Latest news with #OtherBackwardClasses
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Government to count castes, not classes in 2027 census: Sources
The Government of India will undertake the next nationwide census in 2027, and for the first time, caste enumeration will be formally included in the exercise. However, official sources told India Today TV that the data collected will record individual castes, not social categories or classes such as Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) or Scheduled Tribes (STs). This means the census will not provide aggregate figures for groups like the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). One of the key reasons cited is the variation in caste categorisation across states — castes classified as OBC in one state may fall under the general category in another. As per the protocol, every individual will be required to mention their caste along with their religion. This will apply to all communities, including Muslims, Christians, and others. However, officials admitted there will be no verification mechanism to check the accuracy of self-declared caste data. Government benefits tied to caste, such as reservation, will continue to be granted only on the basis of officially issued caste certificates. The enumeration will strictly be a caste count and not a socio-economic or class-based assessment. This implies that while the names of castes will be recorded, no effort will be made to classify them into reserved or non-reserved categories under the census process, sources added. They further clarified that the census will have no bearing on the delimitation exercise scheduled for 2026, which is likely to be based on the 2011 census. Also, the 50 per cent reservation cap, currently under judicial scrutiny, will remain a matter for the Supreme Court to decide, with no role for the government in this context. The 2027 census will be conducted digitally and is expected to take only three years, a significant reduction from the usual five-year process. It will be carried out in two phases, with March 1, 2027, as the reference date for most parts of the country. In snow-bound and non-synchronous regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be October 1, 2026. The move to include caste enumeration followed years of demand from political parties and state governments for data that could guide welfare policies and social justice initiatives. The last such comprehensive population census took place in 2011.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Bengal college admissions in limbo: 2024 HC order on OBC certificates causes delay
The fate of 4,82,948 students who appeared for the Higher Secondary (Uccha Madhyamik) exams in Bengal remains uncertain, as undergraduate admissions through the Centralised Admission Portal (CAP) to around 460 government colleges and universities across the state have been stalled. This is because in May 2024, the Calcutta High Court had dismissed all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued since 2010. The court directed that a new OBC list be prepared under the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. According to sources in the Education Department, officials have written to the state's Advocate General regarding the commencement of admissions. Education Minister Bratya Basu recently told mediapersons, 'It is an ongoing legal matter; the higher authority is looking into it. We are waiting for the final nod to start admissions. The centralised admission portal was launched last year, and this year too, admissions will be conducted on it smoothly. Legal issues will not impact the overall admission process.' According to Basu, UG admissions through CAP will begin soon. In contrast, private and autonomous colleges not under the centralised portal, such as Scottish Church College, St. Xavier's College, and Ramakrishna Mission institutes, have already begun their admission processes. The Principal of Scottish Church College said, 'We are a minority institution and not under CAP. Our admissions began after Class 12 results were declared and will continue till June.'A senior official said that the CAP portal is ready and will be activated once the Higher Education Department gives its clearance. Officials also hinted at possibly eliminating the OBC category from UG admissions to avoid further legal complications, pending the Advocate General's advice. Asutosh College principal and general secretary of the All Bengal Principals Council Manas Kabi told The Indian Express, 'We have full faith in the government and hope the process will start soon. The Education Minister is trying his best to open the online portal following all legal advice. Since the case is in the Supreme Court, legal counsel is essential.' Calcutta University Registrar Debasish Das said, 'We have sought a legal opinion. Currently, no admissions are taking place. We wrote to the Backward Classes Department but have not received a response. If the process doesn't begin soon, students may turn to private institutions or seek admissions in other states.' Jadavpur University's Acting Registrar Indrajit Banerjee said, 'We have received a letter from the Backward Classes Department and are proceeding as per legal advice.' Rupayan Pal, who topped this year's Higher Secondary examinations, told The Indian Express, 'Just for one section, everyone shouldn't be affected. I want to pursue research and study medicine. The results aren't out yet, but I hope the issue will be resolved by then.' Meanwhile, students and guardians are growing increasingly anxious. Rabindranath Pal, Rupayan's father, told The Indian Express, 'Students will obviously be affected, but what can we common people do except wait for the court's decision? This delay is unfair; it will impact my son's future. Only the Supreme Court can resolve it.' Bhagtodan Ghoshal, father of Srijita Ghoshal who secured the fourth rank, said, 'This is a sad situation and must be resolved quickly. Education is the foundation of society. Many students are leaving Bengal. If my daughter gets a seat in another state, I'll send her there.' The Supreme Court had, in its judgment last year, termed the post-2010 OBC list 'illegal' but clarified that its ruling would not affect those already employed or benefitted under existing OBC West Bengal government has challenged the verdict and moved the Supreme Court. The verdict followed PILs filed since 2011, challenging the classification of 77 communities as OBCs under executive orders issued between March 2010 and May 2012. The petitioners also questioned the constitutional validity of sections of the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than SC and ST) (Reservation in Posts) Act of 2012.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Hemant govt must take initiative for OBC reservations in edu institutions: Cong
