Karnataka to move SC against HC verdict quashing SC/ST quota hike
Synopsis
Karnataka is heading to the Supreme Court to fight for its enhanced SC/ST reservations after the High Court struck them down — and simultaneously racing to submit a drought memorandum covering losses that could hit ₹70,000 crore. Both battles pit the state government squarely against a backdrop of legal uncertainty and a reluctant Centre.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka will file an SLP in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict quashing enhanced SC/ST reservations .
The state is also exploring placing the quota provisions under the Ninth Schedule to insulate them from judicial review.
Drought-hit taluks have risen to 226 ; estimated losses stand at ₹46,000 crore , potentially reaching ₹60,000–₹70,000 crore .
Under NDRF guidelines, the state may seek between ₹18,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore in central relief.
The drought memorandum is expected within one to two days ; an all-party delegation to Delhi is planned, though opposition parties have signalled reluctance.
The sting video controversy was not discussed at the Cabinet meeting of 15 October 2026 .
The Karnataka government will file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict that quashed enhanced reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara announced on Thursday, 15 October. The decision was communicated by Parameshwara to reporters outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru following a Cabinet meeting.
SLP and Further Legal Steps
Parameshwara confirmed that the government has decided to challenge the High Court order before the apex court through an SLP. Beyond the immediate legal challenge, he indicated that further legal and administrative measures would be deliberated by the Political Affairs Committee. Significantly, the possibility of placing the reservation provisions under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution — which would shield them from judicial review — would also be examined before finalising the next course of action.
Drought Relief: ₹46,000 Crore Loss and Counting
Parameshwara also disclosed that Karnataka has estimated drought-related losses at approximately ₹46,000 crore so far, with preliminary figures suggesting total losses could climb to between ₹60,000 crore and ₹70,000 crore once the full assessment is complete. The number of drought-hit taluks has risen to 226, up from an earlier count of 217, following the addition of nine more taluks. The remaining taluks are still being assessed under the Trigger-1 criteria, and a ground-truthing exercise will determine whether any further additions are made.
The final memorandum on drought losses is expected to be ready within one to two days, after which Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has directed that an all-party delegation be taken to the Centre to seek relief. The government plans to request appointments with the concerned Union Ministers and the Prime Minister.
How Much Relief Can Karnataka Seek
Crucially, the state cannot claim compensation for the full estimated loss. Under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines, the eligible relief amount must be calculated separately. Last year, despite losses estimated at around ₹49,000 crore, Karnataka sought approximately ₹18,000 crore in central relief under NDRF norms. Parameshwara indicated that if losses this year reach around ₹60,000 crore, the state may seek between ₹18,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore from the Centre — though he stressed these remain preliminary estimates pending final calculations.
Opposition Reluctance and All-Party Push
Opposition parties have already signalled their unwillingness to participate in the all-party delegation to Delhi, according to Parameshwara. The government, however, intends to approach them again. 'If they agree to participate, it would be good. Otherwise, the Chief Minister, I and a few ministers will visit Delhi and seek appointments with the concerned Union Ministers and the Prime Minister,' Parameshwara said. This comes amid a broader political backdrop in which Centre-state relations over drought relief have repeatedly been contentious for Karnataka.
Sting Video Row: No Cabinet Discussion
On a separate controversy involving a sting video, Parameshwara clarified that the matter was not taken up at the Cabinet meeting. 'No discussion took place on this issue during the Cabinet meeting, and no decision was taken regarding an investigation,' he said, declining to elaborate further. All formal decisions at the session were confined to the drought relief and the SC/ST quota legal strategy.
With the SLP filing imminent and the drought relief memorandum days away, Karnataka's political and legal calendar looks set for a busy stretch — and the Supreme Court's eventual ruling on the quota matter could have implications well beyond the state.
Point of View
And the state will need a watertight basis to distinguish this case from settled precedent. The Ninth Schedule route is the more decisive gambit: if enacted, it would effectively foreclose future High Court challenges, but it requires political will at the Centre that the ruling dispensation in Delhi has little incentive to supply. On the drought front, the gap between Karnataka's estimated losses of up to ₹70,000 crore and the NDRF-eligible ceiling of ₹18,000–₹20,000 crore is a structural problem that no all-party delegation can paper over — it exposes how the NDRF framework consistently undercompensates large-state agricultural crises. The opposition's reluctance to join the delegation hands the Centre a convenient deflection: without cross-party pressure, the state's bargaining position is weaker.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Karnataka challenging the High Court verdict on SC/ST reservations?
The Karnataka High Court quashed the state government's enhanced reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, prompting the government to file a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court to restore the quota. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara announced the decision on 15 October 2026, adding that the Political Affairs Committee would also examine placing the provisions under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
What is the Ninth Schedule, and why does Karnataka want to use it?
The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution shields listed laws from judicial review on grounds of fundamental rights violation. By including the SC/ST reservation provisions in the Ninth Schedule, Karnataka would aim to prevent future High Court or Supreme Court challenges to the quota. This route requires a constitutional amendment and support from the Centre.
How severe is the drought situation in Karnataka in 2026?
As of 15 October 2026, Karnataka has declared 226 taluks drought-hit, up from 217 after nine additional taluks were added. Estimated losses stand at around ₹46,000 crore, with preliminary projections suggesting the final figure could reach ₹60,000–₹70,000 crore. The remaining taluks are still being assessed under Trigger-1 criteria.
How much drought relief can Karnataka claim from the Centre?
Karnataka cannot seek compensation for its full estimated loss. Under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines, the eligible relief amount is calculated differently from total losses. Last year, against ₹49,000 crore in estimated losses, the state sought approximately ₹18,000 crore. This year, if losses reach ₹60,000 crore, the state may seek between ₹18,000 crore and ₹20,000 crore, according to Parameshwara.
Will all parties participate in Karnataka's delegation to Delhi for drought relief?
Opposition parties have already expressed reluctance to join the all-party delegation. The Karnataka government intends to contact them again to seek their participation. If they decline, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy CM Parameshwara, and select ministers will travel to Delhi to meet Union Ministers and the Prime Minister and submit the final drought memorandum.
