Bengaluru, March 9, 2026
The Karnataka government has issued the final reservation notification for all 369 wards across the five newly formed Bengaluru city corporations, marking a major procedural milestone ahead of long-pending civic elections. However, the announcement has reignited debate over the fairness and legality of the quota distribution, with several political groups and civil society organisations signalling potential court challenges.
A Six-Month Exercise Reaches Completion
The reservation process—conducted under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024—involved extensive ward-level scrutiny, public objections, and a review committee assessment. The final list reflects 84 changes from the draft notification issued on January 8, with the highest number of alterations occurring in the Bengaluru West Corporation (33 wards). Other corporations saw changes as follows:
- North: 18 wards
- South: 14 wards
- East: 12 wards
- Central: 7 wards
Officials stated that the review committee examined all objections and incorporated changes deemed valid, though critics argue that the revisions largely reshuffle categories between wards rather than address systemic concerns.
Vertical Reservation: Only One Corporation Meets 50% Requirement
A key point of contention is the vertical reservation percentage, which determines the distribution of seats among Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Backward Classes (A & B), and General categories.
According to the final notification:
- East City Corporation: 50% vertical reservation (the only corporation meeting the mandated threshold)
- Central City Corporation: 49.2%
- North City Corporation: 48.6%
- West City Corporation: 42.8%
- South City Corporation: 44.4%
Opposition leaders and activists argue that the government ignored widespread criticism of these percentages during the draft stage, leaving the final matrix vulnerable to judicial scrutiny.
Women’s Quota Falls Short of Mandated 50%
The notification reserves 176 out of 369 wards for women, amounting to 47.69%, below the legally mandated 50% representation.
Breakdown by corporation:
- West City Corporation: Close to 50%
- The other four corporations: Between 46% and 48%
Women’s groups have expressed disappointment, noting that the shortfall persists despite repeated objections and the government’s assurances of compliance.
Category-Wise Distribution
The final reservation list allocates wards as follows:
- General: 198
- Scheduled Castes: 43
- Scheduled Tribes: 7
- Backward Class A: 97
- Backward Class B: 24
These figures reflect the demographic and statutory requirements but have nonetheless sparked debate over whether the distribution adequately represents marginalised communities.
Political Implications and Ward-Level Shifts
Several wards represented by opposition MLAs—such as Malleswaram, Mahadevapura, and Bommanahalli—saw more reservation changes than those represented by the ruling party. Meanwhile, constituencies like Shanthinagar, BTM Layout, and Shivajinagar saw no changes at all.
Such shifts could significantly influence candidate eligibility and electoral strategies, with some aspirants now forced to reconsider their plans.
Government’s Defence
The Urban Development Department maintains that the reservation committee adhered strictly to the Act and relevant government orders. Officials emphasised that all objections were reviewed and that only valid suggestions were incorporated.
However, critics argue that the government has merely rearranged reservations between wards without addressing the core issue: the overall percentage shortfalls.
Next Steps: Elections on the Horizon
With the reservation process complete, the responsibility now shifts to the Karnataka State Election Commission (SEC), which is expected to publish the final electoral rolls on April 6. The state has informed the Supreme Court that civic polls will be conducted before June 30, ending a delay that dates back to September 2020.
