- Why in news
- On 30 July 2026, the Social Justice Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that atrocity cases under the SC/ST Act peaked at 53,372 in 2023, citing NCRB data for 2020-2024.
- What it is
- The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 punishes offences against SC and ST members by non-members. It provides for Special Courts, Exclusive Special Courts and relief and rehabilitation for victims. The NCRB publishes the crime data in its annual report 'Crime in India'.
- Data source
- Figures are compiled and published by the National Crime Records Bureau in 'Crime in India'.
- Who gave the reply
- MoS Ramdas Athawale gave a written reply in the Rajya Sabha to a question by Sanjay Singh.
Don’t confuse with Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955: This earlier law punishes untouchability practices. The 1989 Act deals with atrocities (violence, humiliation, land and social offences) against SCs and STs.
Don’t confuse with Registered cases vs persons convicted: The release counts cases (convictions in cases) and persons (persons convicted) separately; they are different figures.
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
- Data shows enforcement is rising, with more chargesheets and convictions.
- It helps Parliament and policy makers track safety of SC communities.
Problems
- Pending trials keep rising, reaching 2,87,694 in 2024, which delays justice.
- Conviction numbers stay low compared with cases pending.
Way forward
- Expand Exclusive Special Courts and fill vacancies to cut the trial backlog.
- Strengthen victim and witness protection and timely relief.
Put in your answer
2015 Amendment: It added new offences and provided for Exclusive Special Courts.
- 2026Mains GS2 · Q5Whether NCSC and NCST have enforcement powers for social equality; suggest reforms
- 2017Mains GS1 · Q10Two major legal initiatives since Independence against discrimination against Scheduled Tribes
- 2016Mains GS1 · Q10Why tribals are called Scheduled Tribes; constitutional provisions for their upliftment
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting law; NCRB data shows registered cases at 53,372 in 2023. Data is routine, so card only.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.