Centre Defers Karnataka Reservation Act Inclusion in Ninth Schedule

Why in News?

The Central Government deferred the proposal to include the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, 2022 in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. The decision was communicated in the Lok Sabha on July 25, 2026.

Key Points

• The Act provides 56% reservation in educational institutions and state government services for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
• The inclusion was deferred because the Act is currently sub-judice before the High Court of Karnataka.
• The Ninth Schedule was created by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951, to protect land reform and other laws from judicial scrutiny.
• Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule are protected under Article 31B of the Constitution.

Exam Connect

• Ninth Schedule → added by 1st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951 → laws protected via Article 31B → I.R. Coelho case (2007) held laws added after April 24, 1973, can be challenged if they violate the Basic Structure
• Ministry of Law and Justice → oldest limb of Government of India, established 1833 → handles legal system, legislative drafting and administration of justice → headquartered in New Delhi