The Karnataka High Court has issued an important interim order regarding the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) Reservation Act, 2022, which increased reservations for SCs from 15% to 17% and for STs from 3% to 7%, pushing the total reservation in Karnataka to 56%, while maintaining OBC quotas at 32%.
The State government recently issued an order restricting any fresh recruitment under the Act. However, the High Court has clarified that recruitment processes already notified before November 19, 2025 may continue, even if they follow the enhanced reservation percentages.
This interim decision came while hearing PILs filed by Mahendra Kumar Mitra (Raichur) and Mahesh (Bengaluru) challenging the constitutional validity of the quota hike.
Background of the Case
The petitioners have argued that the reservation hike violates the 50% ceiling established by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney judgment. Further, they contend that the State failed to consult the National Commissions for SCs and STs, a constitutional requirement under Articles 338(9) and 338A(9).
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha issued the interim order on November 27, putting a temporary hold on fresh recruitment under the 2022 Act until further notice.
HC Allows Ongoing Recruitment to Continue
While the Karnataka government halted new recruitment, the High Court has allowed:
- All recruitment notifications issued before November 19, 2025, to continue.
- These recruitments may proceed even if they use the enhanced SC/ST reservations.
The Court noted that stopping these ongoing recruitments would negatively impact government administration due to manpower shortages.
Recruitment Orders Must Mention ‘Temporary Status’
The Karnataka HC has directed that:
- All appointments and promotions made under the increased quota must clearly state that they are temporary and subject to the final outcome of the case.
- This ensures that if the increased quota is struck down, candidates cannot claim permanent rights based on the enhanced reservations.
Existing Court Orders Will Still Apply
The Court clarified that permitting ongoing recruitments does not overrule any interim or final orders issued earlier by other courts or tribunals in related cases.
What the Petitioners Claim
The PILs challenge the 2022 Act on several grounds:
- It violates the 50% reservation cap set by the Supreme Court.
- The State did not consult the National Commissions for SCs (NCSC) and STs (NCST).
- The combined reservation of 56% exceeds constitutional limits.
Quick Reference Summary
| Aspect | Details |
| Act Challenged | Karnataka SC/ST Reservation Act, 2022 |
| SC Reservation | Increased from 15% to 17% |
| ST Reservation | Increased from 3% to 7% |
| OBC Reservation | 32% (unchanged) |
| Total Reservation | 56% |
| Recruitment Allowed | Only those notified before Nov 19, 2025 |
| Orders Issued By | CJ Vibhu Bakhru & Justice C.M. Poonacha |
| Status of Appointments | Temporary, subject to final judgment |
| Petitioners | Mahendra Kumar Mitra & Mahesh |
Impact of the HC Order
The interim order creates a balanced approach:
- It prevents new recruitment based on the contested reservation law.
- It avoids administrative disruption by allowing previously announced recruitments to continue.
- It ensures transparency by marking all appointments as temporary.
The Karnataka HC’s interim order on the SC/ST reservation hike law ensures that while new recruitments remain halted, essential ongoing recruitment processes may continue without interruption. All appointments under the increased quotas remain provisional until the Court delivers its final verdict. For official updates, candidates and stakeholders should monitor the Karnataka High Court website and regional government notifications. Bookmark this page to stay informed on future developments.
