Dharmendra Pradhan seeks inclusion of 108 Odisha SEBC groups in Central OBC list

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged the Centre to include 108 Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) communities of Odisha in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBC).

In a letter to Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar on Monday (December 23, 2025), Pradhan highlighted the need to address parity between the State and Central OBC lists in Odisha. People categorised as OBCs at the central level are referred to as SEBCs in Odisha.

“I would like to draw your kind attention to a matter of great significance concerning the parity between the State and central lists of Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Odisha,” Pradhan said in the letter.

The Union Minister, who hails from Odisha, pointed out that several communities already recognised in the State list of SEBCs by the State Government are yet to be included in the Central OBC list. He said this discrepancy has led to administrative ambiguities and interpretational challenges for members of these communities, particularly when they migrate across states or seek access to Central Government services, educational institutions, or employment opportunities.

“This discrepancy has resulted in administrative ambiguities and interpretational challenges for members of these communities, particularly when they migrate across the States or seek access to Central Government services, educational institutions, or employment opportunities,” Pradhan said.

Noting that Odisha has a substantial SEBC population, Pradhan said their exclusion from the Central OBC list deprives them of uniform access to reservation benefits and welfare schemes available at the national level.

He said the inclusion of these communities in the Central OBC list is necessary to ensure parity between the State and Central frameworks, while also advancing the cause of social justice and inclusive development. Pradhan attached a detailed list of 108 SEBC communities proposed for inclusion in the Central OBC list.

“Given the importance of the matter, I request your personal intervention to look into the matter for inclusion of these communities in the Central OBC list, which would ensure uniform access to benefits of reservations and welfare schemes,” he said, adding that this would promote educational and economic advancement among historically disadvantaged groups in the State.

Separately, on Monday (December 23), Pradhan also urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconstitute the Odisha State Commission for Backwards Classes (OSCBC).

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Pradhan said Odisha has 216 Socially and Educationally Backward Class communities and that they continue to face challenges in accessing benefits in the absence of a functioning commission.

“I would like to draw your kind attention towards the reconstitution of OSCBC, which is presently functus officio following the completion of its tenure on January 3, 2024 and the absence of appointed members,” he said.