What is Article 341 of Indian constitution
Article 341 of the Indian Constitution deals with the identification of Scheduled Castes (SCs).
🧾 Article 341 – Scheduled Castes
📌 Clause-wise Breakdown:
| Clause | Content |
|---|---|
| (1) | The President, in consultation with the Governor of the concerned State, may specify the castes, races, or tribes (or parts/groups within them) which shall be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union Territory. This is done by public notification. |
| (2) | Parliament may include or exclude any caste, race, or tribe from the list of Scheduled Castes only by law. 🔒 No subsequent changes can be made by the President alone — only through Parliamentary legislation. |
✅ Key Points:
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Scheduled Castes are notified State-wise or UT-wise.
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The initial notification is issued by the President.
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Any addition or removal from the SC list requires an Act of Parliament.
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The classification is important for:
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Reservation in education and jobs
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Political representation
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Welfare schemes
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🏛️ Legal Context:
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Based on social disadvantage, historical discrimination, and untouchability.
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Parliament has passed several laws to amend SC lists (e.g., The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order Amendment Acts).
📘 Related Articles:
| Article | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Article 342 | Similar provision for Scheduled Tribes (STs) |
| Article 338 | National Commission for SCs |
| Article 15(4) | Special provisions for advancement of SCs/STs |
| Article 16(4) | Reservation in public employment for SCs/STs |
Here is a comparison chart of Article 338, Article 338A, Article 341, and Article 342 of the Indian Constitution:
📊 Comparison Chart: Articles 338, 338A, 341, and 342
| Feature | Article 338 | Article 338A | Article 341 | Article 342 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Scheduled Castes (SCs) | Scheduled Tribes (STs) | Identification of SCs | Identification of STs |
| Type of Provision | Constitutional body (NCSC) | Constitutional body (NCST) | Classification clause | Classification clause |
| Purpose | Safeguards, monitoring, and promotion of SC rights | Safeguards, monitoring, and promotion of ST rights | Allows President to notify SCs in a state/UT | Allows President to notify STs in a state/UT |
| Authority Involved | National Commission for SCs | National Commission for STs | President (in consultation with Governor) | President (in consultation with Governor) |
| Parliament’s Role | Receives Commission reports; may legislate accordingly | Receives Commission reports; may legislate accordingly | Only Parliament can add/remove castes from SC list after initial notification | Only Parliament can add/remove tribes from ST list after initial notification |
| State-wise Notification? | Not applicable (Pan-India Commission) | Not applicable (Pan-India Commission) | Yes, SCs are notified state-wise | Yes, STs are notified state-wise |
| Amendable By | Notified and governed by Constitution | Notified and governed by Constitution | Only Parliament by law | Only Parliament by law |
| Associated Commission | NCSC | NCST | None (Executive + Legislative function) | None (Executive + Legislative function) |
| Relevant To | Reservation, protection, welfare of SCs | Reservation, protection, welfare of STs | Legal identification for reservation & benefits | Legal identification for reservation & benefits |
✅ Summary:
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Articles 338 & 338A deal with permanent constitutional commissions for SCs and STs.
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Articles 341 & 342 provide legal mechanisms to identify which castes or tribes belong to SC or ST categories in a particular state or UT.
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Changes to SC/ST lists under Article 341 and 342 can be made only by Parliament, not by the President alone after the initial notification.
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