OBC Full Form

The Government of India refers to castes that are economically or socially disadvantaged together as the "Other Backward Class". In addition to general castes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes, it is one of the numerous formal classifications of India's population (SCs and STs). The Government of India is required to ensure the social and educational development of OBCs, which are referred to in the Indian Constitution as "socially and educationally backward classes" (SEBC).

This Story also Contains

1. Population of OBCs in India
2. Aspects about Reservation
3. In India, reservations were first Implemented
4. Reservation for OBCs

The Ministry of Home Affairs' Backward Classes Cell handled the affairs of the Backward Classes until 1985. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was created in 1985 as a distinct Ministry of Welfare to handle issues pertaining to SC & ST and OBCs.

Population of OBCs in India

In the 1980 Mandal Commission report, it was found that the OBCs made up 52% of the population; in 2006, the National Sample Survey Organization found that the OBCs made up 41% of the population. It is widely believed that there are a significant number of OBCs in India, but many people think there are actually more of them than the numbers provided by either the Mandal Commission or the National Sample Survey.

Aspects about Reservation

Even before the country gained independence, reservations were in place. Following independence, the Constituent Assembly presided over by Dr BR Ambedkar, established the system of reservations. The Mandal commission, which was established in 1979, advocated for the reservation of seats for the SC, ST, and OBC in government institutions.

In India, reservations were first Implemented

• To make up for historical and current injustices committed against India's lower classes.

• To guarantee that individuals from all castes are equally represented in the state and federally-funded programmes.

• To give everyone equality of opportunity, regardless of caste.

• To elevate and advance the underprivileged classes.

Reservation for OBCs

The Government of India is required to ensure the social and educational development of OBCs, who are referred to in the Indian Constitution as "socially and educationally backward classes" (SEBC). For instance, OBCs are entitled to a 27% quota in public sector employment and higher education. The Indian Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment updates its list of OBCs frequently, adding and removing castes and communities in response to social, educational, and economic reasons. Union Minister Jitendra Singh responded to a question in the Lok Sabha by stating that as of January 2016, there were 21.57% of OBCs employed in central government jobs, with an upward trend since September 1993.

Similarly, in 2015, money allocated for OBC students under the reservation policy was misused or underutilised at educational institutions, including while renovating facilities and failing to hire OBCs as teachers in accordance with the 49% reservation policy.