Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday extended its interim order restraining the state government from making appointments under the August 25, 2025 notification that introduced a 6:6:5 internal reservation matrix within the Scheduled Caste (SC) category. The stay will now remain in force until December 3. The order was passed by Justice Suraj Govindaraj after the state government sought additional time to file its statement of objections. The petition challenging the notification has been filed by the Confederation of Untouchable Nomadic Communities of Karnataka and several other petitioners, who argue that the government’s decision results in an arbitrary and unconstitutional sub-classification within SC groups.

Petitioners challenge sub-classification among SC groups

According to the petitioners, the August 25 notification introduces a new three-tier internal reservation pattern by creating Group A, Group B, and Group C within the SC category. They argue that the exercise lacks any rational basis or objective assessment of inter-se backwardness. Nomadic communities — who are among the petitioners — assert that they are some of the most backward and under-represented groups within the SC list. However, they have allegedly been placed below more advanced and homogeneous communities, particularly those included in Groups A and B. The petitioners contend that the creation of Group C clubs together several heterogeneous communities that share no social or historical nexus. They argue that lumping nomadic communities with unrelated groups violates constitutional principles of equality and fair classification. Their counsel emphasised that nomadic communities do not share homogeneous indicators with those placed alongside them, making the matrix arbitrary and discriminatory.

Court maintains restraint on appointments

The High Court had earlier passed an interim order on October 16 stating that while recruitment processes may continue, no appointments shall be made on the basis of the contested notification. This partial restraint allowed ongoing administrative procedures to continue without allowing the government to implement the new reservation structure. On Thursday, Justice Govindaraj reiterated the same protection, extending the non-appointment condition until December 3. The judge took note of the state government’s request for additional time and directed that objections be filed before the next hearing. The state had argued that the internal reservation exercise was intended to provide equitable representation to all communities within the SC category. However, the petitioners insist that no empirical study or quantifiable data was produced to justify the 6:6:5 split.

Background to the dispute

The internal reservation formula has long been a subject of debate in Karnataka, which has one of the most diverse lists of SC communities in the country. Over the years, various groups have demanded reclassification on the grounds that certain communities corner a majority of the benefits. The August 25 notification attempted to address these concerns but has instead triggered multiple legal challenges. According to legal experts, sub-classification within SCs remains a legally complex area, with the Supreme Court’s judgments providing varying interpretations on whether such internal divisions are permissible. The petitioners argue that unless backed by clear data on representation levels and backwardness, any sub-grouping risks violating Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution.

Conclusion

With the High Court extending the interim stay, the state government cannot proceed with appointments under the 6:6:5 matrix until further orders. The next hearing on December 3 will determine whether the state has provided adequate justification for the restructured reservation system. Until then, the debate over equitable representation within Karnataka’s SC communities remains unresolved.