- Why in news
- On 1 October 2026 the Social Justice Ministry said the Centre released ₹1,423.30 crore to States and UTs over 2022-25 to implement the PCR Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It also gave data on special courts, victim relief and the SAMBAL helpline.
- What it is
- The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 punishes untouchability practices. The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 punishes specified offences against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and provides Special Courts and relief for victims. Enforcement rests mainly with States, and the Centre supports them through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Special Courts
- 217 Exclusive Special Courts operate in 15 States and UTs for trying offences under the PoA Act. Elsewhere, Courts of Session can be designated Special Courts with the concurrence of the High Court Chief Justice.
- Central assistance
- The Centre released ₹1,423.30 crore over 2022-23 to 2024-25 under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Who implements
- Implementation of both Acts rests primarily with State Governments and UT Administrations.
- Constitutional link
- Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes untouchability. The PCR Act, 1955 (originally the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955) was enacted under it.
Don’t confuse with PCR Act vs PoA Act: The PCR Act, 1955 punishes untouchability practices against any person. The PoA Act, 1989 punishes atrocities against SC/ST members and provides Special Courts and relief.
Don’t confuse with Centrally Sponsored vs Central Sector: In a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the Centre and States share funding and States implement. A Central Sector scheme is fully funded and run by the Centre.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Gives legal and institutional protection to SCs and STs, backing Articles 15, 17 and 46.
- Special Courts, relief and helplines aim at speedy justice and dignity for victims.
Problems
- About 3.92 lakh cases were pending trial at the end of 2024, which delays justice.
- Enforcement depends on States, so capacity, police sensitivity and fund use vary.
Way forward
- Expand Exclusive Special Courts and fill vacancies so cases are disposed faster.
- Strengthen investigation, victim and witness protection, and track outcomes through SAMBAL and data.
Put in your answer
Case pendency: At the end of 2024, 3,92,006 cases were pending trial under the Act.
Article 17: Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence, the constitutional base for both Acts.
- 2017Mains GS1 · Q10Two major State legal initiatives since Independence against discrimination of Scheduled Tribes
- 2026Mains GS2 · Q5Whether NCSC and NCST have adequate enforcement powers; suggest measures to strengthen them
- 2013Mains GS2 · Q12Critically evaluate restructuring Centrally sponsored schemes for vulnerable sections' flexibility
- 2020Prelims Q4Which Fundamental Rights category protects against untouchability as discrimination?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 rests primarily with the Union Government, which runs a Central Sector Scheme for the purpose.
- 2.Under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Courts of Session can be designated as Special Courts in districts with relatively fewer cases, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
- 3.The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 was enacted to give effect to Article 17 of the Constitution, which abolishes untouchability.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 8
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Exclusive Special Courts for trying offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been established in 15 States and UTs.
True. 217 Exclusive Special Courts exist in 15 States and UTs, as reported.
2.Under the Act, a Court of Session can be designated a Special Court in districts with fewer cases, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
True. Concurrence of the High Court Chief Justice is required.
3.Implementation of the two Acts is primarily the responsibility of the Union Government.
False. Implementation rests primarily with State Governments and UT Administrations; the Centre gives financial assistance.
4.The National Helpline Against Atrocities was launched in December 2021 and later renamed SAMBAL.
True. Launched December 2021, renamed SAMBAL.
5.The Centrally Sponsored Scheme provides incentives for inter-caste marriages where one spouse is a Scheduled Caste member.
True. Incentive is for inter-caste marriages where one spouse belongs to a Scheduled Caste.
6.The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 was enacted to give effect to Article 15 of the Constitution, which abolishes untouchability.
False. Article 17 abolishes untouchability; the PCR Act implements it.
7.The SAMBAL helpline short code is 14566.
True. Short code is 14566 and toll-free number 1800-202-1989.
8.The Scheme funds relief and rehabilitation of victims but cannot be used for awareness campaigns.
False. The scheme also supports awareness campaigns, workshops and training.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Centre has released over ₹1,423 crore to States and UTs in 2022-25 to implement the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, yet over 65,000 cases were registered in 2024 and nearly 3.92 lakh were pending trial. Examine the key provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 and critically analyse the challenges in its implementation.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.