BharatNotes Mandal Commission
/ˈmændəl kəˈmɪʃən/The Second Backward Classes Commission (1979–1980), formally the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission, constituted under Article 340 and chaired by B.P. Mandal, which recommended 27% reservation in Central government posts and educational institutions for Other Backward Classes — bringing total reservation to 49.5% (15% SC + 7.5% ST + 27% OBC) — based on a social backwardness index that identified 3,743 OBC communities comprising approximately 52% of India's population.
Context & Background
Constituted by Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1979 (Janata Party government), submitted its report in 1980, but implementation was delayed for a decade. Prime Minister V.P. Singh announced implementation on 7 August 1990, triggering nationwide protests including self-immolation attempts. The Supreme Court's Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) upheld 27% OBC reservation but imposed the creamy layer exclusion and the 50% ceiling, and prohibited reservations in promotions (overturned for SCs/STs by the 85th Amendment, 2001). The National Commission for Backward Classes (Article 338B, inserted by 102nd Amendment, 2018) now advises on inclusion/exclusion of communities.
UPSC Exam Relevance
GS2 Social Justice — Prelims: chaired by B.P. Mandal; 1979–1980; 27% OBC reservation recommended; 3,743 OBC communities; 52% population estimate; implementation announced 1990 (V.P. Singh); Indra Sawhney (1992) — upheld with creamy layer exclusion + 50% ceiling; 102nd Amendment (2018) — constitutional status to NCBC (Article 338B, OBC list now Parliament's domain); 105th Amendment (2021) — restored state power to make own OBC lists. Mains: debate on caste census (Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 — data not released); economic criterion vs social backwardness criterion; sub-categorisation of OBCs; women within OBC (intersection of gender and caste); creamy layer revision frequency.
