Indra Sawhney vs Government of India case

The Indra Sawhney vs Government of India case, also known as the Mandal Commission case, was a landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of India in 1992. It dealt with the issue of reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for socially and educationally backward classes.

Background

The case originated from the implementation of the Mandal Commission Report, which was established in 1979 to identify socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) in India. The Mandal Commission recommended 27% reservation for SEBCs in government jobs and educational institutions. This decision led to widespread protests and controversies across the country.

Key Issues

The main issues addressed in the case were:

1. Whether the reservation policy violated the principle of equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
2. Whether economic criteria should be considered for identifying backward classes.
3. Whether the reservation policy should be based solely on caste or include other factors as well.

Supreme Court's Verdict

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, upheld the constitutional validity of the reservation policy but imposed certain restrictions and guidelines:

1. The court limited the reservation to a maximum of 50% of the total seats available.
2. It ruled that economic criteria could not be the sole basis for identifying backward classes, and social backwardness should be the primary consideration.
3. The creamy layer among the backward classes, i.e., those who are economically advanced, should be excluded from reservation benefits.
4. The court emphasized that reservation should not compromise the efficiency and merit of public services.

Impact

The Indra Sawhney case had a significant impact on the reservation policy in India:

1. It led to the implementation of the 27% reservation for SEBCs in government jobs and educational institutions.
2. The judgment clarified the concept of social backwardness and limited the extent of reservation to 50%.
3. It recognized the importance of balancing affirmative action with merit-based selection.
4. The ruling set a precedent for future cases related to reservation policies in the country.

Conclusion

The Indra Sawhney vs Government of India case played a crucial role in shaping the reservation policy in India. While upholding the principle of equality, the Supreme Court also acknowledged the need for affirmative action to uplift socially and educationally backward classes. The judgment struck a balance between reservation and merit-based selection, ensuring that both are given due importance in the functioning of institutions.