Why was the Mandal Commission set-up? What did it recommend to the government?

Why was the Mandal Commission set-up? What did it recommend to the government?

The Government of India appointed the Second Backward Classes Commission in the year 1979. B P Mandal was the head of Mandal Commission. Thus, it was popularly known as Mandal Commission.
It was appointed in order to
(i) determine the criteria to identify the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in India.
(ii) to recommend steps to be taken for their advancement.
The commission gave its report in 1980 and made following recommendations
27% of the government jobs be reserved for the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
The report and recommendations were discussed in the Parliament. On 6th August 1990, the , Government of India took a formal decision to implement the recommendations.