Extension to OBC Sub-Categorisation Comm

Q. Why is this in News?
A. 

Recently, the Union Cabinet gave the 13th extension to the Justice Rohini Commission, to examine sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and submit its report by 31st January 2023.

• The initial deadline to submit the commission’s report was 12 weeks — by 2nd January, 2018.

Q. What are the Key Highlights?

A.

• Commission:
  • The commission was set up on 2nd October, 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.
    • NCBC has the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
• Commission’s Terms of References:
  • To examine the uneven distribution of reservation benefits among different castes in the central OBC list.
  • To work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific approach for sub-categorisation within such OBCs.
  • To take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes/communities/sub-castes/synonymsfor comprehensive data coverage.
  • To study and recommend correction of any repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors of spelling or transcription.
• Work Done So Far:
  • It has met representatives of state governments, state backward classes commissions, community associations etc. apart from obtaining caste-wise data of OBCs in higher educational institutions and recruits in central departments, public sector banks and financial institutions.
  • In 2021, the commission proposed to divide OBCs into four subcategories numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4 and split the 27% into 2, 6, 9 and 10%, respectively.
  • It also recommended complete digitisation of all OBC records and a standardised system of issuing OBC certificates.