# Karnataka Cabinet approves 30% ST quota for forest guards 2026-09-18T19:13:15+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a 30% reservation for Scheduled Tribe communities in the recruitment of forest watchers and guards. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the move aims to provide social justice by ensuring special representation in state civil services for ST communities living in and around forests. The decision applies to posts in the Forest Department and is intended to address the historical underrepresentation of tribal populations who depend on forest resources. The quota is expected to benefit communities that have traditionally lived in forest areas and have knowledge of the terrain. The government said the policy aligns with constitutional provisions for affirmative action. The reservation will be implemented in future recruitment drives for these posts. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The reservation bypasses the usual requirement for a caste census or quantifiable data on backwardness, which courts have previously mandated for exceeding the 50% cap set by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case (1992). Karnataka already exceeds this limit with total reservations of around 56%, and any addition invites legal challenge. The state's own Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes had not recommended this step. If challenged, the High Court will test whether the government can cite 'forest dependency' as a valid special criterion. The real test is whether the notification invokes Article 16(4) or Article 16(4A), and whether it provides any empirical data on representation. The decision is likely to face a petition within weeks. The decision is likely to face a legal challenge in the Karnataka High Court, testing whether 'forest dependency' meets constitutional standards for exceeding the 50% ceiling. ## Coverage - deccanherald.com Tags: DK Shivakumar, forest department, Karnataka, reservation, Scheduled Tribes Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-cabinet-approves-30-st-quota-for-forest-guards/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-cabinet-approves-30-st-quota-for-forest-guards/#story-in-brief