Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, that the state government will take a final decision on sub-classification of reservation for Scheduled Castes only after following the Supreme Court's directions and holding consultations with members of the Maharashtra Legislature. The announcement was made from the floor of the Vidhan Sabha, Mumbai, during the ongoing Monsoon Session 2026.

Context

Fadnavis stated in both English and Marathi: 'अनुसूचित जातींच्या आरक्षणाच्या उपवर्गीकरणाबाबत सर्वोच्च न्यायालयाच्या निर्देशांनुसार तसेच विधिमंडळातील सदस्यांशी चर्चा करून अंतिम निर्णय घेण्यात येईल.' (Translation: 'A final decision on the sub-classification of reservation for Scheduled Castes will be taken in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and after due consultation with the members of the Legislature.')

The statement signals that the Maharashtra government is not moving unilaterally on this sensitive issue, choosing instead to anchor its policy response within the constitutional framework set by the apex court and through democratic deliberation inside the legislature.

Policy Backdrop

The question of sub-classifying Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations has been a long-contested legal and political issue in India. In a landmark ruling, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India held that states have the power to create sub-categories within the SC list to ensure that the most backward among the Scheduled Castes receive a more equitable share of reservation benefits.

The court, however, also laid down that any such sub-classification must be based on empirical data and adequate justification — not political convenience. States across India, including Punjab and others, have been working to frame sub-classification policies in line with this ruling, making the Supreme Court's directions the central reference point for any state action.

Maharashtra, with one of the largest SC populations in the country, has been under pressure from multiple SC sub-communities — particularly the Mahar community and others — who hold differing views on how reservation benefits should be distributed within the broader SC category.

Stakeholders and Impact

The statement directly affects millions of SC community members across Maharashtra who stand to benefit from — or potentially be affected by — any sub-classification of reservation. Smaller SC sub-groups have historically argued that dominant communities within the SC list corner a disproportionate share of government jobs and educational seats.

By committing to legislative consultation, Fadnavis is also signalling to opposition parties and SC community leaders that the Mahayuti government intends to build political consensus before acting. This approach could reduce the risk of legal challenges to any future state notification on sub-classification.

The Monsoon Session 2026 of the Maharashtra Legislature, which provided the platform for this announcement, is a key window for lawmakers from all parties to formally register their community's position on the matter.

What's Next

The Maharashtra government is expected to study the Supreme Court's detailed directions and possibly constitute a committee or commission to gather empirical data on the socio-economic conditions of SC sub-groups — a requirement the apex court has emphasised. Legislative discussions during and after the Monsoon Session will shape the contours of the eventual policy.

The final decision, when it comes, will set a precedent for how one of India's most populous and economically significant states implements the Supreme Court's sub-classification framework, potentially influencing policy trajectories in other states as well.