The Supreme Court of India ruled that individuals who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism will not be eligible for Scheduled Caste (SC) status.
The judgment came while upholding an Andhra Pradesh High Court order, clarifying that SC benefits cannot extend to those who embrace Christianity.
The court emphasised that the Scheduled Caste category remains restricted to specified religions under the existing law. It stated that conversion to Christianity excludes individuals from claiming protection or benefits under the SC/ST Act.
The ruling addressed petitions challenging the denial of SC status to converts. The bench noted that the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, explicitly limits SC recognition to Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist communities.
Officials said the verdict reinforces the principle that caste-based reservations and protections are tied to social and historical disadvantages within specific religious frameworks. The court also highlighted that extending SC status beyond the prescribed religions would require legislative action, not judicial interpretation.
