Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to securing 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Madhya Pradesh. Addressing an all-party meeting held at Samatva Bhavan in the Chief Minister’s residence, Dr. Yadav said that the matter is pending in the Supreme Court, which will begin daily hearings on September 22, 2025.
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Representatives from various political parties, including Mr. Jeetu Patwari (Congress), Mr. Umang Sindhar (Leader of Opposition), Mr. Arun Wat (former Assembly Speaker), Mr. Manoj Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Mr. Taleshwar Singh Markam (Gondwana Republic Party), and others, unanimously passed a resolution to stand together on this matter. Advocates from different political groups will also hold joint deliberations by September 10.
Government’s Stand and Judicial Process
The Madhya Pradesh government had issued an ordinance in March 2019, raising OBC reservation in education and public employment from 14 percent to 27 percent. A bill was later passed in the Assembly in August 2019 to formalize the change. However, multiple petitions, including WP 5901/2019 (Ashita Dubey vs. State of Madhya Pradesh), led to interim court orders restricting reservation to 14 percent.
Subsequently, recruitment processes such as MPPSC, PEB, and TET were stalled under judicial directions. The state government, however, defended the ordinance and merged all petitions for a consolidated hearing. The upcoming Supreme Court proceedings will now decide the legality and future implementation of 27 percent OBC reservation.
Initiatives for Effective Implementation
The state has already attempted partial execution of the policy. The General Administration Department instructed MPPSC in September 2022 and the Staff Selection Board in January 2024 to release examination results in two parts: 87 percent confirmed posts and 13 percent provisional posts.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stressed that where no judicial stay existed, 27 percent reservation was implemented, including in the Public Works Department. He also noted that the caste census initiated under Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s leadership would further strengthen the case for ensuring OBC rights.
Backward Classes Welfare Commission’s Role
The Madhya Pradesh Backward Classes Welfare Commission, constituted in May 2021, has been tasked with assessing the socio-economic and educational status of OBCs. Reports submitted in May 2022 have guided policy directions. Recently, new members were appointed in July 2025, and the commission has assigned Dr. Ambedkar Social Science University (Mhow) and M.P. Jan Abhiyan Parishad to collect empirical data and conduct detailed socio-scientific studies.
The final analytical report is under preparation and will provide a comprehensive foundation for defending the state’s stance in the Supreme Court.
Political Representation and Wider Context
The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in the Surera Mahajan case, allowing OBC reservations up to 35 percent in local body elections, was a landmark for political representation. Madhya Pradesh has since aligned its legal arguments with practices followed in other states to strengthen its case.
All petitions concerning OBC reservation in Madhya Pradesh have now been transferred to the Supreme Court, with the decisive hearing scheduled to begin on September 22.
