Article 341 in Constitution of India

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Original Text of Article 341 in the constitution of India:

Article 341(1)- The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or group within castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be.

Article 341(2)- Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.

Explanation of the Article 341 of the Indian Constitution:

Article 341 of the Indian Constitution along with Article 15 and 16, forms the basis of SC reservation in India and widens Social Justice in India.

Article 341 essentially pertains to the provisions for listing of Scheduled Castes (SCs). Only these castes which form the part of SC List formed under the provision of Article 341 can get SC reservation in India.

Article 341 Designation process

President’s role in SC Designation:

Article 341(1): the constitution of India empowers the President of India to specify, through public notification, the castes, races, or tribes deemed as Scheduled Castes in each state and union territory.

  • The designation is made after consultation with the governor of the concerned state.
  • This constitutional provision aims to safeguard the rights and promote the welfare of historically marginalised communities by ensuring their representation and access to affirmative action programs.
  • Article 341 “Notification”: The Government of India in passed a Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, in 1950, listing all the scheduled castes using the above power. This notification gives us the SC list.
  • Scheduled Caste is defined under Article 366 (24) of the constitution to be those groups or sub-groups that are deemed Scheduled castes under the provisions of Article 341. Thus, the above constitutional order is the only document that provides us the Scheduled Castes (SC) List.

Article 341(2): According to the constitution of India, only the Parliamentholds the authority to amend this list under clause 1 by including or excluding groups through legislation,

  • Any such amendment must ensure that the criteria for inclusion are clearly defined and adhered to.
  • Thus, any modification in the scheduled caste list, as defined in the Scheduled Caste Order of 1950, requires an amendment to this order, which can be done only by the Parliamentary law.
  •  The Scheduled Caste Order of 1950 not only defines the scheduled caste but also shows the list of states where these Scheduled castes are listed as Scheduled Caste 

      Supreme Court Judgements on SC List :

        The Supreme Court of India has clarified upon the constitutionality of the amendments in the list of Scheduled castes under the following cases:

          Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Vichar Manch Bihar Vs The State of Bihar

            In the recent Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Vichar Manch Bihar vs The State Of Bihar on 15 July, 2024, the bench of Justice stated that “Any inclusion or exclusion of any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within the castes, races or tribes has to be, by law made by the Parliament, and not by any other mode or manner.”

                • The case arose from a Bihar government notification merging the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) of Tanti-Tantwa with the Scheduled Caste of Pan/Sawasi, allowing EBC members to claim SC benefits, challenge by Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Vichar Manch, Patna.
            About Tanti/Tatwa

            Tanti/Tatwa is a Hindu weaving and cloth merchant community in India. The community is mostly concentrated in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jaharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Odisha.

            The Bihar Government argued that Tantwa” were one and the same as ‘Pan/Sawasi’ except that they had the special title within the caste of ‘Pan/Sawasi’ and were being referred to as “Tanti-Tantwa” in the State of Bihar and, therefore, it was not a case of alteration of the list but only of clarification.

            It is argued that they had undergone similar degree of historical marginalization in India.

            The Bihar Government has sub-divided the ‘Other Backward Classes’ to create a new category Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) to widen the scope of social justice. It is argued that the backward classes are a heterogenous group with several castes being more backward than others.

            Thus, Bihar Government decided to give SC status to the Tanti/Tatwa Community.

               

                  • “The State government had no competence/authority/power to tinker with the lists of Scheduled Castes published under Article 341 of the Constitution,” stated Justice Nath.
                  • Article 341(1): It mandates that the President, after consultation with the State Governor, may by notification specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to a State or Union Territory.
                  • Article 341 (2): It adds that any amendment or, alteration or variation to the President’s List under Article 341 have to be made by a parliamentary law alone, and not by any notification.
                  • “This would mean that neither the Central government nor the President can make any amendments or changes in the notification issued under Clause (1) specifying the castes in relation to the States or Union Territories,” the Supreme Court underscored.

              E.V Chinniah VS state of Andhra Pradesh

                In the year 2004, under the E.V Chinniah VS state of Andhra Pradesh, the Supreme Court stated that the scheduled caste form one “homogenous” group and, therefore, sub-classification within the reserved categories was impermissible,” would amount to tinkering with the Presidential list and violation of Article 14.

                  State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh

                     Later on, in 2020, under the state of Punjab vs Davinder Singh, a five-judge bench found that they could not agree with the reasoning in Chinniah as both the decisions were presided over by five-judge benches. They referred the case to be decided once and for all by a larger seven-judge constitution bench with the following questions,

                        • Can there be sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for reservation benefits?
                        • Does the Constitution of India permit states to introduce such sub-classification? 

