Supreme Court sends 27% OBC quota case back to Jabalpur HC, sets 3-month deadline

The Supreme Court, after hearing the 27% OBC reservation matter since October last year, has directed that all PILs and related cases be transferred back to the Jabalpur HC, observing that the HC is best placed to adjudicate the issue. The SC has also set a three-month deadline for the High Court to dispose of all connected matters.

In Madhya Pradesh, Scheduled Tribes are entitled to 20% reservation, Scheduled Castes to 16%, and Other Backward Classes to 14%. In addition, there is a separate quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

In 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the then Kamal Nath-led Congress government increased OBC reservation in the state from 14% to 27%. The move was challenged before the Jabalpur HC on the ground that it breached the 50% ceiling on reservations laid down by the SC. The HC subsequently stayed the enhanced quota, and the matter has remained sub judice since.


Pending a final verdict, the state declared recruitment results for 87% of vacancies based on 14% OBC reservation, keeping 13% of posts on hold until clarity on quota.