Who among the following has the authority to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of SCs, STs and, other backward classes?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) President of India 

Explanation:
• The President of India is empowered by the Constitution to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of various backward classes.
• Article 338 of the Constitution deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), appointed by the President.
• Article 338A deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), appointed by the President.
• Article 340 of the Constitution specifically empowers the President to appoint a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes (OBCs) and make recommendations for their upliftment. 

Information Booster:
• The Mandal Commission (1979) was a major commission appointed under Article 340, which recommended a 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs.
• The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was later given constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, under Article 338B. 

Additional Knowledge:
(a) Union Law Minister: .
• The Law Minister plays a role in the legislative process and government policy regarding these commissions, but the power of appointment rests constitutionally with the President. 

(b) Prime Minister of India: .
• The Prime Minister leads the government, but the formal constitutional authority for appointing these specific commissions is vested in the President. 

(d) Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment: .
• This ministry oversees the welfare and implementation of policies for these classes, but the power to initially appoint an investigative commission is the President's.