Scheduled Caste panel issues notice to the Punjab government on quota implementation in lecturer recruitment

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Saturday (September 5, 2026) issued a notice to the Punjab government over a complaint that the reservation policy for Scheduled Castes had been violated in the recruitment of over 1,000 lecturer positions notified by the Punjab Education Department.

The complaint was filed with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tarun Chugh, who publicly alleged on Saturday (September 5, 2026) that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Punjab had failed to implement “the prescribed 25% Scheduled Castes and 12% Backward Classes reservation in the recruitment of 1,013 lecturers”.

The Commission, in a statement, said that Mr. Chugh’s complaint detailed allegations that the reservation policy had been violated for recruitment to positions for teaching various subjects like Punjabi, Commerce, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geography.

The NCSC added that it had issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, seeking an action-taken report and all relevant records on reservations and the roster related to these allegations within seven days.

Calling the allegations made by Mr. Chugh a “very serious matter”, NCSC chairperson Kishor Makwana said, “The Commission is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes and ensuring strict compliance with reservation provisions in government services. The Commission will take all necessary steps in accordance with the law to ensure justice.”

The Commission, in its notice, noted that it is within its rights to exercise the constitutionally-granted powers of a civil court and issue a summons to concerned officials if a response is not received within the prescribed deadline.