Supreme Court Dismisses Petition Against Maharashtra’s Maratha OBC Caste Certificates
The Supreme Court dismisses a petition seeking to stay Maharashtra government’s resolution allowing Marathas from Marathwada to obtain Kunbi caste certificates under the OBC category, allowing the resolution to continue.
Nagpur, October 7, 2025 — In a significant decision regarding Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court has dismissed a petition that sought to stay the state government’s resolution allowing Marathwada Marathas to obtain Kunbi caste certificates under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. This ruling enables the Maharashtra government’s September 2, 2025, Government Resolution (GR) to remain in effect while legal proceedings continue.
The resolution is based on the historical Hyderabad Gazette of 1918, which recognized Kunbis as an OBC caste. By issuing this GR, the Maharashtra government aims to provide Marathas in the Marathwada region access to the benefits of reservation in education, employment, and political representation. The move comes after years of activism and demands from the Maratha community, including campaigns led by leaders such as Manoj Jarange Patil.
The petitioners challenging the GR argued that including Marathas in the OBC category could dilute the benefits meant for existing OBC communities. They claimed that Marathas, traditionally considered a socially and politically influential group, do not meet the criteria of backwardness required for OBC inclusion. The petitioners also raised concerns that the resolution was issued under political pressure and lacked sufficient data.
By dismissing the petition, the Supreme Court allowed the Maharashtra government to continue the implementation of the GR. However, the case is expected to continue in the courts, with the state required to provide a detailed affidavit addressing the legal and social questions raised by the petitioners. Legal experts note that the final verdict will have far-reaching implications for reservation policies in Maharashtra and could influence the broader debate on affirmative action in India.
The court’s ruling has been welcomed by sections of the Maratha community, who view the decision as a step forward in securing their reservation rights. At the same time, OBC organizations and advocacy groups continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing that equitable access to reservation benefits must be maintained across all backward communities.
The ongoing legal proceedings will likely determine the long-term outcome of Maratha inclusion in the OBC category and its impact on Maharashtra’s reservation framework. Meanwhile, the GR remains in effect, providing immediate access to caste certificates for eligible Marathas in Marathwada. The Supreme Court’s intervention ensures that the matter is examined carefully without disrupting the lives of those who may benefit from the resolution.
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