No Reservation on Old Caste After Conversion! Supreme Court Dismisses Tamil Nadu Government's Appeal, 2024 Order Stays Quashed
The Supreme Court has upheld the Madras High Court judgment which held that a person converting to Islam cannot claim reservation on the basis of the social backwardness of their pre-conversion status. With this, Tamil Nadu government's appeal stands dismissed and the 2024 government order, under which people converting to Islam from certain Hindu backward and Scheduled Caste communities could get a Backward Class Muslim certificate, remains quashed.
What the Supreme Court Said
- Merely converting to Islam does not make a person a member of any of the seven notified Backward Class Muslim communities of Tamil Nadu.
- A person moving from the Hindu social order to a non-Hindu order cannot claim reservation under Article 16(4) merely on the social backwardness of their pre-conversion status.
- Tamil Nadu's appeal was dismissed and the Madras High Court's June 2026 judgment stands.
The Case
- In 2024 the Tamil Nadu government issued an order to treat people converting to Islam from Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities or Scheduled Castes as Backward Class Muslims.
- The Tahsildar rejected an applicant's request, after which the applicant went to the Madras High Court.
- The High Court quashed the government order, and the Supreme Court upheld that.
What the Ruling Means
- The ruling is on Tamil Nadu's order and its notified list.
- A caste or class claim for reservation is decided from the notified list of the concerned state.
- The effect in other states will depend on their lists and rules, so it should not be assumed to apply everywhere automatically.
What to Do to Get a Caste/Class Certificate
- Check the status of your caste or community in your state's notified list.
- Keep identity, residence and older caste-related documents ready for the application.
- In Rajasthan, applications are made on the SSO portal or at your nearest e-Mitra centre.
- After applying, officials verify the documents. If rejected, look at the appeal route available under the rules.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did the Supreme Court decide?
On 15 October 2026.
Does conversion keep the old caste reservation?
In this case the Court said that conversion alone, on the basis of earlier social status, does not create a claim to Backward Class Muslim reservation.
Which state's case is it?
Tamil Nadu's. The ruling is on its 2024 government order.
What is the effect on Rajasthan?
Rules in Rajasthan are set by the state's notified list and orders. Confirm with your district administration.
Note: This is based on news reports and public government information. Dates, amounts and rules can change, so please confirm with the official website or the concerned office before acting. Emitrawala.com is not a government website.
