Daily News Analysis » OBCs and their Sub Categorisation

OBCs and their Sub Categorisation

The recent caste survey in Bihar reignited the possibility of other states conducting similar surveys, especially with upcoming elections.

Background

  • OBCs have 27% reservation in Central Govt jobs.
  • OBCs consist of hundreds of different castes with varying degrees of marginalisation.
  • Caste enumeration and sub-categorisation of OBCs have always been controversial topics.

Definition of OBCs

  • OBC refers to marginalized communities and castes that are not SCs or STs.
  • Caste-based social backwardness in India led to other forms of backwardness.
  • Affirmative action for OBCs is supported by Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution.

Diversity Among OBCs:

  • OBCs are typically identified by their occupation.
  • There are various levels of marginalisation within the OBCs, mainly divided into landowners and non-landowners.
  • There’s a growing sentiment that dominant OBCs are monopolising the benefits of the 27% reservation.

Recent Caste Survey in Bihar: 

  • As per the recent survey, 27% of Bihar’s population is “backward” and 36% is “Extremely Backward Classes” (EBCs).
  • Historical attempts at categorising castes in Bihar has faced legal challenges.
  • The current Bihar OBC reservation system might change based on the recent caste survey’s findings.

State-level OBC Subcategories

  • Various states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh have their own systems of sub-categorising OBCs based on different criteria.

OBC Commissions:

  • First OBC Commission (Kaka Kalelkar): Identified 2,399 backward castes with 837 as “most backward”. Its recommendations were never implemented.
  • Second OBC Commission (B P Mandal): Recognized 3,743 castes as OBCs and recommended 27% reservation without subcategories. This was implemented by the central government.

 

Recent Attempt at Subcategorisation at Central Level  ( Justice G Rohini Commission):

  • Ahead of the 2014 elections, discussions about subcategorisation of OBCs surfaced.
  • A new commission for subcategorisation of OBCs was formed under Justice G Rohini in 2017, and its report was submitted in July, 2023, though the contents remain private.

Why in News:

  • The recent caste survey in Bihar reignited the possibility of other states conducting similar surveys, especially with upcoming elections.