Supreme Court Affirms Nuanced Equality in Landmark Verdict on Sub-Classification

The Supreme Court ruled that the constitutional right to equality ensures 'factual and not formal equality,' allowing classification for groups not similarly situated. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud's majority judgement supports states' ability to make sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes for quotas, provided the classifications meet intelligible and rational criteria.

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld that the fundamental right to equality guarantees 'factual and not formal equality,' asserting that classifications are permissible if different persons are not similarly situated.

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, in a 140-page 6:1 majority judgement, confirmed that states are empowered constitutionally to create sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes (SCs) for granting quotas. The judgement emphasized that SCs form a socially heterogeneous class, allowing intra-caste distinctions.

The CJI clarified that the Constitution allows classification if it meets two criteria: an intelligible differentia distinguishing grouped persons and a rational relation to the law's objective. This verdict reaffirms that Article 14 ensures factual equality, permitting classifications aligned with the law's purpose.

(With inputs from agencies.)