The decision, taken in the state party's core group meeting in which BJP national president Amit Shah was also present, comes after the recent reverses in the civic polls left the party jittery in the state where Assembly election are due next year.
The reservation limit of 50 per cent set by the apex court will be breached with this decision, but the state government said it is "serious" on the issue and will "fight it" out legally.
"Our core group meeting, headed by national president Amit Shah, has decided to give 10 per cent reservation for economically backward among general category," Rupani told reporters.
"A notification will be issued on the Gujarat state formation day on May 1, and EBCs among general category will be able to take the benefit of the reservation in education and jobs from the next academic year," he said.
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"Families having an annual income of Rs 6 lakh or below will be eligible to avail the reservation. That means a family having an income upto Rs 50,000 per month can take the benefit of the scheme," he said.
Asked if the new move will stand legal scrutiny, Rupani said, "We are very serious about this and we will fight it up to the apex court for reservation of economically backward among the general category."
The BJP government has been facing violent protests led by Hardik Patel and Lalji Patel from the numerically and socially strong Patel community which is seeking reservation in education and government jobs under the OBC category.