The article begins by discussing an ongoing topic in the Indian social and political sphere – the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBC), spearheaded by a commission led by Justice (Retd.) G Rohini. Also under similar scrutiny is the issue of sub-categorising Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for reservations, a matter recently referred to a larger bench by the Supreme Court.
The Issue of OBC Sub-Categorisation
The Other Backward Classes, often abbreviated as OBCs, enjoy a reserved quota of 27% in jobs and education under the central government’s policies. However, it has been observed that only a few affluent communities among the total of over 2600 listed in the Central List of OBCs have claimed a significant share of this provision. This issue prompts the proposal for sub-categorisation or creating categories within OBCs for reservation. The primary objective of any such move would be to ensure a more “equitable distribution” of representation among all OBC entities.
Despite the merits of ensuring equal representation, the argument against sub-categorisation stresses the risk of potential politicisation. Critics argue that sub-categorisation could be manipulated to appease particular vote banks within the category, thereby distorting the principles of social justice.
Commission on OBC Sub-Categorisation
The commission, formed to examine the sub-categorisation of OBC, commenced its tenure in October 2017, initially set to end in January 2018. However, given the gravity of the task, the commission’s tenure was extended by six months until 31st January 2021, as approved by the Cabinet in June 2020.
Until November 2019, the central government had spent over Rs. 1.70 crore on the Commission, including salary and other overhead expenses. The funding was sourced from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which itself was accorded constitutional status by the government in 2018.
Commission’s Terms of References
The commission was entrusted with several key responsibilities, primarily examining the uneven distribution of reservation benefits among different castes listed as OBC. It was also tasked with working out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters for sub-categorisation using a scientific approach. Other duties included identifying the various castes, communities, sub-castes and synonyms for comprehensive data coverage and pinpointing any repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors of spelling or transcription.
Preliminary Findings of the Commission
Based on its study, the commission has released some initial findings. Analysis of data from 2018 shows that of the 1.3 lakh central jobs and admissions to central higher education institutions given under OBC quota, 24.95% were secured by only 10 OBC communities. Interestingly, it revealed that 97% of all OBC quota jobs and educational seats were claimed by just 25% of all sub-castes classified as OBCs.
The findings further showed that 983 OBC communities, constituting 37% of the total, had zero representation in jobs and educational institutions. Similarly, 994 OBC sub-castes combined had a meagre 2.68% representation in recruitments and admissions.
Lastly, the 2018-19 annual report by the Department of Personnel and Training indicated a significantly low OBC recruitment rate in central jobs. For instance, not a single professor or associate professor was appointed under the OBC quota in central universities. Posts reserved for them were instead filled by candidates from the general category as no suitable OBC candidates were found.
