Tamil Nadu News

Madras High Court on OBC Status

November 15 , 2026 6 hrs 0 min 8 0

The Madras High Court questioned the constitutional validity of including certain Christian communities and converts in Tamil Nadu's Backward Classes (BC) and Most Backward Classes (MBC) reservation lists.
The court stated that inclusion or continuation in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list must be supported by evidence of social and educational backwardness.
The case concerns the inclusion of Christian Nadar, Christian Shanar and Christian Gramani communities and certain Christian converts from fishing communities.
The petitioner challenged these inclusions, arguing that they could affect reservation opportunities for other backward communities.
The case involves Article 16(1), which guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, and Article 16(4), which provides for reservation for inadequately represented backward classes.