In a dramatic administrative move, the Maharashtra government has officially withdrawn the controversial 5% reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs, a policy that has remained legally stalled since 2014. The Social Justice Department issued a fresh Government Resolution (GR) nullifying all previous orders, circulars, and decisions related to the quota, citing court rulings and the ordinance’s lapse.

The quota was originally introduced by the Congress–NCP government ahead of the 2014 Assembly elections, placing around 50 Muslim communities under a newly created Special Backward Class-A (SBC-A) category. The 5% reservation was intended for admissions in government schools and colleges, as well as recruitment in government and semi-government positions.

Despite the announcement, the quota faced immediate legal hurdles. On November 14, 2014, the Bombay High Court stayed its implementation, and the ordinance failed to become law by the December 23, 2014 deadline, automatically lapsing. As a result, the policy was never fully enforced.

Studies by the Justice Rajinder Sachar Commission, the Justice Ranganath Mishra Committee, and the Dr Mehmoodur Rehman Committee highlighted the socio-economic and educational disadvantages faced by Muslim communities and recommended reservation between 5% and 8%. However, legal and procedural issues prevented the policy from taking effect.

The current government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, emphasized that since the ordinance was never legally enacted, all actions taken under it are invalid and must be withdrawn. Under the new GR, no new caste or validity certificates will be issued under the SBC-A category, admissions will not be granted under the quota, and all prior government orders related to the reservation are now null. Officials stated that the move merely formalizes a legal reality that had existed for years.