Madhya Pradesh High Court Reduces OBC Quota to 14%, Strikes Down 27% Increase

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has struck down a 27% OBC quota, ordering the state to maintain the reservation at 14%. The court's decision was based on empirical data demonstrating that OBCs were already substantially represented across key sectors.

According to the bench's findings, OBCs accounted for 33.87% of enrolment in higher education institutions and 28.16% of government job positions. These figures exceeded the proposed 27% quota ceiling, prompting the court to rule that the higher reservation rate was not justified.

The judgment effectively nullifies the state's attempt to expand OBC reservations beyond the nationally-set 14% threshold. The ruling underscores judicial scrutiny of quota policies and their alignment with demographic and institutional data.