Supreme Court of India ruled that changing religion cancels Scheduled Caste status.

On 24 March 2026, Supreme Court of India ruled that Scheduled Caste (SC) status applies only to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists.

The Court clarified that converting to another religion, such as Christianity or Islam, results in the loss of SC status.

It also held that a person who converts cannot claim SC benefits under SC provisions.

The Court stated that this rule is based on the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.

The bench comprised Justice P. K. Mishra and Justice Manmohan.