Part of: Uttarakhand Polity Notes · See also: Uttarakhand GK
Quick answer
The Uttarakhand reservation percentage in State services, educational institutions and PSUs is SC 19%, ST 4% and OBC 14%. The SC and ST quotas rest on Government Orders of July 2001. In addition, horizontal quotas apply: 30% for domiciled women, 4% for persons with disabilities, 5% for orphans and 2% for dependants of freedom fighters. Since 2012, the Assembly also has 13 SC and 2 ST seats (as on 29 October 2026).
Key facts at a glance
- Vertical quotas: SC 19%, ST 4%, OBC 14%
- Horizontal for women: 30% for women domiciled in the State, in direct recruitment
- Women’s quota law: Act of 2022 (Act No. 1 of 2023), deemed in force from 18 July 2001
- Other horizontal quotas: persons with disabilities 4%, orphans 5%, dependants of freedom fighters 2%
- Assembly seats: 13 SC and 2 ST (Chakrata, Nanakmatta) since 2012
- Lok Sabha: Almora reserved for SC since 2008
- Scheduled Tribes: five, declared in 1967
- Panchayats: at least half of seats and Pradhan posts for women
Uttarakhand reservation percentage in State services
The State applies reservation in its services, educational institutions and PSUs. The quotas fall into two kinds. First, vertical quotas go to SC, ST and OBC. Second, horizontal quotas cover women and three other groups.
| Category | Quota | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 19% | Vertical (GOs of July 2001) |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 4% | Vertical (GOs of July 2001) |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 14% | Vertical |
| Women domiciled in the State | 30% | Horizontal |
| Persons with disabilities | 4% | Horizontal |
| Orphans | 5% | Horizontal |
| Dependants of freedom fighters | 2% | Horizontal |
Thus the three vertical quotas add up to 37%. However, the horizontal quotas are a separate list, so keep the two lists apart.
Horizontal reservation for women: the 2022 Act
The Uttarakhand Public Services (Horizontal Reservation for Women) Act, 2022 is Act No. 1 of 2023. It gives 30% horizontal reservation in direct recruitment to women domiciled in the State. Moreover, the Act counts as in force from 18 July 2001.
So the law reaches back to the State’s early years. Also, note that the benefit goes only to domiciled women. Therefore, the Uttarakhand reservation percentage for women is 30%, not 33%.
Reserved seats in the Assembly and Parliament
Articles 330 and 332 reserve seats for SCs and STs. In the 70-member Assembly, however, the pattern changed with delimitation. For example, 2002–2007 had 12 SC and 3 ST seats.
| Period | SC seats | ST seats |
|---|---|---|
| 2002–2007 | 12 | 3 (Chakrata, Khatima, Dharchula) |
| Since 2012 | 13 | 2 (Chakrata in Dehradun, Nanakmatta in Udham Singh Nagar) |
As a result, Khatima and Dharchula are no longer ST seats. Meanwhile, Chakrata kept its ST status, and Nanakmatta joined it. For the full district-wise list, see the Vidhan Sabha seats list.
In Parliament, Almora has been the SC Lok Sabha seat since 2008. Earlier, however, Haridwar was the reserved seat.
Reservation for women in panchayats
Also, the law reserves at least half of panchayat seats for women. Similarly, they get half of the Pradhan posts. Today, the Panchayati Raj Act 2016 carries this rule.
However, this 50% level is older than the 2016 Act. In 2008, the State raised women’s reservation in panchayats from 33% to 50%. The amendment passed on 12 March 2008, under CM B. C. Khanduri.
Constitutional safeguards at a glance
The State’s quotas and seats also draw on several Articles. Therefore, learn them as groups.
| Group | Articles |
|---|---|
| Safeguards for weaker sections | 15(4), 16(4), 46, 335 |
| Minorities | 29, 30, 350B |
| Reserved seats | 330, 332 |
| SC and ST lists | 341, 342 |
| Commissions | 338, 338A, 338B |
In addition, the State has an SC Commission (2003) and a Backward Classes Commission (Act of 2003). Besides, a Minorities Commission has worked from 2003.
The five Scheduled Tribes of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has five Scheduled Tribes, declared in 1967. Moreover, two of them are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
| Tribe | Main area |
|---|---|
| Tharu — largest by population (Census 2011) | Terai, mainly Udham Singh Nagar |
| Jaunsari | Jaunsar-Bawar (Chakrata, Kalsi, Tyuni in Dehradun) |
| Bhotiya | High-Himalayan border valleys of Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi |
| Buksa (Boksa) — PVTG | Terai–Bhabar of Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar |
| Raji (Van Rawat) — PVTG; smallest | Forests of Pithoragarh and Champawat |
Notice also the link with the ST seats. Chakrata lies in Jaunsar-Bawar, while Nanakmatta lies in Udham Singh Nagar. Besides, the Scheduled Tribes stay outside the Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand.
