The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), a constitutional body established under Article 338B of the Indian Constitution, has announced a public hearing in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on August 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM.
Chaired by NCBC Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, the hearing aims to deliberate on proposals concerning the inclusion or exclusion of castes/communities in the Central Other Backward Classes (OBC) list for Odisha. The hearing will provide a platform for representatives of proposed castes or communities to present their cases.
Additionally, the NCBC will address the status of complaints filed with the commission. The commission has directed Odisha’s Chief Secretary to submit all relevant documents and original records by August 15, 2025, to facilitate the process.
The Chief Secretary has also been instructed to attend the hearing with comprehensive data. In a letter issued by NCBC Under Secretary Yogesh Dhingra, it was emphasised that the commission, empowered under the Constitution (102nd Amendment) Act, 2018, has the authority to regulate its procedures.
The NCBC’s mandate includes investigating and monitoring matters related to the safeguards provided to socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution or any existing laws. The commission also evaluates the effectiveness of these safeguards to ensure the welfare of OBC communities.
The hearing will consider reports submitted by Odisha’s Department of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, and Backward Classes. Individual and organisational requests for inclusion or exclusion in the Central OBC list will also be reviewed.
The commission has outlined specific data requirements, including evidence of social backwardness, population statistics, reliance on manual labour for livelihood, and educational data. This includes details on children aged 15 and below who have never attended school, dropout rates among students aged 5–15, and representation in higher education fields such as postgraduate studies, engineering, medicine, law, and chartered accountancy.
The NCBC has urged representatives of OBC communities and organisations to participate actively in the hearing, ensuring their voices are heard.
This public hearing underscores the commission’s commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of backward classes in Odisha, fostering equitable representation and access to opportunities.
