Centre opposes pleas for income-based creamy layer in SC/ST quotas
The Indian Union government has formally opposed petitions in the Supreme Court seeking to introduce a 'creamy layer' exclusion for SC/ST reservation categories. The government argues that existing welfare schemes already include means tests and that any change to reservation policy requires a comprehensive empirical study.
Why it matters
This case addresses the fundamental structure of India's affirmative action policies and whether economic status should influence access to historical social justice protections.
Opposing a batch of petitions in the Supreme Court of India, which seek a creamy-layer exclusion within the reserved categories of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as in the Other Backwards Classes (OBC), the Union government argued judicial precedents had clarified that the “principles of creamy layer do not apply to SCs and STs”.
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has further told the top court in an affidavit that in a “majority” of welfare and development schemes for SCs, STs, and OBCs, except reservation in educational institutes and services under the State, there is already a “means test which ensures that benefits of schemes percolate to those who actually deserve them”.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in