Article 341 of Indian Constitution plays a key role in India’s affirmative action framework . It provides a constitutional mechanism for identifying Scheduled Castes (SCs) within states and union territories . These communities historically oppressed and socially disadvantaged are entitled to reservations and other welfare measures under the Constitution.

So, what is Article 341 of Indian Constitution? It empowers the President to notify castes or groups as Scheduled Castes for each state or union territory. This article is part of Part XVI of the Constitution, which deals with special provisions relating to SCs, STs, and other backward classes. Explore in-depth analysis of other Constitutional Articles.

Download 5 Key takeaways on Article 341 of Indian Constitution PDF

Article 341 of Indian Constitution

Scheduled Castes

(1)The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State after consultation with the Governor thereof, by public notification,specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or group within castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be.

(2)Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within any caste, race or tribe, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.

Note: "The information provided above has been sourced from the official website, i.e., Indian Code. While the content has been presented here for reference, no modifications have been made to the original laws and orders" 

To understand Article 341 of Indian Constitution in simple terms:

• Article 341 1 gives the President the power to declare certain castes as Scheduled Castes in a state or union territory, based on consultation with the Governor.
• Article 341 2 ensures that only Parliament has the power to amend this list, by law.
• There is no Article 341 3 of Indian Constitution officially, though some might mistakenly refer to the procedural aspects of the law as such.

Now, when people ask: "Article 341 of Indian Constitution in which part?", the correct answer is Part XVI, which focuses on special provisions for SCs and STs.

Related Articles: Article 341 and 342 of Indian Constitution

While Article 341 deals with Scheduled Castes, Article 342 of Indian Constitution deals with the identification of Scheduled Tribes. Both follow a similar structure:

• The President notifies the list (after consultation with the Governor).
• Parliament alone can modify the list.

Thus, Article 341 and 342 of Indian Constitution work together to ensure proper constitutional recognition of marginalized communities, enabling them to benefit from reservation and welfare schemes.

Article 341 of Indian Constitution : Landmark Judgments 

The landmark cases related to Article 341 of Indian Constitution have played a crucial role in shaping constitutional interpretation . These judgments have clarified the scope, application and significance of Article 341 in legal structure of India . Some of the most important and influential cases include :

1. State of Maharashtra v. Milind (2000)The Supreme Court ruled that courts cannot modify or expand the SC list. Only Parliament can do so under Article 341(2).
2. E.V. Chinnaiah v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2004)The Court held that sub-classification within SCs by states is unconstitutional, as the list under Article 341(1) is final and uniform.
3. Union of India v. Rakesh Kumar (2010)This case reaffirmed that state governments cannot alter the SC list or grant SC status without Parliamentary action.
4. State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2020)Referred to by a larger bench, the case questions whether sub-categorization among SCs for reservation purposes can be legally valid.

Under the Indian Constitution, Article 341 ensures that Scheduled Castes are officially recognized based on clear and constitutional procedures. It helps implement targeted welfare programs, job reservations and educational opportunities.

When asked, “What is Article 3411 of Indian Constitution?”, it likely refers to a misreading of Article 341(1), which is the core clause that allows Presidential notification of SCs.

Additionally, pairing Article 341 and 342 of Indian Constitution helps India maintain a structured list of both SCs and STs, making it easier for policies to reach the right beneficiaries.

Article 341 of Indian Constitution : Amendments and Developments

Though Article 341 has never been amended directly, the SC list has changed over time through multiple Parliamentary Acts. Communities are included or excluded based on social and economic studies.

The President may issue notifications but any alteration to the list—addition or deletion—must be passed as a law in Parliament as per Article 341 2 of Indian Constitution . This process prevents political misuse or arbitrary recognition.

Conclusion

Article 341 of Indian Constitution is central to India’s effort to correct historical wrongs. It ensures that Scheduled Castes are identified fairly, regionally, and legally—providing the basis for affirmative action and reservation.

In tandem with Article 342, it maintains the balance between social justice and legal consistency. Along with Article 340, which allows the study of socially and educationally backward classes, these articles together help achieve the constitutional goals of equality and inclusion.

Understanding Article 341 1 of Indian Constitution and Article 341 2 of Indian Constitution is key to appreciating how India defines, supports, and empowers its most vulnerable communities.