Kerala High Court asks State for update on OBC socio-economic survey

The Kerala High Court has directed the State’s Backward Classes Development Department to report on steps taken to conduct a socio-economic caste survey by November 5, 2026. The direction was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V.M. Syam Kumar.

The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by the Minority Indians Planning and Vigilance Commission Trust. The Bench noted that it had directed the Union and State governments in 2019 to complete a socio-economic study and submit the report to the Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes. The commission was expected to assess the report and make recommendations to the State.

The earlier proceedings involved requests to revise Kerala’s Other Backward Classes list and to declare that the Muslim community should receive benefits available to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The petitions also sought special recruitment for Muslim Backward Classes and a review of the position of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other groups in the Kerala Public Service Commission rotation chart. The court said a fact-finding survey was necessary before directions could be issued on the claims.

It also observed that the backward classes commission had a duty to identify backward classes. The contempt petitioner said delays had contributed to the under-representation of Muslims, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and 70 other backward classes in Kerala’s public services. The petitioner referred to a door-to-door survey conducted in Telangana.

The court asked the Additional Advocate General to consider whether a similar order was required to implement its earlier directions. The State Secretary must provide the requested report by November 5.