This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4346, answered on August 19, 2025, by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment regarding OBC reservation for the Jat community. The question addresses the discrepancy between state-level OBC reservations for Jats and the absence of such reservation at the central level in some regions.
Specifically, the response clarifies that the Jat community in Rajasthan, excluding the Bharatpur and Dhaulpur districts, and Jat Muslims in Gujarat, currently receive OBC reservation benefits at the central level.
Regarding extending OBC reservation to the Jat community in Bharatpur, Deeg, and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan, as well as other Jat communities currently excluded at the central level, the response refers to Article 342A of the Constitution of India. It states that the Parliament, through legislation, holds the authority to include or exclude caste communities from the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes. No specific timeline for such inclusion is provided, and the decision rests on parliamentary action as per constitutional provisions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for social justice and empowerment.
OBC reservation: Refers to reservation in jobs and education for Other Backward Classes, a classification used by the Indian government.
Jat community: A traditionally agricultural community found in several states in India.
Shri Hanuman Beniwal: Member of Parliament who raised the question about OBC reservation for the Jat community.
Rajasthan: A state in India where OBC reservation for the Jat community is being discussed, specifically regarding Bharatpur, Deeg, and Dholpur districts.
Bharatpur district, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan where the Jat community is seeking OBC reservation at the central level.
Dholpur district, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan where the Jat community is seeking OBC reservation at the central level.
Article 342A of the Constitution of India: Article of the Constitution of India related to the inclusion or exclusion of castes/communities from the Central List of socially and educationally backward classes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4346
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.08.2025
OBC RESERVATION FOR JAT COMMUNITY
+4346. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the benefit of OBC reservation is given to the Jat community at State level in many
States of the country but the same is not provided at Centre level;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State and district-wise;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to provide OBC reservation to the Jat community of
Bharatpur, Deeg, Dholpur districts of Rajasthan including the Jat community of other States
deprived of OBC reservation at the Centre level; and
(d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) & (b): Benefits of OBC reservation at Centre level is being provided to the Jat community in
Rajasthan (except in Bharatpur and Dhaulpur Districts) and Jat (Muslim) of Gujarat State.
(c) & (d): The Parliament may by law include or exclude Caste/communities from the Central
list of socially and educationally backward classes. Inclusion or exclusion of any Caste
in Central List of socially and educationally backward classes is done as per Article 342A of the
Constitution of India.
KEK