The Karnataka government has approved a revised internal reservation formula for Scheduled Castes (SCs), marking a significant policy decision aimed at ensuring fair distribution of benefits among sub-groups.

The decision was taken during a special cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The approved formula redistributes the existing 15% SC reservation into three internal categories.

Under the new structure, 5.25% reservation each has been allocated to the “left-hand” and “right-hand” SC groups, while 4.5% has been earmarked for other Scheduled Caste communities, including nomadic groups.

Recruitment to resume after policy clearance

With the cabinet giving its nod, the government is expected to restart long-pending recruitment processes. Officials indicated that fresh notifications will be issued under the revised quota system, allowing hiring to move forward.

The move is expected to unlock thousands of government job vacancies that had been on hold due to the absence of clarity on internal reservation.

Decision shaped by legal constraints

The revised quota formula has been structured to comply with the Supreme Court-mandated 50% ceiling on total reservations. Earlier, the state had proposed increasing the SC quota to 17% and Scheduled Tribes (ST) quota to 7%, but this could not be implemented due to legal limitations.

As a result, the government retained the SC reservation at 15% and proportionately adjusted the internal distribution among sub-categories.

Shift from earlier quota structure

The new formula replaces the earlier proposed 6:6:5 distribution model. The cabinet revised these figures proportionately to align with the 15% cap, resulting in the current 5.25:5.25:4.5 structure.

The classification divides SC communities into three groups to address disparities in access to reservation benefits across sub-castes.

Aim to ensure equitable representation

The government has said the decision is intended to bring more balance and fairness in reservation benefits among different SC communities. The categorisation is expected to improve representation of relatively underrepresented groups within the SC category.

The cabinet’s approval is seen as a key step in addressing long-standing demands for internal reservation among Scheduled Castes in the state.

West Bengal witnessed high political tension late Thursday night after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strongroom in Kolkata amid allegations of irregularities raised by her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The development came just days before the counting of votes for the 2026 Assembly elections, intensifying the already charged political atmosphere in the state.

TMC alleges ballot boxes opened without agents

The TMC claimed that ballot boxes were opened without the presence of authorised party representatives, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Party leaders staged a sit-in protest outside the strongroom, demanding transparency and stricter monitoring.

According to reports, Banerjee visited the counting centre in the Bhabanipur constituency and spent several hours inside the strongroom to personally inspect the situation. She later warned against any attempt to tamper with the voting process and called for stronger safeguards, including CCTV monitoring.

The party also cited alleged visual evidence suggesting that ballot boxes had been accessed without proper oversight.

Election Commission rejects allegations

The Election Commission dismissed the allegations, stating that all procedures were followed as per protocol and that EVMs and ballot boxes remain secure.

Officials clarified that certain strongroom openings were conducted as part of standard procedures, including handling of postal ballots, and that political parties were informed in advance.

BJP counters claims, calls it ‘fear tactics’

Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected the TMC’s accusations, alleging that the ruling party was attempting to create confusion ahead of the counting day.

They described the claims as politically motivated and aimed at influencing public perception before results are declared.

High-stakes contest ahead of results

The late-night developments highlight the intense political rivalry between the TMC and BJP in West Bengal. With counting scheduled in the coming days, tensions remain high as both sides closely monitor the security of EVMs.

The 2026 Assembly elections in the state have already seen record voter participation, making the outcome crucial for all major political players.

Bank closures on May 1, 2026, will depend on the Reserve Bank of India’s official state-wise holiday calendar. While the day is observed as Buddha Purnima and Labour Day in several regions, not all states may have a bank holiday. Customers are advised to check with their local branch or official bank holiday list before planning a visit 

The holiday status, however, is not uniform across the country, as bank closures are determined based on the Reserve Bank of India’s state-wise holiday calendar.

Banks likely to remain closed in most states

In several states, including Delhi and other major regions, banks are expected to remain shut due to Buddha Purnima. The day is recognised as a public holiday in many parts of the country, leading to closure of bank branches.

Customers planning branch visits on May 1 are advised to check local holiday listings to avoid inconvenience.

States where banks may remain open

Despite the widespread holiday, some states may not observe May 1 as a bank holiday. In such locations, banking services at branches could function normally.

States where banks may remain operational include:

• Meghalaya
• Nagaland
• Rajasthan
• Sikkim
• Punjab
• Haryana
• Odisha
• Gujarat

Since bank holidays vary regionally, customers should verify with their local branch.

Digital banking services unaffected

Even in areas where banks are closed, digital services will continue without interruption. Customers can use:

• Mobile banking apps
• Internet banking
• UPI services
• ATMs

These services remain available regardless of physical branch closures.

Key takeaway

While May 1, 2026, will be a bank holiday in many parts of India due to Buddha Purnima and Labour Day, some states may still have banks open, making it important to check region-specific updates before planning any visit.