Karnataka approved a revised internal reservation formula for Scheduled Castes on 24 April 2026. The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, placed the measure within the existing 15% SC quota in the State’s reservation framework.
Reservation Split For Scheduled Castes
The revised formula divides the 15% SC quota into three parts. The two major groups identified as “left-hand” and “right-hand” communities receive 5.25% each, and the remaining 4.5% is assigned to other Scheduled Castes, including nomadic communities. The State also decided to reserve 20% of Group C posts for 59 nomadic communities. This 20% provision falls within the 4.5% share assigned to other Scheduled Castes.
Constitutional And Legal Basis
Internal reservation is a sub-classification within a reserved category for distribution of benefits among different groups. The issue is linked to Article 16 of the Constitution, which deals with equality of opportunity in public employment. The Karnataka decision follows the Supreme Court ruling of 1 August 2024 that permitted States to implement internal reservation. The State’s move also follows the 50% ceiling on total reservations laid down by the Supreme Court in earlier reservation jurisprudence.
Earlier Karnataka Formula
In August and December 2025, the Karnataka Cabinet approved a 6:6:5 formula for a 17% SC quota. That proposal faced legal challenge and a High Court stay because the total reservation exceeded the 50% ceiling. The 2026 formula reduces the SC quota from 17% to 15%. Leader of Opposition R. Ashok criticised the reduction on 24 April 2026.
Recruitment And Roster System
The State linked the decision to recruitment for more than 56,000 government posts. Recruitment notifications based on the new internal reservation structure are to be issued immediately. A rotational and partially randomised roster system will be used for post allocation. The roster system is relevant when only one post is available in a cadre or recruitment cycle.
Background Of The Demand
The internal reservation demand has been associated with long-standing claims of unequal access among different Scheduled Caste groups. The Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission examined the issue before the Cabinet decision of 24 April 2026.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026