Describe some of the policies, designed to address caste inequality.

(i) Schedules listing the castes and tribes recognised as deserving of special treatment were drawn in 1935 by the British Government.

(ii) Some policies continued during postindependence period by enlisting them in Constitution of India. One more category of Other Backward Classes (OBC) has been added to the special programes since 1985 CE.

(iii) As per these policies reservations of seats in schools, colleges, government services, state and central legislatures are made. The proportion of reserved seats is equal to the percentage share of the Scheduled castes and tribes in the total population. However, proportion of OBC is decided differently.

(iv) Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850 CE and Constitution Amendment (Ninety Third Amendment) Act of 2005 enforced w.e.f. 23rd January 2006 are related to education. The former allows entry of Dalits to government schools while the latter introduces reservation for OBC in institution of higher education. Other Acts are – S.C. and S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Article 17 of Constitution.