Supreme Court asks for data on backward Muslim groups in OBC reservation case.

The Supreme Court on February 23, 2026, sought detailed information on socially and educationally backward Muslim communities during a hearing on a PIL seeking OBC reservation for Pasmanda Muslims. The court emphasized the need for comprehensive data to assess claims of backwardness within the Muslim community, highlighting the complexity of caste-based discrimination among Muslims. The petition argues that marginalized Muslim groups, historically excluded from mainstream social structures, deserve affirmative action. The court has not ruled on the plea, and the outcome will depend on evidence presented in future hearings.