No proposal for revision of OBC Non-Creamy Layer limit

The Indian Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has stated in response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha that the income criteria for determining OBC Non-Creamy layer status of candidates has been revised four times since its introduction in 1993, with the latest revision being an income limit of Rs.8 lakh per annum. The ministry has not sought recommendations for further revision from the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), and there is no proposal for revision of the OBC Non-Creamy Layer limit, as the existing income limit is considered sufficient.

Determination of OBC Non-Creamy Layer

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.745
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2023

DETERMINATION OF OBC NON-CREAMY LAYER

745. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:
     Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has the details of the revision of Income criteria for determining OBC Non-Creamy Layer status of candidates over the years, including the latest revision;

(b) if so, the details thereof for the last twenty five years

(c) whether the Government has received any recommendation to revise the present income criteria of Rupees Eight Lakh per annum and if so, the details thereof:

(d) whether the Government proposes to revise the limit to Rupees Twelve Lakh before the completion of the next financial year; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A. NARAYANASWAMY)

(a) & (b): The income criteria for determining OBC Non- Creamy layer status of candidates was fixed as Rs.1.00 lakh per annum at the time of introduction of the OBC reservation scheme on 08.09.1993. This income limit has since been revised four times so far, as under:

Income limit (Annual)	Date of Revision
First	Rs. 2.5 lakhs	9.3.2004
Second	Rs. 4.5 lakhs	14.10.2008
Third	Rs.6.0 lakhs	27.5.2013
Fourth	Rs.8.0 lakhs	13.9.2017

(c): The Department officially have not sought the recommendation from National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) for revision of the existing OBC Creamy layer criteria.

(d) & (e): There is no proposal for revision of the OBC Non-Creamy Layer limit since the existing income limit is considered sufficient.

Source: Loksabha