Overview

• A bench led by Justice P. S. Narasimha has listed the case for October 8 to examine the 2019 change that raised OBC reservation in state services from 14% to 27%.
• The Supreme Court has pulled related petitions from the Madhya Pradesh High Court for an authoritative ruling on Section 4 of the 1994 law as amended.
• Madhya Pradesh’s affidavit cites the 2011 Census showing SC at 15.6%, ST at 21.1% and OBCs at more than 51% of the population, arguing the prior 14% OBC quota was disproportionate.
• The state points to the Mahajan Commission’s 1980 recommendation of a 35% OBC quota, subsequent MP Backward Classes Commission reports, and a 2023 survey to show entrenched backwardness.
• Recruitment in several departments has been stalled since 2022 with more than 4,700 posts vacant, while total reservations including a 10% EWS quota have been reported to exceed 70% and similar issues are before the court from Chhattisgarh.