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{{Short description|Term for socially or educationally disadvantaged group of people in India}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}

The '''Other Backward Class''' ('''OBC''') is a collective term used by the [[Government of India]] to classify [[caste|communities]] that are educationally or socially backward. It is one of several official classifications of the population of India, along with [[Forward caste|general castes]], [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] (SCs and STs). The OBCs were found to comprise 52% of the country's population by the [[Mandal Commission]] report of 1980 and were determined to be 41% in 2006 when the [[National Sample Survey Organisation]] took place.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/OBCs-form-41-of-population-Survey/articleshow/2328117.cms|title=OBCs form 41% of population: Survey |website=The Times of India|date=September 2007 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-01/india/27792478_1_obc-count-obc-numbers-nsso | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020047/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-01/india/27792478_1_obc-count-obc-numbers-nsso | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-12-03 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=OBc count: 52 or 41%?}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/01quota.htm|title=OBCs make up 41% of population: Survey|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> There is substantial debate over the exact number of OBCs in India; it is generally estimated to be sizable, but many believe that it is higher than the figures quoted by either the Mandal Commission or the National Sample Survey.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070526112503/http://in.news.yahoo.com/060524/43/64i2a.html What is India's population of other backward classes?],''Yahoo News''.</ref>

In the [[Indian Constitution]], OBCs are described as socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC), and the Government of India is enjoined to ensure their social and educational development&nbsp;—&nbsp;for example, the OBCs are entitled to 27% reservations in [[public sector]] employment and higher education. The list of OBCs maintained by the Indian [[Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]] is dynamic, with castes and communities being added or removed depending on social, educational, and economic factors. In a reply to a question in [[Lok Sabha]], Union Minister [[Jitendra Singh (politician, born 1956)|Jitendra Singh]] informed that as of January 2016, the percentage of OBCs in central government services is 21.57% and has shown an increasing trend since September 1993.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|author=Baral, Maitree|date=17 July 2019|url=https://www.ndtv.com/jobs/representation-of-reserved-categories-in-government-services-2071143|title=Representation of reserved categories in central govt jobs}}</ref> Likewise, in 2015, at educational institutions, funds meant for OBC students under the reservation policy were not used properly or were underused in cases of upgrading infrastructure as well as in violation of faculty recruitment of OBCs according to the 49% reservation policy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/funds-not-used-fully-in-educational-institutions-for-obc-reservation/articleshow/50300703.cms?from=mdr|title=Funds not used fully in educational institutions for OBC reservation|date=23 December 2015|access-date=4 March 2019|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>

Until 1985, the affairs of the Backward Classes were looked after by the Backward Classes Cell in the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. A separate Ministry of Welfare was established in 1985 (renamed in 1998 the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) to attend to matters relating to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://socialjustice.nic.in/breif.php|title=About Us - Brief History |publisher=Socialjustice.nic.in|access-date=2012-09-21}}</ref> The Backward Classes Division of the Ministry looks after the policy, planning, and implementation of programmes relating to social and economic empowerment of OBCs, and matters relating to two institutions set up for the welfare of OBCs, the [[National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation]] and the [[National Commission for Backward Classes]].

==Government obligation==
Under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution, the government must promote the welfare of the OBCs.
{{blockquote|The president may by order appoint a commission consisting of such persons as he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the union or any state to remove such difficulties and as to improve their condition and as to the grants that should be made, and the order appointing such commission shall define the procedure to be followed by the commission. ... A commission so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them and present to the president a report setting out the facts as found by them and making such recommendation as they think proper.|Article 340 of the Indian Constitution}}

A 1992 decision of the Supreme Court of India resulted in a requirement that 27% of civil service positions be reserved for members of OBCs.<ref name="12011/68/93"/> In a reply to a question in [[Lok Sabha]], Union Minister [[Jitendra Singh (politician, born 1956)|Jitendra Singh]] informed that as of January 2016, the percentage of OBCs in central government jobs is 21.57%.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Socio-economic status==
There existed a huge disparity among various castes and communities classified as Other Backward Class, even before the implementation of the reservation policy in government jobs and educational institutions, as per the recommendation of the Mandal Commission report. While a major section of Other Backward Castes was extremely backward, there existed a section that owned considerable land and employed [[Scheduled Castes]] (<span class="ltr">SC</span>) as agricultural labourers. In the agitation for implementation of the report of Mandal Commission, Scheduled Castes supported the Other Backward Castes, but after the implementation of these recommendations on the direction of [[Supreme Court of India]], the tension between a section of OBCs and SCs increased.<ref name=TF>{{cite book|title=Dalits, Subalternity and Social Change in India|year=2018|editor1 = Ajit K. Pandey|editor2=Ashok K. Pankaj|place=United Kingdom|publisher=Taylor & Francis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dHd0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT21 |pages=21–23|isbn=9780429785184 }}</ref>

In some states of North India, the [[Yadav]]s, [[Kurmi]]s, and the [[Koeri]]s, which were called "upper-OBC", were well off, due to ownership of a sizeable amount of land.<ref name=TF/> The abolition of [[Zamindari system]] in post-independence India raised many of the members of these communities to the status of landlords.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_3tqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT185 |first=Zarhani|last=Seyed Hossein|title=Governance and Development in India A Comparative Study on Andhra Pradesh and Bihar After Liberalization|place=United Kingdom|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2018|isbn=9781351255189|quote= Therefore, as Witsoe (2013, 41) and Robin (2009, 70) elaborate, after the abolition of the Zamindari system in Bihar, new landlords came from peasant caste backgrounds such as Koeri, Yadav, and Kurmi caste groups. These recently politically ascendant castes could be considered as the new political allies in a power struggle among the upper caste leaders in the Congress.}}</ref> Following the [[Green Revolution in India]], their landholdings and economic prosperity increased further; they acquired education and became an active participant in government jobs. Further, after the [[Mandal Commission protests of 1990|Mandal agitation]] subsided in North India, OBC leaders gained political power to outnumber the upper caste legislators in most of the north Indian states. This led to the formation of the OBC-led government in many states of North India. They also ended up claiming the high ritual status, which is defined as ''[[Sanskritisation]]''.<ref name=TF/>

However, the OBC consolidation in some of the states of north India like [[Bihar]], left many other OBC communities away from the development process. The political and economic prosperity was cornered by the dominant Backward Castes like [[Koeri]], [[Kurmi]] and [[Yadav]]; this was witnessed in the formation of political blocs in the state after 1995, in which, either side was dominated by these three castes.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IVxODwAAQBAJ&pg=PT66|last=Kumar|first=S.|year=2018|title=Post-Mandal Politics in Bihar: Changing Electoral Patterns|place=India|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=9789352805860 }}</ref>

Within this section of OBCs called upper-OBC, there also exists disparity in educational attainment and political mobilisation. While the Yadavs were the biggest beneficiary in political achievements, their political progress didn't improve their position in the caste hierarchy and the spread of education among them also remained less as compared to more educationally advanced communities like [[Kurmi|Awadhia Kurmi]], [[Koeri]] and [[Bania (caste)|Bania]]. Since the Yadavs were associated with cattle herding in contrast to other upper-OBCs, who were owner cultivators, trespassing into field of landlords and regular struggle with the latter was a challenge for their survival.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Tilak D.|last=Gupta.|title= "Yadav Ascendancy in Bihar Politics."|journal=Economic and Political Weekly| volume= 27|issue= 26|year=1992|pages=1304–06|jstor=4398537}}</ref> The mobilisation of Other Backward Class for social-economic ascendancy was not observed at the same pace and in the same manner in different north Indian states. In north India, states like [[Rajasthan]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] also have substantial populations of Backward Castes, yet, no movement as seen in states like Bihar took place in these states. Many observers have mentioned that in Bihar, the upper OBCs viz. Koeri, Kurmi, and Yadav's political ascendancy went hand in hand with land reforms and peasant movements, benefitting these three castes. These movements changed not only their political position but also their socio-economic profile. However, in the case of Madhya Pradesh, the national political parties like [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and [[Indian National Congress]] accommodated the Backward Class in the political structure of the state in a way that socio-political movement of any kind was prevented from taking place.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Verma|first=A. K.|title="Backward Caste Politics in Uttar Pradesh."|journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]]| volume=40|issue=36|year=2005|pages=3889–92| jstor=4417094}}</ref>

