Sub-Classification of Scs and STs

The Union government has supported in the Supreme Court the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for granting quota within quota in reservations. This reverses the Centre’s decade-long stand against sub-categorization. A seven-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud is examining the validity of the apex court’s 2004 judgement that had ruled states lack powers to further subclassify SCs/STs to provide quotas.

2004 Judgement and its Implications

• The 1994 Andhra Pradesh government order had granted 15% and 6% reservation for Malas and Madigas in educational institutes and government jobs respectively from the total SC quota
• This was based on the findings by the B.P. Mandal commission that these 2 subcastes with 57% share of state’s SC population had secured only 20% of total seats
• However, the Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that states cannot subdivide SCs without approval from National Commission for SCs under Article 341
• Over 2005-2015, at least 18 state laws attempting internal reservation systems for SCs were struck down due to this judgement
• This affected formulation of focused affirmative action plans empowering the most marginalized SC groups in states
• For instance, the Bihar government could not provide quotas for dhobis, musahars etc. who trail on literacy and income indices
• Meanwhile, dominant caste groups like Jatavs and Valmikis continued to secure most quota opportunities at state level

Rationale for Sub-Classification

• As per 2011 Census, over 201 million people or 16.6% of India’s population are categorized as SCs
• However, National Commission for SCs has identified that 10 major castes account for over 54% of the SC population
• For example, Jatavs/Chamars and Valmikis together comprise over 30%, skewing access to reserved opportunities
• Meanwhile, DHARS, a marginalized SC community in Odisha has 94.5% members earning under Rs 5000 per month vs state SC average of 78%
• Their literacy rate is just 2.5% compared to Odisha SC literacy average of 63%, highlighting stark inequality
• Hence, sub-classification aims to facilitate state specific interventions for most backward communities
• This enables designing special scholarship schemes, hostels, skill programs and budget allocations per their unique socioeconomic status
• Addressing disparities even among disadvantaged sections is vital for inclusive national progress

Disparities within SCs

• Per NCSC data, 10 major subcastes comprise 54% of total SC population while 10 minor ones account for under 3%
• Literacy rates for SCs range from 100% in Kerala to 37% in Rajasthan, indicating state-level disparities
• This skewed distribution of population and opportunities makes granular data analysis vital for designing targeted affirmative action policies

Need for Sub-Quota

• Total SC quota is distributed among all subgroups irrespective of population sizes
• Thus influential castes with larger numbers corner most benefits
• Marginalized subgroups remain underrepresented in jobs and education
• State-wise sub-quotas aligned to population shares will facilitate equitable access

Way Forward

• Supreme Court is balancing social justice versus meritocracy
• It is examining if subclassification still suits 21st century India
• However, reliable sub-categorized data is vital for informed policymaking
• The verdict will shape the future trajectory of affirmative action

The following table presents key reasons as to why further subdividing SCs is back in focus as a means towards enabling more well-directed positive discrimination so economic mobility is not limited to just a few politically dominant caste clusters.

Inclusive Growth Imperative

• Reversing ingrained social inequity has been India’s founding vision.
• Sub-classification aims to uplift sub-castes devoid of economic mobility despite 75 years of independence.
• Data-driven policies, insightful design and empathetic spirit vital to make growth inclusive.