Supreme Court Declines Stay on Patna High Court Order Scrapping Expansion of Reservation To 65%

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has refused to stay the Patna High Court's decision to strike down the Bihar government's order to increase the reservation quota for underprivileged sections from 50% to 65%. However, the apex court has agreed to hear the Bihar government's appeal.

The case will be heard in detail in September, providing the Bihar government with an opportunity to present its arguments in favor of the increased reservation.

The Bihar government had proposed expanding the reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for SC/ST, OBC, and economically backward individuals. This move aimed to increase the reservation quota from the existing 50% to 65%.

The Patna High Court had previously ruled this decision as unconstitutional, prompting the Bihar government to approach the Supreme Court. The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing in September will be crucial in determining the future of this reservation policy.

Patna High Court Scrapped Expansion of Caste-Based Quota From 50% To 60%

On June 20, 2024, the Patna High Court ruled the Bihar government's decision to expand the reservation quota as unconstitutional. The court held that increasing the quota from 50% to 65% violated the established legal framework for reservations. This ruling came as a significant setback to the Bihar government, which argued that the expansion was necessary to provide greater opportunities for SC/ST, OBC, and economically backward individuals in educational institutions and government jobs.

The Bihar government had proposed expanding the reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for SC/ST, OBC, and economically backward individuals. This move aimed to increase the reservation quota from the existing 50% to 65%.

Following the High Court's ruling, the Bihar government approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the decision and reinstate the expanded reservation policy.