Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India enables the State to make provision for reservation in appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.

Article 340 of the Constitution of India provides for the appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes and the difficulties under which they labour and to make appropriate recommendations to the Union or the State as the case may be.

The Supreme Court of India in its Judgement dated 16.11.1992 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 930 of 1990 – Indira Sawhney & Ors. Vs. Union of India and Ors. (AIR 2000 SC 498:2000(1)SCC168), popularly known as Mandal Case- directed the Govt. of India, State Governments and UT Administrations to constitute a permanent body in the nature of a Commission or Tribunal for entertaining, examining and recommending upon requests for inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion and under-inclusion in the list of OBCs.

In pursuance of the direction of the Supreme Court, the Govt. of India enacted the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 (Act No. 27 of 1993) and set up a National Commission for Backward Classes at the Centre. The Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 was also enacted in the same pattern in compliance with the direction of the Supreme Court.