Understanding the Commission for Backward Classes under Article 340

The question asks about a specific commission established under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution. This article deals with the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.

Article 340 of the Indian Constitution

Article 340 of the Constitution of India empowers the President to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties and to improve their condition.

Identifying the Commission

Based on the description in Article 340 and the options provided, we need to find the commission specifically tasked with investigating the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.

• NITI Aayog: This is a policy think tank of the Government of India, replacing the Planning Commission. It does not fit the description of a commission appointed under Article 340 for investigating backward classes.
• National Human Rights Commission: This statutory body is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in India. It does not specifically focus on socially and educationally backward classes under Article 340.
• National Commission for Backward Classes: This commission was initially established as a statutory body and later granted constitutional status under Article 338B. Its primary role is to examine complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards of socially and educationally backward classes. Its origin and purpose align directly with the mandate derived from the principles laid down for investigating conditions of backward classes.
• National Commission for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe: This is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. While important, its focus is specifically on SCs and STs, not the broader category of socially and educationally backward classes as described in Article 340, although there can be overlaps.

The commission appointed by the President under Article 340 to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes is the National Commission for Backward Classes.

Conclusion

Based on the functions described in Article 340 and the specific mandates of the commissions listed, the National Commission for Backward Classes is the commission that aligns with the description of being appointed to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.

Revision Table: Key Commissions in India

Additional Information on Socially and Educationally Backward Classes

The term "socially and educationally backward classes" is crucial in the context of affirmative action and reservations in India. Article 340 laid the foundation for identifying these groups.

• The first Backward Classes Commission was appointed in 1953 under the chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar.
• The second Backward Classes Commission was appointed in 1979 under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal (known as the Mandal Commission). Its recommendations were highly significant for reservations.
• Initially, the National Commission for Backward Classes was a statutory body created in 1993.
• Through the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018, the NCBC was granted constitutional status under Article 338B, giving it powers similar to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
• Article 338B mandates the NCBC to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution or any other law or order of the Government.
• The identification of socially and educationally backward classes at the state level is done by respective state governments, often having their own state-level commissions.

Understanding the roles and constitutional basis of these commissions is vital for comprehending India's framework for the welfare and upliftment of disadvantaged sections of society.