NationalFriday, 7 August 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court to decide Tamil Nadu’s power to extend reservation to Muslim converts from backward classes
The Supreme Court will decide whether Tamil Nadu can issue backward class (Muslim) certificates to eligible converts under its March 9, 2024 order.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to decide Tamil Nadu’s appeal over the March 9, 2024 government order that allowed reservation benefits for eligible converts from backward classes, most backward classes, denotified communities and Scheduled Castes who embraced Islam.
Key specifics
- The State relied on the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission to issue “backward classes (Muslim)” community certificates.
- The Madras High Court quashed the March 2024 order on June 25, calling it unconstitutional.
- Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra headed the Supreme Court Bench that reserved orders.
- The case involved a petitioner from Thoothukudi district who had applied for a “Muslim Lebbai” community certificate.
- The State argued that Articles 15(4) and 16(4) permit classification of socially and educationally backward converts.
Exam lens
Polity and constitutional law, reservation after conversion, Articles 15(4) and 16(4), Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, Madras High Court and Supreme Court. TNPSC may ask: which constitutional provisions and court decisions are linked to reservation benefits for converts?