What are the criteria for determining membership to backward classes?

Backwardness is considered an attribute of a group and not of an individual. Membership to these ‘backward classes’ is determined by birth, as is the case in all other caste groups. In theory, backward classes may include individuals who are educationally and economically well off.

The backward classes are, thus a large and complex amalgam of groups and individuals. According to the Mandal Commission, the OBC constitute nearly 52 per cent of India’s population.