Significant Underrepresentation of OBCs in Madhya Pradesh Senior Government Positions Revealed in Official Report

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Bhopal:

A comprehensive study by the Madhya Pradesh Other Backward Classes (OBC) Welfare Commission has unveiled significant disparities in government employment representation, with findings indicating that approximately half of all sanctioned positions remain unfilled while OBCs face considerable underrepresentation in senior administrative roles.

Analysis of data from 55 government departments reveals that out of 12,09,321 sanctioned positions, only 7,21,412 are currently occupied, leaving 4,87,909 vacant. Among filled positions, OBC employees constitute 28.16%, while Scheduled Castes account for 17.58%, Scheduled Tribes 17.99%, and unreserved category employees 36.27%.

The report identifies a concerning trend where OBC representation diminishes substantially at higher bureaucratic levels. In Class I services, merely 9.55% of officers come from OBC backgrounds, compared with 15.01% SCs, 11.35% STs, and a predominant 64.08% from unreserved categories. Conversely, OBCs represent 32.56% of Class IV employees, demonstrating their concentration in lower-level positions.

"This reflects the deep-rooted socio-educational backwardness of OBCs," the commission noted, emphasizing that despite comprising nearly 45% of the state's population, their presence in high-ranking positions remains "disproportionately low".

Vacancy patterns further highlight systemic inequalities: 51.17% of OBC positions in All India Services and 68.24% in Class I remain unfilled. Similarly, over 58% of SC positions and 70% of ST positions in upper cadres are vacant. Only 37% of sanctioned Class III positions are unfilled, indicating better representation at operational levels.

The Commission acknowledged that while reservation policies have improved access for disadvantaged groups, "the unreserved category continues to dominate in senior positions," with an overrepresentation 279% higher than their theoretical allocation under affirmative action frameworks.

Educational data from 73 higher education institutions indicates that OBCs constitute 33.87% of total enrollments across all programs, with stronger representation in certificate and diploma programs (37-43%). However, their representation falls significantly to 21% at the PhD level, underscoring limited access to advanced education opportunities.

The Commission concludes with a clear recommendation: "Given the socio-educational backwardness and employment imbalance, Madhya Pradesh needs renewed affirmative action and time-bound expansion of reservation benefits for Other Backward Classes."

This confidential government survey, now included in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, recommends 35% reservation for OBCs in Madhya Pradesh.

The comprehensive assessment was conducted by Dr. BR Ambedkar Social Science University, Mhow, under then Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ramdas Atram's leadership. The study, which examined nearly 10,000 OBC families throughout Madhya Pradesh, was presented to the State OBC Welfare Commission on July 28, 2023.

Though not yet publicly released, official sources confirm the report serves as a foundational element for the state's position before the Supreme Court in the ongoing litigation regarding the 27% OBC reservation limit.

The 2023 government-commissioned survey was specifically designed to evaluate OBC participation across essential indicators including education, employment, income, landholding patterns, and accessibility to public services.