The Mamata Banerjee-led government, reportedly, will table an Other Backward Classes survey report, that has identified 140 sub-groups under OBC category, in the assembly's monsoon session, which will begin on June 9. It has been learnt that the state government is also likely to retain its 17 per cent OBC reservation.
The West Bengal government had told the apex court that on March 19 it would complete the fresh OBC survey within three months, and a deadline for June third-week was set. The Supreme Court had asked the state to specify the social and educational backwardness of these sub-groups.
As per sources, Culture Research Institute and Bureau of Applied Economics and Statistics were the two independent bodies whom the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes engaged to conduct fresh survey in order to assess the socio-economic backwardness of the sub-groups.
The commission officials sought applications for inclusions or deletions in the survey. For it, officials took into consideration an additional 76 sub-groups. Earlier, the OBC list had 66 sub-groups, but two of them did not match the required criteria. "The decision on the two groups will be taken later," an official said.
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With less than a year to go before the assembly elections, the state government has taken this significant step by adding 76 new communities to the OBC list, bringing the total number of OBC-recognised communities in the state to 140. The decision was approved by the state cabinet on Monday, following a fresh survey conducted by the OBC Commission after the Calcutta High Court's landmark judgement in May last year that cancelled approximately 12 lakh OBC certificates.
The court's decision had dealt a major blow to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, casting doubts over the previous classification process. In response, the OBC Commission sought time from the Supreme Court and initiated a new survey, the findings of which formed the basis for the cabinet's latest move.
The development has triggered a fresh wave of political speculation, particularly concerning the timing of the decision. While officially maintaining that the move aims to resolve longstanding issues related to recruitment, school and college admissions, several senior TMC leaders, in private conversations, admit that electoral considerations may have influenced the timing. “This step clears administrative tangles that have been creating confusion since the certificates were cancelled. It will also help address the negative impression created about the government,” a party insider remarked.
Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam welcomed the decision, calling it “historic” and a step that “will set an example for the next generation.” However, the opposition has raised strong objections. Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Alipurduar, Manoj Tigga, accused the government of playing “appeasement politics” by including a significant number of Muslim communities in the revised list. “This decision has been taken with an eye on the elections. We have serious doubts about the transparency of the survey process,” he said.
With the addition of the 76 new communities, the OBC reservation in Bengal has risen from 10 per cent to 17 per cent. However, officials caution that the actual number of beneficiaries remains uncertain without a comprehensive caste-based census. If Bengal’s population is roughly estimated at 10 crore, the number of OBC individuals could be around 1.7 crore, but final figures will only emerge after the distribution of new certificates.
From the previously recognised 66 communities, 64 have been retained. The details of the newly added 76 communities have not yet been officially published, though they are expected to be released soon. Political analysts are watching closely to see if the four influential groups — Mahishya, Tili, Tamul and Saha — have been included, as hinted at by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the TMC's 2021 manifesto release. Their inclusion could have a significant impact on electoral outcomes, particularly in districts like rural Hooghly and Nadia, where the Mahishya community has a strong presence.
Some observers suggest the decision may also have a polarising effect. If the number of Muslim communities in the new list appears disproportionately high, the BJP could use this to strengthen its narrative around religious favouritism.
The inclusion of newly added ethnic groups reportedly spans various parts of the state, including the forested regions of north and south Bengal and several other rural districts. As the official details of the new list await publication, the political ramifications of the decision are already taking shape, setting the stage for an intense run-up to the 2026 assembly elections.
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