Home The Constitution Part XVI Article 338B

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

National Commission for Backward Classes

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) There shall be a Commission for the socially and educationally backward classes to be known as the National Commission for Backward Classes. [Given constitutional status by the 102nd Amendment, 2018, elevating what had previously been a body created by ordinary statute into a constitutional authority with functions broadly similar to the SC and ST Commissions.]

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

Before 2018, the National Commission for Backward Classes existed only as a body created by an ordinary Act of Parliament — this Amendment elevated it to full constitutional status, giving it the same kind of institutional permanence and authority as the SC and ST Commissions.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This upgrade means OBC (Other Backward Classes) welfare and reservation safeguards now have the same constitutional-level institutional backing that SC and ST communities have long had, rather than relying on a more easily alterable ordinary statute.

Read alongside this one

Art. 342a — Socially and Educationally Backward Classes

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 338B

What changed practically when this Commission became constitutional rather than statutory?

A constitutional body has greater institutional permanence and stature — it can't be as easily abolished or restructured by ordinary legislation the way a purely statutory body could be, giving OBC safeguards a more secure institutional footing.

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The text above reproduces Article 338B 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.