The Centre has extended, for the third time, the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, now up to June 10, 2026. The two-month extension runs from April 11 to June 10, 2026.
- Set up in 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Mandate: examine granting Scheduled Caste status to Dalits who converted to other religions.
- Legal basis: Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, issued under Article 341.
- At present, SC status is limited to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.