The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has raised serious concerns over how reservation benefits meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC) are being distributed in Kerala. A detailed review meeting held in September 2025 exposed gaps in the state’s policy, especially around quotas allocated on religious lines.
Religion-Based Quotas Spark Controversy
During the meeting on 9 September, officials from Kerala’s Backward Classes Development Department presented their case before the NCBC. The commission learned that 10 percent of the OBC quota is set aside for the Muslim community as a whole, while another 6 percent goes to Christians. This practice, according to the commission, directly reduces the share available to traditional OBC caste groups.
NCBC Chairperson Hansraj Ahir asked pointed questions. He wanted to know if any survey, investigation, or court ruling justified treating entire religious communities as backward classes. The state officials admitted they could not produce any such report or data to back the policy. This inability to provide evidence left the commission deeply unsatisfied.
State Fails to Justify 16% Religious Allocation
The total 16 percent reservation carved out for Muslims and Christians stands out because it is not linked to specific caste-based backwardness. Instead, it appears driven by community identity. The commission views this as a clear deviation from the constitutional framework that ties OBC status to social and educational backwardness, not faith.
Several traditional OBC communities in Kerala depend on these limited seats and jobs. When large religious blocks receive fixed shares without proven need, the original beneficiaries lose out. The NCBC described this as an unfair transfer of rights for political reasons.
Review Process Reveals Policy Gaps
The commission also asked whether the Kerala government, the Union Ministry of Social Justice, or the state-level backward classes panel had ever evaluated this arrangement. Again, no clear answer came forward. Officials could not confirm any ongoing review or improvement exercise.
Within 15 days of the meeting, the state was told to submit a detailed clarification. This included the full reservation policy document, the basis for each quota, and a complete list of beneficiary groups in jobs, higher education, and medical admissions.
Submitted Documents Fall Short
On 26 September, Kerala officials handed over files at the NCBC office in Delhi. After examination, the commission found the paperwork vague and incomplete. Key details about how quotas were calculated or justified were missing. The panel concluded that standard guidelines for OBC inclusion had not been followed.
The state’s overall OBC reservation in government jobs also drew criticism. It falls below the 27 percent mark set at the national level, adding to the commission’s worries about adequate representation.
Protecting Constitutional Rights of Original OBCs
Under Article 338B of the Constitution, the NCBC holds the duty to safeguard backward class interests. The panel stressed that benefits must reach castes proven to be socially and educationally disadvantaged. Handing out quotas without solid backing harms the very communities the system aims to uplift.
The commission made it clear that Kerala must realign its policy. Any addition to the OBC list has to follow established rules, with proper surveys and evidence. Until that happens, the current setup risks legal and moral challenges.
Broader Implications for Reservation Policy
This case highlights a larger debate across India. Several states have tried similar community-based inclusions in the past, only to face scrutiny. Courts have repeatedly ruled that religion alone cannot determine backwardness. The Kerala episode serves as a fresh reminder that data, not demographics, should drive decisions.
Traditional OBC groups in the state now watch closely. Many feel their long-standing struggle for upliftment is being sidelined. Student bodies and job aspirants from these castes have started raising their voices, demanding a fair share.
What Happens Next?
The NCBC has given Kerala a tight timeline to respond. If the state fails to provide convincing reports, the commission may recommend corrective steps to the central government. This could mean scrapping the religious quotas or forcing a fresh survey.
Meanwhile, the episode puts pressure on other states too. Any policy that blends faith with backwardness will likely invite similar reviews. For Kerala, the road ahead involves tough choices between political promises and constitutional duties.
The fight for genuine OBC reservation in Kerala has just begun. As the NCBC pushes for transparency, the real winners should be the communities that truly need support.