UP Government Sets Up OBC Panel for Panchayat Polls, Retired Allahabad HC Judge Ram Autar Singh Named Chief

The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a dedicated commission to examine reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming rural local body elections, appointing retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ram Autar Singh as its chairman.

The move comes as the state prepares for the next round of panchayat elections amid continued legal and political debate over OBC representation in local governance. Officials said the newly formed panel will study the social and political status of backward communities in rural bodies and recommend a framework for reservation in accordance with constitutional guidelines.

The commission is expected to play a crucial role in determining how seats will be reserved for OBC candidates in village panchayats, block-level councils and district councils across Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.

According to government officials, the panel has been formed to comply with the “triple test” principle laid down by the Supreme Court for granting OBC reservation in local body elections. The legal framework requires states to establish a dedicated commission, conduct empirical studies on backwardness and ensure that reservation limits remain within constitutional boundaries.

Apart from Justice Ram Autar Singh, the commission includes retired administrative and judicial officials with experience in governance and public policy. The panel has reportedly been given a fixed timeline to submit its recommendations before the election schedule is finalised.

The issue of OBC reservation has remained politically sensitive in Uttar Pradesh, where caste equations continue to play a decisive role in electoral politics. Political parties across the spectrum have closely monitored the matter, viewing local body elections as an important indicator ahead of larger state and national contests.

Supporters of the government’s decision said the formation of the commission demonstrates an attempt to ensure legal clarity and avoid disputes that could delay the polls. They argue that the exercise could help create a more transparent system for political representation at the grassroots level.

However, opposition leaders questioned whether the process could postpone elections or be used for political advantage. Some parties demanded that the commission complete its work quickly so that reservation-related uncertainty does not affect the electoral calendar.

Constitutional experts say Uttar Pradesh is among several states that have faced legal scrutiny over OBC quotas in civic and rural elections after Supreme Court rulings tightened conditions for reservation in local bodies. In previous years, courts had struck down reservation notifications in some states due to the absence of detailed empirical data.

For millions of voters in rural Uttar Pradesh, the commission’s findings are expected to directly influence representation in village governance, development planning and local administration over the coming years.

The government has not yet announced the exact timeline for the panchayat elections, but officials indicated that the commission’s report would be a key factor before the final poll notification is issued.