The Supreme Court of India ruled that determining “creamy layer” status in the Other Backward Classes category for the Civil Services Examination cannot rely solely on income, emphasizing parental social status and service position under established guidelines.
The Supreme Court questioned a PIL seeking 10% OBC quota for Pasmanda Muslims, asking for data on other backward Muslim communities. The Bench said reservation cannot ignore other poor Muslims and sought detailed statistics before proceeding.
CJI B R Gavai said he faced criticism from his own community for his ruling allowing sub-classification of Scheduled Castes, but stressed he writes judgments by law and conscience. He also defended excluding the creamy layer and spoke on due process in demolition cases.
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai emphasizes the importance of sub-categorisation within SC/ST groups to ensure that affirmative action benefits reach truly deserving individuals. His tenure focuses on reducing case backlog, improving infrastructure, and promoting social justice. Justice Gavai’s notable rulings reflect his commitment to constitutional integrity and equality in the legal system.
