Underrepresentation of Muslims in State Public Service Commissions across India
New Delhi: A report has revealed a striking underrepresentation of Muslims in State Public Service Commissions (SPSCs) across India.
As of mid-2024, only 22 Muslims have headed SPSCs out of a total of 474 chairpersons, while 91 Muslims have been members out of 967.
This underrepresentation is further highlighted by the fact that 13 states, including Gujarat, have had no Muslim chairpersons or members in their SPSCs. States like Chhattisgarh, Goa, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh have also had no Muslim representation in their SPSCs.
Some states have had a slightly better representation of Muslims in their SPSCs. For example, Kerala has had two Muslim chairpersons and 16 Muslim members, while West Bengal has had two Muslim chairpersons and seven Muslim members.
The report also notes that some states have had Muslim representation in their SPSCs in the past, but not currently. For example, Tamil Nadu had three Muslim chairpersons, but none currently, while Odisha had one Muslim member, but none currently.
The underrepresentation of Muslims in SPSCs is a concern, as these commissions play a crucial role in recruiting candidates for various government positions. The lack of representation may perpetuate existing inequalities and limit opportunities for Muslims in the public sector.
The report’s findings highlight the need for greater diversity and inclusion in SPSCs, as well as efforts to address the underlying factors contributing to the underrepresentation of Muslims.
