Supreme Court Allows Sub-classification of SCs and STs for Fairer Quotas

The Supreme Court of India ruled that states are empowered to sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to provide quotas for the more underprivileged groups. The decision came from a majority verdict of a seven-judge bench, thus overruling a previous 2004 judgment by a five-judge bench.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday validated the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) by states for better quota distribution among the more underprivileged sections.

A seven-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, delivered the 6:1 majority verdict, approving the further division of SCs and STs to ensure quotas for the most marginalized within these groups.

This ruling overturns the 2004 EV Chinnaiah verdict and calls for sub-classifications to be supported by quantifiable and demonstrable data, removing the creamy layer from reservations.

(With inputs from agencies.)