Karnataka Splits SC Quota Into Three Categories
Cabinet approves internal reservation for Scheduled Castes.
The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a historic decision to implement internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs), dividing the existing 17% reservation quota into three categories for 101 SC communities, following recommendations from the Justice H N Nagmohan Das Commission. The decision, finalized in a special meeting on Tuesday, aims to address disparities among SC groups by reallocating the quota based on social and educational backwardness.
The cabinet modified the commission’s original five-category proposal, consolidating it into three groups: SC (Right) and SC (Left) communities, each allocated 6% of the reservation, and a combined group of ‘touchable’ Dalit communities (Lambani, Bhovi, Korma, and Korcha) and the most backward and nomadic communities, receiving 5%. The commission’s report, submitted on August 4, had suggested a more granular breakdown, including 1% for the most backward, 6% for SC (Left)/Madiga, 5% for SC (Right)/Holeya, 4% for ‘touchable’ communities, and 1% for Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, and Adi Andhra communities.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil described the cabinet meeting as “fruitful,” noting that ministers representing SC communities were satisfied with the outcome. “The chief minister will address the state legislature tomorrow with details,” Patil said, withholding specifics due to the ongoing session. Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi called the decision “historical,” confirming the three-group structure and the merger of the most backward communities with the ‘touchable’ Dalits, and other groups into SC (Right) and SC (Left).
Also Read: Karnataka Cabinet Approves Space Tech CoE, LEAP, and Key Health Projects
The move follows a Supreme Court ruling on August 1, 2024, empowering states to sub-classify SCs for targeted reservation benefits. Karnataka established the Justice Nagmohan Das Commission in November 2024 to gather empirical data for this purpose. However, sources indicate dissatisfaction among some nomadic and most backward communities with the consolidated 5% quota.
The decision marks a significant step toward equitable representation within Karnataka’s SC population, though its implementation and reception remain under scrutiny as the government prepares to present it in the legislature.
Also Read: India Refuses to Budge on Pakistan Ties says Tharoor
