Karnataka High Court Strikes Down Quota Law Exceeding 50% Limit

The Karnataka High Court has declared unconstitutional a state law that sought to provide reservation exceeding the 50% constitutional ceiling for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government employment.

The court struck down Section 4 of the legislation, which contained provisions for enhanced reservations in state government services for SC and ST candidates. Justices found the measures violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality before law and equal opportunity in public employment.

The ruling reinforces the Supreme Court's longstanding interpretation that total reservation across all categories cannot exceed 50% of vacancies in government recruitment. This constitutional threshold has been upheld across multiple judicial pronouncements to maintain a balance between the principles of social justice and merit-based selection.

The decision comes as several states have periodically attempted to increase reservation percentages through legislative measures. The Karnataka court's judgment is likely to have implications for similar laws enacted or proposed in other states seeking to expand quota provisions beyond the prescribed constitutional limit.

The matter now potentially opens avenues for further legal challenges or appeals seeking review of the High Court's decision.