1 2 Jamshedpur: The ruling alliance party, Congress, has appealed to the Hemant Soren govt to take the initiative for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations in educational institutions across the state. Making the appeal, state Congress in-charge Koppula Raju said Article 15 (5) of the Constitution allows the state to make provisions for the betterment of socially and economically backward classes, concerning their admission to educational institutions. While speaking at the Samvidhan Bachao Rally at Sakchi on Sunday, the Congress leader said the state govt must take the initiative without any delay. Raju also said party leader Rahul Gandhi played a pivotal role in driving the Narendra Modi govt at the Centre to give its nod for the caste census. "From the streets to Parliament, Rahul Gandhi fought for the rights of the OBC community which forced the Modi government to bow before the legitimate demand and agree to a census of the backward classes," Raju said, addressing the crowd at the Sakchi parking zone. Stating that protecting the Constitution is the responsibility of all Indians, Raju further said, "Congress has taken the lead but it is the responsibility of all citizens to participate in the campaign to uphold the democratic values, principles and constitutional provisions." During the rally, the party passed a resolution praising the armed forces for their commendable feat in 'Operation Sindoor'. The bravery and courage demonstrated by the soldiers ensured a strong military response to Pakistan, he added. Speaking on the occasion, state Congress president, Keshav Mahato Kamlesh, said the Modi govt failed to align with the spirit of the Constitution, claiming that it was grossly undermined by the Centre with its activities in the last 11 years. The rally was necessitated to make the common people know how the Modi govt is violating the Constitution, Kamlesh said. Top party leaders of the state attended the rally organised by the East Singhbhum district Congress committee.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Suvendu Adhikari targets WB Government over OBC reservation
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday (May 22, 2025) targeted the West Bengal government over the issue of OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation, citing an order by the Calcutta High Court where the court stated that only those included in category before 2010 will receive the benefit. In May 2024, the Calcutta High Court cancelled all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued in West Bengal since 2010. Mr. Adhikari cited a recent order of Justice Kaushik Chanda of the Calcutta High Court, where he pointed out that the caste of the candidate is included in the OBC list. Introduced by the Backward Class Department of the State prior to 2010, only they shall receive the benefit of OBC reservation. The West Bengal government has approached the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order and the matter is pending before the apex court. 'The State Government getting under the scanner is now a routine affair. Today, the Hon'ble Justice Kausik Chanda has directed immediate implementation of the OBC reservation order passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench. The plea of the State regarding the issue pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has been thwarted stating that the State has failed to obtain any stay on the Hon'ble Division Bench order,' the BJP leader said in a social media post. Since OBC reservation affects lakhs of candidates and students seeking admissions in academic institutions there has been lot of confusion. Legal experts point that since the West Bengal government has not obtained any stay against the Calcutta High Court order, the admissions will be carried out on the basis of the situation prevailing before 2010. While striking down the OBC list of the West Bengal government in 2024, the Calcutta High Court highlighted a complete lack of legislative policy within the 2012 scheme governing the State's authority to classify any class as OBC. The court ordered the State to establish a clear legislative policy before delegating such authority.
Scroll.in
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
‘Not a drug lord or a terrorist': SC grants anticipatory bail to ex-IAS probationer Puja Khedkar
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Indian Administrative Service probationer Puja Khedkar, who has been accused of fraudulently clearing the Union Public Service Commission examination, reported Live Law. 'What is the grave crime she [Khedkar] has committed?' PTI quoted a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma as saying. The bench added: 'She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed [Section] 302 [for murder]. She is not an NDPS [Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act] offender. You [Delhi Police] should have a system or software. You complete the investigation.' The bench said that Khedkar was 'not a drug lord or a terrorist', and that she had not committed a murder or was not an offender under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Stating that Khedkar had 'lost everything' and would not get a job anywhere, the bench directed the Delhi Police to complete its investigation in the matter, according to the news agency. On January 15, the bench granted Khedkar protection from arrest while issuing notice on her anticipatory bail petition. It had also sought responses from the Delhi Police and the Union Public Service Commission, which cancelled her candidature in July. On February 14, the court extended her protection from arrest till March 17. The interim protection was extended on March 18. The court had also turned down a request by the Delhi Police for custodial interrogation to investigate a 'larger scam' of fake documents submitted by civil service aspirants. During the hearing on Wednesday, the counsel for the Delhi Police opposed Khedkar's plea seeking anticipatory bail, saying that she was not cooperating in the investigation and that the allegations against her were serious, PTI reported. The police also said that by showing fake certificates, she had exceeded the number of attempts in giving the Union Public Service Commission examination, Live Law reported. However, the court rejected the argument. 'Having regard to the nature of offences registered against her and bearing in mind the facts and circumstances of the case, this is a fit case where the [Delhi] High Court ought to have granted the relief of anticipatory bail to the appellant herein,' the bench said. Granting Khedkar anticipatory bail, the court added: 'She shall extend complete cooperation in the ensuing investigation and shall not misuse her liberty and shall not in anyway influence the witnesses or tamper with the material on records.' The controversy around Khedkar's selection erupted after Pune-based Right to Information activist Vijay Kumbhar alleged that she had become a civil services officer by availing benefits under the Other Backward Classes quota, which she was not eligible for. The Delhi Police, in its first information report against the former trainee officer, said that she had defrauded the Union Public Service Commission and the public at large. The High Court then vacated the protection from arrest that it had granted in August.
