Forward caste

Forward caste (referred as General Class/General Category/Open Category) is a term used in India to denote castes whose members are on average ahead of other Indians economically and socially. Forward castes account for about 28.8% of the population based on Schedule 10 of available data from the National Sample Survey Organisation 55th (1999–2000) and National Sample Survey Organisation 61st Rounds (2004–05) Round Survey.

Those groups that qualify for reservation benefits are listed as Other Backward Class, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Forward Caste also. They can avail defined quotas amongst other benefits for education, special government schemes, government employment and political representation. The lists of general, Other Backward class and Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes are compiled irrespective of religion. The lists are subject to change from time to time, dependent upon social, educational and economic factors.