6.12 Social justice and constitutional safeguards notes

1. 6.12.1Social justice in the Constitution and untouchability: Article 17, Articles 38 and 46 and the PCR Act 1955

   The Constitution promises social justice in its Preamble and Directive Principles, and Article 17 abolishes untouchability outright; the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 turns that ban into criminal offences.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
2. 6.12.2SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 and its amendments

   The Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 defines specific crimes ("atrocities") committed by non-SC/ST persons against SCs and STs, punishes them more heavily than ordinary law, and sets up special courts, victim rights and a bar on anticipatory bail.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
3. 6.12.3Reservation: Articles 15(4) to 16(4B) and 335, and backward classes commissions (Kalelkar, Mandal, Rohini)

   Reservation is the Constitution's main tool of protective discrimination: Articles 15 and 16 enable quotas in education and public jobs for backward classes, SCs, STs and the poor, and backward classes commissions under Article 340 decide who qualifies.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
4. 6.12.4Reservation judgments: Champakam to Davinder Singh

   Reservation law in India has been built by a long conversation between the Supreme Court and Parliament: the Court set limits (50%, creamy layer, data), and Parliament often answered with amendments.

   Standard · 9 min · Full course
5. 6.12.5SCs, STs and OBCs: identification, representation (Articles 330–342) and national commissions

   The President notifies who is an SC or ST, only Parliament can change those lists, and the Constitution then guarantees these groups seats in legislatures, claims in services and watchdog commissions with civil-court powers.

   Standard · 8 min · Full course
6. 6.12.6Minorities: Articles 29–30 and 350A–350B, NCM, Sachar and Ranganath Misra, and minority schemes

   The Constitution does not define "minority" but protects religious and linguistic minorities through cultural and educational rights (Articles 29-30) and language safeguards (Articles 350A-350B), backed by national commissions, inquiry reports and targeted schemes.

   Standard · 10 min · Full course

Medha AI is an independent preparation service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to APPSC, TSPSC, MPSC, UPSC or any other commission or government body.