Overview

• The Supreme Court scheduled a July 14 hearing on a petition seeking to stay enforcement of the SEBC Act, 2024, which reserves 10% of government jobs and education seats for Marathas.
• Petitioners argue the law violates a nine-judge bench ruling that total reservations must not exceed 50% of available positions.
• Bombay High Court declined an interim stay and formed a special bench that will reconvene to hear challenges from July 18.
• The SEBC Act was enacted on February 20, 2024, by Eknath Shinde’s administration based on a Shukre-led commission report citing “exceptional circumstances.”
• Marathas account for nearly one-third of Maharashtra’s population, raising significant political and social implications for the community pending the judicial outcome.