Assam Tribal Body Rejects Proposal to Grant ST Status to Six OBC Communities
Assam tribal organizations oppose GoM's plan to grant ST status to six OBC groups, citing constitutional and political concerns.
Photo by Zack Szadurski
The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), representing 14 existing tribes, has rejected a Group of Ministers (GoM) proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities: Koch-Rajbongshi, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Tai Ahom, and "Tea Tribes" (Adivasis). The CCTOA argues that the GoM's recommendations are "illegal and unconstitutional" and would "affect and destroy the political rights" of existing tribes.
They highlighted that ST identification is based on "primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact," as per the 1965 Lokur Committee report, unlike SC identification based on the Hindu caste system. Furthermore, the tribal body pointed out that Assam's current reservation of 59% already exceeds the Supreme Court's 50% cap from a 1992 judgment, and granting ST status to these additional communities could push it beyond 70%, making it "absolutely unconstitutional." This issue underscores the complex interplay of social justice, constitutional law, and political rights in India's reservation policy.
Key Facts
CCTOA (Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam) rejected GoM proposal
Proposal was to grant ST status to six OBC communities (Koch-Rajbongshi, Chutia, Matak, Moran, Tai Ahom, 'Tea Tribes')
CCTOA represents 14 existing tribes
GoM report submitted to Assam Assembly in November 2025
Lokur Committee report of 1965 defines ST characteristics
Supreme Court 1992 judgment stipulates 50% reservation cap
Assam's current reservation is 59%
UPSC Exam Angles
Constitutional provisions related to Scheduled Tribes (Article 342) and reservation (Articles 15, 16).
Role of various committees (e.g., Lokur Committee) in defining ST criteria.
Supreme Court judgments on reservation, particularly the Indra Sawhney case (1992) and the 50% cap.
Process of inclusion/exclusion from ST lists and the powers of the President and Parliament.
Socio-political implications of reservation policies and identity politics.
Challenges of federalism in implementing reservation policies.
Understanding of specific communities and their historical context in Assam (e.g., 'Tea Tribes', Tai Ahom).
Visual Insights
Assam: Epicenter of the ST Status Debate (Jan 2026)
This map highlights the state of Assam, which is currently at the forefront of a significant debate regarding the granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. The issue involves existing tribal rights, constitutional provisions, and the state's reservation policy.
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More Information
Background
The demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by various communities across India is a recurring issue, often leading to socio-political tensions. Historically, the identification of STs has been based on specific criteria to ensure that the most marginalized and distinct indigenous groups receive protective discrimination.
The Lokur Committee (1965) provided key criteria for this identification. However, with evolving socio-economic conditions, many communities that were previously classified as OBCs or General categories now seek ST status, citing backwardness and cultural distinctiveness, leading to complex debates.
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the identification and inclusion of Scheduled Tribes in India: 1. The Lokur Committee (1965) recommended criteria such as primitive traits, distinctive culture, and geographical isolation for identifying Scheduled Tribes. 2. The President of India, in consultation with the Governor of the concerned State, specifies the Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State. 3. Any modification to the list of Scheduled Tribes, including inclusion or exclusion, can only be done by an Act of Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct. The Lokur Committee (1965) indeed laid down five criteria for identification of STs: primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the community at large, and backwardness. Statement 2 is correct. As per Article 342(1) of the Constitution, the President, after consultation with the Governor of a State, may specify the tribes or tribal communities as Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State. Statement 3 is correct. Article 342(2) states that Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community.
2. With reference to the reservation policy in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Supreme Court, in the Indra Sawhney judgment (1992), capped the total reservation for backward classes at 50%, except in extraordinary situations. 2. The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act introduced a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) without exceeding the 50% cap for existing reservations. 3. States like Tamil Nadu have enacted laws providing reservation exceeding 50%, which have been placed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to protect them from judicial review. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 1 is correct. The Indra Sawhney case (1992), also known as the Mandal Commission case, established the 50% ceiling for reservations, stating that it should only be exceeded in 'extraordinary situations'. Statement 2 is incorrect. The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act (2019) introduced 10% EWS reservation, which is *in addition* to the existing 50% cap for SC/ST/OBC, effectively allowing total reservation to exceed 50% for the general category. This was a point of contention and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2022. Statement 3 is correct. Tamil Nadu's 69% reservation law (Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993) was placed in the Ninth Schedule to protect it from judicial review, although the Supreme Court later ruled that laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973 (Kesavananda Bharati judgment date) are open to judicial review if they violate the basic structure of the Constitution.
3. In the context of tribal and backward communities in Assam, the term 'Tea Tribes' (Adivasis) often refers to communities who were primarily brought to Assam during the colonial period from which of the following regions?
- A.Western Ghats and Konkan Coast
- B.Chota Nagpur Plateau and adjoining regions
- C.Himalayan foothills and Northeast India
- D.Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Show Answer
Answer: B
The 'Tea Tribes' or 'Adivasis' of Assam are descendants of indentured labourers brought by the British colonial rulers from various parts of India, primarily the Chota Nagpur Plateau region (comprising parts of present-day Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh) during the 19th and early 20th centuries to work in the tea plantations of Assam. They represent a distinct socio-cultural group within Assam.
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