The Supreme Court of India today delivered a significant verdict on the sub-classification of SC/ST reservations. The court ruled that state governments have the authority to make sub-classifications within SC and ST reservations, declaring this move as reasonable for education and employment purposes.
The landmark decision, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, overturns the 2004 ruling that barred state governments from sub-classifying SC/ST reservations. The seven-judge Constitution Bench delivered the verdict with a 6:1 majority.
In the bench, only Justice Bela Trivedi dissented against the possibility of sub-classification. Chief Justice Chandrachud, along with Justices B.R. Gavai, Pankaj Mithal, Vikram Nath, Satish Chandra, and Manoj Misra, supported the ruling.
The Supreme Court recommended that states create guidelines for sub-classification in line with the social conditions. The court emphasized that these guidelines should be adapted to the specific social circumstances of each state.
