Caste Representation in India's Government: Progress and Persistent Gaps

 India's caste system has long been a defining social structure, and its impact on governance and public service remains a contentious issue. While affirmative action policies have attempted to bridge historical inequalities, data reveals that representation among Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in key government positions continues to lag.

Representation in the Union Cabinet

The 2024 Union Cabinet formation reflected a calculated effort to include marginalized communities. Out of 71 ministers:

• OBCs: 27 ministers (~38%)

• SCs: 10–12 ministers (~14–17%)

• STs: 5 ministers (~7%)

• General/Upper Castes: 28 ministers

While these numbers suggest broad inclusion, representation does not necessarily translate to policymaking influence. Many of these appointments are often concentrated in less influential portfolios, raising concerns about tokenism.

Caste Representation in Bureaucracy

The Indian bureaucracy, particularly at higher administrative levels, remains dominated by the general category despite reservations. A 2023 parliamentary panel found:

• SC/ST officers at secretary-level positions: Only 4.8%, despite a 22.5% reservation quota.

• OBC representation in central government jobs: 21.57%, well below the mandated 27% quota.

• IAS (Indian Administrative Service) cadre: SCs and STs together constitute only about 15% of officers, despite their combined population share being over 25%.

This disparity is partly due to structural barriers, promotion stagnation, and discrimination in appointments. In elite services like the IAS and IFS (Indian Foreign Service), the representation of SCs/STs is significantly lower than in Group C and D positions, where reservation policies are more strictly implemented.

The Problem of Unfilled Reserved Posts

One of the most pressing issues is the backlog of unfilled reserved posts:

• A 2020 report estimated over 800,000 unfilled SC/ST/OBC positions in central government institutions.

• Between 2016–2017, only 63,876 reserved category vacancies were filled, leading to an underutilization of affirmative action policies.

• Many unfilled reserved posts are de-reserved and later assigned to general category candidates.

This systematic gap highlights the need for better implementation and monitoring of reservation policies.

Sectoral Disparities

Caste-based disparities are particularly visible in different employment sectors:

• Education: Reservation for SC/ST/OBC students in premier institutions like IITs and IIMs often goes underutilized due to lack of financial and academic support.

• Public Services: SCs are overrepresented in sanitation jobs (37%), an occupation historically associated with caste-based discrimination, while their presence in high-paying bureaucratic roles remains minimal.

Judicial and Political Roadblocks

• The Supreme Court’s Indra Sawhney Judgment (1992) capped reservations at 50%, limiting further affirmative action despite growing calls for caste census-based policy adjustments.

• The BJP government has faced criticism for not conducting a nationwide caste census, which could provide data to reshape affirmative action policies.

Way Forward

1. Stronger Reservation Implementation: Government institutions need stricter accountability for filling reserved category vacancies.

2. Caste Census: A comprehensive caste census would provide clearer insights into economic and social disparities.

3. Addressing Promotion Gaps: Ensuring that SC/ST/OBC officers are not just recruited but also promoted into leadership roles.

4. Education & Skill Development: Strengthening support systems for marginalized students in higher education.

Conclusion

While India has made strides in improving SC/ST/OBC representation in governance, significant gaps persist, particularly in higher administrative roles. Without proactive measures, the promise of social justice remains unfulfilled. To ensure a truly representative democracy, policies must not only focus on recruitment but also on empowerment, promotion, and meaningful participation of marginalized communities in decision-making roles.