Chandigarh Gets OBC Quota: Six-Year Rollout Planned
The Union government has finally extended the 27% Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation to Chandigarh, effectively implementing a Supreme Court directive. The move, notified on August 5, 2025, will see a phased implementation across educational institutions over the next six years.
This decision specifically identifies 58 OBC communities within the Union Territory. The notification also clarifies the nomenclature, replacing the previously used “Backward Classes” with the more precise “Other Backward Classes”.
The phased rollout is designed to ensure a smooth transition and avoid any potential disruptions to the existing educational system. The government aims to achieve complete implementation by 2031.
This landmark decision holds significant implications for social justice and equal opportunity in Chandigarh, potentially impacting thousands of aspiring students from OBC communities. The long-term effects on access to higher education and overall social mobility in the region remain to be seen.
