OBC Caste List in UP

Other Backward Class (OBC) is the term used by the Indian Government denoting the economically or educationally backward castes. Apart from this, there are other reserved categories in India, such as the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), etc. Talking about Uttar Pradesh, it is said to be the most populous state, the largest sub-division and the largest state in the world.

A backward classes report released in 2023 by the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Backward Classes concluded that the OBC population was 37-41% of the urban population in the state. In UP, the number of OBC is estimated to be over 50% of the total population. The Yadavs are the largest (19 per cent of the population of the state), then there are Kurmis and Patels (7.4% each) and Lodhs (4.8%), followed by Nishads, Mallahs and Kevats (4.3%), and Jats (3.6%). These figures are estimated and collected through surveys since the government has not published all caste data of the non-SC/ST category regarding Census 2011. The next national census, which was initially planned to be held in 2021, is planned to be held in 2025.

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Attempted Changes to the OBC Caste List in 2019

The Uttar Pradesh Government, in June 2019, attempted to transfer 17 OBC castes to the Scheduled Castes (SC) list. The castes included were- Nishad, Bind, Mallah, Kewat, Kashyap, Bhar, Dhivar, Batham, Machua, Prajapati, Rajbhar, Kahar, Pottar (Kumhar), Dhimar, Manjhi, Tuhaha (Turha), and Gaur (Godia).

However, this move faced significant legal and constitutional challenges:

• The Central Government stated that this action was not in accordance with the Constitution, as only Parliament has the authority to modify the SC list under Article 341
• In January 2024, the Allahabad High Court struck down this move as unconstitutional
• These 17 castes continue to remain in the OBC category

Previous governments had also attempted similar moves, which were unsuccessful due to legal intervention.

Updated OBC Caste List in UP as of 2023

As discussed, the OBCs have witnessed social and economic mobility. The following table represents a comprehensive OBC caste list in UP.

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Recent Developments in OBC Classification

Recent developments in OBC classification focus on ensuring a more equitable distribution of reservation benefits by addressing internal disparities through sub-categorisation and updated creamy layer norms.

OBC Sub-Categorisation

In October 2017, the President of India notified a five-member Commission headed by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution to explore OBC sub-categorisation. The commission was tasked with examining the distribution of reservation benefits among OBC communities.

In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) proposed:

• Sub-dividing OBCs into 'backward', 'more backward', and 'extremely backward' categories
• Dividing the 27% OBC quota proportionally among these sub-categories based on population
• Setting a minimum income ceiling of Rs 1.5 million annually for the OBC status
• Ensuring that stronger OBC communities don't monopolize quota benefits

OBC Creamy Layer Updates

In August 2017, the Central government raised the 'creamy layer' ceiling for OBC reservation from Rs 6 lakh per annum to Rs 8 lakh per annum. The creamy layer refers to economically advanced OBC families who are excluded from reservation benefits."

Accessing Benefits as an OBC Member

The federal and state governments are implementing several programmes and policies to raise the status of OBCs. The OBC caste list in UP benefits from various aspects, such as:

• Seats in government institutions like the IIMs and IITs, as well as positions like IPS, IAS, and so on, are subject to a 27% reservation quota.
• Many exams, like the UPSC Civil Services Exam, now have a revised maximum age limit. Conversely, there are fewer restrictions on the number of test administrations. Also, there is an exemption for cut-off markers.

How to Verify OBC Status in UP?

The Government of Uttar Pradesh offers its citizens an online portal called UP eDistrict as a service. Currently, eDistrict UP offers 269 services, including the ability to apply for scholarships, caste certificates, income certificates, domicile certificates, and more. The following is a discussion about the step-wise procedure to verify the OBC caste list in UP status.

Step-wise Procedure to Verify OBC Status

The following are simple steps by which anyone can verify their status from the OBC caste list in Uttar Pradesh:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the UP Department of Backward Classes Welfare - https://www.backwardwelfareup.gov.in/en

Step 2: Click on ‘Certificate Details’ on the homepage and enter your updated certification number.

Step 3: Click on ‘Search’ to see your caste certificate details, active status, and other crucial data associated with it.

Step 4: Make any required changes and take a printout for future reference.

Documents Required to Check OBC Caste Certificate Status

If you want to see the progress of your online caste certificate application, you must input the certificate application code that the official state council sent to you. However, you must include the following information to confirm the caste certificate information on any current certificate:

• Your full name
• The number of your previously valid caste certificate
• New caste certificate number
• Name of the issuing body
• Issuance date

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The OBC caste list in Uttar Pradesh shows how large and diverse backward communities are in India’s most populous state. Since there is no recent caste census, the government often has to rely on surveys and commission reports instead of clear data while making policies. In the future, let us hope that real progress comes not only from fixed reservation numbers but from better data, fair sharing of benefits within OBC groups, and welfare policies that ensure smaller and weaker communities are not left behind by stronger ones.

If you have any queries related to reservation criteria in UP for national or state-level exams, then reach out to us on theCollegeDekho QnA zone. Keep checking our website for latest updates on state-level admission processes and entrance exams..