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National commission for SCs is established by Article 338 of the Constitution. Originally, Article 338 provided for the appointment of a special officer for SCs and STs to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for the SCs and STs and report to the President on their working. After a series of progressive steps, in 1990, the 65th constitutional amendment act was enacted, which provided for a high level multi-member National commission for SCs and STs. Again, the 89th constitutional amendment act 2003, bifurcated the combined National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies, namely National Commission for Scheduled Castes (under Article 338) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (under Article 338-A).
National Commission for SCs consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and three other members. They are appointed by the President and their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President. Under the present rules they hold office for a term of three years.