The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved filling up 56,000 vacant government posts, passed legislation to tackle caste killings, and agreed to introduce the Rohith Vemula Act, which aims to prevent caste-based discrimination in educational institutions.
The employment decision is expected to benefit thousands of job seekers and bring back employment that has been delayed due to disputes over the reservation policy and related legal procedures. Officials said that recruitment notifications will be issued after the revised reservation list is prepared.
The recruitment process was suspended after the state increased reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, taking the total quota to 56%. Since the increase is subject to judicial review, the Cabinet decided to proceed under the current 50% reservation system rather than wait for a final ruling from the court.
Under the current framework, Scheduled Castes will get 15% reservation and Scheduled Tribes 3%, in line with the previous regime. The Cabinet also decided not to implement internal reservation for Scheduled Castes in this round of recruitment, citing the need for greater legal and administrative clarity.
Since the previous list was prepared based on the suggested 56% reservation, a new list will be created reflecting the 50% limit. Recruitment notifications will be issued once this process is complete.
The Ministry of Finance approved the recruitment plan. The government said it will abide by the court’s final ruling on reservation and will make changes if necessary in the future.
This decision comes in the wake of recent protests by job seekers in Hubballi and Dharwad, where the demonstrators demanded the government to fill long vacant posts. The Prime Minister has assured the candidates that recruitment will begin soon, and the Cabinet decision formalized this commitment.
Law against caste murder
In a separate move, the Cabinet approved the Karnataka Marriage, Freedom to Choose Spouse and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honor and Tradition Bill, 2026, which aims to prevent caste killings and violence against spouses, especially those in inter-caste relationships.
The draft law stipulates a minimum five-year prison sentence for caste murders, with the possibility of imposing a maximum penalty under the Criminal Code. It also imposes prison sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonment and fines of up to $3 lakh for serious assaults on spouses.
Under its provisions, having physical relations on the promise of inter-caste marriage and later rejecting them only because of caste will be treated as rape.
The bill also provides for the establishment of safe houses for couples facing threats and requires police to provide protection within six hours of receiving the request. Panchayats or groups are prohibited from passing or enforcing resolutions against inter-caste and love marriages. Violations can result in prison sentences ranging from six months to five years.
The legislation was prepared after the killing of Manya Patel in Hubballi, which brought renewed attention to caste-based violence in the state.
Rohith Vemula Law
The Cabinet also approved the implementation of the Rohith Vemula Act, which aims to prevent caste atrocities in educational institutions. The government intends to present the draft law in the next budget session.
The decision came after a letter from Rahul Gandhi to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging the state to implement such a law. The Prime Minister had previously confirmed that the law would be introduced.
