What is the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) and what is its constitutional mandate?

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is a constitutional body established under Article 338A of the Constitution of India, inserted by the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. It was carved out from the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The NCST is mandated to: (1) investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution and other laws; (2) inquire into specific complaints relating to deprivation of rights and safeguards of STs; (3) advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of STs; (4) inspect projects, programmes, and schemes for tribal development; and (5) submit annual reports to the President of India on the working of safeguards for STs, along with recommendations. It has the powers of a civil court when investigating complaints. The Commission is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, and is obligated to respond to RTI applications within 30 days under Section 7(1).

Can RTI to NCST help track the outcome of a forest rights (FRA) complaint?

Yes, with an important caveat. The NCST does not itself adjudicate forest rights claims — that responsibility lies with the Forest Rights Committees at the gram sabha level, sub-divisional, and district levels under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. However, the NCST monitors FRA implementation, receives complaints about violation of forest rights, and refers cases of wrongful rejection or dispossession to state governments. An RTI to the NCST can reveal: (1) whether the Commission has received a complaint specific to your village or district; (2) the findings recorded by the NCST during state inspections on FRA implementation; (3) recommendations made to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs or state governments about improving FRA implementation or reversing wrongful rejections. For the status of an individual forest rights title claim, file RTI with the District Collector or Sub-Divisional Officer of the relevant district, who chairs the District Level Committee under FRA.

What tribal welfare schemes fall under NCST's monitoring purview?

The NCST monitors a broad range of tribal welfare schemes implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and other central ministries, including: (1) Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for quality education in scheduled areas; (2) Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships for ST students; (3) Tribal Sub-Plan / Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) allocations across ministries; (4) Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) for village development; (5) Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) for tribal livelihoods; (6) Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) development programme; and (7) PESA-related developmental schemes for scheduled area governance. The NCST's mandate also extends to monitoring the effective implementation of the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution and protections under laws such as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. RTI can obtain state-wise or district-wise implementation data on any of these schemes as recorded or compiled by the NCST.

Is the NCST different from state-level tribal commissions or tribal departments?

Yes, the NCST is a central constitutional body with nationwide jurisdiction, distinct from state-level bodies. Several states have their own State Tribal Welfare Departments or State Commissions for Scheduled Tribes, but these are statutory or executive bodies created under state laws and are accountable to state governments. The NCST operates independently, reports to the President of India, and has constitutional status under Article 338A. It monitors both Central and State Government compliance with tribal safeguards. For grievances specific to a state government scheme — such as a delayed tribal pension, land rights dispute under state revenue law, or state scholarship — you may file RTI both with the NCST (for its monitoring records and recommendations on the state) and directly with the relevant state department. Second appeals for RTI filed with state tribal departments go to the respective State Information Commission; second appeals for NCST (Central body) go to the Central Information Commission (CIC).

How do I appeal if the NCST CPIO does not respond to my RTI or gives an incomplete answer?

If the CPIO of the NCST does not provide information within 30 days (Section 7(1)), or provides incomplete or unsatisfactory information, you have two levels of appeal: First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File a written appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the NCST within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. Address the appeal to the FAA, NCST, Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003, or file online through rtionline.gov.in. Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the FAA also fails to respond or gives a dismissive order, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision. The CIC can direct the CPIO to provide information and impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 under Section 20 of the RTI Act on the errant PIO. The NCST is a Central Government body; therefore, the CIC — not a State Information Commission — has jurisdiction.

Home/Guides/RTI for National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: Rights Violations, Welfare & PESA Records

Central Government

RTI for National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: Rights Violations, Welfare & PESA Records

File RTI with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to access ST rights violation complaint status, tribal welfare scheme records, forest rights case outcomes, commission inspection reports, and PESA implementation recommendations.

Updated 1 Jun 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryMinistry of Tribal Affairs

Address RTI ToCentral Public Information Officer, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, New Delhi

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days (48 hours for life/liberty matters)

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is a constitutional body established under Article 338A of the Constitution of India, inserted by the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. It was formed by bifurcating the earlier National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, recognising the distinct needs and vulnerabilities of tribal communities across India. The NCST investigates rights violations, monitors welfare scheme implementation, inspects scheduled area projects, and advises the Central and state governments on tribal development policy.

As a body discharging public functions under constitutional authority, NCST is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005, and is bound to respond to RTI applications within 30 days under Section 7(1).

