Welfare Schemes for SCs and STs — Amendments

Amendment	Year	Description	Impact
65th Amendment	1990	Extended reservation for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for another 10 years, ensuring continued political representation while welfare schemes were being strengthened	Provided political voice to SC/ST communities enabling better advocacy for welfare schemes and policy implementation
89th Amendment	2003	Created separate National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A, bifurcating the earlier combined commission and providing focused attention to tribal welfare	Enhanced monitoring and oversight of ST welfare schemes through dedicated constitutional body with investigative powers
95th Amendment	2009	Extended reservation for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for another 10 years until 2020, later extended further until 2030	Ensured continued political representation facilitating sustained focus on welfare scheme implementation and policy advocacy