Karnataka High Court strikes down SC/ST quota hike that took total reservation to 56%
13-10-2026 · English
Topics: Polity · 13 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)
News
On 12 Oct 2026 the Karnataka High Court struck down Sections 3 and 4 of a 2022 Karnataka law – to the extent they cross 50% – which had raised SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST from 3% to 7%, taking total reservation (SC + ST + OBC 32%) to 56%. A bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha held that the Indra Sawhney (1992) 50% ceiling 'is not an elastic limit' and that no extraordinary circumstances were shown.
Key facts
| Law | Karnataka SC and ST (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 2022 (assent 11 Jan 2023) |
| Hike | SC 15 → 17%; ST 3 → 7%; OBC 32%; total 50 → 56% |
| Verdict | 12 Oct 2026 – CJ Vibhu Bakhru, Justice K.S. Hemalekha; Sections 3 and 4 struck down beyond 50% (violating Articles 14, 15, 16) |
| Other ground | National Commissions for SCs and STs were not consulted beforehand (Articles 338(9), 338A(9)) |
| Next | State weighing a Supreme Court appeal; request to the Centre for Ninth Schedule protection pending |
Background
- Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992, the 'Mandal case', 9 judges) – reservation must not exceed 50% save in extraordinary situations; 'creamy layer' excluded from OBCs. Maharashtra's Maratha quota was struck down in the Jaishri Patil case (May 2021).
- Articles 15(4), 16(4) – special provisions for backward classes. The 103rd Amendment (2019) – 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), upheld in Janhit Abhiyan (Nov 2022); but the High Court said it does not lift the 50% ceiling for other categories.
- Ninth Schedule – 1st Amendment (1951), Article 31B. I.R. Coelho case (2007): laws added after 24 Apr 1973 can still be reviewed for violating the basic structure.
Tamil Nadu link: Tamil Nadu has 69% reservation under its 1994 Act (Act 45 of 1994), placed in the Ninth Schedule by the 76th Constitutional Amendment (1994) under CM Jayalalithaa. Split: BC 30%, MBC 20%, SC 18%, ST 1%. A challenge to its validity is pending in the Supreme Court. Karnataka's Act title mirrors Tamil Nadu's.
Source: The News Minute, NewsKarnataka, NewsDrum, South First, 12–13 Oct 2026
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