The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Chandigarh administration for its prolonged delay in implementing the 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in educational institutions, warning that it would be “constrained to summon” the Union Territory’s administrator if the policy is not enforced within a week.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai and comprising Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria expressed strong displeasure over the continued inaction, despite the matter being in court since 2019 and the Union government already having approved the proposal.
“There is no reason why the law and rules cannot be framed by the Chandigarh administration after an approval from the Union government,” the bench observed.
“We grant a week’s time to comply and make amendments to the necessary rules. The admission prospectus will be amended accordingly. If the order is not complied with, we will be constrained to take steps as deemed necessary,” the court added.
The stern remarks came during the hearing of a plea filed by a medical aspirant challenging the MBBS admission prospectus of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, which excluded OBC reservations. While Scheduled Castes (15%) and Scheduled Tribes (7.5%) enjoy representation, the OBC quota remains unimplemented.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that the OBC reservation policy had already been approved by the Union government, and the Chandigarh administration had been asked to enact the necessary law.
“They have enacted a policy and that has been approved by the Union government. We have asked them to frame a law,” Bhati submitted.
This prompted the CJI to question the persistent delay:
“How long will they take? This has been pending for so long. Let the administrator be called to the court.”
When the Chandigarh administration’s counsel sought four additional weeks to complete the process, the bench firmly denied the request. CJI Gavai remarked:
“Why four weeks? When the competent authority desires to do something, it can be done within minutes. I did it in a day in the Supreme Court.”
The Chief Justice referred to his own recent decision in June 2025 to implement reservation for SC/ST candidates in the Supreme Court’s direct recruitment and promotions, followed shortly by extending it to OBCs, persons with disabilities, ex-servicemen, and dependents of freedom fighters.
“When the authority wants to do it, it can be done immediately,” he emphasized.
A Longstanding Deadlock
Despite repeated assurances, the implementation of OBC reservations in Chandigarh has seen no concrete action. As early as February 2024, the UT administration had proposed 27% reservation for OBCs in education and employment, based on recommendations from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). However, the proposal has remained stalled due to prolonged correspondence and procedural back-and-forth between the UT and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
During a December 2024 hearing, the Centre informed the apex court that the UT’s draft was under review. The court had then urged the government to expedite the matter. Yet, in subsequent hearings in February and April 2025, the Centre continued to seek additional time.
Related Concerns in Panjab University
The issue of inadequate implementation of OBC reservations also persists in Panjab University (PU). While students receive only 5% reservation due to lack of University Grants Commission (UGC) approval for expansion, faculty recruitment remains stuck amid ambiguity over whether Punjab state or central government policies apply. A proposal for 27% reservation in PU recruitment is currently pending with the Union Ministry of Education.
Background of the Proposal
In March 2024, on the NCBC’s recommendation, the Chandigarh administration proposed implementing 27% reservation for OBCs in admissions across all educational, technical, medical, and professional institutes under its jurisdiction. The MHA, after reviewing the proposal, asked the UT to address specific queries. However, the policy has yet to be finalized or notified.
With the Supreme Court’s latest ultimatum, the Chandigarh administration now faces a critical deadline. The matter is expected to return to court next week, and any further delay could result in direct judicial intervention.
