Supreme Court Allows Sub-Classifications Within SC/ST Communities for Fairer Quota Distribution

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has permitted the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) for reservation purposes, overturning the 2004 EV Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh decision. The seven-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma, unanimously concluded that SC/STs do not form homogenous classes.

The decision allows states to create sub-categories within these communities, aiming to ensure that reservation benefits reach the most disadvantaged segments. The Union government had supported this move, arguing that more advantaged groups within SC/STs have disproportionately benefited from reservations, often leaving the weakest members marginalized.

The court’s verdict reviewed the constitutional validity of Section 4(5) of the Punjab Act, which involves the distribution of reservation benefits among sub-categories. The ruling addresses a long-standing issue of inequity within the reservation system, where economically stronger groups within SC/STs have predominantly availed benefits, often sidelining the most vulnerable. This judgment marks a significant shift towards a more nuanced approach to affirmative action, aiming to provide equitable opportunities across all segments of SC/ST communities.