List of Castes in India 2025: Category-wise List Approved by Govt of India

The central caste list 2025 is broadly classified into Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and the General / Forward category. You can have detailed information about the category list state wise.

Table of Contents

Central Caste List 2025
Summary of SC, ST and OBC
Legal Framework for Caste Categorisation
How Castes in India are included in the Central List

The social dynamics of categorisation in view of public policy and decision making has been constantly evolving. Though being a complex affair, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs publish the Category Wise Central List 2025 for SC and ST. For the OBC category the National Commission for Backward Classes maintains the list. You can check this article for detailed information about the state wise caste list 2025.

Also Read: OBC Caste List in UP

Central Caste List 2025

You can check the list for SC, ST and OBC categories divided state wise from the below table.

Category	Central List Category Wise
SC	Click Here
ST	Click Here
OBC	Click Here

Summary of SC, ST and OBC

Lets check who comes under SC, ST and OBC list.

Scheduled Castes - The SC list is published by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. This list consists of communities identified by the Constitution of India as historically subjected to untouchability and social exclusion.
Scheduled Tribes - This community is identified indigenous groups or the tribal groups. The central list for the STs is prepared by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Other Backward Classes - This community as identified by the Constitution of India are mainly the socially backward groups and the educationally backward groups. The central OBC list is prepared by the National Commission for Backward Classes.

You can check the below table for detailed information and the comparison among the various categories as mentioned in the Central List.

Category	Purpose	Examples
Scheduled Castes	Castes recognized in the Constitution (via Presidential Orders) as historically disadvantaged, eligible for reservations in jobs, education, etc.	The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (as amended) lists over 1,109 castes across the states. Examples include Adi Andhra, Adi Dravida, Chamar, Mahar, Holeya, Dom, etc
Scheduled Tribes	Indigenous / tribal communities recognized as disadvantaged and eligible for affirmative action.	The ST lists are maintained state-wise and include many indigenous groups (e.g. Gonds, Bhils, Santhals, etc.)
Other Backward Classes	Castes / communities considered socially and educationally backward (but not SC/ST), eligible for a portion of reservations	Each State (and the central government) maintains a list of OBCs. E.g., in Bihar, Yadav, Kurmi, Koeri, etc. are common OBCs.

Legal Framework for Caste Categorisation

You must check the legal framework behind the categorisation.

Caste	Details
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes	Defined by Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution. The Union government maintains central lists of SCs and STs (and states may have separate lists for state-level benefits). The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (for SCs) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (for STs) publish the central lists and notifications.
Other Backward Classes	The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) maintains the central list of OBCs (which is what applies for central government jobs and centrally-funded institutions). States maintain their own OBC lists for state jobs/colleges; a community may be on a state OBC list but not on the central OBC list (this difference matters for central recruitment/admissions).
Economically Weaker Sections	Created by the 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019) and implemented by government orders, EWS provides up to 10% reservation to persons who are not SC/ST/OBC and meet specified economic/asset criteria. Central rules and DoPT/Ministry of Social Justice OM/circulars set the operational details for central services.

How Castes in India are included in the Central List

The inclusion of caste is a diversified process. You must know the legal process behind this inclusion.

Particulars	Details
Constitutional Basis	For Scheduled Castes - Article 341 of the Constitution empowers the President of India to specify, by public notification, the castes or classes that shall be deemed as Scheduled Castes for each State or Union Territory. For Scheduled Tribes - Article 342 gives similar powers to the President for specifying the Scheduled Tribes. For Other Backward Classes - The inclusion process is based on Article 340, which allows the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.
Role of State Governments	Proposals for inclusion, exclusion, or modification of a caste are first initiated by the concerned State Government. The state conducts a detailed socio-economic survey to justify why a particular community should be included (or excluded). The proposal is then sent to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (for OBCs and SCs) or the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (for STs).
Legislative Action	Once the Union Cabinet approves the proposal, the Central Government introduces a Bill in Parliament to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, or Central List of OBCs. After Parliament passes the Bill, and the President gives assent, the caste or community is officially included in the Central List through a Gazette Notification.
Separate Lists for States and Centre	A caste may be recognized as OBC or SC/ST in a particular state but not necessarily in the Central List. This means that a community might receive benefits under State Government schemes, but not under Central Government programs, unless it appears in the Central List.

The Category Wise Central List is an ongoing commitment of the government to promote social equality, social justice and inclusiveness. Through this representation these communities are able to get fair access to educational institutes, employment opportunities and governance.

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