This document is a summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 296, addressed to the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment on July 22, 2025, concerning updates to the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The question seeks clarification on several points: (a) whether a comprehensive update to the Central OBC list has been published since 2018 and, if not, the reasons for the delay; (b) whether the government plans to release an updated list and details thereof; (c) whether specific castes/communities have been added/modified since 2018 and the rationale behind any full revision or nationwide review; (d) how the Ministry is coordinating with state governments, following the 2021 amendment reaffirming states' powers to identify OBCs, to harmonize and ensure timely reflection of eligible communities in the Central List; and (e) details regarding the number of proposals for inclusion, exclusion, or revision received by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) since 2018 and the percentage acted upon by the Central Government.
The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, responded that, following the 102nd Constitution Amendment Act of 2018 (effective August 11, 2018), inclusion/exclusion in the Central List is governed by Article 342A of the Constitution. The 105th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2021 restored states' power to identify OBCs for their own lists. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has tendered nine advices.
Key Entities Referenced
Central List of Other Backward Classes: A list maintained by the Central Government of India that identifies communities eligible for reservation benefits.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and empowerment of socially disadvantaged groups, including Other Backward Classes.
Other Backward Classes: A collective term used by the Government of India to classify castes which are educationally or socially disadvantaged.
National Commission for Backward Classes: A statutory body in India that advises the government on matters related to the welfare and development of backward classes.
102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018: An amendment to the Constitution of India that altered the process for identifying and listing Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
Article 342A of the Constitution of India: Article of the Constitution of India which deals with Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
105th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2021: An amendment to the Constitution of India that restored the power of states to identify Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for their own lists.
State Governments: The governments of the individual states within India, which have powers to identify OBCs for their own lists.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.296
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025
CENTRAL LIST OF OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES
296. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:
SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:
SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether since 2018, no comprehensive update to the Central List of Other Backward Classes
has been published if so, the reasons for this delay;
(b) whether the Government plans to release an updated and consolidated list soon and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether some specific castes or communities have been added or modified in the Central
OBC list since 2018, if so, the reasons the Ministry has initiated a full revision or nationwide
review of OBC classifications despite social and demographic changes;
(d) the reaffirmation of States’ powers to identify OBCs through the 2021 amendment and is the
manner in which the Ministry coordinating with State Governments to ensure harmonization and
timely reflection of eligible communities in the Central List; and
(e) the details and number of proposals for inclusion, exclusion, or revision have been received
by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBCs) since 2018 and the percentage of
these have been acted upon by the Central Government?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (e): After 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 which came into force on
11.08.2018, inclusion/exclusion in the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward
Classes is done in accordance with the provisions of Article 342A of the Constitution of India.
The 105" Constitutional Amendment Act, 2021, restored the States’ power to identify
OBCs for their own Lists.
National Commission for Backward Classes has informed that they have tendered 09 (Nine)
Advices.
FR