Archive · 25 Nov 2025
SC Sets 50% OBC Quota Ceiling for Maharashtra Local Polls
The Supreme Court of India is deciding about the rules for giving special seats to OBC (Other Backward Classes) people in local elections in Maharashtra.
They said that in 57 places, the number of special seats is more than 50%, and they will decide later if this is okay.
The court wants elections to happen soon because they have been delayed for a long time.
They also said that if elections are held with more than 50% special seats and it's not allowed, the court can cancel those elections.
The court will make a final decision in January or February.
Some people are worried that if they follow the 50% rule strictly, OBC people might not get enough seats, especially in areas with many tribal people.
The court said they don't want to divide people based on caste.
Supreme Court allows Maharashtra local body elections to proceed but sets a 50% ceiling on OBC reservation for seats yet to be notified.
57 out of 288 local bodies have OBC reservation exceeding 50%, and their results will depend on the court's final judgment.
Elections for 246 Municipal Councils and 42 Nagar Panchayats are scheduled for December 2.
The court clarified that its previous order was misconstrued as allowing reservations beyond 50% and that no such excess is permitted.
The court will decide the issue finally in January or February and can annul elections held contrary to the 50% ceiling.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Maharashtra State Election Commission, Maharashtra Government
- What
- Supreme Court's ruling on OBC reservation in Maharashtra local body elections
- When
- Hearing on November 21, 2023; Next hearing on November 28, 2023
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- To resolve the dispute over OBC reservation exceeding 50% in local body elections
- Total Local Bodies
- 288
- Bodies with >50% Quota
- 57
- Election Date
- December 2
- OBC Reservation Ceiling
- 50%
- Last Local Body Polls
- 2016-2017
- Banthia Commission Report
- July 2022
- Next Hearing Date
- November 28
Sources
Maharashtra local body polls: OBC quota should not cross 50% mark in elections yet to be notified, says SC
57 Maharashtra local poll results depend on quota verdict: SC
Supriya Sule writes to SEC that BJP is forcing candidates to withdraw from Local Body Polls
Maharashtra local body polls: Congress seeks to extend deadline for submitting objections to draft voters’ list
