11-11-2024
07:32 AM
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Mains: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
The Mandal Commission, formally known as the Second Backward Classes Commission, is a pivotal moment in India's social justice history. It was formed in 1979 by the Janata Party government to identify and provide reservations for socially and educationally backward classes; the Mandal Commission's recommendations have profoundly shaped India's socio-political landscape.
The Mandal Commission, officially known as the Second Backward Classes Commission, was established in India in 1979 by the Janata Party government, led by Prime Minister Morarji Desai. However, the report was not implemented until 1990.
The colonial administration recognised certain castes as "backward" and introduced the concept of affirmative action through the Government of India Act 1935, which provided reservations in legislative assemblies.
The Indian Constitution included provisions under Articles 15 and 16 for uplifting Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Kalelkar Commission (1953) was the first initiative in this direction, which was also the first Backward Classes Commission. Headed by Kaka Kalelkar, it identified Other Backward Classes (OBCs), but its recommendations were not implemented.
The Mandal Commission was set up on January 1, 1979, by the Janata Party government under Prime Minister Morarji Desai. B.P. Mandal, a Member of Parliament, chaired it. The Commission was tasked with identifying the socially and educationally backward classes in India and recommending measures to improve their conditions, including reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.
The Mandal Commission made several key recommendations aimed at addressing the social and educational backwardness of certain communities in India. The following are the main recommendations of the commission:
The Commission used 11 social, educational, and economic indicators to identify OBCs. It identified 3,743 castes as socially and educationally backwards, comprising about 52% of India's population.
It recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in public sector jobs and higher educational institutions. This was in addition to the existing 22.5% reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), bringing the total reservations to 49.5%.
It suggested reservations for OBCs in promotions. However, this specific recommendation was later struck down by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case (1992).
The Mandal Commission has had a profound and lasting impact on India's socio-political landscape. The following are the key significances of the Mandal Commission:
The implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations and subsequent developments have been a significant part of India's socio-political landscape. This includes the famous Indra Sawhney case of 1992.
Prime Minister V.P. Singh announced the implementation of the Mandal Commission's recommendations in 1990. The announcement triggered violent protests, including self-immolation attempts by some students. The period saw significant social unrest and polarisation along caste lines.
Due to the implementation of the Mandal Commissions report, debate and protest took place, and petitions were filed. The Supreme Court has clarified the law related to the OBC reservation in various cases.
The Rohini Commission, which was constituted in 2017, was tasked with examining the subcategorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to ensure a more equitable distribution of reservation benefits. The commission found that just 25% of the OBC subcastes took 97% of the jobs and educational seats reserved for OBCs. Specifically, 24.95% of these opportunities went to just 10 OBC communities.
The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act of India, passed in 2018, gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The amendment also added Article 342A, which gives the President the power to identify backward classes in each state and union territory.
The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act (2019) introduced a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the general category, reflecting ongoing adjustments in reservation policies.
The Mandal Commission's recommendations, implemented in 1990, had a lasting impact on India's socio-political landscape. Its relevance continues to be felt today in various aspects of social justice, politics, and affirmative action policies.
Q.1 Who gave the Mandal Commission?
Ans. The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBC), also known as the Mandal Commission, was established on January 1, 1979, by the Janata Party government under Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
Q2. When was the OBC reservation started in India?
Ans. The OBC reservation system in India was implemented in 1990, when V. P. Singh was Prime Minister, based on the recommendations of the Mandal Commission of 1980.
Q3. What were the Mandal Commission's recommendations?
Ans. The Mandal Commission's main recommendations included reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions, as well as reservations for promotions in the public service.
Q4. Which party introduced the Mandal Commission?
Ans. The Janata Party government, led by Prime Minister Morarji Desai, established the Mandal Commission in 1979.
Q5. Which PM of India implemented Mandal Commission?
Ans. In 1990, the then Prime Minister V P Singh announced in the Parliament that the recommendations of the Mandal Commission would be implemented.
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