==Demographics==
===Kalelkar Commission===
{{Main|Kalelkar Commission}}

Adjacent is the distribution of population of each religion by caste categories, obtained from merged sample of Schedule 1 and Schedule 10 of available data from the [[National Sample Survey Organisation]] 55th (1999–2000) and [[National Sample Survey Organisation]] 61st Rounds (2004–05) Round Survey.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sachar |first=Rajindar |title=Sachar Committee Report(2004-2005) |publisher=Government of India |year=2006 |url=http://www.biharanjuman.org/sachar_committee_report.pdf |access-date=2008-09-27 }}</ref>

The [[Kalelkar Commission|First Backward Classes Commission]] was established by a presidential order on 29 January 1953 under the chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar and submitted its report on 30 March 1955. It had prepared a list of 2,399 backward castes or communities for the entire country, of which 837 had been classified as the "most backward". Some of the most notable recommendations of the Kalelkar Commission were:

# Undertaking caste-wise enumeration of the population in the census of 1961;
# Relating the social backwardness of a class to its low position in the traditional caste hierarchy of Indian society;
# Treating all women as a class as "backward";
# Reservation of 70 percent of seats in all technical and professional institutions for qualified students of backward classes.
# Reservation of vacancies in all government services and local bodies for other backward classes.

The commission in its final report recommended "caste as the criteria" to determine backwardness. However, the report was not accepted by the government, which feared that the backward classes excluded from the caste and communities selected by the commission might not be considered, and those in most need would be swamped by the multitudes, thus receiving insufficient attention.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

===Mandal Commission===
{{main|Mandal Commission}}

[[File:PopulationEstimations.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|**NFHS Survey estimated only Hindu OBC population. Total OBC population derived by assuming Muslim ABCation in the same proportion as Hindu OBC population.]]

The decision to set up a second backward classes commission was made official by the president on 1 January 1979. The commission is popularly known as the Mandal Commission, its chairman being [[B. P. Mandal]], submitted a report in December 1980 that stated that the [[population]] of OBCs, which includes both [[Hindus]] and non-Hindus, was around 52 percent of the total [[population]] according to the Mandal Commission. The number of backward castes and communities was 3,743 in the initial list of [[Mandal Commission]] set up in 1979–80.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/bc-dc-or-ec-what-lies-ahead-of-the-census-haphazard-lists-and-multiple-definitions-could-pose-hurdles-in-establishing-identity-during-the-caste-count/cid/518585|title=BC, DC or EC? What lies ahead of the census - Haphazard lists and multiple definitions could pose hurdles in establishing identity during the caste count|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/reservation-policy-for-obcs-who-would-benefit-and-the-costs-involved/1/180979.html|title=OBCs: Who are they?-Reservation policy for OBCs: Who would benefit and what are the costs involved|date=17 July 2006 |access-date = 2006-07-17}}</ref> The number of backward castes in Central list of OBCs has now increased to 5,013 (without the figures for most of the Union Territories) in 2006 as per [[National Commission for Backward Classes]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/ldquoTime-to-curb-number-of-backward-castesrdquo/article14834500.ece|title=Time to curb number of backward castes|newspaper=The Hindu|date=13 September 2007|access-date=4 March 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/the-muslim-obcs-and-affirmative-action/233259|title=The Muslim OBCs And Affirmative Action|website=Outlook (India)|date=30 November 2006 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/secc-2011-headed-mandal-2-quotas-2019-2347952.html|title=SECC 2011: Why we are headed for Mandal 2 and more quotas before 2019|website=Firstpost|date=17 July 2015|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> Mandal Commission developed 11 indicators or criteria to identify OBCs, of which four were economic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/753490/redesigning-reservations-why-removing-caste-based-quotas-is-not-the-answer|title=Redesigning reservations: Why removing caste-based quotas is not the answer|first=Ajaz|last=Ashraf|website=Scroll.in|date=5 September 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref>

The National Sample Survey puts the figure at 41%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060611/main2.htm |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |access-date=2012-09-21}}</ref> There is substantial debate over the exact number of OBCs in India, with census data compromised by partisan politics. It is generally estimated to be sizable, but higher than the figures quoted by either the Mandal Commission or and National Sample Survey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/060524/43/64i2a.html |title=What is India's population of other backward classes? |first=Arun |last=Anand |date=24 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526112503/http://in.news.yahoo.com/060524/43/64i2a.html |archive-date=26 May 2007}}</ref>

Twenty-seven percent of reservations were recommended owing to the legal constraint that the total quantum of reservations should not exceed 50 percent. States that have already introduced reservations for OBC exceeding 27 percent will not be affected by this recommendation. With this general recommendation, the commission proposed the following overall scheme of reservation for OBC:

# Candidates belonging to OBC recruited based on merit in an open competition should not be adjusted against their reservation quota of 27 percent.
# The above reservation should also be made applicable to the promotion quota at all levels.
# Reserved quota remaining unfilled should be carried forward for three years and de-reserved thereafter.
# Relaxation in the upper age limit for direct recruitment should be extended to the candidates of OBC in the same manner as done in the case of [[scheduled castes and scheduled tribes]].
# A roster system for each category of posts should be adopted by the concerned authorities in the same manner as presently done in respect to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe candidates.

These recommendations in total apply to all recruitment to public sector undertakings, both under the central and state governments as well as to nationalised banks. All private sector undertakings that have received financial assistance from the government in one form or another should also be obliged to recruit personnel on the aforesaid basis. All universities and affiliated colleges should also be covered by the above scheme of reservation. Although education is considered an important factor in bringing a desired social change, "educational reform" was not within the terms of reference of this commission. To promote literacy the following measures were suggested:

# An intensive time-bound programme for adult education should be launched in selected pockets with a high concentration of the OBC population.
# Residential schools should be set up in these areas for backward-class students to provide a climate especially conducive to serious studies. All facilities in these schools including board and lodging should be provided free of cost to attract students from poor and backward class homes.
# Separate hostels for OBC students with the above facilities will have to be provided.
# Vocational training was considered imperative.
# It was recommended that seats should be reserved for OBC students in all scientific, technical and professional institutions run by the central as well as state governments. The quantum of reservation should be the same as in the government services, i.e. 27 percent.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}}

