A Constitution bench at India’s Supreme Court is deliberating on the constitutional validity of sub-classifying Scheduled Castes and Tribes for reservation benefits. The Central Government has expressed support for sub-categorization, emphasizing the need for equitable distribution. This pivotal issue has wide-ranging implications for social justice and could reshape India’s reservation policies.
The Kerala government submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, stating it had no plans to conduct a caste survey and emphasized the responsibility of the Central government in conducting such surveys. The government refuted allegations of intentional disobedience and highlighted the challenges in utilizing socio-economic data for policymaking. This case has significant implications for the identification and support of backward classes in Kerala.