Sub-categorisation of OBCs

In News: The Union Cabinet gave the 13^th extension to the Justice Rohini Commission, to submit its report.

• The commission was set up on October 2, 2017 under Article 340 of the Constitution.
• It was tasked with sub-categorisation of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and equitable distribution of benefits reserved for them.
• In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended that OBCs should be categorised into extremely backward classes, more backward classes and backward classes.

Article 340

• The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India.
• A Commission so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them and present to the President a report.
• The President shall cause a copy of the report so presented together with a memorandum explaining the action taken thereon to be laid before each House of Parliament.

OBC Reservation

• The Kalelkar Commission, set up in 1953, was the first to identify backward classes other than the SCs and STs at the national level.
• The Mandal Commission Report, 1980 estimated the OBC population at 52% and classified 1,257 communities as backward.
• It recommended increasing the existing quotas, which were only for SC/ST, from 22.5% to 49.5% to include the OBCs.
• The central government reserved 27% of seats in union civil posts and services for OBCs under Article 16(4).
• The quotas were subsequently enforced in central government educational institutions under Article 15 (4).
• In 2008, the Supreme Court directed the central government to exclude the creamy layer (advanced sections) among the OBCs.

Source: Indian Express

Previous Year Question

Q.1) If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then (2018)

1. the Assembly of the State is automatically dissolved.
2. the powers of the Legislature of that State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the Parliament.
3. Article 19 is suspended in that State.
4. the President can make laws relating to that State.