Supreme Court: conversion from Hinduism to Islam does not automatically give Backward Class reservation
On 15 October 2026, the Supreme Court held that a person converting from Hinduism to Islam or another non-Hindu religion cannot automatically claim Backward Class reservation, dismissing Tamil Nadu's appeal against a Madras High Court verdict.
Summary
The Supreme Court ruled on 15 October 2026 that a Hindu belonging to a Backward Class cannot claim Backward Class reservation merely by converting to Islam or another non-Hindu religion. A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar dismissed the Tamil Nadu government's appeal against a Madras High Court verdict, holding that social backwardness of the earlier caste is not carried forward after conversion. The court said benefits under Article 16(4) cannot be given solely on the basis of pre-conversion status, and reiterated that a person professing a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism ceases to hold Scheduled Caste status.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court of India, 15 October 2026
- Bench
- Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar
- Case
- Tamil Nadu government's appeal against Madras High Court verdict – dismissed
- Ruling
- Conversion to a non-Hindu religion does not by itself give membership of a notified Backward Class
- Constitutional provision
- Article 16(4) benefits cannot rest solely on pre-conversion status
- SC status
- Ceases for a person professing a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In October 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal of which state government on reservation benefits for persons converting to Islam?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Tamil Nadu
In its October 2026 ruling on conversion and Backward Class reservation, the Supreme Court said benefits under which Article cannot be extended solely on the basis of pre-conversion status?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Article 16(4)