Home The Constitution Part XVI Article 338A

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

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) There shall be a Commission for the Scheduled Tribes to be known as the National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes. [Substantially mirrors Article 338's structure and functions, but specifically for Scheduled Tribes — added by the 89th Amendment, 2003, which split the original combined SC/ST Commission into two separate, dedicated bodies.]

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

Originally, a single combined Commission covered both SCs and STs together; the 89th Amendment in 2003 split this into two separate, dedicated Commissions — recognising that Scheduled Tribes face distinct issues (like land rights, forest access, and tribal culture preservation) that merited focused, specialised attention rather than being combined with SC-specific concerns.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why, since 2003, Scheduled Tribes have their own dedicated National Commission specifically focused on their unique constitutional safeguards and welfare needs, separate from the SC-focused Commission.

Read alongside this one

Art. 338 — National Commission for Scheduled Castes Art. 244 — Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 338A

Why were the SC and ST Commissions split into two separate bodies?

Policymakers recognised that STs face genuinely distinct issues — particularly around land, forest rights, and tribal cultural autonomy — that warranted focused, specialised institutional attention rather than being addressed together with SC-specific concerns in a single combined body.

← PreviousArticle 338: National Commission for Scheduled Castes Next →Article 338B: National Commission for Backward Classes

The text above reproduces Article 338A 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.