The Indian government has extended the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry, chaired by former Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, for the third time, now until June 10, 2026. This commission was established to examine the possibility of granting Scheduled Caste (SC) status to individuals who have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism. The commission's initial appointment in October 2022 was for two years, with subsequent extensions due to ongoing discussions and legal challenges. A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of India stated that SC status is only available to adherents of Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, effectively denying caste status to converts from these religions. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 specifies that only those practicing these religions may be considered members of a Scheduled Caste. Dalit Christians have raised concerns about the restrictions imposed by this order, arguing that they violate their right to religious freedom. The commission is yet to finalize its report, and representatives from various communities have expressed frustration over the delays in the inquiry process.