Article 337 Simplified: Special provision with respect to educational grants for the benefit of Anglo-Indian community

Official Text

During the first three financial years after the commencement of this Constitution, the same grants, if any, shall be made by the Union and by each State *** for the benefit of the Anglo-Indian community in respect of education as were made in the financial year ending on the thirty-first day of March, 1948. During every succeeding period of three years the grants may be less by ten per cent. than those for the immediately preceding period of three years: Provided that at the end of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution such grants, to the extent to which they are a special concession to the Anglo-Indian community, shall cease: Provided further that no educational institution shall be entitled to receive any grant under this article unless at least forty per cent. of the annual admissions therein are made available to members of communities other than the Anglo-Indian community. 1. Ins. by the Constitution (Eighty-second Amendment) Act, 2000, s. 2 (w.e.f. 8-9-2000). 2. The words and letters "specified in Part A or Part B of the First Schedule" omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-11-1956). 338. [National Commission for Scheduled Castes].— [[(1) There shall be a Commission for the Scheduled Castes to be known as the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes. (2) Subject to the provisions of any law made in this behalf by Parliament, the Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other Members and the conditions of service and tenure of office of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members so appointed shall be such as the President may by rule determine.] (3) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. (4) The Commission shall have the power to regulate its own procedure. (5) It shall be the duty of the Commission— (a) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes *** under this Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards; (b) to inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes ***; (c) to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes *** and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State; (d) to present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards; (e) to make in such reports recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or any State for the effective implementation of 1. Subs. by the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003, s. 2, for the marginal heading (w.e.f. 19-2-2004). 2. Subs. by the Constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1990, s. 2, for cls. (1) and (2) (w.e.f. 12-3-1992). 3. Subs. by the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003, s. 2, for cls. (1) and (2) (w.e.f. 19-2-2004).

Simple Meaning

Article 337 provided special educational grants and financial assistance to schools of the Anglo-Indian community during the first ten years of the Constitution. This transitional protection was officially omitted and ceased to operate after 1960.

Explain Like Ten

Article 337 was a rule to give extra money to schools run by the Anglo-Indian community for the first ten years of independent India. This rule ended in 1960 as planned.

Student Mode

Provided transitional financial protections for Anglo-Indian educational institutions, requiring states to maintain pre-1947 levels of grants for 10 years. In accordance with Article 334, these special financial concessions expired in 1960.

Example

In 1952, a school run by the Anglo-Indian community received a guaranteed state grant under Article 337. After 10 years (in 1960), this guarantee expired, and they had to apply for grants under standard state educational laws.

Key Takeaway

Article 337 was a temporary financial safeguard for Anglo-Indian schools, which expired as scheduled in 1960.

FAQs

What condition did Anglo-Indian schools have to meet to receive grants under Article 337?

No educational institution could receive a grant unless at least forty per cent (40%) of its annual admissions were made available to members of other communities.

When did the educational grants under Article 337 cease?

They ceased at the end of ten years from the commencement of the Constitution, i.e., in 1960.

Quiz

To receive grants under Article 337, what percentage of admissions had to be open to other communities?

Answer: 40%

Related Topics

• Article 336
• Article 338