Karnataka Cabinet Finalises New SC Internal Reservation Formula

Karnataka Cabinet Finalises New SC Internal Reservation Formula | Quick Digest
The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a revised internal reservation formula for Scheduled Castes (SCs), allocating 5.25% each for SC Left and SC Right, and 4.5% for other communities within the existing 15% SC quota. This decision, made on April 24, 2026, aims to restart stalled government recruitments and fulfill a key electoral promise.

Key Highlights

  • Cabinet approves 5.25-5.25-4.5 split within 15% SC quota.
  • Revised formula addresses High Court stay on 17% SC reservation.
  • Clears path for immediate recruitment of 56,432 government posts.
  • Based on Nagamohan Das Commission recommendations with modifications.
  • Decision ends four-decade struggle for equitable SC representation.
  • Earlier 6:6:5 formula within 17% SC quota withdrawn due to legal issues.
The Karnataka Cabinet, in a significant move on April 24, 2026, officially approved a revised internal reservation formula for Scheduled Castes (SCs) within the state's existing 15% quota. This decision aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits among various SC sub-groups and to unblock the recruitment process for thousands of government posts that had been stalled. The new formula allocates 5.25% reservation each to the SC Left (primarily Madigas and allied castes) and SC Right (mainly Holeyas and allied castes) communities. The remaining 4.5% is designated for other Scheduled Caste communities, which include Bhovi, Lambani, Korama, Koracha, and 59 nomadic communities. This distribution applies to government recruitments and admissions to state-run educational institutions. The cabinet's decision comes after a complex history of proposals and legal challenges concerning SC reservations in Karnataka. Initially, the Justice A.J. Sadashiva Commission, constituted in 2005, submitted its report in 2012, recommending internal reservation with a different breakdown. However, this report was never implemented. More recently, the previous BJP government in 2022-23 increased the overall SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7%, pushing the total reservation in the state to 56%. This exceeded the Supreme Court's mandated 50% cap on reservations and faced legal scrutiny. In August 2025, the Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission, tasked with studying internal reservation for SCs, submitted its detailed report to the Chief Minister. The commission had proposed a five-way sub-classification within the then-17% SC quota, recommending a 6% for SC Left, 5% for SC Right, 4% for touchable castes, 1% for small castes, and 1% for nomadic castes. Following this, the Karnataka Cabinet in August 2025 approved internal reservation, albeit with modifications to the commission's recommendations, settling on a 6:6:5 formula within the 17% SC quota (6% each for SC Left and SC Right, and 5% for touchable castes and other communities). To provide a legal framework for this, the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill, 2025, embodying the 6:6:5 formula, was tabled in the state legislature in December 2025. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot subsequently gave his assent to the Bill in February 2026, seemingly paving the way for implementation. However, the implementation hit a roadblock. A Karnataka High Court order had restrained the state government from making recruitments based on the enhanced 17% SC quota, as it breached the 50% reservation ceiling set by the Supreme Court in the Indira Sawhney case of 1992. This legal hurdle led to a freeze on government recruitments since late 2024, causing considerable unrest among job aspirants. Recognizing the urgency and the need to comply with court directives, the current Congress government, which had promised internal reservation in its 2023 election manifesto, made the decision on April 24, 2026, to revert to the 15% SC quota and devise a new internal distribution within this limit. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the revised 5.25%:5.25%:4.5% formula would allow the immediate commencement of recruitment for 56,432 approved government posts. He stated that earlier recruitment notifications issued under the previous 6:6:5 formula would be withdrawn, and new notifications would be issued in line with the latest cabinet decision. The Chief Minister called this a "historic decision" that concludes a four-decade-long struggle for internal reservation and aims to provide equal justice to all communities within the Scheduled Castes. While the government maintains its commitment to implementing the 17% reservation for SCs and 7% for STs after clearing legal hurdles, the immediate priority is to proceed with recruitments under the High Court-compliant 15% SC and 3% ST quotas. Any potential difference arising from a future approval of the enhanced quotas would be treated as a backlog. The verification process confirms that the Deccan Herald article's headline is accurate in reporting the cabinet's clearance of an SC internal quota formula. The related articles corroborate this core fact and provide crucial details regarding the evolution of the formula, the legal context, and the current implementation plan. There is no evidence of sensationalism, misinformation, or exaggeration; rather, the news reflects a complex policy development that has undergone several iterations and legal considerations. The story is highly relevant to an Indian audience, particularly in Karnataka, due to its significant social, political, and employment implications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new internal reservation formula approved by the Karnataka Cabinet for Scheduled Castes?

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a revised internal reservation formula for Scheduled Castes (SCs), allocating 5.25% each for SC Left communities (e.g., Madigas) and SC Right communities (e.g., Holeyas), and 4.5% for other SC communities, within the overall 15% reservation currently available for SCs.

Why did the Karnataka government revise the internal reservation formula from the earlier 6:6:5 ratio?

The government revised the formula and reverted to the 15% SC quota because the Karnataka High Court had stayed the state's previous decision to increase SC reservation to 17%. The High Court deemed that the 17% reservation, combined with other quotas, breached the Supreme Court's 50% cap on total reservations.

What is the impact of this decision on government recruitments in Karnataka?

This decision is expected to immediately clear the way for the recruitment of 56,432 government posts that had been stalled for a long time. Earlier recruitment notifications issued with the previous 6:6:5 formula will be withdrawn, and new notifications will be issued in accordance with the revised 5.25:5.25:4.5 formula.

Which commission's recommendations did the Karnataka government consider for this internal reservation?

The Karnataka government considered the recommendations of the Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission, which submitted its report in August 2025. While the cabinet based its decision on this report, it made certain modifications to the commission's original suggestions.

Has the Karnataka government completely dropped the plan for 17% SC reservation?

No, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that the government remains committed to implementing 17% reservation for Scheduled Castes and 7% for Scheduled Tribes. However, this will be pursued after clearing the necessary legal hurdles. For now, immediate recruitments will proceed under the existing reservation structure of 15% for SCs and 3% for STs.

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