Karnataka to seek 9th Schedule protection for enhanced SC, ST quotas: D K Shivakumar

Shivakumar said he would also discuss the matter directly with the Prime Minister if an opportunity for a meeting arose. The proposal comes amid an ongoing legal dispute over the state's decision to increase reservations for SCs and STs, taking the overall reservation percentage beyond the conventional 50 per cent ceiling.

Addressing the media after a meeting involving SC and ST legislators, ministers and chairpersons of various government corporations, Shivakumar said the state Cabinet had already decided to challenge the Karnataka High Court's ruling on enhanced reservations and internal reservation arrangements before the Supreme Court. He said the state's petition had been admitted and expressed confidence that Karnataka would receive a favourable outcome.

The government has entrusted Dr. G. Parameshwara, K.H. Muniyappa and Satish Jarkiholi with supervising the legal proceedings. The meeting also discussed the selection of legal counsel to represent Karnataka before the Supreme Court.

Shivakumar argued that Karnataka was seeking only a six-percentage-point increase beyond the 50 per cent reservation threshold. Referring to Tamil Nadu, where the overall reservation framework provides for 69 per cent quotas, he said there was precedent for states pursuing higher levels of affirmative action.

The Chief Minister maintained that the government had already addressed the issue of internal reservations and was now concentrating on securing constitutional and judicial protection for the broader reservation framework. Inclusion in the Ninth Schedule can provide certain protections to legislation, although such laws remain subject to judicial review under the Constitution's basic structure doctrine.

Beyond the legal battle, Shivakumar announced a series of measures aimed at improving the delivery of welfare programmes for SC and ST communities. He said the government would establish a vision group to recommend new initiatives for the next State Budget, drawing on suggestions from legislators, ministers and community representatives.

A Cabinet subcommittee headed by G. Parameshwara will review the implementation of welfare commitments and recommend changes wherever necessary. The government has also decided to commission a social audit by reputed institutions to assess the impact of funds spent over the years under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP).

According to figures shared by Shivakumar, Karnataka allocated ₹42,503 crore under SCSP and TSP in 2025–26, followed by ₹44,631 crore in the current financial year. The latest allocation covers 451 schemes implemented through 34 government departments. The Chief Minister emphasised that the funds must reach intended beneficiaries and translate into measurable improvements in education, employment, livelihoods and community development.

Shivakumar also reviewed the recruitment backlog in government departments. He said 19,115 backlog vacancies had been identified between 2001 and 2025, of which 17,793 had been filled. He announced that steps would be taken to fill the remaining 1,574 posts. The figures cited in the statement will require reconciliation, as the reported total and filled positions leave a different numerical balance.

The Chief Minister raised concerns over delays in the release of funds under centrally sponsored welfare schemes. He said Karnataka would write to the Union government seeking the release of ₹1,937 crore outstanding for 2025–26, alleging that the delay had affected implementation of several programmes.

Of the ₹10,011 crore allocated under centrally sponsored SCSP and TSP schemes during 2025–26, the Centre's share was ₹3,497 crore and the state's contribution ₹6,514 crore. According to Shivakumar, the Centre had released only ₹1,560 crore, leaving ₹1,937 crore pending. The state, meanwhile, had released ₹5,628 crore of its share, of which ₹5,611 crore had been utilised. He said he had instructed Finance Department officials to examine releasing the state's contribution even where corresponding central funds remained pending.

Shivakumar further announced plans to organise a statewide SC and ST unity convention, with community leaders deciding the venue. He said the event would provide an opportunity for the government to explain the commitments made before the elections and present the progress achieved in implementing welfare measures.

The reservation dispute has acquired urgency following the Karnataka High Court's October 2026 judgment striking down the 2022 legislation that increased SC reservations from 15 to 17 per cent and ST reservations from 3 to 7 per cent, raising the state's combined quota to 56 per cent. Karnataka has challenged the judgment before the Supreme Court.

The Union government had earlier informed Parliament that Karnataka's request for Ninth Schedule inclusion was deferred because the legislation was under judicial consideration. The state government's renewed appeal to Prime Minister Modi therefore places the issue before both the judiciary and the Union government.

Shivakumar maintained that the government's objective was not to blame previous administrations but to secure reservation rights, improve the effectiveness of welfare expenditure and ensure that SC and ST communities receive the benefits intended for them.