                    Finally, in February 2024, a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud began hearing a series of petitions regarding the validity of sub-classification of reserved categories vis-a-vis Scheduled Castes notified under Article 341 (2) of the Constitution.

                      Article 341 Amendments

                        Article 341 of the Indian constitution has never been amended since its enforcement. However, under the provisions of Article 341, notification has been passed by the President of India, which is officially known as the Constitutional Scheduled Caste order (1950)

                          Article 341 SC List

                            Editor’s Note: This Article 341 SC List has been provided to you for the information purpose. However, it holds no value from the UPSC Examination point of view. Nevertheless, one must understand the above provisions given under article 341 i.e. Article 341 designation process, President’s role in SC designation and Parliament’s power to amend the SC List.

                               

                                Official name as Scheduled Caste (SC)

                                States where caste has SC status (Year of Designation)

                                Valmiki

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sisodiya

                                [Madhya Pradesh, Mostly Ujjain District]

                                Sirkiband

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sikligar

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sarera

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sapela

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sansoi

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sansi, Bhedkut, Manesh

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sanhal

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Sanhai

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Pherera

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Perna

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Odh

                                Punjab (1950)
                                Haryana (1950)
                                Himachal Pradesh (1950)

                                Nat

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Meghwal

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Mazhabi

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Marija, Marecha

                                Punjab (1950))

                                Mang

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Mahar

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Madiga

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Lingader

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Lalbegi

                                Assam (1950)

                                Kori, Koli

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Kori

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Kolupulvandlu

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Khatik, Chikwa, Chikvi

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Khangar, Kanera, Mirdha

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Katia, Patharia

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Kaikadi (in Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldana, Nagpur, Wardha and Yavatmal districts and Chandrapur district, other than Rajura tahsil)

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Kaibartta, Jaliya

                                Assam (1950)

                                Kabirpanthi, Julaha

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Jhalo Malo, Jhalo-Malo

                                Assam (1950)

                                Jalkeot

                                Assam (1950)

                                Holaya, Holer, Holeya, Holiya

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Holar, Valhar

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Hira

                                Assam (1950)

                                Halsar, Haslar, Hulasvar, Halasvar

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Halleer

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Ghasi, Ghasia

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Garoda, Garo

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Gandhila, Gandil, Gondola

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Ganda, Gandi

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Gagra

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Ellamalvar, Yellammalawandlu

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Dumna, Mahasha, Doom

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Dugla, Dholi

                                Assam (1950)

                                Dom, Dumar

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Dhor, Kakkayya, Kankayya, Dohor

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Dhogri, Dhangri, Siggi

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Dhanak

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Deha, Dhaya, Dhea

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Darain

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Dakkal, Dokkalwar

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Dagi

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Chenna Dasar, Holaya Dasar, Holeya Dasari

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Chanal

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Chamar, jatav

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Chalvadi, Channayya

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Byagara

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Brittial Bania, Bania

                                Assam (1950)

                                Bindla

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Bhupi, Dhobi

                                Assam (1950)

                                Bhuin, Kunbi

                                Assam (1950)

                                Bhanjra

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor,

                                Lalbegi, Valmiki, Korar, Zadmalli, Hela

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Bhambi, Asadaru, Asodi, Chamadia, Chamar, Chamari, Ahirwar, Chambhar, Chamgar, Haralayya, Harali, Khalpa, Machigar, Mochigar, Madar, Madig, Mochi, Telugu Mochi, Kamati, Mochi, Ranigar, Ruidas, Nona,

                                Ramnami Samaj, Rohit, Samgar, Samagara, Satnami, Surjyabanshi, Surjyaramnami, Charmakar, Pardeshi Chamar

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Bedar

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Beda Jangam, Budga Jangam

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Bazigar

                                Punjab (1950)
                                Haryana (1950)
                                Himachal Pradesh (1950)
                                Rajasthan (1950, grouped with Madari)

                                Bavuri

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Bauria, Bawaria

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Batwal

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Basor, Burud, Bansor, Bansodi, Basod

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Bariki

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Barar, Burar, Berar

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Bansphor

                                Assam (1950)

                                Bangali

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Balahi, Balai

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Bakad, Bant

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Bahna, Bahana

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Arwa Mala

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Arundhatiya

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Aray Mala

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Aray Mala

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Anamuk

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Anamuk

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Ager

                                Maharashtra (1950)

                                Adi Dravida

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Adi Andhra

                                Andhra Pradesh (1950)

                                Ad Dharmi

                                Himachal Pradesh (1950)

                                Ad Dharmi

                                Punjab (1950)

                                Ad Dharmi

                                Haryana (1950)

                                   

                                    For Further Reference:

                                      Read the constitution of India. 

                                        Constitutional Scheduled Caste order (1950)

                                          Scheduled caste list.

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