{{static row numbers}}{{sort under}}{{Table alignment}}{{row hover highlight}}
{| class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header-text defaultright col1left hover-highlight" "
|+ NSSO estimated state wise Other Backword Classes demography<ref>{{cite report |title=Handbook on Social Welfare Statistics |publisher= Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |location=New Delhi |date=September 2018  |url=https://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/HANDBOOKSocialWelfareStatistice2018.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630165440/https://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/HANDBOOKSocialWelfareStatistice2018.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> 
! State and Union Territories !! 2011 Census population !! Aproximate OBC population !! % of OBC !! No of Central OBC Communities <br/>{{nobold|(as of Agaust 2018)}} 
|-
| [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] || 380,581 || {{number and percent | 69,000 | 380581 | 1 | disp=table}} || 5
|-
| [[Andhra Pradesh]] (including [[Telengana]]) || 84,580,777 || {{number and percent | 42629000 | 84580777 | 1 | disp=table}} || 190
|-
| [[Arunachal Pradesh]] || 1,383,727 || {{number and percent | 39000 | 1383727 | 1 | disp=table}} || 0
|-
| [[Assam]] || 31,205,576 || {{number and percent | 7895000 | 31205576 | 1 | disp=table}} || 28
|-
| [[Bihar]] || 104,099,452 || {{number and percent | 65166000 | 104099452 | 1 | disp=table}} || 132
|-
| [[Chandigarh]] || 1,055,450 || {{number and percent | 234000 | 1055450 | 1 | disp=table}} || 60
|-
| [[Chhattisgarh]] || 25,545,198 || {{number and percent | 11623000 | 25545198 | 1 | disp=table}} || 67
|-
| [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli]] || 343,709 || {{number and percent | 15000 | 343709 | 1 | disp=table}} || 10
|-
| [[Daman and Diu]] || 243,247 || {{number and percent | 92000 | 243247 | 1 | disp=table}} || 44
|-
| [[Goa]] || 1,458,545 || {{number and percent | 261000 | 1458545 | 1 | disp=table}} || 17
|-
| [[Gujarat]] || 60,439,692 || {{number and percent | 24297000 | 60439692 | 1 | disp=table}}|| 105
|-
| [[Haryana]] || 25,351,462 || {{number and percent | 7174000 | 25351462 | 1 | disp=table}}|| 73
|-
| [[Himachal Pradesh]] || 6,864,602 || {{number and percent | 1174000 | 6864602 | 1 | disp=table}}|| 52
|-
| [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] || 12,541,302 || {{number and percent | 1430000 | 12541302 | 1 | disp=table}} || 23
|-
| [[Jharkhand]] || 32,988,134 || {{number and percent | 15438000 | 32988134 | 1 | disp=table}}|| 134
|-
| [[Karnataka]] || 61,095,297 || {{number and percent | 33908000 | 61095297 | 1 | disp=table}} || 199
|-
| [[Kerala]] || 33,406,061 || {{number and percent | 21814000 | 33406061 | 1 | disp=table}} || 83
|-
| [[Lakshadweep]] || 64,473 || {{number and percent | 450 | 64473 | 1 | disp=table}} || 0
|-
| [[Madhya Pradesh]] || 72,626,809 || {{number and percent | 30140000 | 72626809 | 1 | disp=table}} || 68
|-
| [[Maharashtra]] || 112,374,333 || {{number and percent |37983000 | 112374333 | 1 | disp=table}} || 256
|-
| [[Manipur]] || 2,855,794 || {{number and percent | 1505000 | 2855794 | 1 | disp=table}} || 4
|-
| [[Meghalaya]] || 2,966,889 || {{number and percent | 36000 | 2966889 | 1 | disp=table}} || 0
|-
| [[Mizoram]] || 1,097,206 || {{number and percent | 18000 | 1097206 | 1 | disp=table}} || 0
|-
| [[Nagaland]] || 1,978,502 || {{number and percent | 4000 | 1978502 | 1 | disp=table}} || 0
|-
| [[Delhi|NCT of Delhi]] || 16,787,941 || {{number and percent | 3274000 | 16787941 | 1 | disp=table}} || 56
|-
| [[Odisha]] || 41,974,218 || {{number and percent | 13935000 | 41974218 | 1 | disp=table}} || 197
|-
| [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] || 1,247,953 || {{number and percent | 962000 | 1247953 | 1 | disp=table}} || 58
|-
| [[Punjab]] || 27,743,338 || {{number and percent | 4467000 | 27743338 | 1 | disp=table}} || 65
|-
| [[Rajasthan]] || 68,548,437 || {{number and percent | 32423000 | 68548437 | 1 | disp=table}} || 69
|-
| [[Sikkim]] || 610,577 || {{number and percent | 309000 | 610577 | 1 | disp=table}} || 8
|-
| [[Tamil Nadu]] || 72,147,030 || {{number and percent | 54904000 | 72147030 | 1 | disp=table}} || 182
|-
| [[Tripura]] || 3,673,917 || {{number and percent | 603000 | 3673917 | 1 | disp=table}} || 42
|-
| [[Uttar Pradesh]] || 199,812,341 || {{number and percent | 108898000 | 199812341 | 1 | disp=table}} || 76
|-
| [[Uttarakhand]] || 10,086,292 || {{number and percent | 1846000 | 10086292 | 1 | disp=table}} || 78
|-
| [[West Bengal]] || 91,276,115 || {{number and percent | 7941000 | 91276115 | 1 | disp=table}} || 98
|-
! India || 1,210,854,977 || {{number and percent | 532776000 | 1210854977 | 1 | disp=table}} || 2,479
|}

===Sub-categorisation===
In October 2017, the President of India [[Ram Nath Kovind]] notified a five-member Commission headed by [[Delhi High Court]]'s former Chief Justice [[G. Rohini]] under Article 340 of Indian Constitution,<ref name="obc">{{cite news | url=https://www.bahujansamachar.com/2018/04/28713-seats-of-sc-st-obc-candidates-are-vacant-in-ten-govt-offices.html | title=seats of sc st obc}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/apJaJEnbx6yWNzu6XN9AdP/Justice-G-Rohini-to-head-panel-on-OBC-subcategorization.html|title=Justice G. Rohini, chief of OBC sub-categorization panel, is no stranger to quota issue|first1=Priyanka |last1=Mittal |first2=Pretika|last2=Khanna|date=3 October 2017|website=Mint|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> to explore the idea of OBC sub-categorisation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-nath-kovind-other-backward-classes-community-the-constitution-1056535-2017-10-02|title=President Kovind appoints five-member commission to examine OBC sub-categorization|agency=Indo-Asian News Service |date=October 2, 2017 |magazine=India Today|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/10/02/why-obc-sub-categorisation-will-be-modi-s-ultimate-surgical-strike_a_23230527/|title=Why OBC Sub-Categorisation Will Be Modi's Ultimate Surgical Strike|date=3 October 2017|website=HuffPost India|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/caste-and-class/article19555387.ece|title=Caste and class: On OBC sub-categorisation|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 August 2017|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The National Commission for Backward Classes had recommended it in 2011 and a standing committee too had repeated this. The committee has a three-point mandate:<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/obc-list-to-be-sub-categorised/article19547916.ece|title=OBC list to be sub-categorised|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 August 2017|access-date=4 March 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

# To examine the "extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation" among various castes and communities that come under the Central OBC list.
# To work out the mechanism, criteria, and parameters for the actual sub-categorisation. The actual OBC reservation will continue to be 27% and within this, the committee will have to do the re-arranging.
# Bringing order to the Central list of OBCs by removing any repetitions.

