OBC Reservation in India

 

Context : Telangana Cabinet to implement 42% quota for Backward Classes in local body elections

Introduction to OBC Reservation  

- OBCs (Other Backward Classes) are socially and educationally disadvantaged groups.  

- Reservation for OBCs is provided under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Indian Constitution.  

- 27% quota is given in government jobs and educational institutions (Central List).  

Important Committees on OBC Reservation  

(A) Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953)  

- First Backward Classes Commission.  

- Recommended caste-based reservations.  

- Report was rejected by the government.  

(B) Mandal Commission (1979-1980)  

- Headed by B.P. Mandal.  

- Recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in Central government jobs and educational institutions.  

- Implemented in 1991 by the VP Singh government, leading to widespread protests.  

(C) National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)  

- 1993: Made a statutory body under NCBC Act, 1993.  

- 2018: Given constitutional status via 102nd Amendment Act (Article 338B).  

- Advises on inclusion/exclusion in OBC lists.  

Implementation of OBC Reservation  

- 1991: Mandal Commission recommendations enforced (27% quota in Central jobs).  

- 2006: 27% OBC reservation in Central educational institutions (via 93rd Amendment Act, 2005).  

- 2021: 105th Constitutional Amendment restored states' power to identify OBCs (after 102nd Amendment restricted it).  

Major Supreme Court Judgements on OBC Reservation  

(A) Indra Sawhney Case (1992) – "Mandal Case"  

- Upheld 27% OBC reservation but excluded creamy layer.  

- 50% cap on total reservations introduced (with exceptions).  

- No reservation in promotions (later modified by Nagraj Case, 2006).  

(B) Ashoka Kumar Thakur vs UoI (2008)  

- Upheld 27% OBC quota in educational institutions.  

- Reaffirmed creamy layer exclusion.  

(C) Maratha Reservation Case (2021)  

- Struck down Maharashtra’s law granting reservation to Marathas.  

- Reiterated 50% cap rule (except in extraordinary cases).  

OBC Reservation in Elections  

- No OBC reservation in Parliament or State Assemblies (only SC/ST seats are reserved).  

- Local Self-Government (Panchayats & Municipalities):  

  - 73rd & 74th Amendments allow OBC reservation in local bodies (as per state laws).  

  - Example: Many states (UP, Bihar, Maharashtra) provide OBC quotas in Panchayat elections.  

Constitutional Amendments Related to OBCs  

(A) 102nd Amendment Act (2018)  

- Gave constitutional status to NCBC (Article 338B).  

- Removed states’ power to modify OBC lists (later reversed by 127th Amendment).  

(B) 105th Amendment Act (2021)  

- Restored states’ power to identify OBCs (added Articles 342A(3) and 366(26C)).  

- Passed unanimously after OBC protests.  

Other Important Points for UPSC  

- Creamy Layer Exclusion: Income limit currently ₹8 lakh/year (debated for revision).  

- OBC Sub-Categorization: Rohini Commission (2017) recommended dividing 27% quota among sub-groups (pending implementation).  

Recent Developments:  

  - EWS vs OBC Debate (10% EWS quota excluding OBCs upheld in Janhit Abhiyan Case, 2022).  

  - Digital OBC Certificates introduced for transparency.  

Conclusion  

OBC reservation remains a critical and evolving issue in Indian polity, balancing social justice and legal constraints (like 50% cap). UPSC often asks about committees, judgments, amendments, and current debates related to OBC reservations.