Supreme Court Allows Sub-Classification and Creamy Layer Exclusion for SC/ST Reservations in Landmark Ruling
The 7-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, endorsed this move and also mandated the exclusion of the "creamy layer"—more affluent individuals within these categories—from reservation benefits.
In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that states can implement sub-classification within Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for reservations in jobs and education.
The 7-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, endorsed this move and also mandated the exclusion of the "creamy layer"—more affluent individuals within these categories—from reservation benefits. The 6-1 verdict overrules the 2004 EV Chinniah decision, emphasizing that sub-classification does not violate constitutional equality principles.
The court's majority held that sub-classification does not violate Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that SCs are not a homogeneous group, and historical and empirical evidence supports the need for such sub-classifications to address varying levels of marginalization within these communities.
The judgment allows states to create separate quotas for more marginalized groups within SC/ST categories, provided these are justified with empirical data. However, the Court stipulated that states cannot reserve 100% of quotas for any sub-class and must ensure that such measures do not adversely impact the overall representation of SC/ST communities.
Justice Bela Trivedi dissented, arguing that sub-classification interferes with the Presidential list of SCs, which can only be altered by parliamentary legislation. She expressed concern that such measures could lead to inequities within the SC/ST categories.
The ruling has significant implications for the implementation of affirmative action policies and aims to ensure that benefits reach those most in need within the SC and ST categories.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.