National Commission for the Backward Classes

Why is in news? There is no time limit given by law to reconstitute NCBC, Centre tells HC

The NCBC was formed as an initiative for investigating the conditions and difficulties of the socially and educationally backward classes and to make appropriate recommendations concerning them.

Two Backward Class Commissions were established under the leadership of Kaka Kalekar and B.P. Mandal in the 1950s and the 1970s, respectively.

The Indra Sawhney case of 1992 led to the establishment of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The SC directed the Government of India, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to constitute a permanent body in the nature of a Commission or Tribunal for entertaining, examining and recommending upon requests for inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion and under-inclusion in the list of OBCs.

National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was initially constituted by the Central Govt by the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, of 1993.

In August 2018, the 123rd Amendment Act of 2017 received presidential approval, giving NCBC constitutional status, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Article 338B, forming a Commission for the socially and educationally backward classes to be known as National Commission for Backward Classes.

The President is given the authority to name socially and educationally backward classes in various states and union territories under Article 342A.

The Commission consists of: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Three other Members in the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India are appointed by the President.

Their condition of service and tenure of office has been notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

NCBC is headquartered in Delhi.

Powers and Functions:

To investigate and monitor all the matters of the socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution or under any other law that are related to the proper working of the safeguards provided.

To participate and advise actively on the socio-economic development of the socially backward classes along with evaluating the progress of their development.

It annually presents the reports based on the working of the safeguards to the President. If any of those reports relate to any matter which is concerned with the State Government, a copy of that report is forwarded to the State Government.

NCBC is responsible for the protection, welfare, development and advancement of the socially and educationally backward classes.