The Allahabad High Court has issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government regarding the formation of an OBC Commission, underscoring the urgency of ensuring compliance with Supreme Court mandates ahead of the 2026 Panchayat elections.
This legal development arises from a contempt petition filed by Advocate Moti Lal Yadav, which claims that state authorities have willfully neglected to comply with earlier court orders. The court has requested an affidavit detailing the timeline for establishing this commission within three weeks.
The Supreme Court’s ‘Triple Test’ criteria, established in the case of Vikas Kishanrao Gawali v. State of Maharashtra, must guide OBC reservation in local bodies, as stipulated by the UP Panchayat Raj Act, 1947. This act mandates that OBC seats should be reserved based on empirical population data from valid surveys.
The failure to form an OBC Commission could potentially delay local body polls until 2027, a situation that would hinder representation for Other Backward Classes in upcoming elections. The State Election Commission is currently preparing for three-tier Panchayat elections scheduled from April to July 2026.
During the recent National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations, notable achievements were recognized; for instance, the Poinguinim Panchayat received a Certificate of Excellence for achieving the highest score in Local Sustainable Development Goals, while Agonda Panchayat was awarded for its outstanding commitment to waste management facilities.
As these developments unfold, it remains uncertain how quickly the Uttar Pradesh Government will respond to the court’s order. The next hearing is set for May 19, 2026, and further actions will depend on whether state authorities can meet the court’s requirements within the stipulated timeframe.
