The strategy of Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) which was evolved in 1979 is one of the most important interventions through the planning process for social, economic and educational development of Scheduled Castes and for improvement in their working and living conditions. It is an umbrella strategy to ensure flow of targeted financial and physical benefits from all the general sectors of development for the benefit of Scheduled Castes.

Strategies of the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Tribal Sub-Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) were introduced in the Sixth Plan and Fifth Plan for channelising to these categories of people their due share of plan benefits and outlays. The strategies of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) envisage to channelise the flow of outlays and benefits from all the sectors of development in the Annual Plans of States/UTs and Central Ministries at least in proportion to their population both in physical and financial terms.