The committee will have to deliver the report within 12 weeks of its constitution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/panel-to-split-obcs-into-sub-categories/articleshow/60200439.cms|title=Panel to split OBCs into sub-categories |website=The Times of India|date=24 August 2017 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> The lower OBCs form around 35% of the population in Uttar Pradesh. OBC sub-categorisation has already been implemented at state level by 11 states: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir region and Haryana, and the union territory of Puducherry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/obc-sub-categorisation-an-idea-that-bloomed-for-bjp-in-up/article19545617.ece|title=OBC sub-categorisation: An idea that bloomed for BJP in U.P.|first=Nistula|last=Hebbar|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 August 2017|access-date=4 March 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The term of the commission has been extended to 31 May 2019.  Its report stated that prime beneficiaries of 97% OBC reservation include Yadav, Kurmi, Jat (Jats of Rajasthan except those of Bharatpur and Dholpur district are in Central OBC list), Saini, Thevar, Ezhava and Vokkaliga castes.<ref name="sarakariacommision">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jobs-admissions-97-of-central-obc-quota-benefits-go-to-just-under-25-of-its-castes-5482443/|title=Jobs, admissions: 97% of Central OBC quota benefits go to just under 25% of its castes|date=7 December 2018|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> After 13 extensions to its tenure, Rohini Commission submitted its report to President [[Droupadi Murmu]] on 31 July 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-08-01 |title=Justice Rohini panel on OBC sub-categorisation submits report after 14 extensions |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/justice-rohini-panel-on-obc-sub-categorisation-submits-report-after-14-extensions/article67147664.ece |access-date=2023-10-10 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The report is more than 1,000-pages long and is divided in two parts- the first part deals with how the OBC quota should be allocated; and the second part is an updated list of all 2,633 OBC castes across India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/major-departure-justice-g-rohini-commission-recommends-overhaul-of-obc-quota-allocation-in-voluminous-report-101693596065371.html|title=Rohini Commission may recommend key changes to OBC quota policy|date=2 September 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/40-percent-obcs-got-no-quota-benefits-in-past-three-five-years-reveals-report/articleshow/67480344.cms|title=40 percent OBCs got no quota benefits in past three-five years, reveals report|newspaper=The Times of India |date=11 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/parliament-special-session-rohini-commission-obc-sub-categorisation-backward-class-2430079-2023-09-02|title=How Rohini panel report on backward classes could shake up Parliament, 2024 polls|website=India Today|date=2 September 2023 }}</ref>

==Legal disputes==

===Creamy layer and Indra Sawhney vs Union of India===
The term [[creamy layer]] was first coined by Justice Krishna Iyer in 1975 in the State of Kerala vs NM Thomas case, wherein he observed that "the danger of 'reservation', it seems to me, is three-fold. Its benefits, by and large, are snatched away by the top creamy layer of the 'backward' caste or class, thus keeping the weakest among the weak always weak and leaving the fortunate layers to consume the whole cake".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/qrydisp.asp?tfnm=5862 |title=Supreme Court of India Order |website=The Judgement Information System |access-date=27 October 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054031/http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/qrydisp.asp?tfnm=5862 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Anish |last2=Giri |first2=Aaleya |date=12 September 2015 |title=Scourge of Reservation: The Invisible Creamy Layer |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/scourge-of-reservation-the-invisible-creamy-layer.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Pioneer |type=Op-ed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914234705/http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/scourge-of-reservation-the-invisible-creamy-layer.html |archive-date=2015-09-14}}</ref> 1992 [[Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India]] judgment laid down the limits of the state's powers: it upheld the ceiling of 50 percent quotas, emphasized the concept of "social backwardness", and prescribed 11 indicators to ascertain backwardness. The nine-judge Bench judgement also established the concept of qualitative exclusion, such as the "creamy layer".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-order-reserved/|title=Explained: Order reserved|date=23 March 2015|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/building-a-just-society/|title=For an equitable society, reservations must be extended to private sector|date=23 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Plea-to-reconsider-judgment-in-Indra-Sawhney-case-of-1992/article14821432.ece|title=Plea to reconsider judgment in Indra Sawhney case of 1992|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 August 2007|access-date=4 March 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The creamy layer is only applicable in the case of Other Backward Castes and not applicable on other groups like SC or ST. The creamy layer criteria were introduced at Rs 100,000 in 1993, and revised to Rs 250,000 in 2004, Rs 450,000 in 2008, and Rs 600,000 in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Raise-creamy-layer-to-Rs-10-5-lakh-OBC-panel/articleshow/47155884.cms|title=Raise 'creamy layer' to Rs 10.5 lakh: OBC panel |website=The Times of India|date=5 May 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> In October 2015, [[National Commission for Backward Classes]] proposed that a person belonging to OBC with an annual family income of up to Rs 1.5 million should be considered as minimum ceiling for OBC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/OBC-panel-backs-off-wont-make-creamy-layer-reservation-criteria-stringent/articleshow/49545470.cms|title=OBC panel backs off, won't make 'creamy layer' reservation criteria stringent |website=The Times of India|date=27 October 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> NCBC also recommended sub-division of OBCs into 'backward', 'more backward' and 'extremely backward' blocs and divide 27% quota amongst them in proportion to their population, to ensure that stronger OBCs don't corner the quota benefits.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/OBC-sub-division-relaxing-creamy-layer-is-a-must-NCBC-tells-govt/articleshow/49532421.cms|title=OBC sub-division, relaxing creamy layer is a must: NCBC tells govt |website=The Times of India|date=26 October 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Raise-creamy-layer-to-Rs-10-5-lakh-OBC-panel/articleshow/47155884.cms|title=Raise 'creamy layer' to Rs 10.5 lakh: OBC panel |website=[[The Times of India]]|date=5 May 2015 }}</ref> In August 2017, NDA government announced the creamy layer ceiling in the OBC category from getting reservation in jobs, has been raised from Rs 6 lakh a year to Rs 8 lakh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/creamy-layer-income-cap-for-obcs-raised-to-rs-8l-per-annum-says-arun-jaitley/story-Otgdlzn41jjDBrW41MncrK.html|title='Creamy layer' income bar for OBCs raised, new panel for sub-categories|date=23 August 2017|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref>

===Supreme Court interim stay===
On 29 March 2007, the [[Supreme Court of India]], as an interim measure, stayed the law providing for 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes in educational institutions like IITs and IIMs. This was done in response to a public interest litigation&nbsp;— [[Ashoka Kumar Thakur vs. Union of India (Supreme Court Case)|Ashoka Kumar Thakur vs. Union of India]]. The Court held that the 1931 census could not be a determinative factor for identifying the OBCs to provide reservation. The court also observed, "Reservation cannot be permanent and appear to perpetuate backwardness".<ref name=interimstay>{{cite news | title = Supreme Court OBC quota in IITs, IIMs| url = http://in.rediff.com/news/2007/mar/29quota.htm| work = rediff.com| publisher = Rediff.com India Limited| date = 29 March 2007| access-date = 2007-04-01}}</ref>

===Supreme Court verdict===
On 10 April 2008, the Supreme Court of India upheld the government's initiative of 27% OBC quotas in government-funded institutions. The Court has categorically reiterated its prior stand that those considered part of the "[[Creamy layer]]" should be excluded by government-funded institutions and by private institutions from the scope of the reservation policy. The verdict produced mixed reactions from supporting and opposing quarters.

Several criteria to identify the portion of the population comprising the "creamy layer" have been recommended, including the following:<ref name=telegraphcutoff>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080411/jsp/frontpage/story_9123781.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412105903/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080411/jsp/frontpage/story_9123781.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2008|title=New Cutoff for OBCs|date=11 April 2008|access-date=2008-04-11|work=The Telegraph|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref>
* Children of those with family income above {{INR}} 250,000 a year, and then {{INR}} 450,000 a year {{as of|lc=yes|2008|October}} and now {{INR}} 800,000 a year, should be considered creamy layer, and excluded from the reservation quota.
* Children of doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, actors, consultants, media professionals, writers, bureaucrats, defence officers of colonel and equivalent rank or higher, high court and Supreme Court judges, and all central and state government Class A and B officials should be excluded.
* The Court has requested Parliament to exclude the children of MPs and MLAs as well.

