Abstract

The welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been a central concern of social policy in India due to the historical legacy of caste-based discrimination social exclusion economic deprivation and political marginalization experienced by these communities over centuries. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and social justice disparities in education income health housing and social status between Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes and the general population remain significant. In response successive governments in India have designed and implemented a wide range of welfare schemes aimed at promoting social inclusion economic empowerment educational advancement and overall human development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This research paper examines the conceptual foundations evolution and significance of welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with particular emphasis on their role in reducing structural inequalities and enhancing social