Jharkhand’s OBC Data Collection for Local Quotas

May 3, 2025

Jharkhand has completed its data collection on Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This initiative aims to establish quotas for OBCs in urban local bodies. This process aligns with the Supreme Court’s triple test guidelines. These guidelines ensure that OBC reservations are fair and constitutional.

The Triple Test

The triple test consists of three steps. First, a dedicated commission must conduct an empirical inquiry into backwardness in local bodies. Second, the commission specifies the required reservation proportion. This ensures that reservations do not exceed legal limits. Third, the total reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and OBCs combined must not surpass 50% of total seats. This framework was established in a Supreme Court ruling in March 2021.

Jharkhand’s Commission and Data Collection

Jharkhand established its OBC Commission in June 2023. The Commission’s members studied the implementation of the triple test in Madhya Pradesh. Data collection began in December 2024, with a deadline in March 2025. Some districts failed to meet this deadline. However, the complete data reached the Commission recently. This data will be used to create a final report for further analysis and verification.

Survey Focus and Methodology

The survey aimed to identify OBC voters and estimate their share in urban local bodies. It differed from the nationwide caste census, focusing solely on urban areas. The survey gathered data on political representation of OBCs across various government tiers. It included mayors, panchayat committee members, and the caste affiliations of Jharkhand’s MPs and MLAs.

OBC Classification in Jharkhand

In Jharkhand, OBCs are divided into two categories. BC-I (Backward Class I) consists of more socially and educationally backward groups. BC-II (Backward Class II) includes relatively better-off communities. Both categories are eligible for reservations, but BC-I typically receives a larger share. Currently, there are 127 castes in BC-I and around 45 in BC-II. OBCs comprise approximately 50% of Jharkhand’s population. The Kudmi community, a subgroup of the Mahato/Mahto caste, is the largest OBC group, representing about 15% of the electorate.

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