The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was given constitutional status by which Constitutional Amendment Act, and what is its primary function?
- 102nd Amendment, 2018; to examine requests for inclusion/exclusion of communities in Central OBC list
- 93rd Amendment, 2005; to implement reservation in education
- 86th Amendment, 2002; to monitor right to education
- 103rd Amendment, 2019; to implement EWS reservation
Answer: 102nd Amendment, 2018; to examine requests for inclusion/exclusion of communities in Central OBC list
NCBC constitutional status: (a) 102nd Amendment (2018): Inserted Article 338B (NCBC as constitutional body) and Article 342A (President notifies Central List of SEBCs/OBCs), (b) Primary functions: (i) Examine requests for inclusion/exclusion of communities in Central OBC list, advise President, (ii) Investigate complaints regarding safeguards for OBCs, (iii) Advise on socio-economic development of OBCs, (iv) Submit annual reports to President, laid before Parliament, (c) 105th Amendment (2021) clarification: (i) President notifies Central List for Central purposes, (ii) States can maintain their own State Lists for State-level reservations (restoring State power after Supreme Court interpretation), (d) Applications: (i) OBC list management: NCBC examines community representations, recommends inclusions/exclusions based on social, educational, economic criteria, (ii) Grievance redressal: Investigates complaints of discrimination, denial of benefits to OBCs, (iii) Policy advice: Recommends measures for OBC empowerment in education, employment, entrepreneurship, (e) Illustrates institutional evolution: NCBC's constitutional status strengthens institutional mechanism for OBC safeguards; 105th Amendment clarifies federal balance in OBC identification.