INDIA, July 27, 2026 (Lawful Talks): The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a review petition challenging its March 2026 judgment which held that a person loses Scheduled Caste (SC) status [and related affirmative action options, such as in education and employment] upon converting to any religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism. A Bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan observed that it found no reason to revisit its earlier ruling after examining the review petition. “We have gone through the Review Petition and perused the judgment dated 24.03.2026 which has been sought to be reviewed. There is no error apparent on the record,” the Bench said. In its March 2026 judgment, the Supreme Court had ruled that a person who converts to Christianity or any religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism immediately ceases to enjoy Scheduled Caste status.

The Court clarified that such a person may get back Scheduled Caste status after reconverting to Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism, but only if three conditions are met: The individual must prove that they were originally born into a caste recognized as a Scheduled Caste; They must establish a bona fide reconversion to Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism and demonstrate complete renunciation of the previously adopted religion; and they must show that they have been accepted back by members of their original caste community. The Court further clarified that if even one of these conditions is not met, the claim to restore Scheduled Caste status cannot succeed. In its March 2026 verdict, the Supreme Court affirmed the High Court’s ruling, holding that a person professing Christianity cannot seek protection under the SC/ST Act, as Scheduled Caste status is constitutionally recognized only for persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism.

https://www.lawfultalks.net/news/convert-to-christianity-lose-your-sc-status-supreme-court-refuses-to-revisit-its-ruling

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