The Karnataka High Court has invalidated a state legislative act that sought to increase reservation quotas for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government services. The court specifically struck down Section 4 of the legislation, determining that the expansion of the quota system was unconstitutional.

In its ruling, the court cited Articles 14 and 16 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and equality of opportunity in public employment. The judiciary concluded that the state's decision to exceed the established 50% ceiling on total reservations—a limit previously set by the Supreme Court of India in landmark rulings—could not be legally sustained. By surpassing this threshold, the court found that the state government’s action infringed upon the constitutional rights of other citizens.

The decision carries significant implications for state-level affirmative action policies. While the state government had argued that the increase was necessary to address historical disparities and ensure adequate representation for marginalized communities, the court prioritized the adherence to the 50% cap as a fundamental legal requirement. The ruling effectively halts the implementation of the enhanced quota scheme, forcing the state to reconsider its approach to reservation policies in government hiring. As of now, the state government has not formally announced its next steps, such as whether it intends to challenge the High Court's decision in the Supreme Court of India.