Supreme Court rejects A.P. government plea to restore 34% quota for Backward Classes in local bodies

A general view of the Supreme Court in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Friday (October 9, 2026) dismissed the Andhra Pradesh government’s appeal against a High Court ruling that struck down its decision to restore 34% reservation for Backward Classes in local bodies. The court upheld the October 1 verdict that the State had failed to produce the empirical data necessary to justify breaching the 50% reservation ceiling.

Also read: Government taking steps to provide 34% quota for BCs in all local bodies, says A.P. Minister

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi contended before a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu that the State’s decision was supported by demographic data and other empirical material, but the High Court had erroneously concluded that it fell short of the requirements previously laid down by the top court for breaching the 50% reservation cap.

Court is unconvinced

The Bench, however, remained unconvinced, observing that figures drawn from a unified family survey were insufficient to justify the enhanced quota in the absence of a specific empirical assessment of backwardness and representation in local bodies.

“You show us how this data can be considered. This is a unified family survey. Under what law is this being made? Very reasonable approach by the High Court,” the Bench remarked while dismissing the plea.