Karnataka OBC Reservation: In Karnataka, the caste-based census commission has recommended to increase the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state from the current 32% to 51%. If this recommendation is implemented, the total reservation figure in the state will reach 85%. Of this, 10% of this is already reserved for economically weaker sections (EWS) and 24% for Scheduled Castes/Tribes (SC/ST).
The Commission said in its recommendations that according to the recent socio-economic and academic survey, the OBC class is about 70 percent of the population of Karnataka. The Commission has said to implement reservation on the basis of population ratio. So that there can be equal distribution of government facilities and opportunities. The survey report of the Commission states that the number of backward classes is 69.6 percent. Nevertheless, less than half of the population in the state is getting the benefit of reservation. If reservation is not given on the basis of population, then government facilities will not be able to reach people on the same basis. Significantly, this survey was started in 2015 by H. Kantharaj. After this it was completed by Jayaprakash Hegde, Chairman of Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission. The report was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in February 2024.
Caste based population based on survey report
| Description | population |
| 1-a backward | 3496638 |
| 1-B backward | 7392313 |
| 2-a backward | 7778209 |
| 2-B backward | 7525880 |
| 3-A backward | 7299577 |
| 3-B backward | 15437113 |
| Other backward | 41630153 |
| scheduled caste | 10929347 |
| Scheduled tribe | 4281289 |
Recommendation to implement horizontal reservation
The Commission recommended that the state government implement horizontal reservation in jobs and education. Under this policy, every reserved class women, disabled and other special classes will get separate quota. For example, women and disabled of OBC class should be given separate reservation.
Its decision will be taken in the next cabinet meeting.
This caste -based census report was presented before the government in February 2024. Which was presented before Siddaramaiah’s cabinet last Friday. The government will hold a special cabinet meeting on 17 April to discuss this report. The final decision will be taken after discussion and consideration on the recommendations. If these recommendations are implemented then there will be significant changes in Karnataka politics and society. However, a total of 85 percent reservation is constitutional and judicial appropriate or not. It remains to be seen.
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