Page 13 - Lesson Notes

Adhering to Article 340 of the constitution of India, the First Backward
th
classes Commission was setup by a presidential order on 29 January
1953 under the Chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar.
The commission prepared a list containing as many as 2,399

communities which were treated as socially and educationally backward.
The commission adopted the following criteria for determining
backwardness

1) Low social position in the traditional caste hierarchy of hindu society.
2) Lack of general advancement among the major section of a caste or
community
3) In adequate or no representation in Govt. servivces.

4) In adequate representation in the field of trade , commerce and activity.

The Backward classes Commission in its Report of 1956 described the

Backward classes as consisting of the following groups:

1. Those who suffer from the stigma of untouchability or near
untouchability. These groups are classifies as Scheduled castes (SC)

2. Those tribes who are not yet sufficiently assimilated into the
mainstream of the national life. These groups are classified as Schedule
Tribe (ST)

3. Other Backward Classes which consist of :

a) Those nomads who have no occupation of fixed habitation and are given
to mimicry, begging, dancing etc.

b) Communities consisting of a largely of agricultural or landless labourers.

c) Communities consisting of large percentage of small land owners with
uneconomic holdings.

d) Communities engaged in caste breeding, sheep breeding or fishing on small

scale.

e) Artisian and occupational classes without security of employment.

f) Social groups from among Muslims, Christians, Sikhs who are still backward
socially and educationally

g) Communities not occupying positions in social hierarchy