The OBC Category: Central List, Benefits and Latest News

In India, the OBC Category (Other Backward Classes) are socially and educationally disadvantaged. In contrast to Scheduled Classes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST), OBCs are a separate category. A list maintained by the Central Government of India identifies the castes and communities considered OBCs. It is one of several official Indian population classifications, along with general castes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes (SCs and STs).

Hence, this blog highlights who falls under the OBC category and their benefit entitlements.

What is the OBC Category?

There is no definition of the OBC category in the Constitution. In April 1993, the government enacted the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) Act in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Indira Sawhney’s case. “Backward classes,” according to Section 2 of the NCBC Act, refer to those backward classes of citizens not belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Trace the History of the OBC Category:

Read: How Mandal Changed, and Did Not Change, India

Read: Rohini Commission decoded: Understanding sub-categorisation of OBCs

Latest News Around OBC Category

• The Maharashtra government has decided to give all benefits enjoyed by the OBCs (other backward communities) to Marathas till they get a reservation.

What is this Issue?

Kunbi, an agrarian community, falls in the OBC category, and Jarange, was spearheading the agitation for reservation for the Marathas since last August, has been demanding Kunbi certificates for all Marathas. A draft notification was issued by the government following negotiations with Jarange, stating that blood relatives of a Maratha person, who has records to show that he belongs to the agrarian Kunbi community, would also be recognised as Kunbi.

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Central List of OBCs: State-wise

The Central government of India has issued a complete list of communities belonging to the OBC category. The list of OBCs can be accessed through the official link given below for a better understanding.

Particular	Relevant Link
State-wise Central List of OBCs	Click Here

Must Read: What is SC Category?

Difference Between the Creamy and Non-Creamy Layers of the OBC Category

The list of Castes and Communities that are considered in the OBC category has been made public by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Indian government uses the collective phrase “Other Backward Classes” to categorise castes that have social and educational disadvantages. Along with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it is one of the official classifications of India’s population (SCs and STs).

Creamy Layer	Non-Creamy Layer
The Other Backward Classes’ members who are in the creamy layer are not eligible for reservation.	The advantage of the reservation is available to Other Backward Classes members who are in the non-creamy layer.
Income: Above 8 Lakhs	Income: Below 8 Lakhs
Family Income: Total family income exceeds the 8 LPA family income cap (Income from salaries or agricultural land shall not be clubbed)	Family Income: Total family income is less than the 8 LPA (Income from salaries or agricultural land shall not be clubbed)
If a person is not requesting any form of reservation, no such document must be filed by them.	Competitive Exam Benefits: They can avail advantages, such as age relaxation and exam attempt relaxation for competitive exams.
If a person is not requesting any form of reservation, no such document is needed to be filed by them.	Every person requesting OBC status must produce a certificate stating their “OBC non-creamy layer status” that was granted by one of the authorities listed in the DOPT Office Memorandum.

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How Many Attempts for OBCs in UPSC?

The UPSC offers accommodations for the OBC category, in the IAS Exam. Additionally, the board places some restrictions on some groups of persons and offers some flexibility in others. The applicants for the exam should therefore make sure they meet all requirements for admission before submitting their applications.

UPSC Attempts for OBC – An Overview

The UPSC typically gives each candidate belonging to the OBC category or the PwBD category, who is taking the exam six chances to pass. For other kinds of candidates, the commission also offers some flexibility. As a result, depending on which group each candidate falls under, their total number of attempts is different from one another.

Candidate Category	Number of attempts
OBC Category (Other Backward Classes)	09
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) + OBC	09

The information in the table above about OBC candidates’ UPSC efforts was obtained from the UPSC’s official website, and it is clear that the number of attempts given for OBC applicants is greater than the attempts made by candidates in the general category.

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