Supreme Court’s Landmark Verdict on Sub-classification of SCs and STs

Current Context : Recently, a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India delivered a

landmark judgement that re framed the operation of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) quota.

• Article 341 of the Constitution allows the President, through a public notification, to list “castes, races or tribes” that suffered historical injustices, particularly untouchability, as SCs. These groups are collectively accorded 15% reservation in education and public employment.

RELATED CONSTITUTIONAL ARTICLES:

• Article 15 – allows for special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the SCs and STs.
• Article 16 – Provides for special provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of SCs and STs to ensure their representation in public employment.
• Article 46 – The State shall promote the educational and economic interests of the SCs and STs and protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
• Article 341 – Scheduled Castes: The President may specify the SCs in relation to any State or Union territory by public notification.
• Article 342 – Scheduled Tribes: The President may specify the STs in relation to any State or Union territory by public notification.