Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Assam Panel Rejects ST Status for Six Communities
A group in Assam called CCTOA has said no to giving special tribe status (ST) to six communities.
These communities are Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea tribes.
The group thinks these communities don't fit the rules for ST status.
They also believe giving this status would cause problems for people who already have it.
The group wants the government to say no to this idea.
They will talk to leaders in Delhi after a festival called Magh Bihu.
The Consultative Group of CCTOA rejected the proposal to grant ST status to six communities in Assam.
The group argued that the communities do not meet the criteria for ST status as per the Lokur Committee's guidelines.
They stated that the communities are already classified as OBCs and reclassification is legally impermissible.
The group warned that granting ST status would dilute the rights of existing STs and exceed the Supreme Court-mandated 50% reservation ceiling.
They urged the GoM to reject the recommendation and communicate this to the concerned authorities.
- Who
- Consultative Group of the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organizations of Assam (CCTOA)
- What
- Rejected the proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in Assam
- When
- January 7, 2026
- Where
- Guwahati, Assam
- Why
- The group argued that the communities do not meet the criteria for ST status and that granting it would dilute the rights of existing STs
- Communities Involved
- Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, Tea tribes
- Organization
- Consultative Group of CCTOA
- Date of Recommendation
- January 7, 2026
- Chairperson of Consultative Group
- Suhas Chakma
- GoM Chairperson
- Dr. Ranoj Pegu
- Current Status of Communities
- Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
- Supreme Court Reservation Ceiling
- 50%
- Current OBC Reservation
- 27%