===Supreme Court conclusions from Ashoka Kumar Thakur vs. Union of India===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
# The Constitution (Ninety-Third Amendment) Act, 2006 does not violate the "basic structure" of the Constitution so far as it relates to the state-maintained institutions and aided educational institutions. The question of whether the Constitution (Ninety-Third Amendment) Act, 2006 would be constitutionally valid or not so far as "private unaided" educational institutions are concerned, is left open to be decided in an appropriate case.
# The "[[creamy layer]]" principle is one of the parameters to identify backward classes. Therefore, principally, the "creamy layer" principle cannot be applied to STs and SCs, as SCs and STs are separate classes by themselves.
# Preferably there should be a review after ten years to take note of the change of circumstances.
# A graduation (not technical graduation) or professional course deemed to be educationally forward.
# Principle of exclusion of [[creamy layer]] applicable to OBC's.
# The Central Government shall examine the desirability of fixing cut-off marks in respect of the candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to balance reservation with other societal interests and to maintain standards of excellence. This would ensure quality and merit would not suffer. If any seats remain vacant after adopting such norms they shall be filled up by candidates from general categories.
# So far as the determination of backward classes is concerned, a notification should be issued by the Union of India. This can be done only after the exclusion of the creamy layer for which necessary data must be obtained by the Central Government from the State Governments and Union Territories. Such Notification is open to challenge on the grounds of wrongful exclusion or inclusion. Norms must be fixed keeping in view the peculiar features in different States and Union Territories. There has to be proper identification of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). For identifying backward classes, the Commission set up under the directions of this Court in Indra Sawhney 1 has to work more effectively and not merely decide applications for inclusion or exclusion of castes.
# The Parliament should fix a deadline by which time free and compulsory education will have reached every child. This must be done within six months, as the right to free and compulsory education is perhaps the most important of all the fundamental rights (Art.21 A). Without education, it becomes extremely difficult to exercise other fundamental rights.
# If material is shown to the Central Government that the Institution deserves to be included in the Schedule (institutes which are excluded from reservations) of The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 (No. 5 of 2007), the Central Government must take an appropriate decision based on materials placed and on examining the concerned issues as to whether Institution deserves to be included in the Schedule of the said act as provided in Sec 4 of the said act.
# Held that the determination of SEBCs is done not solely based on caste and hence, the identification of SEBCs does not violate Article 15(<span class="ltr">1</span>) of the Constitution.

===Supreme Court scrapped Jat Reservations in Central OBCs list===
In March 2015, Supreme Court of India scrapped Jat Reservations saying that [[Jat people|Jats]] are not socially and economically backward in reference with [[National Commission for Backward Classes]]' (NCBC) opinion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/714288/the-one-paragraph-from-the-supreme-courts-jat-quota-judgment-that-slams-competitive-backwardness|title=The one paragraph from the Supreme Court's Jat quota judgment that slams competitive backwardness|first=Rohan|last=Venkataramakrishnan|website=Scroll.in|date=17 March 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/723177/why-is-the-media-outraging-against-obc-reservations-when-its-the-higher-castes-who-have-cornered-jobs|title=Why is the media outraging against OBC reservations when it's the higher castes who have cornered jobs?|first=Indrajit|last=Roy|website=Scroll.in|date=14 May 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/714430/the-daily-fix-supreme-court-reminds-india-that-the-third-word-in-obc-is-class-not-caste|title=The Daily Fix: Supreme Court reminds India that the third word in OBC is 'class' not 'caste'|first=Rohan|last=Venkataramakrishnan|website=Scroll.in|date=18 March 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/jats-put-in-obc-as-per-constitutional-mandate-centre-to-sc/|title=Jats put in OBC as per Constitutional mandate: Centre to SC|date=5 April 2015}}</ref> Supreme Court judgement quashed the proposed inclusion of Jats in Central list of OBCs on the basis that Jats are already given OBC status in 9 States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/verdict-on-scrapping-quota-for-jats/article7061406.ece|title=Centre moves Supreme Court seeking review of Jat quota verdict|first=Legal|last=Correspondent|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 April 2015|access-date=4 March 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> On 21 July 2015, Supreme Court rejected Centre's review plea for its verdict of quashing Jat reservation in OBCs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/OBC-status-for-Jats-SC-quashes-Centres-review-plea/articleshow/48160573.cms|title=OBC status for Jats: SC quashes Centre's review plea |website=The Times of India|date=21 July 2015 |access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref>

==Central List of OBCs==
{{see also|List of Muslim Other Backward Classes communities in India}}
Lists of OBCs are maintained by both the [[National Commission for Backward Classes]] and the individual states.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/west-bengal-recommends-87-castes-for-central-obc-list/articleshow/103672150.cms|title=West Bengal recommends 87 castes for central OBC list|newspaper=The Economic Times |date=14 September 2023 |last1=Sharma |first1=Nidhi }}</ref> The central list does not always reflect the state lists, which can differ significantly.{{Citation needed|date=July 2015}} A community identified as a nationally recognized OBC in the NCBC central list may be so recognized only in specific states or only in limited areas within specific states. Occasionally, it is not an entire community that is thus classified but rather some parts within it.<ref name="12011/68/93" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ncbc.nic.in/Home.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fCentrallistifobc.html|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=ncbc.nic.in|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref> As of 2023,  Maharashtra has the highest number of OBC castes listed under Central List of OBCs, followed by Odisha, Karnataka  and Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/bjp-caste-maratha-quota-jati-census-obc-sub-categorisation-8938518/|title=BJP's caste conundrum ahead of 2024: Maratha quota to jati census to OBC sub-categorisation|date=13 September 2023 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"  width:45%; text-align:center;" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px"
|- style="background: #E9E9E9"
|+ Distribution of state-wise caste in Central OBC list
! State/UT !! Number of castes in Central OBC list
|-
| [[Maharashtra]] || 261
|-
| [[Odisha]] || 200
|-
| [[Karnataka]] || 199
|-
| [[Tamil Nadu]] || 181
|-
| [[Bihar]] || 136 
|-
| [[West Bengal]] || 98 
|-
| [[Uttar Pradesh]] || 76
|-
| All India || 2633
|}

===Christians===
The [[Karnataka]] State Government has issued notification granting OBC reservation benefits to [[Roman Catholic Brahmin|Brahmin Christian]], [[Kuruba]] Christian, [[Madiga]] Christian, [[Akkasaliga|Akkasali]] Christian, Sudri Christian, Scheduled Caste converted to Christianity, [[Settibalija|Setty Balija]] Christian, Nekara Christian, [[Paravar]] Christian and [[Banjara|Lambani]] Christian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2015/jan/06/caste-census-to-focus-on-education-economy-701857.html|title=Caste Census to Focus on Education, Economy|website=The New Indian Express|date=6 January 2015 }}</ref>

The [[Kerala]] government grants OBC reservation benefits to [[Latin Catholics of Malabar|Latin Catholics of Kerala]], [[Anglo-Indian|Anglo Indians]] and [[Latin Catholics of Malabar|Nadar Christians]] included in [[Church of South India|South India United Church]] (SIUC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralapsc.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&id=338&Itemid=198|title=List of SCs - STs - OBCs &#124; Kerala Public Service Commission, Government of Kerala, India|website=www.keralapsc.gov.in|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref>

The [[Government of Maharashtra]] grants OBC reservation benefits to [[Bombay East Indians|East Indian Catholics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=शासन निर्णय (Official GR) |url=https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/Government%20Resolutions/English/20060307125652001.pdf |publisher=Government of Maharashtra |access-date=19 February 2020}}</ref>

