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Supreme Court Rules Only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists Eligible for Scheduled Caste Status; Converts Deprived

12 articles | Updated 45m ago | Created 3h ago
Delhi, India

The Indian Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that individuals who convert to any religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism lose their scheduled caste status. This decision confirms the apex court's stance by explicitly stating no person professing a different faith can claim SC designation or associated benefits such as reservations and affirmative action quotas in government jobs and education institutions across India including Andhra Pradesh where this ruling was initially appealed from high courts have been consolidated into one final order on Tuesday March 24th.

Key Points

  1. 1
    The Indian Supreme Court has ruled that individuals who convert from Hinduism or Sikhism (or Buddhism) cannot retain their Scheduled Castes status.
  2. 2
    Conversion to Christianity explicitly results in the loss of all SC benefits and recognition under this ruling.
  3. 3
    Only persons professing religions other than those listed as 'other' can no longer claim membership, regardless of prior caste classification.

Developments

2026-03-24 The Supreme Court upheld an order from the Andhra Pradesh High Court regarding Scheduled Caste status and religious conversion on Tuesday, March 24.
SC concludes only Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists can claim Scheduled Caste status
Thehindubusinessline 3h ago
No SC status after religious conversion beyond Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism, says Supreme Court of India
Livemint 7h ago
Only Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs can claim to be Scheduled Caste, says Supreme Court
Feeds.feedburner.com Scroll Staff 7h ago
Supreme Court: Religious Conversion Ends Scheduled Caste Status
Prod-qt-images.s3.amazonaws.com The Quint 7h ago
Only Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists Eligible For SC Status, Conversion Ends Benefits: Supreme Court's BIG Verdict
Timesnownews Harish V Nair 8h ago