Karnataka High Court Strikes Down Increased Reservation Law
The Karnataka High Court invalidated provisions of the 2022 law that raised reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) from 15% to 17% and 3% to 7%, respectively. The court ruled that the overall reservation exceeded the 50% ceiling established by the Supreme Court in 1992. This decision, delivered by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha, deemed Sections 3 and 4 of the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act unconstitutional. The law had been enacted during the BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai and aimed to address representation issues. The Karnataka government plans to explore legal options, including a possible appeal to the Supreme Court.
Published 21 hours ago • 13 Oct 2026, 09:35 AM IST