OBC sub-categorisation panel is working without Socio Economic Caste Census data, Centre’s reply reveals

Source: The post is based on the article “OBC sub-categorisation panel is working without Socio Economic Caste Census data, Centre’s reply reveals” published in The Hindu on 15th March 2023

What is the News?

Other Backward Classes (OBC) sub-categorisation panel have been working without the data from the last Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011.

What is the sub-categorisation of OBCs? 

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What is the Commission to examine the Sub-Categorisation of OBCs?

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What are the key findings of the commission?

The commission is yet to submit its report to the government. But its preliminary findings led it to subcategorize OBC caste groups into four broad categories.

Among these, the existing 27% OBC quota will be divided — with the maximum reservation going to caste groups that have been historically crowded out, and the minimum reservation for the dominant caste groups.

Does the OBC Sub-categorisation panel use the data from the SECC conducted in 2011?

According to the Minister of Social, Justice and Empowerment, the Government has not shared the data from the previous Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011 with the OBC Sub-categorisation panel.

According to experts, there has to be a study on socio-economic indicators like education, land holding, poverty and also on levels of discrimination faced by OBCs using the SECC data. Without this, any sub-categorisation work would not be possible.