Article: Sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) – The Role of the Rohini Commission
The Centre has recently extended the tenure of the Rohini Commission until 31st July, 2021. Set up under Article 340 of the Constitution in October 2017, the Commission is responsible for investigating the conditions of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Initially tasked with submitting its report within 12 weeks, the Commission has been granted several extensions, the recent being the 10th.
Need and Purpose of Sub-categorisation
The purpose of sub-categorising over 5000 castes under the central list of OBCs is to ensure equality. Currently, OBCs receive a 27% reservation in jobs and education under the central government. However, it has been perceived that a few affluent communities among the over 2,600 included in the Central List of OBCs have secured the majority of this 27% reservation. Sub-categorisation aims for more equitable distribution of opportunities.
In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) recommended that OBCs should be divided into extremely backward classes, more backward classes and backward classes. By recognising sub-quotas for extremely backward classes, the measure aims to distribute the benefits of reservation more fairly.
Terms of Reference for the Rohini Commission
The Commission’s mandate includes examining the extent of unequal distribution of reservation benefits among different OBC subcategories. The objective is to determine scientific criteria, norms, and parameters for such sub-categorisation. The commission is also tasked to identify and classify respective castes or communities or sub-castes in the Central List of OBCs into their respective sub-categories, and rectify any ambiguities and errors.
Challenges Faced by the Commission
Key challenges include an absence of data regarding the population of various communities and representation in jobs and admissions. Also, while it was decided to collect OBC data in Census 2021, no consensus has been reached regarding OBC enumeration in the Census.
Findings by the Commission
In 2018, the Commission analysed data of 1.3 lakh central jobs given under the OBC quota over the preceding five years, as well as admissions to central higher education institutions over the preceding three years. Findings showed that 97% of all jobs and educational seats went to just 25% of all sub-castes classified as OBCs, and that 37% of the total OBC communities have zero representation.
OBC Recruitment in Central Government Jobs
Data from 42 ministries and departments revealed that OBC representation in central government jobs stood at 16.51% in Group-A services, 13.38% in Group-B services, 21.25% in Group-C (excluding safai karamcharis) and 17.72% in Group-C (safai karamcharis).
The NCBC discovered that numerous posts reserved for OBCs were filled by people of the general category as OBC candidates were declared “None Found Suitable” (NFS). The income limit for the creamy layer for OBCs is currently under review.
Legal Debate on Sub-categorisation
Recently, the Supreme Court of India reopened a similar legal debate on sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for reservations, referred to as “quota within quota” for SCs and STs. This debate parallels the discussion around the sub-categorisation of OBCs.
