directly elected seats roughly proportional to their population — periodically extended by constitutional amendment (most recently to 2030) rather than being permanent by default.
Socially and educationally backward classes
Added by the 102nd Amendment (2018) and clarified by the 105th Amendment (2021), this lets the President notify a central list of backward classes for reservation purposes, while confirming States retain their own power to identify backward classes for state-level reservation.
All of Articles 330–342A
Grouped by subject so related provisions stay together — every article number in this Part is covered below.
Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha
Reserves a number of Lok Sabha seats for SCs and STs roughly proportional to their population share.
(Repealed)
Originally allowed nomination of Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha if underrepresented; this nomination provision lapsed and the Article was formally omitted by the 104th Amendment, 2019.
Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in State Legislative Assemblies
Mirrors Article 330 at the state level.
(Repealed)
Was the State-level equivalent of the Anglo-Indian nomination provision; similarly omitted by the 104th Amendment, 2019.
Reservation and nomination to cease after a specified period
The reservation of seats under this Part is periodically extended by constitutional amendment rather than being permanent — currently extended up to 2030.
Claims of SCs and STs to services and posts
Their claims must be taken into account, consistent with maintaining administrative efficiency, when making appointments to Union/State services.
National Commission for Scheduled Castes
A constitutional body to monitor safeguards for SCs and investigate specific complaints.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
The equivalent constitutional body for STs, split out from the SC Commission by the 89th Amendment, 2003.
National Commission for Backward Classes
Given constitutional status by the 102nd Amendment, 2018, to monitor safeguards for socially and educationally backward classes.
Union control over Scheduled Areas administration
Lets the Union direct states on essential Scheduled Tribe welfare schemes, backed by periodic Presidential Commission review.
Commission to investigate backward classes' conditions
The constitutional basis for the Mandal Commission, whose report led to OBC reservation policy.
Scheduled Castes
Presidential notification (after Governor consultation) specifies the official, state-specific SC list; only Parliament can later amend it.
Scheduled Tribes
The same notification-and-Parliamentary-amendment mechanism as Article 341, for the official ST list.
Socially and educationally backward classes
Lets the President notify a central list of backward classes for reservation purposes, alongside States' own power to identify backward classes.
Related rights categories
Quick answers about this Part
Is there a cap on how much total reservation is allowed?
Who decides which castes/tribes are on the SC/ST list?
This is a plain-language guide to Part XVI of the Constitution of India for general educational purposes, not a substitute for the bare text of the Constitution or professional legal advice. Article numbering and content reflect amendments up to 2026; always cross-check the authoritative text at india.gov.in or legislative.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter.