The Supreme Court on Monday described as “important” a plea seeking the issuance of Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to children of single mothers belonging to OBC communities, and scheduled the matter for a final hearing on July 22.
A bench comprising Justices K.V. Viswanathan and N. Kotiswar Singh said the matter warrants detailed judicial scrutiny. “The present writ petition raises an important issue about issuance of OBC certificate to children of single mother wherein the mother belongs to the OBC,” the bench observed.
The plea, filed by a Delhi-based woman, challenges existing guidelines that deny OBC certificates to children raised solely by OBC single mothers unless proof of paternal caste status is furnished. The petitioner contends that such a requirement is arbitrary and unconstitutional, especially when caste certificates for SC/ST categories are granted based on the mother’s caste in similar situations.
The court, during its hearing, referenced a 2012 Supreme Court judgment that dealt with the caste status of children from inter-caste marriages, indicating the relevance of precedent in the current case.
The Centre, which has filed a counter affidavit, acknowledged that the issue needed comprehensive deliberation. The government’s counsel submitted that all states should be impleaded as parties to the case and requested the court to provide clear guidelines. “Various factors have to be considered before any policy can be framed,” the counsel said.
The petitioner argued that the refusal to grant OBC certificates on the basis of a single mother’s credentials violates the fundamental rights of such children under the Constitution. The plea also pointed out that the Delhi government’s guidelines require proof of caste from paternal relatives—such as the father, grandfather, or uncle—making it impossible for children of single mothers to avail benefits they are otherwise entitled to.
The court has directed all parties to file their written submissions and to examine scenarios including those involving inter-caste marriages. “This has to be heard,” the bench remarked, emphasizing the potential impact of the issue on numerous families.
Subject to approval from the Chief Justice of India, the court listed the matter for final hearing on July 22, 2025.
