No community has been included in the list of Scheduled Castes during last three years. A total of 1258 castes/communities have so far been specified as Scheduled Castes.
The Supreme Court of India in the case of E.V. Chinnaiah Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh (2004(9) SCALE) has held that the castes etc. specified as Scheduled Castes under Article 341 of the Constitution is a homogeneous group for the purpose of the Constitution. The benefits of reservation are available to members of all such castes which have been specified as a Scheduled Caste in relation to a State/Union Territory. As such, the information in regard to the caste-wise benefits of reservation in various services under the Central Government is not maintained.
This information was given by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr.Virendra Kumar in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.
*****