Karnataka Act No. 44 of 2026: Reservation in Notary Appointments for SC, ST, OBC, Women and Persons with Disabilities
Karnataka Notaries Amendment Act 2025: The Karnataka State Legislature has introduced an important amendment to the Notaries Act, 1952, providing for reservation in the appointment of notaries in the State of Karnataka.
The Notaries (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2025 has been published as Karnataka Act No. 44 of 2026 in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on 18 September 2026.
The Act received the assent of the President of India on 7 September 2026.
What is Karnataka Act No. 44 of 2026?
Karnataka Act No. 44 of 2026 amends the Notaries Act, 1952 (Central Act 53 of 1952) in its application to the State of Karnataka.
The major change is the insertion of a new Section 3A, titled “Reservation in appointment.”
Under the new provision, the State Government shall provide reservation while appointing notaries for specified categories, including:
- Scheduled Castes (SC)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Other Backward Classes (OBC)
- Women
- Persons with disabilities
Reservation in Notary Appointment
The newly inserted Section 3A provides that the State Government, while appointing notaries, shall provide reservation to applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
It also provides horizontal reservation for women and physically challenged persons, as prescribed by the State Government from time to time.
Categories Covered
| Category | Provision |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | Reservation |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | Reservation |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | Reservation |
| Women | Horizontal Reservation |
| Persons with Disabilities | Horizontal Reservation |
The Act does not specify fixed percentages of reservation. The reservation provisions are to be prescribed by the State Government from time to time.
What Happens If Reserved Category Candidates Are Not Available?
The amendment also contains a provision for situations where eligible candidates from the specified reserved categories are not available.
According to the proviso to Section 3A, if a candidate from the above categories is not available, the concerned posts may be filled by persons belonging to the General Category.
This provision provides for filling the posts when suitable candidates from the specified categories are unavailable.
When Will the Act Come Into Force?
Although the Act has received Presidential assent and has been published in the Karnataka Gazette, it does not automatically come into force on the date of publication.
Section 1(2) states that the Act shall come into force on a date appointed by the State Government through a notification in the Official Gazette.
Therefore, the effective date of implementation will depend on a separate notification issued by the Karnataka Government.
Key Details of Karnataka Act No. 44 of 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Act Name | The Notaries (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2025 |
| Act Number | Karnataka Act No. 44 of 2026 |
| Parent Act | Notaries Act, 1952 |
| Presidential Assent | 7 September 2026 |
| Gazette Publication | 18 September 2026 |
| New Provision | Section 3A |
| Main Amendment | Reservation in appointment of notaries |
| SC | Reservation |
| ST | Reservation |
| OBC | Reservation |
| Women | Horizontal Reservation |
| Persons with Disabilities | Horizontal Reservation |
| Effective Date | Date notified by the State Government |
Importance of the Amendment
The amendment creates a statutory provision for reservation in the appointment of notaries in Karnataka.
The new Section 3A specifically covers SC, ST and OBC applicants, along with horizontal reservation for women and persons with disabilities.
However, the exact percentage of reservation and detailed implementation procedures are to be prescribed by the State Government from time to time.
Important Note for Notary Applicants
Applicants interested in notary appointments should watch for further notifications issued by the Karnataka Government regarding:
- The effective date of the amendment
- Reservation percentages
- Eligibility and application procedures
- Implementation guidelines
- Future notary appointment notifications
Conclusion
Karnataka Act No. 44 of 2026 introduces a new Section 3A into the Notaries Act, 1952, providing for reservation in the appointment of notaries in Karnataka.
The amendment covers Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, along with horizontal reservation for women and persons with disabilities. If candidates from the specified categories are unavailable, the concerned posts may be filled from the General Category.
The Act will come into force from the date specified by the Karnataka State Government through an Official Gazette notification.
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