National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) established on 14th August 1993 is a constitutional body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It was formed under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. This Commission was formed as an initiative for investigating the conditions and difficulties of the socially and educationally backward classes and thus making appropriate recommendations.
Some of the highlights of NCBC are mentioned in the table below:
| NCBC full form | National Commission for Backward Classes |
| Year of formation | 14th August 1993 |
| NCBC Headquarters | Delhi |
| NCBC Chairman | Bhagwan Lal Sahni |
| Official website | http://www.ncbc.nic.in |
How was NCBC formed?
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was an outcome of the Indra Sawhney case (Mandal Commission)of 1992. In the final verdict of the Mandal Commission, the Supreme Court of India had addressed the formation of NCBC as a statutory body. Headquartered in Delhi, the National Commission for Backward Classes was established on August 14, 1993, under the NCBC Act of 1993. NCBC, in the year 2015, proposed that a person having an annual family income of up to ₹15 lakhs and belonging to the OBC caste will be considered as a minimum ceiling for OBC. It also recommended that OBC can be sub-divided into ‘backwards’, ‘more backwards’ and ‘extremely backward’ categories. As per NCBC, the number of backward castes in the year 2016 increased to 5013 in the Central list of OBCs.
Structure of NCBC
The National Commission for Backward Classes consists of five regulatory members which include the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other members with a tenure period of three years. The current regulatory members of NCBC are mentioned in the table below:
The National Commission for Backward Classes consists of five regulatory members which include the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other members with a tenure period of three years. The current regulatory members of NCBC are mentioned in the table below:
| National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) | |
| Chairperson | Mr.Bhagwan Lal Sahni |
| Vice-Chairperson | Dr. Lokesh Kumar Prajapati |
| Member 1 | Mrs. Sudha Yadav |
| Member 2 | Mr. Kaushlendra Singh Patel |
| Member 3 | Mr. Thalloju Achary |
NCBC- Powers and Functions
- To investigate and monitor all the matters of the socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution or under any other law that are related to the proper working of the safeguards provided.
- To participate and advise actively on the socio-economic development of the socially backward classes along with evaluating the progress of their development.
- It annually presents the reports based on the working of the safeguards to the President. If any of those reports relate to any matter which is concerned with the State Government, a copy of that report is forwarded to the State Government.
- NCBC is responsible for the protection, welfare, development and advancement of the socially and educationally backward classes.
NCBC is an important statutory body of India that investigates the conditions and difficulties of the socially and educationally backward classes. Candidates preparing for UPSC should keep a track on the latest developments in the country as they form an important part for the Civil Service Exam
