Cabinet approves inclusion of 15 new castes in Central OBC list

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to notify inclusion/amendments in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBC), notified in respect of states of Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

According an official release, on the recommendation of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), a total of 2,479 entries for inclusion, including the synonyms, sub-castes, etc., in the Central List of OBC were notified in 25 States and six Union Territories.

“Meanwhile more advices for inclusion of castes/communities and corrections in the existing list of OBCs for the State of Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand have been received from the NCBC.

“Accordingly, a total of 28 changes (15 new entries, nine synonyms/sub-castes and four corrections) recommended by NCBC in respect of eight states including Jammu and Kashmir have been notified,” the release said.

The release further said that the changes will enable the persons belonging to these castes/ communities to avail the benefits of reservation in the government services and posts as well as in central educational institutions as per the existing policy.

“They will also become eligible for benefit under the various welfare schemes, scholarships etc., being administered by the Central Government, which are at present available to the persons belonging to the OBC,” it added.