The Constitution of India
Article 337
Special provision with respect to educational grants for the benefit of Anglo-Indian community
During the first three financial years after the commencement of this Constitution, the same grants, if any, shall be made by the Union and by each State for the benefit of the Anglo-Indian community in respect of education as were made in the financial year ending on the thirty-first day of March, 1948.
During every succeeding period of three years the grants may be less by ten per cent. than those for the immediately preceding period of three years :
Provided that at the end of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution such grants, to the extent to which they are a special concession to the AngloIndian community, shall cease:
Provided further that no educational institution shall be entitled to receive any grant under this article unless at least forty per cent. of the annual admissions therein are made available to members of communities other than the Anglo-Indian community.
Why this exists
The Anglo-Indian community had received special education grants under British colonial administration, partly as a legacy of their distinct social and administrative role. When India became a republic, the Constitution-makers (guided by figures like Frank Anthony, who represented Anglo-Indian interests in the Constituent Assembly) wanted a gentle, time-bound transition rather than an abrupt cutoff. Article 337, alongside the related Article 336 on employment, was designed as a sunset clause: honour existing commitments briefly, taper them down, and end the special treatment within a decade, while also nudging Anglo-Indian institutions to admit students from other communities.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: Anglo-Indian schools still get special constitutional grants today.
Fact: The grants were designed to phase out completely by 1960 (ten years after the Constitution began); Article 337 is now a spent, historical provision with no ongoing effect. - Myth: This article gave Anglo-Indian schools permission to admit only Anglo-Indian students.
Fact: The second proviso required at least 40% of admissions to come from other communities as a condition for receiving any grant.