Viksit Odisha / Dharmendra Pradhan Pushes for Central OBC Status for Odisha's SEBC Communities
·4 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
- Dharmendra Pradhan has written to the NCBC requesting inclusion of several Odisha SEBC communities in the Central OBC list.
- He stated that the absence of Central OBC status prevents these communities from accessing reservation benefits in central jobs, education and welfare schemes.
- The move seeks to ensure socio-economic upliftment and equal access to central-level opportunities for the identified communities.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 23: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to the chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), Hansraj Ahir, requesting the inclusion of several communities listed under Odisha’s SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes) list into the Central OBC list. Pradhan shared the information through a post on social media, Sunday.
In the letter, he urged the NCBC to include the Khandayat, Paika, Chasa Paika, Alia, Paikali, Kalingi Sudra Khandayat, Mahanayak Sudra, Oda-Khandayat, Bayalisha, Oda, Oda-Paika, Oda-Paiko, Haladia Teli and Rajasribalasi/Balasi communities in the Central OBC list.
Pradhan noted that many communities identified as SEBC in Odisha are not listed as OBC at the central level. As a result, people from these communities are unable to avail reservation benefits in central government jobs, higher education institutions, technical institutes and various welfare schemes.
He said that adding these communities to the Central OBC list would help improve their socio-economic development and ensure they receive the benefits they are eligible for.
What is OBC?
Other Backward Classes (OBCs) refer to the socially and educationally disadvantaged castes and communities in India that are not included among the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The classification is based on historical marginalisation, limited access to education, employment, and socio-economic opportunities.
Also Read: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Invokes Regional Pride, Development Vision in Dhamnagar Address
OBCs are identified through the recommendations of commissions such as the Mandal Commission and are eligible for affirmative action, including reservations in government jobs, educational institutions and various welfare schemes.
The OBC list is maintained separately at both the central and state levels, and communities recognised as OBC in one state may not necessarily be in the Central OBC list.
In the letter, he urged the NCBC to include the Khandayat, Paika, Chasa Paika, Alia, Paikali, Kalingi Sudra Khandayat, Mahanayak Sudra, Oda-Khandayat, Bayalisha, Oda, Oda-Paika, Oda-Paiko, Haladia Teli and Rajasribalasi/Balasi communities in the Central OBC list.
ଓଡ଼ିଶା ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଏସଇବିସି ତାଲିକାରେ ଥିବା ଖଣ୍ଡାୟତ, ପାଇକ, ଚଷା ପାଇକ, ଆଳିଆ, ପାଇକାଳି, କଳିଙ୍ଗୀ ଶୂଦ୍ର ଖଣ୍ଡାୟତ, ମହାନାୟକ ଶୂଦ୍ର, ଓଡ଼-ଖଣ୍ଡାୟତ, ବୟାଳିଶା, ଓଡ଼, ଓଡ଼ ପାଇକ, ଓଡ଼ ପାଇକୋ, ହଳଦିଆ ତେଲି ଏବଂ ରାଜଶ୍ରୀବଳାସୀ/ବଳାସୀ ଜାତିକୁ କେନ୍ଦ୍ରୀୟ ଓବିସି ତାଲିକାରେ ସାମିଲ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ପଛୁଆ ବର୍ଗ ଆୟୋଗର ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷ…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 23, 2025
Pradhan noted that many communities identified as SEBC in Odisha are not listed as OBC at the central level. As a result, people from these communities are unable to avail reservation benefits in central government jobs, higher education institutions, technical institutes and various welfare schemes.
He said that adding these communities to the Central OBC list would help improve their socio-economic development and ensure they receive the benefits they are eligible for.
What is OBC?
Other Backward Classes (OBCs) refer to the socially and educationally disadvantaged castes and communities in India that are not included among the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The classification is based on historical marginalisation, limited access to education, employment, and socio-economic opportunities.
Also Read: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Invokes Regional Pride, Development Vision in Dhamnagar Address
OBCs are identified through the recommendations of commissions such as the Mandal Commission and are eligible for affirmative action, including reservations in government jobs, educational institutions and various welfare schemes.
The OBC list is maintained separately at both the central and state levels, and communities recognised as OBC in one state may not necessarily be in the Central OBC list.
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