===Politically important social groups listed as OBC===
* [[Koli people|Koli]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koli community leaders meet, seek their due from political parties |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-koli-community-leaders-meet-seek-their-due-from-political-parties-2574525 |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> in the National<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuo5Ww/EcQPqeqoATXAB7p/QEBF7wOoZVUZeNdA4Fs5xoHN3KPmF8ST |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> as well as state list of [[Goa]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goa OBC caste list 2022 |url=https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/citizens-charter-Sc-OBC.pdf |date=2022 |website=Goa.Gov.in}}</ref> [[Gujarat]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Other Backward Class |url=https://sje.gujarat.gov.in/ddcw/List-of-Socially-and-Educationally-Backward-Classes-of-Gujarat-State?lang=English |website=Gujarat.Gov.In}}</ref> [[Daman and Diu]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLt8a5dxY/huUNOVKOPzPpwDQRscORk2BsrMUNMDn9VLxMp5itOVUUVl |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsxd+9+s0uIb26Ezq2qkkg0dpU9tRhvabO7KGCVKcnUGj1m3h4/aFWT |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Karnataka]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-01-06 |title=Koli leaders demand inclusionof all sub-groups in list of STs |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/koli-leaders-demand-inclusionof-all-sub-groups-in-list-of-sts/article25927832.ece |access-date=2022-11-06 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Koli community hopeful of getting ST tag in Karnataka |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/koli-community-hopeful-of-getting-st-tag-in-karnataka/articleshow/59305521.cms |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=The Times of India |date=25 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref> [[Maharashtra]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Commission for Backward Classes |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsN+CCWgSsv8+uAyaBuDqnRoSLrvXbEEJTY+y0eazrlMjhC5BUvBdUU |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref>
* [[Rajput]]s in National<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsThxqt53NPf0ggPwu7BzPqq3bdU2%2bMS4jCYieqRNO1XcIozUEJpyYh| title=Central OBC list, Karnataka|website=National Commission for Backward Classes|access-date=2020-11-30}}</ref><ref name="Central OBC">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/cl/karnataka.pdf|title=PDF - National OBC list for Karnataka}}</ref> as well as State<ref name="Karnataka">{{cite web|title=CASTE LIST Government Order No.SWD 225 BCA 2000, Dated:30th March 2002. |url=http://kpsc.kar.nic.in/New%20Cast%20List.htm |website=KPSC |publisher=Karnataka Government |access-date=17 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920230051/http://kpsc.kar.nic.in/New%20Cast%20List.htm |archive-date=20 September 2014 }}</ref> OBC list of Karnataka.
* [[Lodhi (caste)|Lodhi Rajputs]] in states of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana only and except these states they are notified as [[Forward caste|Forward Caste]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/CentralListStateView.aspx|title=Lodhis as OBC in 10 states of India.}}</ref>
* [[Bishnoi]]/[[Bishnoi|Vishnoi]] in only State <ref>https://sec.rajasthan.gov.in/cm/upload/List%20of%20OBC.pdf|title=OBC list of Rajathan-PDF</ref> OBC list in Rajasthan State.
* [[Sunar|Goldsmith]] or [[Sunar]]/Soni/Sunar/Swarankar in Central <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLv31HvqDjLo2b6bRBzpX69AoP2QYNS1c%2bG5fYPaeM7PeVCET3GMjhgG | title=National Commission for Backward Classes }}</ref><ref>http://www.ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/2635221884005388474.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/note17635288548297625558.pdf</ref> as well as the State <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sje.rajasthan.gov.in/Default.aspx?PageID=67|title=List of Caste OBC|website=sje.rajasthan.gov.in}}</ref> OBC list in Rajasthan.
* [[Khatri]]s in the National<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLv%2b2hza1cVSjGj2lbN6VTmq%2fWN4CcSyOxTDAvIblVnkv9NFuhO%2bdz42| title=Central OBC list, Tamil Nadu|website=National Commission for Backward Classes|access-date=2020-11-30}}</ref> as well as State<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/bclist.htm |title= List of Backward Classes approved by Government of Tamil Nadu |website= |publisher=Department of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, Tamil Nadu |access-date=6 March 2021|quote= Sl.No 59}}</ref> OBC list of Tamil Nadu.
* [[Urs (surname)|Aras (Urs)]] community of the [[Wadiyar dynasty|Mysore Wodeyars]] in Karnataka.<ref name="Arasu community included in Backward Classes 2A category">{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-arasu-community-included-in-backward-classes-2a-category-1637160|title=Arasu community included in Backward Classes 2A category|date=2012-01-13|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Kathi people|Kathi]]s in the central list of Gujarat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuo5Ww%2fEcQPqeqoATXAB7p%2fQEBF7wOoZVUZeNdA4Fs5xoHN3KPmF8ST| title=Central OBC list, Gujarat|website=National Commission for Backward Classes|access-date=2021-07-13}}</ref>
* [[Ezhava]] in the state list of [[Kerala]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bcdd.kerala.gov.in/en/communities/state-obc-list/| title=List of OBC communities}}</ref>
* [[Ahoms]] in the central list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvrfca7yFSI%2F925Go7SY9937UQ98B5lbFdbKCi85fJtx2wivIdOyNDx | title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=www.ncbc.nic.in|access-date=2021-02-17}}</ref>
* [[Jat]]s in the state list of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh. However only the Jats of Rajasthan – excluding those of Bharatpur district and Dholpur district – are entitled to reservation of central government jobs under the OBC reservation.<ref name="Times of India">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rajasthan-was-first-state-to-extend-obc-benefits-to-jats-in-1999/articleshow/51103445.cms |title=Rajasthan was first state to extend OBC benefits to jats in 1999|newspaper=Timesofindia.com|date=23 February 2016 |access-date= 23 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="Govt list">{{cite web |url=https://sje.rajasthan.gov.in/Default.aspx?PageID=67 |title=List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of Rajasthan State |website=sje.rajasthan.gov.in |access-date= 28 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[Yadav]]s in many states list except Punjab.<ref>https://bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/obc/faq/uttarpradesh.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jagran.com/punjab/firozpur-13022363.html | title='अहीर-यादव' को पिछड़ी श्रेणी में शामिल न करने से रोष }}</ref>

