In a landmark judgment on Thursday, the Supreme Court of India ruled that sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is permissible, overturning the 2004 decision in EV Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh. The earlier ruling had declared that sub-classification was not allowed, arguing that SC/ST groups should be treated as homogenous entities.
A seven-judge constitution bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, ruled by a 6:1 majority that states can further sub-classify SCs and STs to extend quotas to more backward segments within these groups. The bench, which included Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma, issued six separate judgments on the matter.
The court’s decision comes in response to the constitutional validity of Section 4(5) of the Punjab Act, which addresses whether sub-classifications within SCs and STs can be made or if these groups should remain unified. The central issue was whether the state could provide additional reservations to the most disadvantaged members within these communities.
During the hearings, the court examined whether children from more privileged segments within SC/ST communities should continue to benefit from reservations. It also debated the concept of homogeneity within these classes, noting that economic disparities exist within SC/ST groups, where more affluent segments have largely benefited from reservation policies, leaving the most disadvantaged members marginalized.
The Union government supported the idea of sub-classifications among SCs and STs. The majority opinion emphasized that any sub-classification must be backed by “quantifiable and demonstrable data” and cannot be based on arbitrary decisions by the states.
Chief Justice Chandrachud, who authored the judgment along with Justice Misra, was joined by four other judges in a concurring opinion. Justice Bela M Trivedi wrote a dissenting opinion.
This ruling opens the door for states to implement more nuanced reservation policies aimed at ensuring that the most backward segments within SC/ST communities receive the benefits intended by affirmative action measures.