Supreme Court Flags OBC Certification Guidelines for Children of Single Mothers

The Supreme Court on Monday highlighted the absence of clear guidelines for issuing Other Backward Classes (OBCs) certificates to children raised by single mothers. A bench comprising Justices KV Vishwanathan and N Kotishwar Singh scheduled a final hearing for this critical issue on July 22.

The court considered a plea from single mothers seeking OBC certificates for their children based on maternal caste-status. The current guidelines solely recognize paternal lineage, causing difficulties. The Additional Solicitor General noted that state governments are responsible for creating necessary guidelines, responding to the plea's claims.

The apex court requested the petitioner to circulate their plea among state governments, allowing for individual responses. The court also raised concerns about issuing caste certificates in cases of inter-caste marriages, questioning whether maternal or paternal lineage should be considered. Noting that guidelines exist for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), the court deemed the matter significant and set the stage for a decisive hearing.

(With inputs from agencies.)