Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued under a revised classification introduced by the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal in 2025. The ruling affects certificates issued under the OBC-A and OBC-B categories between May 8 and June 12, 2025.
A division bench comprising Justices Rajasekhar Mantha and Anuj Singh observed that the OBC-A and OBC-B classification no longer exists following its abolition by the present BJP government. Consequently, certificates issued under the earlier classification have lost their validity, and holders of such certificates will now be treated as belonging to the general category.
The development came during the hearing of a petition filed by JEE Mains candidate Shreyasi Dhang, who challenged her inclusion in the general category despite having applied under the OBC category.
Dhang appeared for the JEE Mains-UG examination for Nursing-Paramedical courses in 2026. After the results were published on July 27, her name appeared in the merit list under the General category rather than OBC. She subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking relief over her categorisation.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the division bench clarified that the issue was not limited to Dhang’s case. It stated that all certificates issued under the OBC-A and OBC-B classification since the previous year would be considered cancelled.
The ruling could have significant implications for candidates who relied on these certificates for admission, examinations and other benefits available under OBC reservation. Those affected may now have to seek clarity from the relevant authorities regarding their eligibility and categorisation under the existing system.
