Learn about the rights, constitutional provisions, schemes, and need for sub-categorization for Other Backward Classes in India to ensure social justice.
theIASHub | 05 Jun, 2025 | 3081
The Other Backward Classes in India (OBCs) are recognized by the Indian Constitution as socially and educationally backward. They are provided with affirmative actions like reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. The aim is to uplift communities that have historically faced systemic marginalization.
According to the Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land Holdings of Households in Rural India, 2019, 44.4% of rural households belonged to OBCs. This highlights the vast population dependent on welfare measures and support structures provided by the government.
To protect the rights of the Other Backward Classes in India, the Constitution includes several provisions:
These scholarships support OBC students financially, encouraging them to complete school and college education.
Hostels are built to provide a safe and supportive environment for OBC students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue secondary and higher education.
This scheme helps OBC students pursue higher education, including M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees, by offering financial assistance.
The SHREYAS scheme focuses on the educational empowerment of OBC and EBC students through fellowships and interest subsidies on education loans for overseas studies.
The National Commission for Backward Classes was set up in 1993 and gained constitutional status under Article 338-B through the 102nd Amendment in 2018.
In the Indra Sawhney Case (1992), the Supreme Court validated the 27% OBC reservation but excluded the "creamy layer" — economically better-off OBCs — from benefits.
Despite implementation, many marginalized OBC sub-groups remain underrepresented. For example, in 2013, OBCs made up:
Their representation in CPSEs increased from 16.6% in 2004 to 28.5% in 2014. Yet, the benefits haven’t adequately reached the most disadvantaged among them.
Empowering the Other Backward Classes in India requires timely reforms, transparent implementation of policies, and a data-driven approach. Sub-categorization is essential for reaching the most disadvantaged sub-castes and ensuring social justice. It is time to ensure equitable access and effective delivery of benefits for Other Backward Classes in India.
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