GS IAS Logo

< Previous | Contents | Next >

D. OBC Movements

The Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are those who are as deprived as the S.C.s but without the stigma of untouchability. Andre Beteille, says "The OBC Constitute a congeries of communities of rather uncertain status".

The Kaka Kalelkar Commission appointed by the Government of India, identified more than 3000 castes or communities as OBC in 1956. The Mandal Commission (1980) calculated that 52% of the population including non Hindus constitutes OBCs. Almost all commissions, except the Rane Commission in Gujarat (1983), used Social, educational and economic criteria for identifying 'backwardness'.