MP High Court Strikes Down 27% OBC Quota, Restores 14% Cap

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has struck down a 2019 law raising reservations for Other Backward Classes from 14% to 27%. A division bench ruled that the state failed to justify breaching the 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court.

Justices Anand Pathak and Vinay Saraf delivered the ruling on Friday. They noted that the case concerned the extent of quota rather than the grant itself. The judges held that OBCs remain entitled to 14% reservation in the state.

The bench observed that socio-economic data for OBCs was encouraging. Four chief ministers in regular succession came from the community. Furthermore, over 25% of ministers and MLAs belong to the OBC category.

The court reviewed a 2023 study by Dr BR Ambedkar University of Social Sciences. The study showed OBCs accounted for 33.87% of higher education enrolment. That figure substantially exceeds the 14% quota level.

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Survey data from 2021-22 showed OBC student enrolment rose by 163%. In government jobs, OBCs held 28.16% of positions. The bench noted that this share was double the earlier 14% quota mark.

The judges examined public recruitment test results from 2014 to 2025. Reserved categories often secured 70% to 75% of total posts through merit and quotas combined.

The bench cited philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and his work The Social Contract. The court linked natural freedom and social limits to constitutional liberty and equality. It also noted emerging technological challenges like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Climate Change.

The court stressed administrative efficiency during periods of rapid technical shifts. It described the Constitution as a dynamic document suited to changing times.

Candidates hired under the 27% quota between March 2019 and September 29, 2022, will keep their jobs. The state will adjust those numbers across the next three recruitment drives.

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For drives after September 29, 2022, agencies must recruit on an 87% basis. The remaining 13% will go to unreserved applicants. Agencies like the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission must finish recruitment within three months.

Chief Minister Mohan, Yadav said. the state will study the judgment and take further legal steps. Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath claimed the government presented a weak defense.

BJP leader Hemant Khandelwal blamed the earlier Congress regime for passing the quota hastily.