| (in India) the official name given to the lower castes that are now protected by the government and offered special concessions. Compare Harijan, untouchable (def. 5). |
| sched·uled caste (skěj'ōōld, -ōō-əld, skěj'əld) n. Any of the historically disadvantaged Indian castes of low rank, now under government protection. [From such castes having been entered on a list or "schedule" during British rule.] |