File photo of members of the Scheduled Castes Right Committee for the Protection of Internal Reservations at a protest against the HNNagamohan Das report in Kalaburagi.
The state government, which is under pressure from a Dalit left group (Madigas) to bring legislation to implement internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs), is expected to discuss and pass the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill, 2025 in a cabinet meeting on Thursday before moving it to the legislature during this winter session.
While a meeting was held with Dalit ministers on Wednesday evening, the fine-tuned bill will be discussed in the cabinet on Thursday, a top government source said.
“There was no stay for 17% reservation. The court said the appointment is subject to its final orders,” the source said.
Subsequent seniority
The Karnataka Extension of Conequency Seniority Act for government officials promoted on the basis of reservation (to posts in state civil services) will be suitably amended to provide for internal reservation in promotion, the source said, adding that the recruitment process for more than 3,500 posts announced through more than 40 notifications will continue subject to final orders. The source also said the government would appeal if there was an adverse order. “However, we hope for a favorable decision in court,” he added.
After the one-member commission headed by HN Nagmohan Das submitted its report to the government recommending the internal reservation matrix, the government notified 6% each of Left Dalit (Madigas) and Right Dalit (Holeyas) community and 5% Lambani, Bhovi, Korama and Koracha along with nomadic castes. About 50 microscopic nomadic communities that were recommended 1% reservation by the commission ultimately lost out. Following this, Dalit leftist groups are demanding legislation to strengthen the internal reservation.
Cases in court
Currently, appointments to government posts are in limbo as four reservation petitions are pending in the Karnataka High Court.
While two PILs were filed against the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and Appointments or Posts in Under-State Services) Act, 2022, which allowed the increase in reservation to 101 SCs from 15% to 17% in the government and another 3% in the court, the number of cases increased to 7%. the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal blocked the expanded reservation. The nomadic community went to court against the internal reservation matrix.
Already broken?
Meanwhile, another top government functionary said that the 50% reservation limit set by the Supreme Court in the Indira Sahwney case has already been violated through the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections. “We are doing our job by making laws. Let the court give its opinion. In the meantime, we have written to the Center to protect the interests of the SC community,” he said.
Back to 15%?
With new appointment notifications and those for whom the process has been initiated now stuck in the middle of cases in the Karnataka High Court, the government is considering going back to 15% reservation for Scheduled Castes and reducing the internal reservation quota accordingly. Sources said this is one way out of the current situation as the 2022 law faces a legal challenge.
Following the Act, reservation increased from 50% to 56% as the quota for SCs increased from 15% to 17% and for Scheduled Tribes from 3% to 7%. The increase was based on the recommendation of retired judge HN Nagmohan Das. Total reservation for OBC is 32%. Karnataka is yet to introduce 10% EWS reservation.
Another source said Dalit ministers are against the idea of reducing the quota to start recruitment and discussions are on. On the other hand, to convince the Alemar community to withdraw the case in the High Court, the government is offering a special package, sources said.
Published – 10 Dec 2025 21:33 IST
