2. Are there any Guidelines prescribed by the Commission for consideration of requests for inclusion in the Central Lists of OBCs?


Yes. There is a full set of guidelines devised by the Commission in the light of which requests for Inclusion and complaints of Under-Inclusion in the Central Lists of OBCs are examined and advice is tendered to the Central Government. The guidelines relate to the social, educational and economic status of the caste/community. To see the guideline click here. Procedural Clarification on Guidelines deals with expeditious formulation of findings in respect of occupational categories under the "Fast-Track". The "Fast-Track" is a mechanism devised for speedy identification of backward classes and is based on the criteria that are obvious and where social backwardness is patent either on account of nature of the traditional occupation, with which the caste/community is linked in terms of the caste system, or on account of some other patent circumstances like classification as nomadic or semi-nomadic or denotified tribe, etc.