Other Backward Class - Overview

Overview

Backward class people is a collective term, used by the Government of India, for castes which are educationally and socially disadvantaged. They typically include the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). According to "The Times of India" on 31 August 2010, even after 17 years, at most 7% of seats have been filled by OBCs, regardless of their 27% reservation. This difference between proportion of different communities in higher educational institutions is mainly because of difference in primary school enrolment. Political parties in India have attempted to use these communities as votebanks.