#Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950

Allahabad High Court reaffirms that under Article 341 of the Constitution, only Parliament holds the power to amend the Scheduled Castes list. The court dismissed a petition seeking inclusion of castes like Nishad, Kewat, Mallah, and Bind, ruling that judicial authorities cannot treat unlisted castes as synonyms of listed ones, reinforcing the exclusive legislative authority in reservation matters.

Himachal Pradesh High Court rules that conversion to Islam results in immediate forfeiture of Scheduled Caste status under Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, disentitling the individual from reservations and statutory benefits. The judgment reaffirms the absolute bar on Scheduled Caste status for those professing religions other than Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist.

The Supreme Court ruled that conversion to Christianity terminates Scheduled Caste status under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, thereby stripping protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The judgment impacts statutory benefits and legal remedies for converts from Scheduled Castes, reinforcing the linkage between caste identity and religious affiliation under Indian law.