Karnataka High Court Quashes SC, ST Quota Hike Exceeding 50 Percent Cap

The Karnataka High Court on Monday struck down key provisions of a 2022 state law that had increased reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) from 15 percent to 17 percent and for Scheduled Tribes (STs) from 3 percent to 7 percent. The court ruled that these increases breached the 50 percent ceiling on quotas, raising the total reservation for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes from 50 percent to 56 percent.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K S Hemalekha held that Section 3 of the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 2022, violated Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. Section 4, which provided for enhanced reservation in state government services, was also struck down for violating Articles 14 and 16. The 50 percent ceiling was established by the Supreme Court in the 1992 Indra Sawhney versus Union of India case.

The verdict followed two petitions challenging the law's constitutional validity. One was filed by Mahendra Kumar Mitra, state president of the Dr Ambedkar Scheduled Castes Federation, and the other by civil engineering graduates Sagar H R, Prajwal Kumar D, and Purushotham Gowda G M. The Act was passed during the BJP government led by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, receiving gubernatorial assent on January 11, 2023, and published the next day. It followed recommendations from commissions including the Justice (Retd) Nagamohan Das Commission and a committee led by Justice Subhash B Adi.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara reacted to the ruling, calling it a serious development with significant implications for social justice, educational opportunities, and public employment in Karnataka. He questioned the previous BJP government's political responsibility and the Union government's inaction, urging the Prime Minister and the Centre to review the 50 percent reservation ceiling, implement constitutional and legislative steps, and expedite Karnataka's request for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule.

The Karnataka government has stated it will examine all legal options, including an appeal before the Supreme Court, while working to protect ongoing recruitment and educational opportunities in line with the law.

What to watch: The state government's appeal to the Supreme Court and potential legislative actions.

Editor's note: Comprehensive summary covering the legal ruling, the specific sections struck down, the petitioners, and the government's response.