Supreme Court gives Centre eight weeks on OBC ruling

The Supreme Court rejected the Union government’s request to defer its March 11 ruling on the OBC creamy-layer test for two years, giving the government eight additional weeks to implement it. The court said the ruling applies to the parties in the case and that completed selections, appointments, seniority and promotions will not be reopened or disturbed.

The March ruling held that a parent’s salary or income alone cannot determine whether a candidate is excluded from Other Backward Classes reservation benefits as part of the creamy layer. The court said the status and category of a parent’s post must also be considered under the applicable framework. The government had sought more time to address administrative issues, including establishing equivalence between posts in different organisations.

The court said claims by similarly placed people whose cases are pending before a court, tribunal or competent authority may be considered individually on their merits. The clarification protects finalized employment outcomes while allowing pending claims to be assessed under the principles set out in the March judgment.

The order also directs that services be allocated under the revised...