Maharashtra Government Seeks OBC Sub‑Category Status for Maratha Community in Bombay High Court

The Maharashtra government argued before a full bench of the Bombay High Court that the Maratha community could be placed as a separate sub‑category within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. Citing Supreme Court decisions that recognise sub‑classification in reserved categories, Advocate General Milind Sathe said the proposal meets constitutional requirements.

The state also contended that the 50 % reservation ceiling is not absolute, pointing to the constitutionally backed reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) that pushes total reservations beyond that limit. The hearing involves 18 petitions challenging the 10 % reservation granted to Marathas under the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category, introduced during the Eknath Shinde‑led government. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justices Sandeep Marne and Jadhav, adjourned the matter until September 2.

The outcome could affect the legal framework for reservations in Maharashtra and potentially set precedent for other communities seeking sub‑category status within OBC quotas.