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20 July 2026

Maharashtra committee on ST benefits after conversion

The formation of a state-level committee to evaluate the intersection of religious conversion and reservation benefits touches upon core constitutional and social justice issues regarding the rights of Scheduled Tribes, which is a recurring theme in UPSC Mains.

1 min read 1 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Maharashtra government has formed a 27-member committee to evaluate whether Scheduled Tribe (ST) members retain reservation and welfare benefits after religious conversion.
  • The committee is chaired by the Tribal Development Minister and includes state ministers and MLAs from ST constituencies.
  • The Commissioner of the Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune, serves as the member secretary.
  • The mandate includes reviewing existing Central and State laws regarding welfare measures for converted STs and proposing a comprehensive state policy.
  • 2011 Census data indicates Maharashtra's ST population reached over 1.05 crore, with 97.2% identifying as Hindu.
  • Between 2001 and 2011, the population of Buddhist STs grew by 114.8%, Muslim STs by 49.1%, and Jain STs by nearly six times.
  • The Christian ST population in Maharashtra recorded a decline of 34.8% during the same period.

Questions

  1. Discuss the constitutional and legal complexities involved in extending or withdrawing reservation benefits to Scheduled Tribes following religious conversion. How should the state balance individual freedom of religion with the objective of socio-economic upliftment of marginalized communities? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00

Prelims

  1. According to the 2011 Census data for Maharashtra, which of the following religious groups among the Scheduled Tribe population witnessed a growth of over 100% between 2001 and 2011?

Syllabus

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Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-20/maharashtra-committee-on-st-benefits-after-conversion