Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill, 2025

Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill, 2025

Context- 

• The Karnataka Cabinet approved a revised internal reservation formula within the existing 15% quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs). 

• The decision divides the 15% allocation proportionately to ensure equitable distribution of education and employment opportunities across SC sub-groups.

The revised quota matrix is distributed as follows:

• 5.25% for “left-hand” groups (Madigas and allied castes)

• 5.25% for “right-hand” groups (Holeyas and allied castes)

• 4.50% for other SCs, including nomadic communities (Bhovi, Lambani, Koracha, Korama)

Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill, 2025

• It is a landmark piece of legislation enacted to divide the 101 Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka into smaller sub-groups. 
• The bill fulfills a decades-long demand to prevent relatively advanced communities from cornering reservation benefits and ensures that more oppressed, nomadic, and backward sub-castes receive an equitable share of education and state public employment.

Background and Context

• Legal Backing: The legislation follows a historic August 1, 2024, Supreme Court ruling that granted states the constitutional authority to sub-classify Scheduled Castes.
• Commission Basis: The sub-classification framework relies primarily on empirical demographic data compiled by Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission.
• Legislative Timeline: The State Cabinet cleared the bill on December 11, 2025, and the Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed it on December 18, 2025. Following clarifications requested by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, the bill received Governor’s official assent on February 28, 2026.