OBC Reservation

Subject – Polity

Context – Notify 27% OBC Seats as General Seats for Local Body Elections: Supreme Court Directs Maharashtra Govt & SEC

Concept –

Based on the recommendation of the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Commission), the government in August, 1990 had notified 27% reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in vacancies in civil posts and services that are to be filled on direct recruitment.
After this was challenged, the Supreme Court in November, 1992 (Indira Sawhney case) upheld 27% reservation for OBCs, subject to exclusion of the creamy layer.
Creamy Layer is a concept that sets a threshold within which OBC reservation benefits are applicable.
While there is a 27% quota for OBCs in government jobs and higher educational institutions, those falling within the “creamy layer” (various categories based on income and parents’ rank) cannot get the benefits of this quota.
Other than the income limit, the current definition of the creamy layer remains the same.