What were the terms of reference of the Mandal Commission?

The Government of India, headed by the Janata Party, appointed a Backward Classes Commission under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal, Member of Parliament, with a view to getting definite recommendations by which it could implement its election promises. The following were the terms of reference of the Mandal Commission:

(i) To determine the criteria for defining the socially and educationally backward classes;

(ii) To recommend steps to be taken for the advancement of the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens so identified;

(iii) To examine the desirability or otherwise of making provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of such backward classes of citizens which are not adequately represented in the services of both the central and the state government/union territory administrations; and

(iv) To present a report setting out the facts as found by them and making such recommendations as they think proper.