Conversion beyond Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist faith ends Scheduled Caste status, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that individuals who adopt a religion outside Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism cannot continue to be recognised as members of Scheduled Castes.

A bench of Justices PK Mishra and NV Anjaria held that once a person converts to a religion beyond these three, they cease to be eligible for Scheduled Caste status.

The apex court referred to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, stressing that conversion to a religion not specified under it results in an immediate and complete loss of Scheduled Caste status, irrespective of one’s birth.


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The case before the court involved a pastor who had challenged the quashing of charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The court noted that the petitioner had continued to profess Christianity for years and had been conducting regular prayer meetings, leaving no ambiguity about his religious identity at the time of the alleged incident.

The top court upheld an earlier ruling by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had concluded that those who convert to Christianity and continue to practise it cannot claim the benefits reserved for Scheduled Castes.

Given these facts, the bench held that he could not invoke provisions of the SC/ST Act, as he no longer qualified as a member of a Scheduled Caste.

The High Court had recently termed the grant of Scheduled Caste benefits to individuals who have converted to Christianity as a “fraud on the Constitution” and contrary to the principles underlying reservation policies.

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Citing Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, the court stressed that only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists are eligible for such recognition.

In its directions, the Allahabad High Court asked the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government to ensure that Scheduled Caste status is not extended to those who have converted, warning that any failure to act would violate constitutional provisions.



The bench had also directed authorities to maintain a clear distinction between minority status and Scheduled Caste identity.

The court further instructed district magistrates across the state to identify and address such cases within four months, noting that continuation of benefits after conversion undermines the legal framework, particularly since Christianity does not recognise caste distinctions.

The observations were made while dismissing a petition filed by an individual accused of promoting enmity, where the court noted discrepancies between the petitioner’s declared religion and his conversion.