Question

Which communities come under other Backward Classes (OBCs)? Who identified them and how​

Answer 1

Communities which came under OBC [Other Backward Classes] are socially and educationally backward classes

The Mandal Commission adopted various methods and techniques to collect the necessary data and evidence. In order to identify who qualified as an "other backward class," the commission adopted eleven criteria which could be grouped under three major headings: social, educational and economic. 11 criteria were developed to identify OBCs.

Social:

• Castes/classes considered as socially backward by others,

• Castes/classes which mainly depend on manual labour for their livelihood,

• Castes/classes where at least 25 per cent females and 10 per cent males above the state average get married at an age below the 17 years in rural areas and at least 10 per cent females and 5 per cent males do so in urban areas.

• Castes/classes where participation of females in work is at least 25 per cent below the state average.

Educational:

• Castes/classes where the number of children in the age group of 5–15 years who never attended school is at least 25 per cent above the state average.

• Castes/classes when the rate of student drop-out in the age group of 5–15 years is at least 25 per cent above the state average,

• Castes/classes amongst whom the proportion of matriculates is at least 25 per cent below the state average,

Economic :

• Castes/classes where the average value of family assets is at least 25 per cent below the state average,

• Castes/classes where the number of families living in kuccha houses is at least 25 per cent above the state average,

• Castes/classes where the source of drinking water is beyond half a kilometre for more than 50 per cent of the households,

• Castes/classes where the number of households having taken consumption loans is at least 25 per cent above the state average.