Internal reservation likely to become a vexed issue in recruitment of 56,432 posts

The State government, which, under pressure from public services aspirants, announced kickstarting one of the biggest recruitment processes for 56,432 posts with 50% cap on reservation, seems to be now torn between the Dalit groups over the issue of internal reservation. With the government deciding to revert to 15% reservation for the Scheduled Caste, providing internal reservation is likely to become a vexed issue.

A government source told The Hindu that recruitment and appointment as per 56% reservation and internal reservation would not be applied in view of the “High Court interim order”.

The Cabinet on Thursday decided to revert to the 15% quota and the roster points to implement the quota that was in practice before the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or posts in the Services under the State) Act, 2022. The legislation that came into effect in 2023 enhanced reservations to the Scheduled Castes from 15% to 17% and for Scheduled Tribes from 3% to 7%.

It is learnt that the Dalit Left (Madigas) Ministers K.H. Muniyappa and R.B. Thimmapur met internal reservation activists at Madigara Mahasabha on Friday, to allay fears over dropping of internal reservation within the 15% quota. Committing to the internal reservation, the two Ministers are learnt to have told the activists that a meeting of all Dalit Ministers to bring about a consensus on the issue will be held soon to arrive at an acceptable solution. Mr. Muniyappa is learnt to have spoken about the Congress government’s commitment to internal reservation, without which recruitments will not be done. He has told them that legal advice, data, and reports of commissions will be considered before arriving at sub-classification. Mr. Thimmapur has assured that internal reservation will be part of the 15% quota and will be done proportionately.

While the Cabinet note reserved 6% jobs (2% for SCs and 4% for STs) since the reservation was scaled down from 56% to 50% pending the High Court decision, the note has remained silent on providing internal reservation within 15% quota.

Incidentally, the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday gave his assent to the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-classification) Bill, 2025, which provides for a 6:6:5 matrix for Madigas, Holeyas, and Bhovi/Lambani/ Korma/ Korcha/ Nomadic tribes respectively in 17% reservation for SCs. Interestingly, reservations in educational institutions are being done for 56%, with internal reservation for SCs within 17%.

However, with the government deciding to adhere to the Supreme Court-mandated reservation cap of 50%, Dalit rights communities is learnt to be opposed to adjusting the internal reservation matrix within 15% reservation quota. “The new roster points based on internal reservation have already caused havoc, drawing ire and protest across the State by Dalit right communities,” said a senior official.

Though an expert who was associated with the H.N. Nagmohan Das Commission that recommended internal reservation says it is possible to reduce the ratio in the internal reservation appropriately since the Governor has already given his assent, it has pointed out that the Assembly has to relook into the 15%. Dalit rights community leaders have said that it was legally not possible. A Cabinet Minister felt that 15% reservation was based on a different set of data obtained by the census for which rosters were fixed; it is not possible to slice the 15% for internal reservation without proper empirical work. The notifications for jobs that have been approved by the Cabinet could come without internal reservation, the Minister hinted.