Editing Other Backward Class (section)

==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 Backward 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 !! Approximate OBC population !! OBC percentage!! 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 [[Telangana]]) || 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|work=Hindustan Times |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>