Key State laws of Uttarakhand
Several State Acts appear often in UKPSC papers. So learn each Act with its number and main provision.
| Law | Key provision |
|---|---|
| Uttarakhand Public Services (Horizontal Reservation for Women) Act, 2022 (Act No. 1 of 2023) | 30% horizontal reservation in direct recruitment for domiciled women; deemed in force from 18 July 2001 |
| Uttarakhand Right to Service Act, 2011 (Act No. 20 of 2011) | Time-bound services; penalties |
| Uttarakhand Official Language Act, 2009 (Act No. 14 of 2010) | Sanskrit the second official language |
| Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2016 (Act No. 11 of 2016) | Three tiers; two-child norm and education rules from 2019 |
| Uttarakhand Police Act, 2007 (Act No. 1 of 2008) | Replaced the Police Act 1861 |
| Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand Act, 2024 (Act No. 3 of 2024) | One law for marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships |
Points to note on each law
- Official Language Act: it got assent on 7 January 2010. Also, Uttarakhand was the first State to give Sanskrit this status.
- Police Act: Section 9 lets the State Government create Railway Police Districts under an SP. Besides, Section 2(zc) defines “witness”.
- Panchayati Raj amendment: Act No. 10 of 2019 added the two-child norm and education rules.
- Right to Service Act: it was amended in 2014 and 2023. The governance article covers its penalties.
- Lokayukta: the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act, 2011 was replaced by the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act, 2014.
Exam corner: common traps
- 30%, not 33%: domiciled women get 30% horizontal reservation in State direct recruitment.
- Act year vs Act number: the women’s quota law is the Act of 2022 but Act No. 1 of 2023.
- Old vs new ST seats: Khatima and Dharchula were ST seats only in 2002–2007. Since 2012, the ST seats are Chakrata and Nanakmatta.
- Almora, not Haridwar: Almora has been the SC Lok Sabha seat since 2008.
- Largest and smallest tribe: Tharu is the largest; Raji is the smallest.
What UKPSC has asked
- What percent horizontal reservation do the women of Uttarakhand get in government services? 30% (UKPSC Patwari Lekhpal Exam, 2022)
- How many seats are reserved for SC candidates in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly? 13 (UKPSC Lower PCS (Pre), 2021)
- How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly? 2 (UKPSC Constable Exam, 2021)
- Which Assembly seat is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes: Khatima, Chakrata, Pinder or Dharchula? Chakrata (UKPSC Combined Lower Sub. (Pre), 2025)
- Which Lok Sabha seat of Uttarakhand is reserved for SC? Almora (UKPSC Upper PCS (Pre), 2024)
- Which section of the Uttarakhand Police Act, 2007 defines “witness”? Section 2(zc) (UKPSC APO, 2015)
Revise in one page
State services, education and PSUs: SC 19%, ST 4% (GOs July 2001), OBC 14%. Horizontal: domiciled women 30%, disabled 4%, orphans 5%, freedom fighters’ dependants 2%. Women’s Act of 2022 is Act No. 1 of 2023, deemed from 18 July 2001. Assembly (Arts. 330, 332): 13 SC and 2 ST since 2012 (Chakrata, Nanakmatta); 2002–07 had 12 SC and 3 ST. Almora SC Lok Sabha seat since 2008. Panchayats: half of seats and Pradhan posts for women; 33% to 50% in 2008 under Khanduri. Five STs (1967): Tharu largest, Jaunsari, Bhotiya, Buksa (PVTG), Raji (PVTG, smallest). Acts: Right to Service 2011 (No. 20); Official Language 2009 (No. 14 of 2010); Panchayati Raj 2016 (No. 11); Police 2007 (No. 1 of 2008); UCC 2024 (No. 3).
In the news
- Uttarakhand gender budget 2026-27: ₹19,692 crore — State spending on women and child welfare, beside women’s 30% job quota.
- Nanda-Sunanda project: education support for 126 girls in Dehradun — a Dehradun project for the education of 126 girls.
Practise Uttarakhand Polity
- Daily 25 free practice questions — UKPSC previous-year questions, every morning.
- UKPSC previous year papers — bilingual PDFs of Upper PCS, Lower PCS, RO/ARO and more.
- UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series — full-length tests with detailed solutions.
Preparing for UKPSC Upper PCS, Lower PCS or RO/ARO? Join SAMVEG IAS, Dehradun. For batch details, call or WhatsApp +91 84759 04943.
Uttarakhand Polity Notes series
Frequently Asked Questions
In State services, educational institutions and PSUs, the quotas are SC 19%, ST 4% and OBC 14%. Horizontal quotas add 30% for domiciled women, 4% for persons with disabilities, 5% for orphans and 2% for dependants of freedom fighters.
Women domiciled in the State get 30% horizontal reservation in direct recruitment. This comes from the Uttarakhand Public Services (Horizontal Reservation for Women) Act, 2022, deemed in force from 18 July 2001.
Since 2012, 13 seats are reserved for SC and 2 for ST. The two ST seats are Chakrata in Dehradun and Nanakmatta in Udham Singh Nagar.
Uttarakhand has five Scheduled Tribes, declared in 1967. They are the Tharu, Jaunsari, Bhotiya, Buksa and Raji.
Almora is the reserved SC Lok Sabha seat. It has been reserved since 2008; earlier Haridwar was the reserved seat.
Facts as on 29 October 2026. Sources: Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan) Uttarakhand, High Court of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Election Commission of India, State departments, India Code and PIB.