The Karnataka State Cabinet has approved a historic decision to implement internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), a move anticipated to conclude a three-decade-long struggle for equitable representation. The decision, made on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, involves restructuring the 17% reservation for SCs into three distinct categories.
The New Reservation Matrix
The approved reservation matrix divides the 17% quota as follows:
Background and Rationale
The decision follows a Supreme Court verdict that allowed for internal reservations among SCs. The move addresses the long-standing demand from certain SC sub-castes who felt marginalized, with a few influential groups allegedly taking a majority of the reservation benefits. The internal reservation aims to ensure a more balanced distribution of opportunities among the 101 scheduled castes in Karnataka.
The Nagamohan Das Commission
The decision is based on the recommendations of the Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission, which was formed in November 2024 to gather empirical data and recommend a quota structure. The commission submitted its 1,766-page report on August 4, 2025, after surveying 94% of the estimated 1.16 crore SC population in the state. The survey commenced on May 5, 2025.
The commission's initial recommendations differed slightly from the final decision. It had suggested 5% for Dalit Right, 6% for Dalit Left, 4% for touchable castes, and 1% each for nomadic castes and Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, and Adi Andhra communities. However, the Cabinet decided to drop the 1% reservation for nomadic castes and the Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, and Adi Andhra communities.
Political Reactions and Future Steps
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil described the Cabinet meeting as "fruitful," while Kannada and Culture and Backward Classes Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi hailed the decision as "historic". Tangadagi emphasized that the decision was made collectively under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's leadership, ensuring that "nobody will be left behind".
Government sources indicated that an ordinance would be promulgated after the Monsoon session to further clarify the prioritization of categories. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to make a formal statement in the Legislature regarding the decision.
Historical Context
Efforts to implement internal reservations for SCs in Karnataka date back to 2005, with the formation of the Justice Sadashiva Commission. This commission also recommended internal reservations, but the issue remained unresolved for many years. In March 2023, the previous BJP government had proposed a different internal reservation policy, which was later scrapped.
Concerns and Disagreements
Despite the widespread support, some communities have expressed concerns. Lambani community leaders, for instance, voiced their disappointment with the initial recommendations of the Nagamohan Das Commission, demanding a higher quota.
Implications
The Karnataka government's decision marks a significant step towards addressing historical inequalities and ensuring fairer representation for all SC communities in the state. By sub-categorizing the SC quota, the government aims to empower marginalized groups and promote social justice. The move is expected to have far-reaching implications for education, employment, and other opportunities for SC individuals in Karnataka.
