NCSC to launch all-India exercise to probe SC quota ‘misuse’ by converts
After receiving numerous complaints from different states against alleged misuse of reservation benefits by certain persons posing as Scheduled Castes, the NCSC has been writing to state governments to conduct a detailed investigation in all government offices and educational institutions and to check caste certificates. This practice is similar to the Allahabad High Court’s recent directive to the Uttar Pradesh government to take stringent action against people who have converted to Christianity but continue to receive benefits meant for SCs. The commission also received complaints pointing to some people converting to Hinduism just to enjoy reservation benefits. The amended Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950, which is a presidential order under Article 341 of the Constitution, forms the basis of caste-based reservations. It explains the different castes and groups classified as SCs and says, “No person who adheres to a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism shall be deemed to be a member of the Scheduled Caste.” This makes any convert to Christianity ineligible for caste-based reservation.
Speaking to ET, NCSC chief Kishor Makwana said, “After receiving numerous complaints from different states, we are in the process of writing to state governments to check records and closely examine whether converts are enjoying reservation benefits in government jobs. In the long run, the commission wants to develop a periodic reporting system that will enable states to carry out this exercise in an orderly manner and report their data to the commission. This will help check any inaccuracies.”
In 2024, the Supreme Court had upheld the Madras High Court order rejecting the Scheduled Caste certificate of a Christian woman who claimed to be Hindu while applying for a senior government clerk job in Puducherry. The Supreme Court observed that conversion without genuine beliefs, merely to avail reservation benefits, amounted to “fraud against the Constitution”. The NCSC has also informed the states of the recent verdict of the Allahabad High Court, stating that the practice of misusing caste certificates has become widespread and requires a comprehensive investigation. “We highlight this during our investigations at the state level,” Makwana said.
