The term "Caste & Tribal" in the Indian context refers to the constitutionally recognized categories of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), which are provisions for affirmative action and protection. Scheduled Castes are defined in Article 366(24) as castes, races, or tribes deemed to be SCs under Article 341 for the purposes of the Constitution. Similarly, Scheduled Tribes are defined in Article 366(25) as tribes or tribal communities deemed to be STs under Article 342.
The concept originated from the historical marginalization of groups formerly known as the "Depressed Classes" during the British Raj. The word Scheduled Caste was first used in the Government of India Act, 1935, based on the recommendations of the Simon Commission. The problem it sought to solve was the socio-economic and educational backwardness, and the social injustice, including untouchability, faced by these communities.
The mechanism works through the President of India, who is empowered by Article 341 and Article 342 to notify the lists of SCs and STs, respectively, in consultation with the Governor of a State. Once notified in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, the lists can only be amended by an Act of Parliament. Key provisions connected to these categories include Article 46, which directs the State to promote their educational and economic interests, and Article 330 and Article 332, which provide for reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, respectively. Further, Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) enable the State to make special provisions for their advancement and reservation in services.
The lists are subject to periodic modification by Parliament, which constitutes a recent change. For instance, the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Act, 2024, modified the lists for Odisha, adding communities like Konda Reddy to the ST list and omitting others from the SC list. The core constitutional provisions, Articles 341 and 342, which vest the power of notification and amendment in the President and Parliament, have remained the same.