===Listed Brahmins and other priestly communities===
* [[Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins]] in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka.<ref>
{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvX4YwLqUBC2NUPs1mZbhKbKhWJfmW+7ZgXWaQGOVNjwfOOnQuzOlde|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=www.ncbc.nic.in|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsThxqt53NPf0ggPwu7BzPqgy3u3lupJmQLsT8/MjBlhiG/b0Het9uX|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=www.ncbc.nic.in|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref>
* [[Bhargava|Bhargava Dakaut]] or [[Joshi]] Brahmins in the states of Rajasthan,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLv31HvqDjLo2b6bRBzpX69AuevOb6OGP5DsC5gpIwo1/UhqMgvCp07Y|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=www.ncbc.nic.in|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi
* [[Kattaha Brahmin]] in the state of Rajasthan.<ref name="auto"/>
* [[Saurashtra Brahmin]]s in the states of Tamil Nadu<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLv+2hza1cVSjGj2lbN6VTmq/WN4CcSyOxTDAvIblVnkv9NFuhO+dz42|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=www.ncbc.nic.in|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref> and Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvX4YwLqUBC2NUPs1mZbhKbP42N+Xtmvwb+Hm6V1GqYkr6sDSgvI/Sb|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|website=www.ncbc.nic.in|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref>
* [[Goswami]], Nath, [[Jogi (caste)|Jogi]], [[Yogi]], [[Giri]] Brahmin in some states (Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar central list in notified general categories) Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat in OBC.
* Dhiman and [[Jangid]] Brahmins in the states of [[Chandigarh]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Delhi]],<ref name=":1" /> [[Haryana]],<ref name=":2" /> [[Himachal Pradesh]],<ref name=":3" /> [[Punjab]],<ref name=":4" /> [[Uttar Pradesh]],<ref name=":5" /> [[Uttarakhand]].<ref name=":6" />
* [[Bairagi (caste)|Bairagi]] in the states of [[Chandigarh]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLs6Ml5fN1KWlysLFJ9ZZUT0wVyipx/cKbXgvxsxWmh8vAkBPMBJGs/L|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Chhattisgarh]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvU0s0yRV7aeb13aoM90cT9ioOuR4xIGRL/PpW8Y55aF3GqmP+6qk0h|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Delhi]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvYWWarIfsJpAU09izbLPYElcezG29yU0iGiE06dFe/6LJkoytsMWec|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Haryana]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLtSFTL0ASsWZiEMIyxBfIugSJe8arywMwfWfPq16O6iHdjTWVqYIXVu|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Himachal Pradesh]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvnHHKZ9t8g+EgijzJVQtho7CaGSXROrDtM9fybcBvLdUE90UeQwWqY|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Jharkhand]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLtntPZrP1xnZG8nZ34XuoBfsHwTY/8cYIdPy3GhAzIle6lduoM7zNVH|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Madhya Pradesh]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuPAiTDwaBMRTkcitPtwFoYM/vPkOo88fWK/s/LWkaxMKHeos/c/Kys|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Odisha]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLs9KFQF7Vtb/nFssWGD/Stdd0AoHuDmMlE1cjWi2dtJRwAnui0pITyJ|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Punjab]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuTMjHNGD7tLAGJDr0rFZ6gQLuDB/be2VQawqI1srOZXpS98tTBZQrI|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Uttar Pradesh]],<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvxbegUDuc3MN4eB5E3Ecc1drRPAf1qXQ+l0IqIfhjN1xHrf4i2h5g0|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref> [[Uttarakhand]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=National Commission for Backward Classes|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsuCb9GxzA3FUXPNZAkS8Kj+VqdHT8iuedaGzNgriEQksoNWttsla2n|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.ncbc.nic.in}}</ref>
* [[Gurav]] or Shaiva Brahmin in the state of Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lxzhDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA57|title=Contested Capital: Rural Middle Classes in India: Rural Middle Classes in India|page=57|author=Maryam Aslany|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date=3 December 2020|isbn=9781108836333}}</ref>
*

