Last Updated: June 29, 2026
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly on June 29, 2026, passed two amendment Bills that propose significant changes to the state’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation framework. The legislation revises the existing quota structure, restructures the process for identifying backward communities and expands the statutory role of the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes.
Introduced by Backward Classes Welfare Minister Gourishankar Ghosh, the Bills were brought following legal developments arising from the Calcutta High Court’s judgment dated May 22, 2024. According to the state government, the amendments are intended to align the reservation framework with the statutory process for identifying socially and educationally backward communities. The Bills have been passed by the Assembly and will take effect after the remaining legislative formalities, including Gazette notification.
West Bengal OBC Amendment Bills 2026: Overview
|
Particular |
Details |
|
Bills |
West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) (Amendment) Bill, 2026; West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Bill, 2026 |
|
Assembly Status |
Confirmed: Passed on June 29, 2026 |
|
Introduced By |
Gourishankar Ghosh, Minister for Backward Classes Welfare |
|
Current OBC Reservation |
17% |
|
Reservation Proposed in the Bills |
7% |
|
Communities Proposed to be Retained |
66* |
|
Communities Proposed to be Removed |
113* |
|
Implementation Status |
Awaiting official notification |
*Verification Note: Community figures are based on the Bills tabled in the Assembly and government statements reported on June 29, 2026. Final notified lists should be verified through the official Gazette and the Backward Classes Welfare Department.
What Do the Amendment Bills Propose?
The legislation provides for reducing the OBC reservation quota in state government services from 17% to 7%.
It also provides for the removal of 113 communities that were included in the State OBC list between 2010 and 2012. The state government has stated that these inclusions did not follow the statutory process of field surveys and recommendations by the Backward Classes Commission.
The Bills further provide for restoring 66 communities that had been recognised before 2010. According to the government, the restored list continues to include several occupational Muslim communities, including Jolah (Ansari Momin), Fakir, Pahadia Muslim, Hajjam and Chowduli.
Changes to the Reservation Structure
The previous legal framework divided OBC beneficiaries into two statutory categories.
|
Earlier Classification |
Reservation Share |
|
Category A (More Backward) |
10% |
|
Category B (Backward) |
7% |
|
Total Reservation |
17% |
The amendment Bills repeal these statutory categories. Instead, they empower the state government to determine future classifications after consultation with the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes. Any future revision must remain consistent with constitutional provisions governing reservations.
The role of the Commission is significant because it is the statutory body responsible for examining whether communities meet the criteria of social and educational backwardness before recommending inclusion or exclusion.
H2: Expanded Role of the Backward Classes Commission
The second amendment Bill revises the functioning of the Commission by:
- examining fresh applications for inclusion or exclusion;
- reviewing complaints relating to backward class status;
- making recommendations based on evidence and field assessment;
- fixing members’ tenure at three years; and
- allowing an officer of Joint Secretary rank or above to serve as Member Secretary.
H2: Assembly Proceedings
Speaker Rathindra Bose ordered a division of votes before the Bills were passed.
|
Voting Outcome* |
MLAs |
|
In Favour |
186 |
|
Against |
17 |
|
Abstained |
6 |
*Source Context: Voting figures are based on Assembly proceedings and reports published on June 29, 2026 (retrieved June 29, 2026).
During the debate, some opposition legislators sought referral of the Bills to a Select Committee, while the government argued that the amendments were necessary in view of the legal developments. The proceedings also reflected differing positions among opposition members during the vote.
Judicial Background
The amendments follow the Calcutta High Court’s judgment dated May 22, 2024, which examined the process through which several communities were added to the State OBC list after 2010. The court observed that the statutory role of the Backward Classes Commission had not been adequately followed while identifying backward communities.
Any future implementation of the amended framework will remain subject to applicable laws, official notifications and any subsequent judicial orders.
Important Information for Applicants
Communities affected by the revised framework may apply for consideration before the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes where permitted under the amended law. Applicants seeking OBC certificates should rely only on procedures notified by the Government of West Bengal.
Safety Advisory
Use only the official Backward Classes Welfare Department portal and other Government of West Bengal websites for certificate-related services. Government authorities do not seek approval fees through private agents, social media messages or unofficial websites. Do not share OTPs, passwords or personal documents with unknown individuals, and verify any payment request through official government channels.
Official References
This article is based on:
- West Bengal Legislative Assembly proceedings dated June 29, 2026.
- The two West Bengal OBC Amendment Bills, 2026, as introduced in the Assembly.
- Calcutta High Court judgment dated May 22, 2024 (official court records).
- Government of West Bengal, Backward Classes Welfare Department.
- Reports published on June 29, 2026, by established national news organisations.
Editorial Disclaimer
This article provides a factual summary of the Bills passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Legislative provisions, implementation timelines, notified community lists and administrative procedures may change following Gazette notification or subsequent judicial proceedings. Readers should verify the latest position through official notifications issued by the Government of West Bengal and the Backward Classes Welfare Department. Official Acts, Gazette notifications and court orders shall prevail over this article in case of any difference.