The Supreme Court ruled on March 24, 2026, that Dalits who convert to religions outside Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism lose Scheduled Caste (SC) status immediately, but can reclaim it upon genuine re-conversion to one of these three faiths if strict conditions are met.
Three Mandatory Conditions
Claimants must prove: (1) original membership in a notified SC caste; (2) bona fide re-conversion with complete renunciation of the prior religion and adoption of original caste customs; and (3) acceptance by the caste community—mere self-declaration suffices not.
Burden of Proof
The court emphasized unimpeachable evidence for all cumulative conditions, placing full evidentiary burden on the claimant. Failure in any renders the claim invalid, protecting SC benefits from misuse.
Legal Basis
Article 341 and the Constitution (SC) Order, 1950, limit SC status to Hindus, Sikhs, or Buddhists. Conversion severs caste ties automatically; re-conversion requires community assimilation to restore them.
