The Fat-Free Diet

• Communities in the backward list: 4,820
  
• NSS has put the percentage of backward Muslims at 4 per cent of the population. There is also a small percentage of backward Christians.

• Persons whose annual income is Rs 2.5 lakh per annum and above. (There is speculation that this is likely to be upped to Rs 4 lakh).
  
• Those who hold constitutional posts
  
• Group A (Class I officers) and Group B (Class II services) including employees holding equivalent posts in PSUs, banks, insurance companies and universities
  
• Officers of the armed forces of the rank of colonel or an equivalent post and above
  
• Professionals and those who engage in trade, business and industry
  
• Those who hold irrigated agricultural land equal to or more than 85 per cent of the statutory ceiling area for a particular state. For example, if the cap is 10 acres then those who own 8.5 acres of irrigated land fall into the creamy layer.

• In the absence of properly maintained land records, holdings can be fudged
  
• The income limit is likely to be revised to include more OBCs in the reserved category
  
• The government may move amendments to bring the creamy layer within the ambit of quota

• Bihar: Yadavs, Kurmis, Telis, Koeris and Malis
  
• Rajasthan: Jats, Yadavs, Telis, Gujjars, Malis
  
• Maharashtra: Kurmis, Yadavs, Telis and Malis
  
• Uttar Pradesh: Jats, Yadavs, Gujjars, Patels/Kurmis and Lodhs
  
• Karnataka: Vokkaligas, Banagias, Badigas, Banasaras and Shettys
  
• Tamil Nadu: Chettiars, Gounders, Thevars and Vanniyars
  
• Kerala: Ezhavas, Nadars

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• No quota for the rich among the backward communities
  
• A graduate degree is a sign of upward mobility and hence no reservation for post-graduate degrees
  
• The total number of general category seats to be increased by 54 per cent.