Q. Consider the following statements:
1.In Indra Sawhney Case, the Supreme Court introduced the concept of the “creamy layer” within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
2.Articles 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution allows reservation based on religion.
3.In Janhit Abhiyan Case, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of reservations based on economic criteria.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Indra Sawhney Case (1992) established the concept of the “creamy layer” to exclude affluent individuals from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category benefiting from reservations. In the Janhit Abhiyan Case (2022), the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of reservations based on economic criteria. The Court ruled that the 103rd Amendment to the Constitution, which introduced a 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in government jobs and educational institutions, does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Articles 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution prohibit discrimination based on religion. These articles allow reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) to achieve social and educational equality. Religion is not a criterion for reservation.
Source: The Hindu
