The full form of OBC is "Other Backward Classes." This term represents a collective classification used by the Government of India to identify communities that are educationally and socially disadvantaged. OBCs constitute a significant portion of India's population and occupy a unique position in the country's social hierarchy and reservation system.
Other Backward Class (OBC) is an official classification used by the Government of India to categorize communities that are socially and educationally disadvantaged. These communities fall between the traditionally privileged upper castes and the most marginalized groups like Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
OBCs primarily consist of communities that traditionally belonged to the Shudra varna (the lowest of the four varnas in the Hindu caste system) and other marginalized groups that don't fit neatly into the traditional varna system. While not facing the extreme discrimination experienced by Dalits (formerly known as "untouchables"), OBCs have historically experienced significant social, educational, and economic disadvantages.
According to the Mandal Commission report of 1980, OBCs were estimated to comprise approximately 52% of India's population. However, a 2006 National Sample Survey Organisation study placed this figure at around 41%. The exact percentage remains debated, with many experts believing the actual number is higher than these official estimates.
| श्रेणी | विवरण |
| OBC का पूरा नाम | अन्य पिछड़ा वर्ग (Other Backward Class) |
| OBC क्या है? | भारत में सामाजिक और शैक्षिक रूप से पिछड़े वर्गों के लिए सरकार द्वारा दिया गया एक वर्गीकरण |
| OBC आरक्षण | सरकारी नौकरियों और शैक्षणिक संस्थानों में 27% आरक्षण |
| OBC की श्रेणियां | 1. केंद्रीय सूची OBC – केंद्र सरकार द्वारा मान्यता प्राप्त 2. राज्य सूची OBC – राज्य सरकार द्वारा मान्यता प्राप्त |
| अधिकारिक संस्था | राष्ट्रीय पिछड़ा वर्ग आयोग (NCBC) – OBC से संबंधित नीतियों और आरक्षण को विनियमित करने वाली संस्था |
The concept of identifying and providing special provisions for backward classes in India predates independence. During British rule, several princely states had implemented measures to support disadvantaged communities. However, the modern OBC classification gained prominence after India's independence.
The term 'OBC' was first officially used in the Mandal Commission's report in 1980. The Mandal Commission, officially known as the Second Backward Classes Commission, was established in 1979 under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal to identify socially and educationally backward communities and recommend measures for their advancement.
The implementation of the Mandal Commission's recommendations in 1990 by then-Prime Minister V.P. Singh marked a watershed moment in India's social justice movement. This decision to provide 27% reservation for OBCs in central government jobs sparked nationwide debates and protests, fundamentally altering India's political and social landscape.
The Indian Constitution provides the framework for recognizing and supporting OBCs through several key provisions:
These constitutional provisions form the legal basis for the identification of OBCs and the implementation of reservation policies aimed at their upliftment. The Constitution doesn't explicitly mention the term "OBC" but uses the phrase "socially and educationally backward classes," which has come to be associated with OBCs.
The classification of OBCs is not uniform across India and varies from state to state. Many states have further categorized OBCs into sub-groups based on their relative backwardness:
The Central Government maintains a list of OBCs for purposes of reservation in central government jobs and educational institutions. Simultaneously, individual states maintain their own OBC lists, which may differ from the central list. A community classified as OBC in one state might not have the same status in another state.
Several states have implemented sub-categorization of OBCs to ensure more equitable distribution of reservation benefits:
| State | Sub-categories | Notable Features |
| West Bengal | Category A (More Backward) & Category B (Backward) | 81 communities in Category A and 99 in Category B |
| Tamil Nadu | 8 subgroups | Includes Ezhava/Thiyya/Billava (14%), Muslims (12%) |
| Bihar | Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Backward Classes (BC) | Separate reservation quotas for each |
| Karnataka | Category 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B | Graduated levels of backwardness |
| Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | Groups A, B, C, D, and E | Group E specifically for Muslim communities |
This sub-categorization aims to prevent the more advanced sections within OBCs from monopolizing the benefits of reservation, ensuring that the truly disadvantaged communities receive their fair share.
An OBC certificate is an official document that confirms an individual's belonging to a community classified as OBC. This certificate is essential for availing various benefits under government schemes, particularly reservations in education and employment.
The OBC certificate serves multiple purposes:
The process to obtain an OBC certificate varies by state but generally follows these steps:
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While specific requirements vary by state, commonly required documents include:
The concept of the "creamy layer" is unique to the OBC reservation system and represents an important economic filter that excludes the relatively well-off sections within OBCs from availing reservation benefits.
The term "creamy layer" was first coined in 1974 in the State of Kerala vs. N.M. Thomas case when Justice VR Krishna Iyer expressed concern that "benefits of the reservation shall be snatched away by the top creamy layer of the backward class, thus leaving the weakest among the weak and leaving the fortunate layers to consume the whole of the cake".
The concept was formally established in the landmark 1992 Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India judgment (also known as the Mandal Commission case), which upheld the constitutional validity of OBC reservations while introducing the creamy layer exclusion to ensure that benefits reach the truly disadvantaged.
The creamy layer exclusion applies to OBCs whose annual family income exceeds a specified threshold. This threshold has been revised periodically:
The OBC-Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) certificate specifically certifies that an individual belongs to an OBC community and does not fall within the creamy layer. This certificate is typically valid for one year and must be renewed annually to confirm continued eligibility for reservation benefits.
The reservation system for OBCs is a form of affirmative action designed to address historical injustices and promote social equality by providing preferential access to education, employment, and political representation.
At the central level, OBCs are entitled to:
This 27% quota was implemented following the Mandal Commission recommendations and was upheld by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case, with the condition that total reservations should not exceed 50% (except in extraordinary circumstances) and that the "creamy layer" should be excluded.