What NCST Does — and Why RTI Matters

The Commission's mandate under Article 338A covers four core functions:

Investigate and monitor safeguards for Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution, laws enacted by Parliament and state legislatures, and government orders
Inquire into complaints of deprivation of tribal rights — from land alienation and atrocities to denial of reserved seats or welfare benefits
Inspect projects, programmes, and residential schools in scheduled areas and report on implementation gaps
Recommend legislative and executive measures to the President or Governor to safeguard ST interests, including recommendations on PESA implementation in Scheduled Areas

The NCST submits Annual Reports to the President of India containing data on complaints received, disposed, referred to states, and the outcomes of inspections. These reports are public documents, but their underlying data — state-wise complaint breakdowns, inspection findings, specific recommendations, and state government action-taken reports — may not always be published in full. RTI is the effective route to obtain this granular information.

NCST's Role in PESA Implementation

The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) extends democratic self-governance to the Fifth Schedule areas across nine states — Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan. PESA gives gram sabhas (village councils) significant powers over natural resources, land acquisition consent, and minor forest produce — powers that are frequently undermined in practice.

The NCST actively monitors PESA compliance, reviews state conformity legislation, and issues recommendations to state governments. RTI can extract:

The NCST's formal recommendations on PESA rules framing or amendment in a specific state
State government responses to NCST notices on PESA violations
NCST inspection findings from visits to PESA-notified villages or districts
The Commission's views on cases where gram sabha consent was bypassed for mining or infrastructure projects

Common NCST Records Accessible Through RTI

Information Category	Details RTI Can Seek
ST rights violation complaints	Total received, disposed, pending by state; nature of violations; outcome of inquiries
FRA (forest rights) monitoring	Cases referred to state governments; inspection findings on FRA implementation; NCST recommendations
PESA monitoring	Recommendations on PESA rules; state compliance reports; gram sabha consent violation cases
EMRS (Eklavya Schools)	Budget allocated and utilised by state; number of sanctioned and functional schools; enrolment data
Commission inspection reports	Reports from state visits; findings on welfare scheme implementation; recommendations made
Commission composition	Names, designations, appointment dates, and tenure of Chairperson and Members

How to File RTI with NCST

NCST is a Central Government body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. RTI applications are filed online through rtionline.gov.in:

Go to rtionline.gov.in and click Submit Request
Select Ministry of Tribal Affairs → National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Describe your information request clearly — specify states, time periods, scheme names, and complaint numbers where applicable
Pay the application fee of ₹10 online (net banking, debit/credit card, UPI)
BPL cardholders are exempt from the fee — upload a copy of the BPL card

Alternatively, send a written RTI application by post to: The CPIO, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003, with a demand draft or Indian Postal Order for ₹10.

Under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, the CPIO must respond within 30 days of receipt. Where the information requested concerns the life or liberty of a person (Section 7(1) proviso), the response must be provided within 48 hours.

Appeals: What to Do If NCST Does Not Respond

First Appeal — Section 19(1): If the CPIO does not respond within 30 days, or provides incomplete, incorrect, or unsatisfactory information, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at NCST within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. The FAA must dispose of the appeal within 30 days (extendable to 45 days with written reasons).

Second Appeal — Section 19(3): If the FAA's order is also unsatisfactory or goes unanswered, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision. The CIC can direct disclosure of information and, under Section 20, impose a personal penalty of up to ₹25,000 on a Public Information Officer who has obstructed or delayed information without reasonable cause.

Because NCST is a Central Government body, all appeals ultimately lie with the CIC — not any State Information Commission.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST),
Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi – 110003

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — NCST Complaint Status, Inspection Reports, PESA Recommendations and Scheme Implementation

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information:

Information sought:

1. The total number of complaints received by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) alleging violation of Scheduled Tribe rights in FY 2024-25, broken down by state — and the number of complaints disposed, pending, and referred to state governments for action, along with the outcome of disposed complaints.

2. A copy of the inspection report(s) prepared by the NCST after its visit to [State Name] to inspect the implementation of tribal welfare schemes during the period [Month/Year] to [Month/Year], including the findings and recommendations made therein.

3. The recommendations made by the NCST to the Central and/or state governments regarding the implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) in [State Name / all scheduled area states] — and the action taken by the concerned government(s) on each recommendation, as reported to the Commission.

4. The status of complaints/cases relating to the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) referred by the NCST to the government of [State Name] — including the number of cases referred, the nature of violations reported, and the action taken or response received from the state government.

5. The names, designations, and tenure dates of the current Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and all Members of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

6. The state-wise budget allocated and amount utilised for Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in [State Name] for FY 2024-25 — including the number of sanctioned schools, functional schools, and the number of students enrolled.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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