One-Year Extension for Genealogy Verification Committees; Major Relief for Maratha Community

@ Extension granted until June 30, 2027 to facilitate issuance of Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha caste certificates

Mumbai, August 25

In a significant development concerning the Maratha reservation issue, the Maharashtra Government has extended the tenure of the genealogy verification committees constituted at the taluka level under the chairmanship of tehsildars until June 30, 2027. The move is aimed at making it easier for eligible members of the Maratha community to obtain Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha caste certificates and caste validity certificates without facing legal or administrative hurdles.

The decision follows the extension of the tenure of the committee headed by retired Justice Sandeep Shinde. In accordance with the decision taken at a meeting of the Maratha Reservation Cabinet Sub-Committee, the taluka-level genealogy verification committees have also been granted a full one-year extension.

In several districts across the state, officials are working on a war footing to locate old records, trace family genealogies and conduct the necessary legal verification. The primary objective of the extension is to ensure that no eligible Maratha youth is deprived of the opportunity to complete the verification process or avail themselves of the benefits of reservation.

The committees headed by tehsildars will now have an additional year to undertake detailed scrutiny of genealogical records and complete the verification process. The extension is expected to accelerate the issuance of Kunbi certificates to thousands of eligible Maratha youths, particularly in rural areas.

The decision comes amid continuing political debate over the Maratha reservation issue ahead of the upcoming elections. While the opposition has continued to raise allegations and counter-allegations over the issue, the Mahayuti Government has maintained that it is strengthening the administrative mechanism and taking concrete steps to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the required certificates.

With the extension, the taluka-level committees will continue their work throughout the coming year, providing additional time to verify historical records and genealogical links and helping eligible members of the Maratha community complete the process without unnecessary administrative obstacles.