This study, conducted by researchers including those from the University of Oxford, UK, indicates a 17 percent increase in mortality compared to 2019 and is 1.5 times higher than estimates by the World Health Organisation.

States have argued that despite reservation, some castes are significantly underrepresented in comparison with the so-called dominant scheduled castes. They want to create a separate quota for such castes within the SC Quota of 15% to ensure that the benefits are adequately distributed.