The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is a constitutional body in India established to safeguard the rights and interests of Scheduled Tribes (STs). It plays a crucial role in advising the government on policies and measures related to the socio-economic development and welfare of STs.

The NCST was established by amending the Constitution of India. Initially, there was a single National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (NCSCST) under Article 338. However, to give focused attention to the issues of Scheduled Tribes, the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003, bifurcated the NCSCST into two separate bodies: the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). The NCST came into existence on 19th September 2004.

The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other Members. These appointments are made by the President of India. The Chairperson is of the rank of Union Cabinet Minister, the Vice-Chairperson is of the rank of Minister of State, and the other Members are of the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India. The composition ensures representation and expertise in tribal affairs.

The NCST has a wide range of functions aimed at protecting and promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes. These include:

• Investigating and monitoring: To investigate all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for STs and to report to the President on their working.
• Inquiry into complaints: To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of STs.
• Advising on policy: To advise on the planning and socio-economic development of STs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State.
• Making recommendations: To make recommendations for effective implementation of safeguards and measures for their welfare and other measures for the protection, socio-economic, educational, and cultural safeguard of the STs.
• Other duties: To discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare, and development and advancement of the STs as the President may specify.

While inquiring into any matter or inquiring into any complaint, the Commission has all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. This includes the power to summon and enforce the attendance of any person and examine him on oath, to require the discovery and production of any document, to receive evidence on affidavits, and to requisition any public record from any court or office. This grants the NCST significant investigative authority.

The Commission presents its annual reports to the President of India. The President then causes these reports to be laid before each House of Parliament, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendations made by the Commission. This ensures accountability and transparency in the government's actions concerning Scheduled Tribes.

For the UPSC Civil Services Prelims examination, understanding the NCST is crucial. Key areas to focus on include its constitutional basis (Article 338A), its establishment through a specific amendment, its composition, its broad functions, and its powers. Knowledge of its reporting mechanism is also important for understanding governmental accountability.