On 2026-10-12, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K S Hemalekha delivered a ruling that quashed the state government’s decision to increase reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The bench set aside the measure that had lifted the overall reservation quota in the state from 50% to 56%. The judgment came in response to a public interest litigation filed by Mahendra Kumar Mitra, which challenged the enhancement made under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation) Act, 2022.
Prior to the court’s intervention, the Karnataka government had raised SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7%. These adjustments were based on the recommendations of the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee, which had proposed a two‑point increase for SCs and a four‑point increase for STs. The changes were given legal effect through an ordinance and a special gazette notification that covered 103 SC sub‑castes and 56 ST sub‑groups. The then BJP administration led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had initiated the process to formalize the revised quotas.
"Unconstitutional": Karnataka Court Quashes ST/SC Quota Exceeding 50% Cap https://t.co/yTGxr08wGq https://t.co/a0mlmhuqWV
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara reacted to the ruling by warning that it could affect social justice, education and employment opportunities in the state. He signalled that the Karnataka government would file an appeal to the Supreme Court and explore all legal avenues while seeking to protect ongoing recruitment and educational processes. The state administration also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government to urgently review a proposal to place Karnataka’s reservation law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, a move that would shield it from judicial review.
The state’s stance was described as supportive of the increased reservation, while the court’s stance was characterized as supportive of maintaining the 50% ceiling.
The Karnataka government announced its intention to challenge the High Court’s decision before the Supreme Court. Officials said they would pursue every available legal option to restore the enhanced quotas, emphasizing that the appeal would not disrupt current admissions or hiring cycles. The state’s stance was described as supportive of the increased reservation, while the court’s stance was characterized as supportive of maintaining the 50% ceiling.
𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐂, 𝐒𝐓 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐩 The Karnataka High Court has struck down the state's 2022 increase in SC and ST reservation. The ruling revives the 50 per cent quota ceiling debate as the government weighs an appeal. Read more: https://t.co/rxikHtST2u #Karnataka #KarnatakaHC
Observers noted that the court’s ruling restored the previous overall reservation cap of 50%, directly counteracting the state’s attempt to exceed that limit. The decision means that, for now, the reservation percentages in educational institutions and state government services revert to the pre‑increase levels of 15% for SCs and 3% for STs. The Karnataka government warned that this rollback could have repercussions for the representation of historically marginalized communities in public sector jobs and higher education.
Critics pointed out that the BJP‑led state government had implemented the reservation hike before seeking to insulate the law via the Ninth Schedule. They also questioned why the central BJP‑led administration had not provided a legal framework for the change prior to the 2023 assembly elections. The call for the central government to examine the Ninth Schedule option reflects a broader debate about how to balance affirmative action with judicial oversight.
As of the date of the ruling, the Karnataka High Court’s decision stands, reinstating the 50% cap on reservation in the state. The situation leaves the future of SC and ST reservation in Karnataka unresolved, with legal proceedings set to determine whether the state can ultimately exceed the longstanding half‑quota limit.