Supreme Court Greenlights Sub-Classification Within Scheduled Castes

The Supreme Court ruled that states have the constitutional authority to make sub-classifications within the Scheduled Castes for reservation purposes. This decision overturned a 2014 ruling, allowing states to identify and address varying degrees of social and economic backwardness among SCs.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday empowered states to create sub-classifications within the Scheduled Castes for reservation purposes, highlighting their social and economic heterogeneity.

A seven-judge bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, overturned a 2014 ruling that barred such sub-classifications, citing the need to address varying degrees of backwardness.

Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that the state, under Articles 15 and 16, can further classify SCs if justified by rational principles and supported by data on inadequate representation.

(With inputs from agencies.)