Unfinished Discourse Of ‘Backwardness’ In Independent India

Abstract

This paper discusses the Second Backward Commission (Mandal Commission) and its impact on the discourse of backwardness in India. It provides an overview of the formation and function of the Mandal Commission of India. It was established to address the issue of ‘socially and educationally backward classes’ in country in the late 1980s. The Commission identified backwardness based on eleven social, educational and economic indicators and recommended the formation of a third category of groups eligible for reservations called ‘Other Backward Classes’ (OBCs). The article also highlights the controversy and implementation of the Commission's recommendations between 1990 and 2006. Additionally, it discusses the role of political parties of India and other stakeholders in the debates surrounding reservation policies.

(F. No. 02/151/2016-17/RP_ICSSR Research 2016). “The excerpts and findings of this article are sourced from the ICSSR-sponsored national research project titled “Status of Reservation Policy: A Study of Higher Educational Institutions in Bihar.” (1)