SC internal reservation in Karnataka set at 5.25, 5.25, 4.5; hiring for 56,432 posts urged

The Karnataka government has ordered internal reservation within the 15 per cent Scheduled Castes quota, allocating 5.25 per cent each to Categories A and B and 4.5 per cent to Category C. It has also asked appointing authorities to move quickly on direct recruitment for 56,432 Finance Department-approved posts, subject to the High Court order.

Karnataka has issued a government order to roll out internal reservation for Scheduled Castes. The revised split sets 5.25 per cent, 5.25 per cent, and 4.50 per cent within the state’s 15 per cent SC quota. The order also asks departments to restart delayed hiring for 56,432 posts cleared by the Finance Department.

The move follows a Karnataka cabinet decision taken on Friday. The cabinet approved internal reservation across 101 Scheduled Castes in the state. It used a matrix that allocates 5.25 per cent each to Category A and Category B. It also assigns 4.5 per cent to Category C communities.

Scheduled Castes internal reservation formula and categories

Under the matrix, Category A covers Madigas and allied castes, described as Dalit left. Category B includes Holeyas and allied castes, described as Dalit right. Category C lists Bhovi, Lambani, Korama, Koracha, and 59 nomadic communities. These shares apply within the overall 15 per cent SC reservation.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday that recruitment would continue under court conditions. Siddaramaiah said the government passed the order on April 27. Siddaramaiah said recruitment will be "subject to the High Courts order.\" The order adopts a temporary 50 per cent reservation rate, as directed by the High Court.

Siddaramaiah also detailed a further split inside Category C opportunities. Siddaramaiah said that out of Category C posts or entry seats, 20 per cent is set aside. This part is meant for the 59 most backward castes within Scheduled Castes. Siddaramaiah shared this update in a post on X.

Scheduled Castes internal reservation and government recruitment posts

The Chief Minister said all appointing authorities received urgent instructions on hiring. The focus is direct recruitment for 56,432 posts already approved by the Finance Department. These vacancies have been pending for some time. The government order asks departments to move quickly so recruitment does not stay blocked.

In the same X post, Siddaramaiah wrote: \"I am very happy to share a copy of the order in this regard with all the job seekers of the state. Our government has acted as promised on the issue of internal reservation and has not betrayed the trust of the people of the state by upholding its commitment to the principle of equality and fairness for all,\" while sharing the order copy.

The decision comes amid an ongoing dispute on overall reservation limits in Karnataka. The previous BJP government raised SC reservation from 15 per cent to 17 per cent. It also increased Scheduled Tribes from 3 per cent to 7 per cent. This pushed the state’s total reservation to 56 per cent, above the Supreme Court’s 50 per cent cap.

While that change remained in court, the Congress government planned internal reservation within the 17 per cent SC quota. The proposal used a 6:6:5 formula. However, the High Court directed the state not to cross the 50 per cent ceiling. The ceiling was set by the Supreme Court in the 1992 Indra Sawhney Case.

After the High Court direction, the government adjusted its approach. It recalibrated the internal reservation plan under the 15 per cent SC quota instead. The revised order keeps the internal shares at 5.25, 5.25, and 4.5 per cent. Recruitment is set to proceed under the High Court’s conditions.

With inputs from PTI