== Caste surveys held in Indian states ==

# '''Socio-Economic Survey of Kerala 1968''': In 1968, the Communist government under [[E. M. S. Namboodiripad]] ordered a socio-economic survey of each resident in the state of Kerala, to assess caste inequalities. Until the census of 2011, this survey was the only caste-based count conducted in post-independence India. The survey was not very conclusive, since it merged several unrelated castes into one group (for example, Ambalavasis and Tamil Brahmins were grouped along with Malayali Brahmins). The survey found that individuals belonging to higher castes possessed more land and had relatively higher per capita income as compared to the general population. The survey found that 33% of the state's population was [[forward caste]], almost half of whom were [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syrian Christians]]. According to the survey, 13% of the Brahmins, 6.8% of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholics]], 5.4% of the [[Malankara Orthodox Church|Jacobites]] and 4.7% of the [[Nairs]] owned more than 5 acres of land. This compared with 1.4% of the [[Ezhavas]], 1.9% of the Muslims, and 0.1% of the Scheduled Castes who had that much land in their possession.<ref>{{Cite journal|jstor = 4367366|title = Caste, Class and Economic Opportunity in Kerala: An Empirical Analysis|journal = Economic and Political Weekly|volume = 14|issue = 7/8|pages = 475–480|last1 = Sivanandan|first1 = P|year = 1979}}</ref>
# '''Telangana's Samagra Kutumba Survey 2014''' <small>[published 2022]</small>''':''' The report reveals that [[Telangana|Telangana's]] population of around 36.9 million is distributed among various caste groups. Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) represent approximately 18.48% and 11.74% of the population, respectively. Most of the population belongs to Backward Castes (BCs), making up 51% of the population, although the findings were never made public due to various court cases against it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/tgana-led-caste-census-chorus-with-samagra-kutumba-survey-9-yrs-ago/articleshow/104328891.cms|title=T'gana led caste census chorus with Samagra Kutumba Survey 9 yrs ago|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=11 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/telangana/telangana-s-new-municipal-act-will-bc-reservation-get-diluted-upcoming-elections-105853|title=Telangana's new Municipal Act: Will BC reservation get diluted in upcoming elections?|first=Charan|last=Teja|date=21 July 2019|website=The News Minute}}</ref> Other castes comprise 16.03%, while religious minorities account for 10.65% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telangana Open Data Portal |url=https://data.telangana.gov.in/dataset/integrated-household-survey |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=data.telangana.gov.in |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221241/https://data.telangana.gov.in/dataset/integrated-household-survey |url-status=live }}</ref>
# '''Karnataka Caste Census 2015'''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-08-21 |title=Karnataka: Key caste census report gathers dust |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-key-caste-census-report-gathers-dust/articleshow/85507637.cms |access-date=2023-05-11 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221240/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-key-caste-census-report-gathers-dust/articleshow/85507637.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> <small>[status unknown]</small>: The Social and Educational Survey ordered by then Chief Minister [[Siddaramaiah]] in 2014 to inform Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations in [[Karnataka]] is yet to be published as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/karnataka-yet-to-make-2015-data-public-as-demand-for-caste-census-rages-101695671164957.html|title=Karnataka yet to make 2015 data public as debate on caste census rages|date=26 September 2023|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Initiated by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, the survey involved 1.6 lakh government employees canvassing around 1.3 crore households, costing the state Rs 169 crore. However, the report remains unpublished despite eight years passing, multiple government tenures, and repeated calls for its release from various political leaders. Controversy surrounds the issue with successive social welfare ministers, including [[H. Anjaneya|H Anjaneya]] and [[Kota Srinivas Poojary|Kota Shrinivas Poojary]], blaming delays on incomplete tabulation and non-submission by the state BC Commission headed by MP Jayaprakash Hegde. Some sources suggest political pressure and potential upheaval in the state's power dynamics, particularly concerning the traditionally dominant [[Lingayatism|Lingayat]] and [[Vokkaliga]] communities, as reasons for the report's non-disclosure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-21 |title=Rahul corners BJP over caste census. But where is Cong govt's Karnataka caste data? |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rahul-corners-bjp-over-caste-census-where-cong-govt-s-karnataka-caste-data-176193 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=The News Minute |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221240/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rahul-corners-bjp-over-caste-census-where-cong-govt-s-karnataka-caste-data-176193 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka has decided to accept the 2015 socio-economic caste survey report, potentially stirring controversy as it reveals that the population of Vokkaligas and Lingayats is lower than commonly believed, with Dalits being the largest demographic group.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-08 |title=Karnataka government to accept 2015 'caste survey' report: CM Siddaramaiah |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-government-to-accept-2015-caste-survey-report-karnataka-cm-siddaramaiah/articleshow/100831076.cms |access-date=2023-10-03 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
# '''Uttarakhand OBC Survey''' <small>[ongoing]</small>: The ongoing Other Backward Classes (OBC) survey in [[Uttarakhand]] has experienced significant delays and issues with accuracy, leading to intervention by the single-member dedicated commission. Various districts have reported non-compliance with survey guidelines, including instances of reliance on outdated data rather than conducting new door-to-door surveys, as seen in [[Khatima]]. In response, the commission has cancelled the flawed survey, ordering a redo within 15 days, and transferred the officer in charge. Similar corrective measures have been taken in [[Champawat]] and [[Dharchula]]. Despite these efforts, the commission has yet to receive any completed data, not even from [[Dehradun]], and the survey's conclusion has been extended to June 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-28 |title=Uttarakhand: Inadequacies found with OBC survey, commission takes action |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/uttarakhand-inadequacies-found-with-obc-survey-commission-takes-action/articleshow/99829084.cms |access-date=2023-05-11 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221239/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/uttarakhand-inadequacies-found-with-obc-survey-commission-takes-action/articleshow/99829084.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
# '''Bihar caste-based survey 2022''':<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-can-t-stop-bihar-from-releasing-more-caste-data-101696616745579.html|title=Can't stop Bihar from releasing more caste-census data: Supreme Court|date=6 October 2023|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>[[2022 Bihar caste-based survey]] first report was released on 2 October 2023. The report showed that extremely backward classes (EBCs) account for 36.01 percent of the 13.07 crore population of the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-caste-survey-ebc-obc-population-8965116/|title=Bihar puts number to its castes: EBCs at 36%, push OBC count to 63%|date=2 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/with-bihar-caste-survey-how-nitish-kumar-hit-two-targets-in-one-fell-swoop-8965619/|title=With Bihar caste survey, how Nitish Kumar hit two targets in one fell swoop|date=2 October 2023}}</ref> OBCs, EBCs together account for 63% of the total population of Bihar.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar-caste-census-27-13backward-class-15-52-general-category/articleshow/104103634.cms|title=Bihar caste survey released: OBCs, EBCs together account for 63% of total population|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=3 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/bihar-publishes-caste-survey-report-obcs-ebcs-consist-of-63-of-population|title=Bihar publishes caste survey report, OBCs, EBCs constitute 63% of population|date=2 October 2023|website=The News Minute}}</ref> On 9 November 2023, Bihar Assembly Passed Bill For 65% Caste Quota excluding 10% EWS Quota,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bihar-assembly-passes-bills-to-increase-quota-from-50-per-cent-to-65-per-cent/article67516423.ece|title=Bihar Assembly passes Bills to increase quota from 50% to 65%|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=9 November 2023 |last1=Tewary |first1=Amarnath }}</ref> in government jobs and educational institutions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/chirag-slams-cm-seeking-spl-category-status/articleshow/105304564.cms|title=Chirag slams CM for seeking spl category status|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=18 November 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-passes-bill-to-raise-caste-quota-to-65-past-supreme-court-cap-4560310|title=Bihar Assembly Passes Bill For 65% Caste Quota, Past Supreme Court Cap}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bihar-governor-approves-bill-raising-reservation-quota-from-50-to-65/article67545405.ece|title=Bihar Governor approves Bill raising reservation from 50% to 65%|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=17 November 2023 |last1=Tewary |first1=Amarnath }}</ref> The new reservation quota percentages include 20% for Scheduled Castes, 2% for Scheduled Tribes, 18% for Backward Classes, 25% for Extremely Backward Classes, and 10% for the economically weaker section among the Upper Castes.
# '''Odisha Backward Classes Survey 2023'''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-25 |title=Odisha cabinet clears ordinance to add 22 communities in SEBC list |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/odisha-cabinet-clears-ordinance-to-add-22-communities-in-sebc-list/articleshow/99744581.cms |access-date=2023-05-11 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221240/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/odisha-cabinet-clears-ordinance-to-add-22-communities-in-sebc-list/articleshow/99744581.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> <small>[ongoing]</small>: On May 1, 2023, the [[Odisha]] government initiated a comprehensive survey targeting state notified 211 Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), which is expected to conclude by June 29, 2023. Administered across all 314 blocks and 114 urban local bodies of Odisha, the survey is being conducted by the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC) using both online and offline methods. The survey aims to evaluate social and educational conditions of backwardness, factoring in various indicators such as occupation and educational qualifications. Initially, centers for data submission were established in [[Anganwadi|Anganwadi Kendras]] and various [[Public Distribution System (India)|PDS]] outlets, but later in the special survey drive the door-to-door data collection method was also adopted. The compiled data is expected to be published after five months of survey completion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-01 |title=Odisha kicks off survey into conditions of backward classes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/odisha-first-ever-survey-backward-classes-8585972/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611032819/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/odisha-first-ever-survey-backward-classes-8585972/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It's noteworthy that the survey is being conducted under the OSCBC Act, 1993 and the OSCBC (Amendment) Act, 2020, allowing family heads or senior individuals to provide family data, including [[Ration card (India)|ration card]], [[Aadhaar|Aadhar]] card, or voter identity details.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitra |first=Hritika |date=2023-05-01 |title=After Bihar, now Odisha begins OBC survey; process to continue till May 27 |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/odisha-begins-obc-survey-process-to-continue-till-may-27-latest-updates-2023-05-01-868337 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511060502/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/odisha-begins-obc-survey-process-to-continue-till-may-27-latest-updates-2023-05-01-868337 |url-status=live }}</ref>
# '''UP Backward Classes Commission OBC quota report for ULB'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Court Green Signal To Reservation For Backward Classes In UP Civic Polls |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-green-signal-to-reservation-for-backward-classes-in-up-civic-polls-3898546 |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221240/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-green-signal-to-reservation-for-backward-classes-in-up-civic-polls-3898546 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-06 |title=HC asks UP govt to put up OBC quota report for ULB polls online |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/hc-asks-up-govt-to-put-up-obc-quota-report-for-ulb-polls-online/articleshow/99304096.cms |access-date=2023-05-11 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221239/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/hc-asks-up-govt-to-put-up-obc-quota-report-for-ulb-polls-online/articleshow/99304096.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><small>[ongoing]</small>: The final report determining quotas for backward classes in urban local body polls is expected to be available by June 2023. The Backward Classes Commission, established on December 28, plans to submit a preliminary report within three months. The commission aims to collect empirical data on backward classes, following Supreme Court and high court guidelines for OBC reservation in civic body elections. The commission's work involves data collection from district officials, studying processes in other states, and addressing objections from political parties.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-01 |title=UP: Final report on OBC quota in urban local body polls likely by June |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/up-final-report-on-obc-quotain-urban-local-body-polls-likely-by-june/articleshow/96655395.cms |access-date=2023-10-03 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
# '''Haryana Backward Classes Commission Chairman Report'''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-06 |title=Reservation to Backward classes in Municipal Corporation: HBCC submits report to Haryana CM |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/reservation-to-backward-classes-in-municipal-corporation-hbcc-submits-report-to-haryana-cm/articleshow/100039457.cms |access-date=2023-05-11 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221238/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/reservation-to-backward-classes-in-municipal-corporation-hbcc-submits-report-to-haryana-cm/articleshow/100039457.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* [[Caste system in India]]
* [[Economically Weaker Section]]
* [[Bihar caste-based survey 2023]]
* [[Forward Castes]]
* [[Jat reservation agitation]]
* [[List of Muslim Other Backward Classes communities in India]]
* [[List of Scheduled Castes]]
* [[List of Scheduled Tribes in India]]
* [[Patidar reservation agitation]]
* [[Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011]]
* [[Upper Backward Castes]]
* [[Varna (Hinduism)]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="12011/68/93">{{cite web |url=http://socialjustice.nic.in/pdf/bc130993.pdf |title=Ministry of Social Welfare Resolution |location=New Delhi |date=10 September 1993 |pages=?–52 |work=Gazette of India |access-date=24 March 2013}}</ref>}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Other Backward Classes}}
*[http://socialjustice.nic.in/ Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India]
*[http://ncbc.nic.in/index.html National Commission for Backward Classes], [http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/index.html central list by state]

{{Caste in India}}

[[Category:Other Backward Classes| ]]
[[Category:Reservation in India]]
[[Category:Caste system in India]]
[[Category:Political terminology in India]]