Part XVI - Special Provisions for Certain Classes • Article

Article 335 Simplified: Claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to services and posts

Article 335 deals with claims of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes to services and posts. It shapes political representation by reserving or continuing seats and ensuring specified groups are represented in Parliament or State Legislatures as the Constitution provides.

Official Text

The claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State: [Provided that nothing in this article shall prevent in making of any provision in favour of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes for relaxation in qualifying marks in any examination or lowering the standards of evaluation, for reservation in matters or promotion to any class or classes of services or posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.]

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

When hiring for government jobs, the government must consider candidates from Scheduled Castes and Tribes, while making sure the office still works well. The government is also allowed to lower passing marks for them in exams.

Student Mode

Directs that the claims of SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration in public service appointments, consistently with maintaining the efficiency of administration. Crucially, the 82nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2000 added a proviso allowing the government to relax qualifying marks in examinations or lower evaluation standards for reservations in matters of promotion.

Example

If an election planner or student asks how reserved seats for women, Scheduled Castes, or Scheduled Tribes operate, Article 335 is one of the constitutional provisions to check.

Key Takeaway

Article 335 connects democratic representation with constitutional safeguards for inclusion.

FAQs

Does Article 335 permit relaxation of standards in promotional examinations for SC/ST?

Yes. The proviso added by the 82nd Amendment (2000) explicitly permits the government to relax qualifying marks or lower evaluation standards for SC/ST candidates in matters of promotions.

What is the relationship between Article 335 and Article 16(4)?

Article 16(4) is the source of power for making reservations in public employment, while Article 335 acts as a guideline that balances reservation claims with the constitutional necessity of maintaining 'efficiency of administration'.

Quiz

Which article balances the service claims of SCs/STs with the 'maintenance of efficiency of administration'?

Answer: Article 335

The proviso to Article 335 allowing relaxation of exam standards for promotions was added by which amendment?

Answer: 82nd Amendment