Patna high court denies the Bihar government’s new reservation system

The Bihar government faced a significant setback. The Patna High Court invalidated the state’s move to increase reservation for backward classes, extremely backward classes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes (SCs and STs) from 50 to 65 percent. Patna high court invalidate the reservation system plea of Bihar government Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran was leading a division bench. He declared the amendments made by the Bihar Assembly in 2023 as unconstitutional. He stated that they exceed the constitutional powers and infringe upon the equality clause outlined in Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution. The bench reviewed a series of petitions challenging the state government’s decision to implement a 65 percent reservation for backward classes. Background of the 65% reservation system of Bihar government In November 2023, the Reservation Amendment Bill was approved by the Bihar Assembly. Notably, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was absent during the bill’s passage in the state assembly. The revised reservation quota encompassed 20 percent for Scheduled Castes, 2 percent for Scheduled Tribes, 43 percent for Other Backward Classes, and Extremely Backward Classes. Consequently, the decision restricted the allocation for individuals from the open merit category to 35 percent.