Special Cabinet to Review Karnataka’s SC Internal Quota Report on Aug 16

Quick Summary:

• Retired judge H.N. Nagmohan Das submitted his commission’s report on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on August 4,2025.
• The Karnataka Cabinet received the report on August 7 and scheduled a special meeting for August 16 to discuss its recommendations.
• Ministers were provided copies of the detailed 1,766-page report for review before deliberations begin.
• The commission proposed six recommendations, creating a matrix based on social and educational backwardness as well as representation in public employment within the existing 17% SC reservation quota for public education and jobs.
• Suggested reservations include:

– 6% for Dalit left communities,
– 5% for Dalit right communities,
– 1% for over 40 nomadic tribes categorized as micro communities,
– 1% specifically allocated to Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, and Adi Andhra groups,
– 4% reserved for Lambanis, Koramas, Korachas, and Bhovis (classified as touchable communities).

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The submission of the H.N. Nagmohan Das Commission’s report represents a significant step toward addressing disparities within Scheduled Castes by proposing internal quotas. By examining factors such as social backwardness and educational gaps alongside representation metrics in public employment, this nuanced approach seeks to ensure equitable distribution within existing reserve allocations.

This development could influence similar policies across other states where caste dynamics are complex. However, implementation might elicit both support from affected communities seeking greater inclusion and opposition from those concerned about segmentation or adequacy of policy design.

The upcoming special Cabinet discussion will play a pivotal role in determining how these recommendations are formalized into actionable governance changes. This underscores an evolving focus on calibrated affirmative action efforts beyond surface-level adjustments.

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