SC/ST/Minorities (Social Justice).
Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS2: welfare schemes, vulnerable sections, health, education, poverty, hunger
Waqf Act for UPSC: what a waqf is, Waqf Boards and tribunals, the 1995 Act, the 2025 amendment, waqf by user, non-Muslim…
Social justice for UPSC GS-II: constitutional provisions, SCs, STs, OBCs, women, children, disabled and elderly, key laws and schemes, commissions and gaps.
On 9 October 2026 the Tribal Affairs Ministry held the second regional review of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in Kolkata with eight States. Nationally, over 54 lakh claims have been filed, about 25 lakh titles given, about 11 lakh are pending and over 18 lakh rejected. The focus is quick disposal, record updating, CFR rights and PVTG habitat rights.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FRA provisions, PVTG habitat rights. · Mains GS-II: welfare of STs; GS-III: forest governance.
10 Oct 2026
The Centre released ₹1,423.30 crore to States and UTs over 2022-23 to 2024-25 to implement the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. States report 217 Exclusive Special Courts in 15 States and UTs. Yet 65,646 cases were registered in 2024 and 3,92,006 were pending trial at year end.
UPSC angle: Prelims: PCR Act year; Art. 17. · Mains: Why do atrocity cases see low conviction?
1 Oct 2026
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100 per cent centrally sponsored scheme of the Social Justice Ministry, launched in 2021-22. It merges three older schemes and works through Adarsh Gram, grants-in-aid and hostels. By 8 September 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams.
UPSC angle: Prelims: funding pattern; merged schemes.
28 Sep 2026
The Social Justice Ministry said on 19 September 2026 that over ₹11,186 crore has been released under the three components of PM-AJAY since 2014-15. Under the Adarsh Gram component, 16,022 of 48,811 selected Scheduled Caste-majority villages have been declared Adarsh Gram. Grants have helped 34.61 lakh people, and 244 hostels have been funded.
UPSC angle: Prelims: components of PM-AJAY.
19 Sep 2026
On 10 September 2026 the Ministry of Tribal Affairs held its first regional FRA review at Bengaluru with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. By 30 June 2026, over 54 lakh individual claims had been received nationally, about 25.42 lakh titles given, over 10 lakh claims were pending and 19,845 Community Forest Rights recognised.
UPSC angle: Prelims: FRA nodal ministry; habitat rights for PVTGs.
10 Sep 2026
On 6 September 2026 the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment appointed a new Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three Members of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK). Bhagwat Prasad Makwana is Chairperson and Kaishab Bihari Vice-Chairperson. The appointments run up to 31 March 2028, the rest of the present Commission's tenure.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NCSK status.
6 Sep 2026