Supreme Court Refuses To Pause Ruling That Struck Down 65% Quota In Bihar

In its June 20 verdict, the high court had ruled that the amendments, passed unanimously by the state's bicameral legislature in November last year, were "ultra vires" of the Constitution, "bad in law".

In a setback for the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, the Supreme Court today refused to stay the Patna High Court order that struck down state government's 65% quota for backward classes.

The quota was increased from 50% to 65% for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the state, after the Bihar government carried out a caste survey in the state last year.

The quota hike was applicable in jobs and educational institutions in Bihar.