Karnataka High Court strikes down a law raising SC/ST reservation, citing the 50 per cent ceiling
The Karnataka High Court struck down a law that increased reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, declaring it unconstitutional, The Hindu reports. The court said the 50 per cent ceiling on total reservation is a binding constitutional principle and that reservation cannot be proportionate to the population of castes, since population as a basis would destroy the principle of equality.
The ruling limits any state move to raise quotas past that cap unless a higher court says otherwise.
If you are applying for state jobs or colleges in Karnataka, the quota percentages for SC/ST candidates stay as before the law.
Supporters of the law say population shares justify higher quotas.
The court says tying quotas to population shares conflicts with equality.
An appeal to the Supreme Court is the obvious next step; we have not seen it reported.
DailyDrop India edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026