How are Other Backward Classes identified? Enumerating the important features, elucidate the recent changes in their social and economic life.

Identification of Other Backward Classes

The identification of OBCs is a multi-stage process involving various commissions and criteria. Initially, states were responsible for identifying OBCs within their territories. However, a national consensus was needed for a uniform approach.

• Mandal Commission (1979): This commission, headed by B.P. Mandal, identified 1180 castes as OBCs. It used eleven indicators to determine backwardness, including social, educational, and economic factors.
• National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC): Established in 1993, the NCBC advises the central government on matters concerning OBCs. It examines requests for inclusion or exclusion of any caste in the list of OBCs.
• Sub-categorization within OBCs: Recognizing the uneven distribution of benefits among OBCs, the government has undertaken sub-categorization exercises. The Rohini Commission (2017) was appointed to examine the categorization of OBCs and recommend ways to ensure more equitable distribution of benefits.
• Criteria for Identification: The primary criteria for identifying OBCs include:
  • Social backwardness: Based on traditional occupations, social stigma, and historical disadvantage.
  • Educational backwardness: Measured by low literacy rates and limited access to education.
  • Economic backwardness: Assessed through low income, poverty, and limited access to resources.

Recent Changes in the Social Life of OBCs

The social life of OBCs has undergone significant changes in recent decades, driven by affirmative action, increased awareness, and socio-economic mobility.

• Education: Increased access to education due to reservations has led to a rise in literacy rates among OBCs. However, disparities remain, particularly in higher education and professional courses. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-21, OBC students constitute approximately 27% of total enrollment in higher education.
• Social Mobility: Reservations in government jobs and educational institutions have facilitated social mobility for many OBC individuals, breaking traditional occupational barriers.
• Political Empowerment: OBCs have gained significant political representation at all levels of government, influencing policy-making and advocating for their interests. The implementation of the 27% reservation for OBCs in central government jobs has been a key factor.
• Changing Social Norms: Increased education and economic empowerment have led to changes in social norms and practices within OBC communities, including inter-caste marriages and reduced reliance on traditional caste-based occupations.

Recent Changes in the Economic Life of OBCs

The economic landscape of OBCs has also witnessed notable transformations, although challenges persist.

• Employment: While reservations have increased OBC representation in government jobs, a significant proportion of OBCs continue to be employed in the informal sector, often engaged in low-paying and insecure occupations.
• Land Ownership: Land ownership remains a significant indicator of economic status. Historically, OBCs have had limited access to land, and this disparity continues to exist in many regions.
• Entrepreneurship: Government schemes promoting entrepreneurship among OBCs, such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), have encouraged self-employment and small-scale businesses.
• Income Levels: Average income levels among OBCs have increased in recent years, but they still lag behind those of upper castes. According to the Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, the average monthly income of OBC households is lower than that of general category households.

Challenges and Persistent Inequalities

Despite progress, OBCs continue to face several challenges:

• Sub-categorization Issues: The implementation of sub-categorization within OBCs has been slow and faces legal challenges.
• Creamy Layer Exclusion: The ‘creamy layer’ exclusion criteria, which excludes economically advanced OBC individuals from reservation benefits, has been a subject of debate and legal scrutiny.
• Social Discrimination: Despite legal protections, social discrimination against OBCs persists in many parts of the country.
• Access to Quality Education: Ensuring access to quality education for OBC students, particularly in rural areas, remains a significant challenge.