SC Status Lost on Conversion to any Religion Other than Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India reiterates that Dalits converting to Christianity or other non-recognised religions lose Scheduled Caste status under the 1950 Order; key ruling explained
March 24, 2026 - The Supreme Court of India has reaffirmed that people who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism are not anymore entitled to their Scheduled Caste (SC) status. This is not a new law, but a reiteration of existing Constitutional provisions, especially the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which limits SC recognition to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists only as specified in Clause 3 of the Order.
Conversion to any other religion would mean immediate and complete loss of SC status, the Court said, adding that the position is clearly laid down in the Order and the bar on recognition is absolute.
A two-judge Bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan upheld an order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court dated April 30, 2025, in a matter filed by complainant Chinthada Anand, a Christian pastor who had converted to Christianity and had invoked the SC & ST Act. The Andhra Court had quashed the charges on the premise that the caste system is alien to Christianity.
The complainant had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the 2025 ruling of Andhra High Court. The top Court ruled that a Dalit individual who converts to Christianity cannot claim protection under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Source: Media Reports
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