Reservation percentages for OBCs vary significantly across states:
| State | OBC Reservation Percentage | Total Reservation (including SC/ST/Others) |
| Tamil Nadu | 50% (BC: 30%, MBC: 20%) | 69% |
| Karnataka | 32% | 70% |
| Maharashtra | 19% | 52% |
| Gujarat | 27% | 59% |
| Haryana | 23% (divided into A, B, C categories) | 67% |
| Bihar | 30% (BC: 13%, EBC: 17%) | 60% |
Some states like Tamil Nadu have obtained special constitutional protection for their reservation policies that exceed the 50% cap established by the Supreme Court.
For educational institutions, the OBC reservation applies to:
However, certain "Institutions of Excellence" and research institutions are exempt from implementing reservations in higher education.
The classification of communities as OBCs varies significantly across states, reflecting regional social hierarchies and historical contexts. Here's how some major states classify and manage their OBC populations:
West Bengal
West Bengal divides OBCs into two categories:
This two-tier system aims to provide greater benefits to the more disadvantaged communities within the OBC spectrum.
Gujarat
Gujarat implements a 27% reservation for OBCs. The state was one of the first to implement the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation of 10% for the general category. Notable features include:
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has one of the most extensive reservation systems in India:
Bihar
Bihar divides OBCs into:
This division ensures that the most disadvantaged communities within OBCs receive adequate representation.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra classifies backward communities into:
The state has faced legal challenges regarding the Maratha community's demand for OBC status.
Despite constitutional protections and reservation policies, OBCs continue to face numerous challenges that hinder their social, educational, and economic advancement.
While not as severe as the discrimination faced by Scheduled Castes, OBCs often experience various forms of social exclusion and prejudice:
Research indicates that OBC women score 3.2 on discrimination scales compared to 1.5 for General Caste women, highlighting the intersectionality of caste and gender discrimination.
Despite reservations in educational institutions, OBCs face significant educational challenges:
Economic disparities persist among OBCs:
The OBC category itself is not homogeneous:
While OBC political representation has increased significantly since the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations, challenges remain:
Recent years have seen significant developments in OBC policies, particularly regarding sub-categorization to ensure more equitable distribution of reservation benefits.
Rohini Commission
In October 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind appointed a five-member commission headed by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini to examine the sub-categorization of OBCs. The commission's mandate includes:
After multiple extensions, the Rohini Commission submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on July 31, 2023. The comprehensive report, exceeding 1,000 pages, is divided into two parts:
Key Findings
Preliminary findings from the commission indicated that:
Eleven states and one union territory have already implemented OBC sub-categorization:
These state-level implementations provide valuable models for potential national-level sub-categorization.
Understanding how OBCs differ from other reserved categories helps clarify India's complex reservation system.
Comparison Table
| Aspect | Scheduled Caste (SC) | Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Other Backward Classes (OBC) | Economically Weaker Section (EWS) |
| Reservation % (Central) | 15% | 7.5% | 27% | 10% |
| Historical Basis | Untouchability and extreme social exclusion | Geographical isolation and distinct cultural practices | Social and educational backwardness | Economic disadvantage regardless of caste |
| Constitutional Articles | Articles 341, 366 | Articles 342, 366 | Articles 15(4), 16(4), 340 | Articles 15(6), 16(6) (103rd Amendment) |
| Income Criteria | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Applicable (Creamy Layer exclusion at ₹8 lakhs) | Applicable (Annual family income below ₹8 lakhs) |
| Land Ownership Criteria | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Applicable (Less than 5 acres) |
| Religious Restrictions | Limited to Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism | No religious restrictions | No religious restrictions | No religious restrictions |
| Migration Impact | Benefits lost upon migration to non-scheduled areas | Benefits lost upon migration to non-scheduled areas | No impact | No impact |
| Eligibility for General Category Seats | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differences
Common forms of discrimination reported by individuals from SC/ST/OBC backgrounds include:
Educational Settings:
Workplace Discrimination:
Social Discrimination:
Everyday Experiences:
OBC stands for Other Backward Classes. It is a category used in India to classify socially and educationally disadvantaged communities. OBCs are eligible for government reservations in education, jobs, and welfare schemes to promote social equality.
The OBC caste list varies by state and is determined by the Central and State Governments. It includes communities identified as socially and educationally backward. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) maintains an official list of OBC subcategories, which can be accessed on government portals.
SC (Scheduled Castes): Historically disadvantaged castes that faced social discrimination. ST (Scheduled Tribes): Indigenous tribal communities with distinct cultural identities. OBC (Other Backward Classes): Communities that are socially and educationally backward but do not belong to SC/ST. They receive reservation benefits. General: Includes all unreserved categories that do not qualify for caste-based reservations.
Yes, OBC candidates can apply under the General category if they do not want to avail of reservation benefits. However, individuals classified under the OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) get reservation benefits in government jobs and educational institutions.
The caste system is complex and varies by region. While SCs (Scheduled Castes) have historically faced more severe discrimination, OBCs also experience social and educational backwardness. Both categories receive reservation benefits, but the extent of affirmative action differs based on their historical and social status.
The full forms of these classifications are:
These are official classifications used by the Government of India to identify and provide support to historically disadvantaged communities.
SC/ST communities face more severe targeting and discrimination compared to OBCs due to several historical and social factors:
While discrimination against OBCs exists, it is generally less severe and takes more subtle forms compared to the often overt discrimination faced by SC/ST communities.
Being in the OBC category (specifically non-creamy layer) provides several benefits:
These benefits aim to address historical disadvantages and promote social equality by providing preferential access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
The OBC and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) cutoffs are often higher than the General category cutoff in UPPCS (Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission) and other competitive exams due to several factors:
This phenomenon demonstrates that reservation is working as intended by providing opportunities to qualified candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds.