Category Archives: Reservation

Reservation

Manish Kathuria and Others Etc. Vs. State of Punjab and Others Etc[SC 2017 DECEMBER]

KEYWORDS:-  Article 142 OF CONSTITUTION- COMPLETE JUSTICE-principle of horizontal reservation-

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DATE:- DECEMBER 13, 2017-

We also make it clear that this judgment is rendered in the peculiar facts of this case and it should not be quoted as a precedent.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Manish Kathuria and Others Etc. Vs. State of Punjab and Others Etc.

[Civil Appeal No(S). 21848-21850/2017 arising from SLP (C) Nos.1842-1844 of 2017]

[Civil Appeal No(S). 21851/2017 arising from SLP (C) No.11010 of 2017]

KURIAN, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. I.A. No.68830/2017 is allowed, in terms of the prayer made.

3. The appellants are before this Court, aggrieved by the judgment dated 30.09.2016 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in LPA Nos.1395, 1398, 1400 and 1396 of 2015. The High Court took the stand that the appellants are not entitled for appointment, since their claim is highly belated.

4. However, the fact remains that the appellants had been before this Court seeking impleadment when the special leave petitions were pending before this  Court. It was this Court which relegated them to pursue their remedy before the High Court. True, some of the appellants had already filed special leave petition(s).

5. Be that as it may, when this matter came up for hearing before this Court on 07.12.2017, we directed the counsel for the State of Punjab to get instruction as to the availability of the vacancies and as to whether the appellants are otherwise qualified, going by the Report of the Committee appointed by the High Court. This order was passed on the basis of the information that there were unfilled vacancies available as against notified vacancies in the post of Excise and Taxation Inspector.

6. Learned counsel for the State of Punjab has made available a written instruction to the effect that there are 12 vacancies as against the 1999 Notification (SC-05, BC-03, ESM-3 and Gen-03). However, it is also not disputed that as of now, there are 76 vacancies available in various categories as can be seen from the affidavit filed by the State.

7. Having heard the learned counsel on both the sides and having regard to the fact that the vacancies are available as of now to accommodate the appellants and also having regard to the fact that the appellants have been found otherwise qualified by the Committee appointed by the High Court, we are of the view that this is a fit case for invocation of our jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India for doing complete justice.

8. Accordingly, these appeals are disposed of with a direction to the respondents to appoint the appellants to the post of Excise and Taxation Inspector, within a period of one month from today, without disturbing any appointments already made, while applying the principle of horizontal reservation. In order to avoid any future litigation, we make it clear that the appellants shall be entitled to seniority only from the date of joining the service.

9. We make it clear that though the appellants have filed their affidavits regarding qualification in computer application, it will be open to the appointing authority to verify that qualification at the time of appointment.

10. We also make it clear that this judgment is rendered in the peculiar facts of this case and it should not be quoted as a precedent.

11. The appeals are, accordingly, disposed of.

12. Pending applications, if any, shall stand disposed of.

13. There shall be no orders as to costs.

J. [KURIAN JOSEPH]

J. [AMITAVA ROY]

NEW DELHI;

DECEMBER 13, 2017.

CIVIL, Reservation

Indra Sawnhey v. Union of India [SC 1992 NOVEMBER]

KEYWORDS:- RESERVATION-

Capture

AIR 1993 SC 477 : (1992) 2 Suppl. SCR 454 : (1992) 3 Suppl. SCC 212 : JT 1992 (6) SC 273 : (1992) Suppl. SCALE 1

(SUPREME COURT OF INDIA)
Indra Sawhney Appellant
Versus
Union of India and others Respondent

(Before: M. H. Kania, C.J.I., M. N. Venkatachaliah, S. Ratnavel Pandian, Dr. T. K. Thommen, A. M. Ahmadi, Kuldip Singh, P. B. Sawant, R. M. Sahai And B. P. Jeevan Reddy, JJ.)

Writ Petns. (Civil) Nos. 930 of 1990 WITH 97 / 91,948 / 90, 966 / 90, 965 / 90, 953 / 90, 954 / 90, 971 / 90, 972 / 90, 949 / 90, 986 / 90, 1079 / 90, 1106 / 90, 1158 / 90, 1071 / 90, 1069 / 90, 1077 / 90, 1119 / 90, 1053 / 90, 1102 / 90, 1120 / 90, 1112 / 90, 1276 / 90, 1148 / 90, 1105 / 90, 974 / 90, 1114 / 89, 987 / 90, 1061 / 90, 1064 / 90, 1101 / 90, 1115 / 90, 1116 / 90, 1117 / 90, 1123 / 90, 1124 / 90, 1126 / 90, 1130 / 90, 1141 / 90, 1307 / 90, T.C.(C) Nos. 27 / 90, 28-31 / 90, 32- 33 / 90, 34- 35 / 90, 65 / 90, 1 / 91, W.P. (C) Nos. 1081 / 90, 343 / 91, 1362 / 90, 1094 / 91, 1087 / 90, 1128 / 90, 36/91, 3 / 91, I.A. No. 1- 20 in T.C. (C) No. 27- 35 / 90 and W.P. (C) No. 11 / 92, 111 / 92, 261 / 92,

Decided on: 16-11-1992.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—”Creamy layer” can be, and must be excluded.

Constitution of India1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—A backward class of citizens cannot be identified only and exclusively with reference to economic criteria.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Adequacy of representation of a particular class in the services under the State is a matter within the subjective satisfaction of the appropriate Government.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—An executive order making a provision under Article 16(4) is enforceable the moment it is made and issued.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Article 16 (4) does not permit provision for reservations in the matter of promotion—This rule shall, however, have only prospective operation and shall not affect the promotions already made, whether made on regular basis or on any other basis.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Article 16 (4) is exhaustive of the subject of reservation in favour of backward class of citizens, as explained in this judgment.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Caste—A caste can be and quite often is a social class in India—If it is backward socially, it would be a backward class for the purposes of Article 16 (4)—Among non-Hindus, there are several occupational groups, sects and denominations, which for historical reasons, are socially backward—They to represent backward social collectives for the purposes of Article 16 (4).

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Clause (4) of Article 16 is not an exception to clause (I)—Is an instance and an illustration of the classification inherent in clause (1).

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Neither the Constitution nor the law prescribes, the procedure or method of identification of backward classes-—Nor is it possible or advisable for the Court to lay down any such procedure or method—It must be left to the authority appointed to identify—It can adopt such method/procedure as it thinks convenient and so long as its survey covers the entire populace, no objection can be taken to it.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—No constitutional bar to classify the backward classes of citizens into backward and more backward categories.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Not correct to say that the backward class of citizens contemplated in Article 16 (4) is the same as the socially and educationally backward classes referred to in Article 15 (4).

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Not necessary for a class to be designated as a backward class that it is situated similarly to the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Not necessary that the provision under Article 16 (4) should necessarily be made by the Parliament/Legislature—Such a provision can be made by the Executive also—Local bodies, Statutory Corporations and other instrumentalities of the State falling under Article 12 of the Constitution are themselves competent to make such a provision, if so advised.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Permissible for the Government or other authority to identify a backward class of citizens on the basis of occupation-cum-income, without reference to caste, if it is so advised.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Reservation of 10% of the posts in favour of “other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of the reservation” made in the impugned Office Memorandum dated 25.9.1991 is constitutionally invalid and is accordingly struck down.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Reservations can also be provided under clause (1) of Article 16—It is not confined to extending of preferences, concessions or exemptions—These resections, if any, made under clause (1) have to be so adjusted and implemented as not to exceed the level of representation prescribed for “backward class of citizens’”—as explained in this Judgment.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Reservations contemplated in clause (4) of Article 16 should not exceed 50%—While 50% shall be the rule, it is necessary not to put out of consideration certain extraordinary situations inherent in the great diversity of this country and the people—Might happen that in far flung and remote areas the population inhabiting those areas might, on account of their being out of the main-stream of national life and in view of the conditions peculiar to and characteristic of them need to be treated in a different way, some relaxation in this strict rule may become imperative—Extreme caution is to be exercised and a special case made out.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation—Rule of 50% should be applied to each year—Cannot be related to the total strength of the class, category, service or cadre, as the case may be.

Constitution of India, 1950—Article 16(4)—Reservation-—While the rule of reservation cannot be called anti-meritian, there are certain services and posts to which it may not be advisable to apply the rule of reservation.

Counsel for the Parties:

Mr. K. K. Venugopal, Sr. Adv., Mr. Sahid, Rizvi, Mr. P.P. Tripathi, Mr. K.V. Vishwanathan, Mr. Ashok Mukhoty, Mr. B.B. Sawhney, Adv., Mrs. Indira Sawhney-in-person (in W.P. No. 930 / 90); Mr. N.A. Plakhiwala, Sr. Adv., Ms. Lira Goswami, Mr. D.N. Misra, Mr. J.B. Dadachanji, Advs. (in W.P. 94B / 90 for M/s. JBD and Co.); Mr. A. Mariarputham and Mrs. Aruna Mathur, Advs. for M/s. Arputham, Aruna and Co. in W.P. 966 / 90, Mr. R.C. Guorele, Adv. (in W.P. No. 965 / 90). Petitioners-in-person (in W.P. Nos. 953 and 954 / 90), Mr. S. Menon (in W.P. No. 971 / 90), Mrs. Shyamla Pappu, Sr. Adv., Mr. V.K. Chintta, Mr. Ajay Agarwal and Mr. D.B.Vohra, Advs. (in W.P. No. 972 / 90, Petitioner-in-person (in W.P. No. 949 / 90, Mr. O.P. Poplai, Mr. S.K. Tewari, for M/s. Singhania and Co. in W.P. No. 986/90 Mr. C.S. Srinivasa Rao, (in W.P. No. 1079 / 90, Mrs. K. Hingorani, (in W.P. No. 1106 / 90), Mr. N.H. Hingorani (in W.P. No. 974 / 90), Ms. Priya Hingorani (in W.P. No. 343 / 90), Petitioner-in-person (in W.P.No. 1158 / 90), Mr. Babir Singh Gupta, (W.P. No. 1071 / 90 and 1069 / 90), Mr. K.M. Sharma and Mr. Randhir Jain (in W.P. 1077/90), Mr. Jagdish Prasad, Mr. R.K. Gupta, Mr. Pritam Chand Kapur, (in W.P. No. 1119 / 90), Mr. L.K. Pandey, in W.P. No. 1276 / 90, Mr. Prem Sunder Jha, in W.P. No. 1053 / 90, Mr. M.M. Kashyap, in W.P. 1102 / 90, Petitioners-in-person in W.P. No. 1148 / 90 and 1120/90, Mr. P.P. Singh in W.P. No. 1105 / 90, Mr. S.M. Ashri, Petitioner-in-person in W.P. 1112 / 90, Mr. R. Mohan, in W.P. No. 1114 / 89, Mrs. Chitra Markandeya (NP) and Mr. S. Markandeya, in W.P. No. 987 / 90, Mr. P. Parmeswara Rao, Sr. Adv. and Mr. K.K. Gupta, in W.P. No. 1061 / 90, Mr. C.S. Vaidyanathan, in W.P. No. 1064 / 90, Mr. S.R. Setia, in W. P. No. 1101 / 90, Ms. Lira Goswami, for M/s. JBD and 1117 / 90, Petitioner-in-person in W.P. No. 1123 / 90, Mr. S.B. Upadhyaya, in W.P. No. 1124/90, Ms. Rani Jethmalani, Mr. P.K. Dey, Ms. Praveen Khatra and Ms. G.K. Das, in W.P. No. 1126/90 Ms. S. Chaturvedi, in W.P. No. 1130 / 90, Mr. Sushil Kumar Jain, in W.P. No. 1141 / 90, Mr. Manoj Prasad, in W.P. No. 1307/90, Mr. Mukul Mudgal, in T.C. No. 27 / 90, Ms. A. Subhashini, in T.C. No. 28-33 / 90, 34-35 / 90 and 65 / 90, Mr. P. Parmeswaran, in T.C. 1 / 91, Mrs. Urmila Sirur and Ms. Manjula Gupta, in W.P. 1081/90 and 111 / 92, Mr. S.N. Mehta, in W.P. No. 1362/90, Dr. Rajeev Dhawan, Mr. R. Sasiprabhu and Mr. M.T. George, in W.P. No. 1094 / 91, Mr. P.N. Puri, in W.P. No. 1087 / 90, Mr. C.S.S. Rao, in W.P. No. 1128 / 90, Mr. Indeevar Goodwill, in W.P. No. 36/91, Mr. N.S. Bist, in W.P. No. 3/91., Advocates appeared for the Respondents:

Mr. Altaf Ahmed, Addl. Solicitor General, Mr. K. Parasaran, Sr. Adv., Mrs. Anil Katiyar, Mr. B. Parthasarthy, Ms. Vijay Lakshmi Menon and Ms. A. Subhashini, in W.P. No. 930/90-U.O.I., Mr. Ram Jethmalani, Sr. Adv., Ms. Lata Krishnamoorthy, Mr. K. Jatinder Cheema, Mr. P.K. Dey, Mr. R.K. Yadav and Mr. B.B. Singh, for State of Bihar, Mr. S. Sivasubramaniam, Sr. Adv. Mr. P.N. Ramalingam, Mr. V. Balaji and Mr. E.C. Agrawala, for State of Tamil Nadu, Mr. P.S. Poti, Sr. Adv., Mr. V.K. Veeran, Addl. Advocate General and Mr. T.T. Kunhikannan, for State of Kerala, Mr. S.C. Roy, Advocate-General, Ms. Mona Mehta, Mr. A.K. Panda and Mr. R.K. Mehta, for State of Orissa, Mr. A.S. Nambiar, Sr. Adv., Mrs. Shanta Vasudevan and Mr. P.K. Manohar, for State of Pondicherry, Mr. V.K.S. Choudhary, Advocate-General, Mr. Vishwajit Singh, Ms. Parenna Swarup and Mr. R.B. Misra, for State of U.P., Mr. H.S. Munjral, Mr. G.K. Bansal, for State of Punjab, Mr. Sakesh Kumar and Mr. Satish K. Agnihotri, for State of M.P. Mr. A.S. Bhasme, for State of Maharashtra, Mr. Pravir Chodhary, for State of Assam, kh. Nobin Singh and Mr. M. Veerappa, for State of Karnataka, Mr. Aruneshwar Gupta, for State of Rajasthan, Ms. Suruchi Aggarwal and Mr. T.V.S. Narasimhachari, for Stae of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. K.R. Nambir, Ms. Bina Gupta and Ms. Monika Mohil, for State of Himachal Pradesh, Ms. Indu Malhotra and Ms. Shirin Jain, for State of Haryana, Mr. D.K. Sinha, Mr. J.R. Das for the State of West Bengal in W.P. No. 1079/90 for M/s. Sinha and Das, Mrs. Veena Devi Khanna, in W.P. Nos. 948/90, 966/90, Mr. C.V. Subba Rao and Ms. A. Subhashini, in W.P. No. 965 / 90 and in Union of India, Ms. Kamini Jaiswal, in W.P. Nos. 965, 949 and 971-72 / 90, Mr. Guntur Prabhakar, in W.P. No. 949 / 90, Mrs. Hemantika Wahi, in W.P. No. 1079 / 90, Ms. Alpana Kirpal, Mr. Kailash Vasdev, Mr. Ranjan Dwivedi, Mr. M.K. Garg, Mr. A.L. Trehan, Mr. B.D. Sharma, Mr. E.M.S. Anam, Mr. Naresh K. Sharma, Mr. M.K.D. Namboodiri, Mr. R.D. Upadhyay, Mr. N. Sudhakaran, Mr. M.A. Firoz, Mr. V. Krishnamurthy, Mr. D.K. Garg, Mr. R. Karanjawala, Mrs. Nandini Gore, Mrs. Aditi Choudhary for Mrs. Karanjawala, Mr. Jagdish Prasad, Mr. R.K. Aggarwal, Mr. P.C. Kapoor, Mr. R.K. Maheshwari, Mr. K.M.K. Nair, Mr. Naresh Kaushik, Mrs. Lalitha Kaushik, Mr. N.D.B. Raju, Mr. Anis Suhrawardy, Mr. Manoj Prasad, Mr. C.L. Sahu, Mr. Attar Singh, Mr. M.K. Michael, Mr. K. Swami, Mr. Brij Bhushan, for the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

Advocates appeared as Intervener:

Mr. Vasant Sathe, Mr. R.K. Garg, Mr. N.B. Shetye, Sr. Adv., Mr. D.B. Vohra, Mr. Jitendra Sharma, Mr. S.N. Bhat, Mr. S.K. Bhattacharya, Mr. Rajesh, Mr. K.N. Rao-in-person, Mr. Ram Avadesh Singh-in-person, Dr. L.M. Khanna-in-person, Mr. Shiv Puja Singh, Dr. B.S. Chauhan, Mr. Sunil Singh, Ms. Niranjana Singh, Ms. Subhadra Chaturvedi, Mr. P.N. Puri, Mr. S.V. Krishnamurty, Mr. Mukul Gupta, and Mr. Vishaljeet, Advocates.

Judgment

B. P. Jeevan Reddy, J—Forty and three years ago was founded this republic with the fourfold objective of securing to its citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Statesmen of the highest order – the like of which this country has not seen since – belonging to the fields of law, politics and public life came together to fashion the instrument of change – the Constitution of India. They did not rest content with evolving the framework of the State; they also pointed out the goal and the methodology for reaching that goal. In the preamble, they spelt out the goal and in parts III and IV, they elaborated the methodology to be followed for reaching that goal.

2. The Constituent Assembly, though elected on the basis of a limited franchise, was yet representative of all sections of society. Above all, it was composed of men of vision, conscious of the historic but difficult task of carving an egalitarian society from out of a bewildering mass of religions, communities, castes, races, languages, beliefs and practices. They knew their country well. They understood their society perfectly. They were aware of the historic injustices and inequities afflicting the society. They realised the imperative of redressing them by -constitutional means, as early as possible – for the alternative was frightening. Ignorance, illeteracy and above all, mass poverty, they took note of. They were conscious of the fact that the Hindu religion – the religion of the overwhelming Majority – as it was being practiced, was not known for its egalitarian ethos. It divided its adherents into four watertight compartments. Those outside this fourtier system (chaturvarnya) were the outcastes (Panchamas), the lowliest. They did not even belong to the caste system – ugly as its face was. The fourth, shudras, were no better, though certainly better than the Panchamas. The lowliness attached to them (Shudras and Panchamas) by virtue of their birth in these castes, unconnected with their deeds. There was to be no deliverance for them from this social stigma, except perhaps death. They were condemned to be inferior. All lowly, menial and unsavoury occupations were assigned to them. In the rural life, they had no alternative but to follow these occupations, generation after generation, century after century. It was their ‘karma’, they were told, the penalty for the sins they allegedly committed in their previous birth. Pity is they believed all this. They were conditioned to believe it. This mental blindfold had to be removed first. This was a phenomenon peculiar to this country. Poverty there has been – and there is – in every country. But none had the misfortune of having this social division — or as some call it, degradation — super-imposed on poverty. Poverty, low social status in Hindu caste system and the lowly occupation constituted – and do still constitute — a vicious circle. The founding fathers were aware of all this and more.

3. Liberty, equality and fraternity was the cry of the French Revolution. It is also the motto of our Constitution, with the concept of ‘Justice – Social, Economic and Political’ – the sum total of modern political thought super-added to it. Equality has been and is the single greatest craving of all human beings at all points of time. It has inspired many a great thinker and philosopher. All religious and political schools of thought swear by it, including the Hindu religious thought, if one looks to it ignoring the later crudities and distortions. Liberty of thought, expression belief, faith and worship has equally been an abiding faith with all human beings, and at all times in this country in particular. Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual has a special relevance in the Indian context, as this judgment will illustrate in due course.

4. The doctrine of equality has many facets. It is a dynamic, and an evolving concept. Its main facets, relevant to Indian Society, have been referred to in the preamble and the articles under the sub-heading “Right to equality”- (Articles 14 to 18). In short, the goal is “equality of status and of opportunity”. Articles 14 to 18 must be understood not merely with reference to what they say but also in the light of the several articles in Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), “Justice, Social, Economic and Political”, is the sum total of the aspirations incorporated in part IV.

5. Article 14 enjoins upon the state not to deny to any person “equality before the law” or “the equal protection of the laws” within the territory of India. Most constitutions speak of either “equality before the law” or “the equal protection of the laws”, but very few of both. Section 1 of the XIV Amendment to the U.S. Constitution uses only the latter expression while the Austrian Constitution (1920), the Irish Constitution (1937) and the West German Constitution (1949) use the expression “equal before the law”. (Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, of course, declares that “all are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law”.) The content and sweep of these two concepts is not the same though there may be much in common. The content of the expression “equality before the law” is illustrated not only by Articles 15 to 18 but also by the several articles in part IV, in particular, Articles 38, 39, 39A, 41 and 46. Among others, the concept of equality before the law contemplates minimising the inequalities in income and eliminating the inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people, securing adequate means of livelihood to its citizens and to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, including in particular the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. Indeed, in a society where equality of status and opportunity do not obtain and where there are glaring inequalities in incomes, there is no room for equality – either equality before law or equality in any other respect.

6. The significance attached by the founding fathers to the right to equality is evident not only from the fact that they employed both the expressions ‘equality before the law’ and ‘equal protection of the laws’ in Article 14 but proceeded further to state the same rule in positive and affirmative terms in Articles 15 to 18. Through Article 15 they declared in positive terms that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. With a view to eradicate certain prevalent undesirable practices it was declared in clause (2) of Article 15 that no citizen shall on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to shops, public restaurants, hotels and place of public entertainment or to the use of well, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and place of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of state funds or dedicated to the use of general public. At the same time, with a view to ameliorate the conditions of women and children a provision was made in clause (3) that nothing in the said Article shall prevent the state from making any special provision for women and children.

7. Inasmuch as public employment always gave a certain status and power – it has always been the repository of State power – besides the means of livelihood, special care was taken to declare equality of opportunity in the matter of public employment by Article 1.6. Clause (1), expressly declares that in the matter of public employment or appointment to any office under the state, citizens of this country shall have equal opportunity while clause (2) declares that no citizen shall be discriminated in the said matter on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them. At the same time, care was taken to declare in clause (4) that nothing in the said Article shall prevent the state from making any provision for reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizen which in the opinion of the state is not adequately represented in the services under the state. Article 17 abolishes the untouchability while Article 18 prohibits conferring of any titles (not representing military or academic distinction). It also prohibits the citizens of this country from accepting any title from a foreign state.

8. Article 16 has remained unamended, except for a minor amendment in clause (3) whereas Article 15 had clause (4) inserted in it by the First Amendment Act, 1951. As amended, they read as follows:

“ 15. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.- (1) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.

(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to –

(a) access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment; or

(b) the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort, maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.

(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children.

(4) Nothing in this article or in clause (2) of Article 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

16. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment- (1) There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.

(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any employment or office under the State.

(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from making any law prescribing, in regard to a class or classes of employment or appointment to an office under the Government of, or any local or other authority within, a State or Union territory, any requirement as to residence within that State or Union Territory prior to such employment or appointment.

(4) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provisions for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the caste, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.

(5) Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any law which provides that the incumbent of an office in connection with the affairs of any religious or denominational institution or any member of the governing body thereof shall be a person professing a particular religion or belonging to a particular denomination.

The other provisions of the Constitution having a bearing on Article 16 are Articles 38, 46 and the set of articles in Part XVI, Clause (1) of Article 38 obligates the State to “strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life.”

“Clause (2) of Article 38, added by the 44th Amendment Act says, “the State shall, in particular, strive to minimise the inequalities in income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.”

Article 46 contains a very significant direction to the State. It says:

“46. Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections.-The State shall promote with special care ‘ the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribess, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.”

It is evident that “the weaker sections of the people” do include the “backward class of citizens” contemplated by Article 16(4).

Part XVI of the Constitution contains “special provisions relating to certain classes”. The “classes” for which special provisions are made are, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Anglo-Indian Community. It also provides for appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of and the difficulties faced by the socially and educationally backward classes and to make appropriate recommendations. Article 340 reads as follows:

“340. Appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes. – (1) The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India and the difficulties tinder which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties and to improve their condition and as to the grants that should be made for the purpose by the Union or any State and the conditions subject to which such grants should be made, and the order appointing such Commission shall define the procedure to be followed by the Commission.

(2) A Commission so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them and present to the President a report setting out the facts as found by them and making such recommendations as they think proper.

(3) The President shall cause a copy of the report so presented together with a memorandum explaining the action taken thereon to be laid before each House of Parliament.”

Article 338, which has been extensively amended by the Sixty-fifth Amendment Act, provides for establishment of a Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be known as “the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”. Clause (5) prescribes the duties of the Commission. They are:

(5) It shall be duty of the Commission

(a) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under this Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards:

(b) to inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;

(c) to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State;

(d) to present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;

(e) to make in such reports recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or any State for the effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; and

(f) to discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.”

Clause (6) provides that “the President shall cause all such reports to be laid before each House of Parliament along with a memorandum explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendations relating to the Union and the reasons for the non-acceptance, if any, of any of such recommendations.”

Clause (7) being relevant may also be read here. It reads, “where any such report, or any part thereof, relates to any matter with which any State Government is concerned, a copy of such report shall be forwarded to the Governor of the State who shall cause it to be laid before the Legislature of the State along with a memorandum explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendations relating to the State and the reasons for the non-acceptance, if any, of (or?) any of such recommendations.”

Clause (10) (clause (3) prior to 65th Amendment Act) brings in socially and educationally backward classes identified by the Government on the basis of the report of the Commission appointed under Article 340 and Anglo-Indians within the purview of the expressions “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”. It reads as follows:

“10. In this article reference to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be construed as including references to such other backward classes as the President may, on receipt of the report of a Commission appointed under clause (i) of Article 340, by order specify and also to the Anglo-Indian community.”

Article 335 provides that “the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.” It is obvious that if tile claims of even Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are to be taken into consideration consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, the said admonition has to be respected equally while taking consideration the claims of other backward classes and other weaker sections.

The First Backward Classes Commission (Kalelkar Commission)”>:

9. The proceedings of the Constituent Assembly on draft Article (10) disclose a persistent and strident demand from certain sections of the society for providing reservations in their favour in the matter of public employment. While speaking on the draft Article 10(3) (corresponding to Article 16(4)) Dr. Ambedkar had stated, “ then we have quite a massive opinioin which insists that although theoritically it is good to have the principle that there shall be equality of opportunity, there must at the same time be a provision made for the entry of certain communities which have so far been outside the administration.” It was this demand which was mainly responsible for the incorporation of clause (4) in Article 16. As a matter of fact, in some of the southern States, reservations in favour of O.B.Cs. were in vogue since quite a number of years prior to the Constitution. There was a demand for similar reservations at the Centre. In response to this demand and also in realisation of its obligation to provide for such reservations in favour of backward sections of the society, the Central Government appointed a Backward Class Commission under Article 340 of the Constitution on January 29, 1953. The Commission, popularly known as Kaka Kalelkar Commission, was required “to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove difficulties and to improve their conditions”. The Commission submitted its report on March 30, 1955. According to it, the relevant factors to consider while classifying backward classes would be their traditional occupation and profession, the percentage of literacy or the general educational advancement made by them; the estimated population of the community and the distribution of the various communities throughout the state or their concentration in certain areas. The Commission was also of the opinion that the social position which a community occupies in the caste hierarchy would also have to be considered as well as its representation in Government service or in the Industrial sphere. According to the Commission, the causes of educational backwardness amongst the educationally and backward communities were (i) traditional apathy for education on account of social and environmental conditions or occupational handicaps; (ii) poverty and lack of educational institutions in rural areas and (iii) living in inaccessible areas. The Chairman of the Commission, Kaka Kalelkar, however, had second thoughts after signing the report. In the enclosing letter addressed to the President he virtually pleaded for the rejection of the report on the ground that the reservations and other remedies recommended on the basis of caste would not be in the interest of society and country. He opined that the principle of caste should be eschewed altogether. Then alone, he said, would it be possible to help the extremely poor and deserving members of all the communities. At the same time, he added, preference ought to be given to those who come from traditionally neglected social classes.

10. The report made by the Commission was considered by the Central Government, which apparently was not satisfied with the approach adopted by the Commission in determining the criteria for indentifying the backward classes under Article 15(4). The Memorandum of action appended to the Report of the Commission while placing it on the table of the Parliament (as required by clause (3) of Article 340 on September 3, 1956, pointed out that the caste system is the greatest hindrance in the way of our progress to egalitarian society and that in such a situation recognition of certain specified castes as backward may serve to maintain and perpetuate the existing distinctions on the basis of caste. The Memorandum also found fault with certain tests adopted by the Commission for identifying the backward classes. It expressed the opinion that a more systematic and elaborate basis has to be evolved for identifying backward classes. Be that as it may, the Report was never discussed by the Parliament.

11. No meaningful action was taken after 1956 either for constituting another Commission or for evolving a better criteria. Ultimately, on August 14, 1961, the Central Government wrote to all the State Governments stating inter alia that “while the State Governments have the discretion to choose their own criteria for defining backwardness, in the view of the Government of India it would be better to apply economic tests then to go by caste” [1].The letter stated further, rather inexplicably, that “even if the Central Government were to specify under Article 338(3) certain groups of people as belonging to ‘other backward classes’, it will still be open .to every State Government to draw up its own lists for the purposes of Articles 15 and 16. As, therefore the State Governments may adhere to their own lists, any All-India list drawn up by the Central Government would have no practical utility.” Various State Governments thereupon appointed Commissions for identifying backward classes and issued orders identifying the socially and educationally backward classes and reserving certain percentage of posts in their favour. So far as the Central services are concerned, no reservations were ever made in favour of other backward classes though made in favour of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

“The Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Commission)”>:

12. By an Order made by the President of India, in the year 1979, under Article 340 of the Constitution, a Backward Class Commission was appointed to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India, which Commission is popularly known as Mandal Commission. The terms of reference of the Commission were:

“The terms of reference of the Commission were:-

(i) to determine the criteria for defining the socially and educationally backward classes;

(ii) to recommend steps to be taken for the advancement of the socially and educationally backward classes of citizen so identified;

(iii) to examine the desirability or otherwise of making provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of such backward classes of citizens which are not adequately represented in public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State; and

(iv) (to) present to the President a report setting out the facts as found by them and making such recommendations as they think proper.”

The Commission was empowered to:-

“(a) obtain such information as they may consider necessary or relevant for their purpose in such form and such manner as they may think appropriate, from the Central Government, the State Government, the ‘Unioin Territory Administrations and such other authorities, organisations or individuals as may, in the opinion of the Commission, be of assistance to them; and

(b) hold their sittings or the sittings of such sub-committees as they may appoint from amongst their own members at such times and such places as may be determined by, or under the authority of the Chairman.”

13. The report of the Commission was required to be submitted not later than 31st December, 1979, which date was later extended up to December 31, 1980. It was so submitted.

Chapter I of the Report deals with the Constitution of First Backward Classes Commission (Kaka Kalelkar Commission), its report, the letter of Kaka Kalelkar to the President, the lack of follow-up action and the letter of the Central Government referred to hereinbefore to State Governments to draw up their own lists. It also points out certain “internal contradictions” in the Report. Chapter II deals with the “Status of other backward classes in some States”. It sets out the several provisions relating to reservation in favour of O.B.Cs. obtaining in several States and the history of such reservations. Chapter III is entitled ‘methodology and data base’. It sets out the procedure followed by the Commission and the material gathered by them. Paras 3.1 and 3.2 read thus:

“3.1. One important reason its to why the Central Government could not accept the recommendations of Kaka Kalelkar Commission was that it had not worked out objective tests and criteria for the proper classification of socially and educationally backward classes. In several petitions filed against reservation orders issued by some State Governments, the Supreme Court and various High Courts have also emphasised the imperative need for an empirical approach to the defining of socially and educationally backwardness or identification of Other Backward Classes.

3.2. The Commission has constantly kept the above requirements in view in planning the scope of its activities. It was to serve this very purpose that the Commission made special efforts to associate the leading Sociologists, Research Organisations and Specialised Agencies of the country with every important facet of its activity. Instead of relying on one or two established techniques of enquiry, we tried to cast our net far and wide so as to collect facts and get feed-back from as large an area as possible. A brief account of this activity is given below.”

It then refers to the Seminar held by Department of Anthropology of Delhi University in March 1979, to the questionnaire issued to all departments of Central Government and to the State Governments (the pro formas are compiled in Vol. II of the Report) the country-wide touring undertaken by the Commission, the evidence recorded by it, the socio-educational field survey conducted by it and other studies and Reports involved in its work. In Chapter IV the Commission deals with the inter-relationship between social backwardness and caste. It describes how the fourth caste, Shudras, were kept in a state of intellectual and physical subjugation and the historical injustices perpetrated on them. In para 4.5 the Commission states:”The real triumph of the caste system lies not in upholding the supremacy of the Brahmin, but in’ conditioning the consciousness of the lower castes in accepting their interior status in the ritual hierarchy as a part of the natural order of things . It was through an elaborate, complex and subtle scheme of scripture, mythology and ritual that Brahminism succeeded in investing the caste system with a moral authority that has been seldom effectively challenged even by the most ardent social reformers.”

14. Chapter V deals with ‘social dynamics of caste’. In this chapter, the Commission emphasises the fact that notwithstanding public declarations condemning the caste, it has remained a significant basis of action in politics and public life. Reference is made to several caste associations, which have come into being after the Constitution. The concluding part in this Chapter, para 5.17, reads:

“The above account should serve as a warning against any hasty conclusion about the weakening of caste as the basis of social organisation of the Hindu society. The pace of social mobility is no doubt increasing and some traditional features of the caste system have inevitably weakened. But what caste has lost on the ritual front, it has more than gained on the political front. This has also led to some adjustments in the power equation between the high and low castes and thereby accentuated social tensions. Whether these tensions rent the social fabric or the country is able to resolve them by internal adjustments will depend on how understandingly the ruling high castes handle the legitimate aspirations and demands of the historically suppressed and backward classes.”

Chapter VI deals with Social Justice, Merit and Privilege’. It attempts to establish, that merit in a elitist society is not something inherent but is the consequence of environmental privileges enjoyed by the members of higher castes. This is sought to be illustrated by giving an example of two boys Lallu and Mohan. Lallu is a village boy belonging to a backward class occupying a low social position in the village caste hierarchy. He comes from a poor illiterate family and studies at a village school, where the level of instruction is woeful. On the other hand, Mohan comes from a fairly well-off middle class and educated family, attends one of the good public schools in the city, has assistance at home besides the means of acquiring knowledge through television, radio, magazines and so on. Even though both Lallu and Mohan possess the same level of intelligence, Lallu can never compete with Mohan in any open competition because of the several environmental disadvantages suffered by him.

15. Chapter VII deals with ‘Social justice, Constitution and the law’. It refers to the relevant provisions of the Constitution, to the decision in M. R. Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439 and various subsequent decisions of this Court and discusses the principles flowing from the said decisions. It notes that the subsequent decisions of this Court in C. A. Rajendran v. Union of India (1968) 1 SCR 721 , State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sagar (1968) 3 SCR 595 and State of Andhra Pradesh v. U. S. V. Balram (1972) 3 SCR 247, etc. show a marked shift from the original position taken in Balaji or several important points. In particular, it refers to the observations in Rajendran to the effect that “ caste is also a class of citizens and if the class as a whole is socially and educationally backward, reservation can be made in favour of such a caste on the ground that it was socially and educationally backward class of citizens within the meaning of Article 15(4)”. It refers to the statement in A. Peeriakaruppan v. State of Tamil Nadu (1971) 2 SCR 430 to the effect that “a caste has always been recognised as a class.” It also commends the dissenting view of Subba Rao J. in T. Devadasan v. Union of India (1964) 4 SCR 680 (wrongly referred to as Rangachari) – “ General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari (1962) 2 SCR 586 “

Chapter VIII deals with ‘North-South Comparison of other Backward Classes Welfare’. It is a case study of provisions in force in two Southern States namely Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and the two Northern States. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The conclusions drawn from the discussion are stated in para 8.45 in the following words:-

“In view of the foregoing account, the reasons for much stronger reaction in the North than South to reservations, etc. for other Backward Classes may be summarised as below:

(1) Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had a long history of Backward Classes movements and various measures for their welfare were taken in a phased manner. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar such measures did not mark the culmination of a mass movement.

(2) In the south “the forward communities have been divided either by the classification schemes or politically or both………. In Bihar and U. P. the G.Os. have not divided the forward castes.”

(3) In the South, clashes between Scheduled Castes and Backward peasant castes have been rather mild. In the North these cleavages have been much sharper, often resulting in acts of violence. This has further weakened the backward classes solidarity in the North.

(4) In the non-Sanskritic South, the basic Varna cleavage was between Brahmins and non-Brahmins and Brahmins constituted only about 3 per cent of the population. In the Sanskritic North, there was no sharp cleavage between the forward castes and together they constituted nearly 20 per cent of the population. In view of this the higher castes in U. P. and Bihar were in a stronger position to mobilise opposition to backward class movement.

(5) Owing to the longer history and better organisation of other Backward castes in the South, they were able to acquire considerable political clout. Despite the lead given by the Yadavas and other peasant castes, a unified and strong OBC movement has not emerged in the North so far.

(6) The traditions of semifeudalism in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have enabled the forward castes to keep tight control over smaller backward castes and prevent them from joining the mainstream of backward classes movement. This is not so in the South.

(7) “The economies of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been expanding relatively faster. The private tertiary sector appears to. be growing. It can shelter many forward caste youths. Also, they are prepared to migrate outside the State. The private tertiary sectors in Bihar and U. P. are stagnant. The forward caste youths in these two States have to depend heavily on Government jobs. Driven to desperation, they have reacted violently.”

16. Chapter IX sets out the evidence tendered by Central and State Governments while Chapter X deals with the evidence tendered by the Public. Chapter XI is quite important inasmuch as it deals with the “Socio-Educational Field Survey and Criteria of Backwardness”. In this Chapter, the Commission says that it decided to tap number of sources for the collection of data , keeping in mind the cirticism against the, Kaka Kalelkar Commission as also the several judgments of this Court. It says that Socio-Educational Field Survey was the most comprehensive inquiry made by the Commission in this behalf. Right from the beginning, this Survey was designed with the help of top social scientists and specialists in the country. Experts from a number of disciplines were associated with different phases of its progress. It refers to the work of Research Planning Team of Sociologists and the work done by a panel of experts led by Prof. M. N. Srinivas. It refers to the fact that both of them concurred that “in the Indian context such collectivities can be castes or other hereditary groups traditionally associated with specific occupations which are considered to be low and impure and with which educational backwardness and low income are found to be associated.” The Commission says further that with a view to providing continuous guidance at the operational level, a Technical Advisory Committee was set up under Dr. K. C. Seal, Director General, Central Statistical Organisation with the Chief Executive National Sample Survey Organisation and representatives of Directors of State Bureaux of Economics and Statistics as Members. The Commission sets out the Methodology evolved by the Experts’ panel and states that survey operations were entrusted to the State Statistical Organisations of the concerned States/ Union Territories. It refers to the training ‘imparted to the survey staff and to the fact that the entire data so collected was fed into a computer for electronic processing of such data, Out of the 406 districts in the country, the survey covered 405 districts. In every district, two villages and one urban block was selected and in each of these villages and urban blocks, every single household was surveyed. The entire data collected was tabulated with the aid of National Informatic Centre of Electronics Commission of India. The Technical Committee constituted a Sub-Committee of Experts to help the Commission prepare “Indicators of Backwardsness” for analysing the data contained in the computerised tables. In para 11.23 (page 52) the Commission sets out the eleven Indicators/ Criteria evolved by it for determining social and educational backwardness. Paras 11.23, 11.24 and 11.25 are relevant and may be set out in full:-

“11.23. As a result of the above exercise, the Commission evolved eleven ‘Indicators’ or ‘criteria’ for determining social and educational backwardness. These 11 Indicators’ were grouped under three broad heads, i.e., Social, Educational and Economic. They are:-

A. Social

(i) Castes/ Classes considered as socially backward by others.

(ii) Castes/ Classes which mainly depend on manual labour for their livelihood.

(iii) Castes/ Classes where at least 25% females and 10% males above the State average get married at an age below 17 years in rural areas and at least 10% females and 5% males do so in urban areas.

(iv) Castes/ Classes where participation of females in work is at least 25% above the State average.

B. Educational

(v) Castes/ Classes where the number of children in the age group of 5-15 years who never attended school is at least 25% above the State average. (vi) Castes/ Classes where the rate of student drop-out in the age group of 5-15 years is at least 25% above the State average.

(vii) Castes/ Classes amongst whom the proportion of matriculates is at least 25% below the State average.

C. Economic

(viii) Castes/ Classes where the average value of family assets is at least 25% below the State average.

(ix) Castes/ Classes where the number of families living in kucha houses is at least 25% above the State average.

(x) Castes/Classes where the source of drinking water is beyond half a kilometer for more than 50% of the households.

(xi) Castes/ Classes where the number of households having taken consumption loan is at least 25% above the State average.

11.24 As the above three groups are not of equal importance for our purpose, separate weightage was given to ‘Indicators’ in each group. All the Social ‘Indicators’ were given a weightage of 3 points each. Educational ‘Indicators’ a weightage of 2 points each and Economic ‘Indicators’ a weightage of one point each. Economic, in addition to Social and Educational Indicators, were considered important as they directly flowed from social and educational backwardness. This also helped to highlight the fact that socially and educationally backward classes are economically backward also.

11.25 It will be seen that from the values given to each Indicator, the total score adds up to 22. All these 11 Indicators were applied to all the castes covered by the survey for a particular State. As a result. of this application, all castes which had a score of 50 per cent (i.e., 11 points) or above were listed as socially and educationally backward and the rest were treated as ‘advanced’. (It is a sheer coincidence that the number of indicators and minimum point score for backwardness, both happen to be eleven). Further, in case the number of households covered by the survey for any particular caste were below 20, it was left out of consideration, as the sample was considered too small for any dependable inference.

It will also be useful to set out the observations of the Commission in para 11.27:-

“11.27 In the end it may be emphasised that this survey has no pretentions to being a piece of academic research. It has been conducted by the administrative machinery of the Government and used as a rough and ready tool for evolving a set of simple criteria for identifying social and educational backwardness. Throughout this survey our approach has been conditioned by practical considerations, realities of field conditions, constraints of resources and trained manpower and paucity of time. All these factors obviously militate against the requirements of a technically sophisticated and academically satisfying operation.”

17. Chapter XII deals with ‘Identification of OBCs’. In the first instance, the Commission deals with OBCs among Hindu Communities. It says that it applied several tests for determining the SEBCs like stigmas of low-occupation, criminality, nomadism, beggary and untouchability besides inadequate representation in public services. The multiple approach adopted by the Commission is set out in para 12.7 which reads:-

“12.7 Thus, the Commission has adopted a multiple approach for the preparation of comprehensive lists of other Backward Classes for all the States and Union Territories. The main sources examined for the preparation of these lists are:-

(i) Socio-educational field survey;

(ii) Census Report of 1961 (particularly for the identification of primitive tribes, aboriginal tribes, hill tribes, forest tribes and indigenous tribes);

(iii) personal knowledge gained through extensive touring of the country and receipt of voluminous public evidences as described in Chapter X of this Report; and

(iv) Lists of OBCs notified by various State Governments” The Commission next deals with OBC among Non-Hindu Communities. In para graphs 12.11 to 12.16 the Commission refer to the fact that even among Christian, Muslin and Sikh religions, which do not recognise caste, the caste system is prevailing though without religious sanction. After giving a good deal of thought to several difficulties in the way of identifying OBCs among Non-Hindus, the Commission says, it has evolved a rough and ready criteria viz., (1) all untouchables converted to any non-Hindu religion and (2) such occupational communities which are known by the name of their traditional hereditary occupation and whose Hindu counter-parts have been included in the list of Hindu OBCs – ought to be treated as SEBCs. The Commission then sought to work out the estimated population of the OBCs in the country and arrived at the figure of 52 per cent. Paras 12.19, 12.22 may be set out in full in view of their relevancy:

“12.19 Systematic castewise enumeration of population was introduced by the Registrar General of India in 1881 and discontinued in 1931. In view of this, figures of castewise population beyond 1931 are not available. But assuming that the inter se rate of growth of population of various castes, communities and religious groups over the last half a century has remained more or less the same, it is possible to work out the percentage that all these groups constitute of the total population of the country.

12.22 From the foregoing it will be seen that excluding Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes constitute nearly 52% of the Indian population.

(See table on next page)

18. Chapter-XIII contains various recommendations including reservations in services. In view of the decisions of the Supreme Court limiting, the total reservation to 50 per cent, the Commission recommended 27 per cent reservation in favour of OBCs (in addition to 22.5 per cent already existing in favour of SCs and STs). It recommended several measures for improving the condition of these backward classes. Chapter-XIV contains a summary of the report.

19. Volumes 2 to 9 of the Report contain and set out the material and the data on the basis of which the Commission made its recommendations. Volume 11 contains the State-wise lists of Backward Classes, as identified by the Commission. (It may be remembered that both the Scheduled Castes order and Scheduled Tribes order notified by the President contain State-wise lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes). Volume II inter alia contains the questionnaire issued to the State Government/ Union Territories, the questionnaire issued to the Central Government Ministries / Departments, the questionnaire issued to the general public, the list of M.Ps. and other experts who appeared and gave evidence before the Commission, the criteria furnished to Central Government Offices for identifying OBC employees for both Hindu and Non-Hindu Communities, report of the Research Planning Team of the Sociologists and the pro formas employed in conducting the Socio-Education Survey.

Percentage Distribution of Indian Population by Caste and Religious Groups

S.No. Group Name Percentage of total population
1. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
A-1 Scheduled Castes 15.05
A-2 Scheduled Tribes 7.51
______________
Total of ‘A’ 02.56
______________
II. Non-Hindu Communities, Religious Groups, etc.
B-1 Muslims (other than STs) 11.19 (0.02)*
B-2 Christians (other than STs) 2.16 (0.44)*
B-3 Sikhs (other than SCs and STs) 1.67 (0.22)*
B-4 Budhists (other than STs) 0.67 (0.03)*
B-5 Jains 0.47
______________
Total of ‘B’ 16.16
______________
III. Forward Hindu Castes and Communities
C-1 Brahmins (including Bhumidars) 5.52
C-2 Rajputs 3.90
C-3 Marathas 2.21
C-4 Jats 1.00
C-5 Vaishyas-Bania, etc. 1.88
C-6 Kayasthas 1.07
C-7 Other forward Hindu castes groups 2.00
______________
Total of ‘C’ 17.58
______________
TOTAL OF ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ 56.30
IV. Backward Hindu Castes and Communities
D. Remaining Hindu castes/groups which come in the category of “Other Backward Classes” 43.70@
V. Backward Non-Hindu Communities
E. 52% of religious groups under Section B may also be treated as OBCs. 8.40
F. The approximate derived population of Other Backward Classes including non-Hindu Communities. 52%
(Aggregate of D and E, rounded)

@ This is a derived figure.

Figures in brackets give the population of S.C. and S.T. among these non-Hindu Communities.” 20. The Report of the Mandal Commission was laid before each House of Parliament and discussed on two occasions – once in 1982 and again in the year 1983. The proceedings of the Lok Sabha placed before us contain the statement of Sri R. Venkataraman, the then Minister for Defence and Home Affairs. He expressed the view that “the debate has cut across party lines and a number of people on this side have supported the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. A large number of people on the other side have also supported it. If one goes through the entire debate one will be impressed with a fairly unanimous desire on the part of all sections of the House to find a satisfactory solution to this social evil of backwardness of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes etc. which is a festering sore in our body politic.” The Hon’ble Minister then proceeded to state, “the Members generally said that the recommendations should be accepted. Some Members said that it should be accepted in toto. Some Members have said that it should be accepted with certain reservations. Some Members said, there should be other criteria than only social and educational backwardness. But all these are ideas which Government will take into account. The problem that. confronts Government today is to arrive at a satisfactory definition of backward classes and bring about an acceptance of the same by all the State concerned.” The Hon’ble Minister referred to certain difficulties the Government was facing in implementing the recommendations of the Commission on account of the large number of castes identified and on account of the variance in the State lists and the Mandal Commission lists and stated that consultation with various departments and State Governments was in progress in this behalf He stated that a meeting of the Chief Ministers would be convened shortly to take decision in the matter.

The Report was again discussed in the year 1983. The then Hon’ble Minister for Home Sri P. C. Sethi, while replying to the debate stated:”While referring to the Commission whose report has been discussed today, I would like to remind the House that although this Commission had. been appointed by our predecessor Government, we now desire to continue with this Commission and implement its recommendations.”

The Office Memorandum

dated 13th August, 1990:

21. No action was, however, taken on the basis of the Mandal Commission Report until the issuance of the Office Memorandum on 25th September, 1991. On that day, the then Prime Minister Sri V. P. Singh made a statement in the Parliament in which he stated inter alia as follows:

“After all, if you take the strength of the whole of the Government employees as a proportion of the population, it will be 1% or 1-1/2. 1 do not know exactly, it may be less than 1%. We are under no illusion that this 1% of the population, or a fraction of it will resolve the economic problems of the whole section of 52%. No. We consciously want to give them a position in the decision-making of the country, a share in the power structure. We talk. about merit. What is the merit of the system itself? That the section which has 52% of the population gets 12.55% in Government employment. What is the merit of the system? That in Class I employees of the Government it gets only 4.69%, for 52% of the population in decision-making at the top echelons it is not even one-tenth of the population of the country; in the power structure it hardly 4.69%. I want to challenge first the merit of the system itself before we come and question on the merit, whether on merit to reject this individual or that; And we want to change the structure basically, consciously, with open eyes. And I know when changing the structures comes, there will be resistance …………

What I want to convey is that treating unequals as equals is the greatest injustice.

And, correction of this injustice is very important and that is what I want to convey. Here, the National Front Government’s commitment for not only change of Government, but also change of the social order, is something of great significance to all of us; it is a matter of great significance. Merely .making programmes of economic benefit to various sections of the society will not do …..

There is a very big force in the argument to involve the poorest in the power structure. For a lot of time we have acted on behalf of the poor. We represent the poor ……………..

Let us forget that the poor are begging for some crumbs. They have suffered if for thousands of years. Now they are fighting for their honour as a human being ………………

A point was made by Mahajanji that if there are different lists in different States how will the Union List harmonise? It is so today in the case of the Scheduled -Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. That has not caused a problem. On the same pattern, this will be there and there will be no problem.”

22. The Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990 reads as follows:

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:Recommendations of the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Report) – Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes in services under the Government of India.

In a multiple undulating society like ours, early achievement of the objective of social justice as enshrined in the. Constitution is a must. The Second Backward Classes Commission called the Mandal Commission was established by the then Government with this purpose in view, Which submitted its report to the Government of India on 31-12-1980.

2. Government have carefully considered the report and the recommendations of the Commission in the present context regarding the benefits to be extended to the socially and educationally backward classes as opined by the Commission and are of the clear view that at the outset certain weightage has to be provided to such classes in the services of the Union and their Public Undertakings. Accordingly orders are issued as follows:-.

(i) 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved for SEBC.

(ii) The aforesaid reservation shall apply to vacancies to be filled by direct recruitment. Detailed instructions relating to the procedure to be followed for enforcing reservation will be issued separately.

(iii) Candidates belonging to SEBC recruited on the basis of merit in an open competition on the same standards prescribed for the general candidates shall not be adjusted against the reservation quota of 27%.

(iv) The SEBC would comprise in the first phase the castes and communities which are common to both the list in the report of the Mandal Commission and the State Goverments’ lists. A list of such castes/ communities is being issued separately.

(v) The aforesaid reservation shall take effect from 7-8-1990. However, this will not apply to vacancies where the recruitment process has already been initiated prior to the issue of these orders.

3. Similar instructions in respect of public sector undertakings and financial institutions including public sector banks will be issued by the Department of Public Enterprises and Ministry of Finance respectively.

Sd/-

(Smt. Krishna Singh)

Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India”

23. Soon after the issuance of the said Memorandum there was wide-spread protest in certain Northern States against it. There occurred serious disturbance to law and order involving damage to private and public property. Some young people lost their lives by self-immolation, Writ petitions were filed in this Court questioning the said Memorandum along with applications for staying ‘the operation of the Memorandum. It was stayed by this court.

The Office Memorandum

dated 25th September, 1991;

24. After the change of the Government at the Centre following the general election held in the first half of 1991, another Office Memorandum was issued on 25th September, 1991 modifying the earlier Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990. The later Memorandum reads as follows:

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:Recommendations of the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Report) – Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes in service under the Government of India.

**********

The undersigned is directed to invite the attention to O.M. of even number dated the 13th August, 1990, on the above mentioned subject and to say that in order to enable the poorer sections of the SEBCs to receive the benefits of reservation on a preferential basis and to provide reservation for other economically backward sections of the people not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation, Government have decided to amend the said Memorandum with immediate effect as follows:-

(i) Within the 27% of the vacancies In civil posts and services under the Government of India reserved for SEBCs, preference shall be given to candidates belonging to the poorer sections of the SEBCs. In case sufficient number of such candidates are not available, unfilled vacancies shall be filled by the other SEBC candidates.

(ii) 10% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved for other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation.

(iii) The criteria for determining the poorer sections of the SEBCs or the other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservations are being issued separately.

The O.M. of even number dated the 13th August, 1990, shall be deemed to have been amended to the extent specified above.

Sd/-

(A. K. HARIT)

Dy. Secretary to the Government of India”

25. Till now, the Central Government has not evolved the economic criteria as contemplated by the later Memorandum, though the hearing of these writ petitions was adjourned on more than one occasion for the purpose. Some of the writ petitions have meanwhile been amended challenging the later Memorandum as well. Let us notice at this stage what do the two memorandums say, read together. The first provision made is:27% of vacancies to be filled up by direct recruitment in civil posts and services under the Government of India are reserved for backward classes. Among the members of the backward classes preference has to be given to candidates belonging to the poorer sections. Only in case, sufficient number of such candidates are not available, will the unfilled vacancies be filled by other backward class candidates. The second provision made is:backward class candidates recruited on the basis of merit in open competition along with general candidates shall not be adjusted against the quota of 27% reserved for them. Thirdly, it is provided that backward classes shall mean those castes and communities which are common to the list in the report of the Mandal Commission and the respective State Government’s list. It may be remembered that Mandal Commission has prepared the list of backward classes State-wise. Lastly, it is provided that 10% of the vacancies shall be reserved for other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservations. As stated above, the criteria for determining the poorer sections among the backward classes or for determining the other economically backward sections among the non-reserved category has so far not been evolved. Though the first Memorandum stated that the orders made therein shall take effect from 7-8-1990, they were not in fact acted upon on account of the orders made by this Court.

Issues for consideration:

26. These writ petitions were heard in the first instance by a Constitution Bench presided over by the then Chief Justice Sri Ranganath Misra. After hearing them for some time, the Constitution Bench referred them to a Special Bench of Nine Judges, “to finally settle the legal position relating to reservations.” The reason for the reference being, “that the several judgments of this Court have not spoken in the same voice on this issue and a final look by a larger Bench in our opinion Should settle the law in an authoritative way”.

We have, accordingly, heard all the parties and intervenors who wished to be heard in the matter. Written submissions have been filed by almost all the parties and intervenors. Together, they run into several hundreds of pages.

At the inception of arguments, counsel for both sides put their heads together and framed eight questions arising for our discussion. They read as follows:

(I) Whether Article 16(4) is an exception to Article 16(l) and would be exhaustive of the right to reservation to posts in services under the State?

(II) What would be the content of the phrase Backward Class in Article 16(4) of the Constitution and whether caste by itself could constitute a class and whether economic criteria by itself could identify a class for Article 16(4) and whether Backward Classes in Article 16(4) would include the Article 46 as well?

(III) If economic criteria by itself could not constitute a Backward Class under Article 16(4) whether reservation of posts in services under the State based exclusively on economic criteria would be covered by Article 16(l) of the Constitution?

(IV) Can the extent of reservation to posts in the services under the State under Article 16(4) or, if permitted under Articles 16(l) and 16(4) together, exceed 50% of the posts in a cadre or service under the State or exceed 50% of the appointments in a cadre or service in any particular year and can such extent of reservation be determined without determining the inadequacy of representation of each class in the different categories and grades of services under the State?

(V) Does Article 16(4) permit the classification of ‘Backward Classes’ into Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes or permit classification among them based on economic or other considerations?

(VI) Would making “any provision” under Article 16(4) for reservation “by the State” necessarily have to be by law made by the legislatures of the State or by law made by Parliament? Or could such provisions be made by an executive order?

(VII) Will the extent of judicial review be limited or restricted in regard to the identification of Backward Classes and the percentage of reservations made for such classes, to a demonstrably perverse identification or a demonstrably unreasonable percentage?

(VIII) Would reservation of appointments or posts “in favour of any Backward Class” be restricted to the initial appointment to the post or would it extend to promotions as well?

For the sake of convenient discussion and in the interest of clarity, we found it necessary to elaborate them. Accordingly, we have reframed the questions. We shall proceed to answer them in the same order. The re-framed questions are:

l(a) Whether the ‘provision’ contemplated by Article 16(4) must necessarily be made by the legislative wing of the State?

(b) If the answer to clause (a) is in the negative, whether an executive order making such a provision is enforceable without incorporating it into a rule made under the proviso to Article 309?

2(a) Whether clause (4) of Article 16 is an exception to clause (1) of Article 16?

(b) Whether clause (4) of Article 16 is exhaustive of the special provisions that can be made in favour of ‘backward class of citizens’? Whether it is exhaustive of the special provisions that can be made in favour of all sections, classes or groups?

(c) Whether reservations can be made under clause (1) of Article 16 or whether it permits only extending of preferences/ concessions?

3(a) What does the expression ‘backward class of citizens’ in Article 16(4) means?

(b) Whether backward classes can be identified on the basis and with reference to caste alone?

(c) Whether a class, to be designated as a backward class, should be situated similarly to the S.Cs./S.Ts.?

(d) Whether the ‘means’ test can be applied in the course of identification of backward classes? And if the answer is yes, whether providing such a test is obligatory?

4(a) Whether the backward classes can be identified only and exclusively with reference to economic criteria?

(b) Whether a criteria like occupation cum-income without reference to caste altogether, can be evolved for identifying the backward classes?

5. Whether the backward classes can be further categorised into backward and more backward categories? 6. To what extent can the reservation be made?

(a) Whether the 50% rule enunciated in Balaji (supra) a binding rule or only a rule of caution or rule of prudence?

(b) Whether the 50% rule, if any, is confined to reservations made under cl. (4) of Article 16 or whether it takes in all types of reservations that can be provided under Article 16?

(c) Further while applying 50% rule, if any, whether an year should be taken as a unit or whether the total strength of the cadre should be looked to?

(d) Whether Devadasan AIR 1964 SC 179 was correctly decided?

7. Whether Article 16 permits reservations being provided in the matter of promotions?

8. Whether reservations are anti-meritian? To what extent are Articles 335, 38(2) and 46 of the Constitution relevant in the matter of construing Article 16?

9. Whether the extent of judicial review is restricted with regard to the identification of Backward Classes and the percentage of reservations made for such classes to a demonstrably perverse identification or a demonstrably unreasonable percentage?

10. Whether the distinction made in the second Memorandum between ‘poorer sections’ of the backward classes and others permissible under Article 16?

11. Whether the reservation of 10% of the posts in favour of ‘other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of the reservations’ made by the Office Memorandum dated 25-9-1991 permissible under Art. 15?

Before we proceed to deal with the question, we may be permitted to make a few observations:The questions arising herein are not only of great moment and consequence, they are also extremely delicate and sensitive. They represent complex problems of Indian Society, wrapped and presented to us as constitutional and legal questions. On some of these questions, the decisions of this Court have not been uniform. They speak with more than one voice. Several opposing points of view have been pressed upon us with equal force and passion and quite often with great emotion. We recognize that these viewpoints are held genuinely by the respective exponents. Each of them feels his own point of view is the only right one. We cannot, however, agree with all of them. We have to go find – answers which according to us are the right ones constitutionally and legally. Though, we are sitting in a larger Bench, we have kept in mind the relevance and significance of the principle of Stare decisis. We are conscious of the fact that in law certainly, consistency and continuity are highly desirable features. Where a decision has stood the test of time and has never been doubted, we have respected it – unless, of course, there are compelling and strong reasons to depart from it. Where, however, such uniformity is not found” we have tried to answer the question of principle keeping in mind the scheme and goal of our Constitution and the material placed before us.

There are occasions when the obvious needs to be stated and, we think, this is one such occasion. We are dealing with complex social, constitutional and legal questions upon which there has been a sharp division of opinion in the Society, which could have been settled more satisfactorily through political processes. But that was not to be. The issues have been relegated to the judiciary — which shows both the disinclination of the executive to grapple with these sensitive issues as also the confidence reposed in this organ of the State. We are reminded of what Sir Anthony Mason, Chief Justice of Australia once said:

“Society exhibits more signs of conflict and disagreement today than it did before ….. Governments have always had the option of leaving questions to be determined by the Courts according to law …….

There are other reasons, of course – that cause Governments to leave decisions to be made by Courts. They are of expedient political character. The community may be so divided on a particular issue that a Government feels that the safe course for it to pursue is to leave the issue to be resolved by the Courts, thereby diminishing the risk it will alienate significant sections of the Community. “

But then answering a question as to the legitimacy of the Court to decide such crucial issues, the learned Chief Justice says:

“ ………My own feeling is that the people accept the Courts as the appropriate means of resolving disputes when Governments decide not to attempt to solve the disputes by the political process.” .

(Judging the World Law and Politics in the World’s Leading Courts-page 343)

We hope and trust that our people too are mature enough to appreciate our endeavour in the same spirit. They may well remember that “the law is not an abstract concept removed from the society it serves, and that Judges, as safe-guarders, of the Constitution, must constantly strive to narrow the gap between the ideal of equal justice and the reality of social inequality.”

PART II

Before we proceed to answer the questions aforementioned, it would be helpful to notice (a) the debates in the Constituent Assembly on Art. 16 (draft Art. 10); (b) the decisions of this Court on Arts. 16 and 15; and (c) a few decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court considering the validity of race-conscious programmes.

The Framing of Article 16:

Debates in the Constituent Assembly

27. Draft Art. 10 corresponds to Art. 16. The debate in the Constituent Assembly on draft Art. 10 and particularly Cl. (3), thereof (corresponding to Cl. (4) of Art. 16) helps us to appreciate the background and understand the objective underlying Art. 16, and in particular, Cl. (4) thereof. The original intent comes out clear and loud from these debates.

Omitting draft Cl. (4) (which corresponds to Cl. (5) of Art. 16) the three clauses in draft Art. 10, as introduced in the Constituent Assembly, read as follows:

“10(l). There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment under the State.

(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or any of them be ineligible for any office under the State.

(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any class of citizens who in the opinion of the State are not adequately represented in the services under the State.”

It was the Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar that inserted the word “backward” in between the words “in favour of any” and “class of citizens”. The discussion on draft Art. 10 took place on November 30, 1948. Several members including S/Sri Damodar Swarup Seth, Pt. Hirdya Nath Kunzru and R. M. Nalavade complained that the expressions ‘backward’ and ‘backward classes’ are quite vague and are likely to lead to complications in future. They suggested that appointments to public services should be made purely on the basis of merit. Some others suggested that such reservations should be available only for a period of first ten years of the Constitution. To this criticism the Vice-President of the Assembly (Dr. H. C. Mookherjee) replied in the following words:

“Before we start the general discussion, I would like to place a particular matter before the Honourable Members. The clause which has so long been under discussion affects particularly certain sections of our population – sections which have in the past been treated very cruelly – and although we are today prepared to make reparation for the evil deeds of our ancestors, still the old story continues, at least here and there, and capital is made out of it outside India I would therefore very much appreciate the permission of the House so that I might give full discussion on this particular matter to our brethren of the backward classes. Do I have that permission?”

In the ensuing discussion Sri Chandrika Ram (Bihar-General) supported draft Cl. (3) with great passion. He pleaded for reservations in favour of Backward Classes both in services as well as in the legislature, just as in the case of Harijans.

Sri Chandrika Ram was supported by another Member Sri P. Kakkan (Madras-General) and Sri T. Channiah (Mysore), Sri Channiah, in particular, commented upon the Members coming from Northern India being puzzled about the meaning of the expression ‘backward class’ and proceeded to clarify the same in the following words:-

“The backward classes of people as understood in South India, are those classes of people who are educationally backward, it is those classes that require adequate representation in the services. There are other classes of people who are socially backward; they also require adequate representation in the service.”

28. After the discussion proceeded for some more time, Sri K. M. Munshi, who was a Member of the Drafting Committee rose to explain the content of the word ‘backward’. He said:-

“What we want to secure by this clause are two things. In the fundamental right in the first clause we want to achieve the highest efficiency in the services of the State-highest efficiency which would enable the services to function effectively and promptly. At the same time, in view of the conditions in our country prevailing in several provinces, we want to see that backward classes, classes who are really backward, should be given scope in the State services; for it is realised that State services give a status and an opportunity to serve the country, and this opportunity should be extended to every community, even among the backward people. That being so, we have to find out some generic term and the word “backward class” was the best possible term.

Sri Munshi proceeded to state:

“I may point out that in the province of Bombay for several years now, there has been a definition of backward classes, which includes not only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but also other backward classes. who are economically, educationally and socially backward. We need not, therefore, define or restrict the scope of the word “backward” to a particular community. Whoever is backward will be covered by it and I think the apprehensions of the Members are not justified.”

Ultimately Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, got up to clarify the matter. His speech, which put an end to all discussion and led to adopting of draft Art. 10(3), is worth quoting in extenso, since it throws light on several questions relevant herein:

“ ….. there are three points of view which it is necessary for us to reconcile if we are to produce a workable proposition which will be accepted by all. Of the three points of view, the first is that there shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens. It is the desire of many Members of this House that every individual who is qualified for a particular post should be free to apply for that post, to sit for examinations and to have his qualifications tested so as to determine whether he is fit for the post or not and that there ought to be no limitations, there ought to be no hindrance in the operation of this principle of equality or opportunity. Another view mostly shared by a section of the House is that, if this principle is to be operative – and it ought to be operative in their judgment to its fullest extent – there ought to be no reservations of any sort for any class or community at all, that all citizens, if they are qualified, should be placed on the same footing of equality so far as the public services are concerned. That is the second point of view we have. Then we have quite a massive opinion which insists that, although theoretically it is good to have the principle that there shall be equality of opportunity, there must at the same time be a provision made for the entry of certain communities which have so far been outside the administration. As I said, the Drafting Committee had to produce a formula which would reconcile these three points of view, firstly, that there shall be equality of opportunity, secondly that there shall be reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a ‘proper look-in’ so to say into the administration. If honourable Members will bear these facts in mind – the three principles we had to reconcile, – they will see that no better formula could be produced than the one that is embodied in sub-Cl. (3) of Art. 10 of the Constitution. It is a generic principle. At the same time, as I said, we had to reconcile this formula with the demand made by certain communities that the administration which has now – for historical reasons – been controlled by one commuity or a few communities, that situation should disappear and that the others also must have an opportunity of getting into the public services. Supposing, for instance, we were to concede in full the demand of those communities who have not been so far employed in the public service to the fullest extent, what would really happen is, we shall. be completely destroying the first proposition upon which we are all agreed, namely, that there shall be an equality of opportunity. Let me give an illustration. Supposing, for instance, reservations were made for a community or a collection of communities, the total of which came to something like 70 per cent of the total posts under the State and only 30 per cent are retained as the unreserved. Could anybody say that the reservation of 30 per cent as open to general competition would be satisfactory from the point of view of giving effect to the first principles, namely, that there shall be equality of opportunity? It cannot be in my judgment. Therefore the seats to be reserved, if the reservation is to be consistent with sub-Cl. (1) of Art. 10, must be confined to a minority of seats. It is then only that the first principle could find its place in the Constitution and effective in operation. If honourable Members understand this position that we have to safeguard two things, namely, the principle of equality of opportunity and at the same time satisfy the demand of communities which have not had so far representation in the State, then, I am sure they will agree that unless you use some such qualifying phrase as “backward” the exception made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule altogether. Nothing of the rule will remain. That I think if I may say so, is the justification why the Drafting Committee undertook on its own shoulders the responsibility of introducing the word “backward” which, I admit, did not originally find a place in the fundamental right in the way in which it was passed by this Assembly …..

Somebody asked me:”What is a backward community”? Well, I think any one who reads the language of the draft itself will find that we have left it to be determined by each local Government. A backward community is a community which is backward in the opinion of the Government.”

The above material makes it amply clear that the objective behind Cl. (4) of Art. 16 was the sharing of State power. The State power which was almost exclusively monopolised by the upper castes i.e., a few communities, was now sought to be made broad-based. The backward communities who were till then kept out of apparatus of power, were sought to be inducted there into and since that was not practicable in the normal course, a special provision was made to effectuate the said objective. In short, the objective behind Art. 16(4) is empowerment of the deprived backward communities — to give them a share in the administrative apparatus and in the governance of the community.

Decisions of this Court on Articles 16 and 15”

29. Soon after the enforcement of the Constitution two cases reached this Court from the State of Madras. One under Art. 15 and the other under Art. 16. Both the cases were decided on the same date and by the same Beach. The one arising under Art. 15 is State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951) SCR 525) and the other arising under Art. 16 is Venkatraman v. State of Madras AIR 1951 SC 229. By virtue of certain orders issue, I prior to coming into force of the Constitution, – popularly known as ‘Communal G.O.’— seats in the Medical and Engineering Colleges in the State of Madras were apportioned in the following manner:Non-Brahmin (Hindus)-6, Back- ward Hindus-2, Brahmin-2, Harijan-2, Anglo Indians and Indian Christians-1, Muslims-1. Even after the advent of the Constitution, the G. O. was being acted upon which was challenged by Smt. Champakam as violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed to her by Arts. 15(1) and 29(2) of the Constitution of India. A Full Bench of Madras High Court declared the said G.O. as void and unenforceable with the advent of the Constitution. The State of Madras brought the matter in appeal to this Court. A Special Bench of Seven Judges heard the matter and came to the unanimous conclusion that the allocation of seats in the manner aforesaid is violative of Arts. 15(l) and 29(2) inasmuch as the refusal to admit the respondent (writ petitioner) notwithstanding her higher marks, was based only on the ground of caste. The State of Madras sought to sustain the G.O. with reference to Art. 46 of the Constitution. Indeed the argument was that Article 46 over rides Art. 29(2). This argument was rejected. The Court pointed out that while in the case of employment under the State, Cl. (4) of Art. 16 provides for reservations in favour of backward class of citizens, no such provision was made in Art. 15.

30. In the matter of appointment to public services too, a similar communal G.O. was in force in the State of Madras since prior to the Constitution. In December, 1949, the Madras Public Service Commission invited applications for 83 posts of District Munsifs, specifying at the same time that the selection of the candidates would be made from the various castes, religious and communities as specified in the communal G.O. The 83 vacancies were distributed in the following manner:Harijans-19, Muslims-5, Christians6, Backward Hindus-10, Non-Brahmin (Hindus)-32 and Brahmins- 11. The petitioner Venkataram (it was a petition under Art. 32 of the Constitution) applied for and appeared at the interview and the admitted position was that if the provisions of the communal G.O. were to be disregarded, he would have been selected. Because of the G.O., he was not selected (he belonged to Brahmin commuity). Whereupon he approached this Court-. S. R. Das, J. speaking for the Special Bench referred to Art. 16 and in particular to Cl. (4) thereof and observed:”Reservation of posts in favour of any backward class of citizens cannot, therefore, be regarded as unconstitutional”. He proceeded to hold:

“The Communal G.O. itself makes an express reservation of seats for Harijans and Backward Hindus. The other categories, namely, Muslims, Christians, Non-Brahmin Hindus and Brahmins must be taken to have been treated as other than Harijans and Backward Hindus. Our attention was drawn to a schedule of Backward Classes set out in Sch. III to Part I of the Madras Provincial and Subordinate Service Rules. It was, therefore, argued that Backward Hindus would mean Hindus of any of the communities mentioned in that Schedule. It is, in the circumstances, impossible to say that classes of people other than Harijans and Backward Hindus can be called Backward Classes. As regards the posts reserved for Harijans and Backward Hindus it may be said that the petnr. who does not belong to those two classes is regarded as ineligible for those reserved posts not on the ground of religion, race, caste, etc., but because of the necessary for making a provision for reservation of such posts in favour of a backward class of citizens, but the ineligibility of the petnr. for any of the posts reserved for communities other than Harijans and Backward Hindus cannot but be regarded as founded on the ground only of his being a Brahmin. For instance, the petnr. may be far better qualified than a Muslim or a Christian or a Non-Brahmin candidate and if all the posts reserved for those communities were open to him, he would be eligible for appointment, as is conceded by the learned Advocate General of Madras, but, nevertheless, he cannot expect to get any of those posts reserved for those different categories only because he happens to be a Brahmin. His ineligibility for any of the posts reserved for the other communities, although he may have far better qualifications than those possessed by members falling within those categories, is brought about only because he is a Brahmin and does not belong to any of those categories. This ineligibility. created by the Communal G.O. does not appear to us to be sanctioned by Cl. (4) of Art. 16 and it is an infringement of the fundamental right guaranteed to the petnr. as an individual citizen under Art. 16(l) and (2). The Communal G.O., in our opinion, is repugnant to the provisions of Art. 16 and 15 as such void and illegal.”

31. Sri Ram Jethmalani, the learned counsel appearing for the Respondent-State of Bihar placed strong reliance on the above passage. He placed before us an extract of the Schedule of the backward classes appended to the Madras Provincial and Subordinate Service Rules, 1942. He pointed out that Cl. (3)(a) in R. 2 defined the expression backward classes to mean “the communities mentioned in Schedule III to this part”, and that Schedule III is exclusively based upon caste. The Schedule describes the communities mentioned therein under the heading ‘Race, Tribe or Caste’. It is pointed out that when the said Schedule was substituted in 1947, the basis of classification still remained the caste, though the heading “Races, Tribes and Castes” was removed. Mr. Jethmalani points out that the Special Bench took note of the fact that Schedule III was nothing but a collection of certain ‘communities’, notified as backward classes and yet upheld the reservation in their favour. According to him, the decision in Venkataraman AIR 1951 SC 229 clearly supports the identification of backward classes on the basis of caste. The Communal G.O. was struck down, he submits, only in so far as it apportioned the remaining vacancies between sections other than Harijans and backward classes. It is rather curious, says the counsel, that the decision in Venkataraman has not attracted the importance it deserves all these years; All the subsequent decisions of this Court refer to Champakam AIR 1951 SC 226. Hardly any decision refers to Venkataraman notwithstanding the fact that Venkataraman was a decision rendered with reference to Art. 16.

32. Soon after the said two decisions were rendered the Parliament intervened and in exercise of Its constituent power, amended Art. 15 by inserting Cl. (4), which reads:

“Nothing in this Article or in Cl. (2) of Art. 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.”

It is worthy of notice that the Parliament, which enacted the first Amendment to the Constitution, was in fact the very same Constituent Assembly which had framed the Constitution. The speech of Dr. Ambedkar on the occasion is again instructive. He said:-

“Then with regard to Art. 16, Cl. (4), my submission is this that it is really impossible to make any reservation which would not result in excluding somebody who has a caste. I think it has to be borne in mind and it is one of the fundamental principles which I believe is stated in Mulla’s edition on the very first page that there is no Hindu who has not a caste. Every Hindu has a caste he is either a Brahmin or a Mahratta or a Kundby or a Kumbhar or a carpenter. There is no Hindu – that is the fundamental proposition — who has not a caste. Consequently, if you make a reservation in favour of what are called backward classes which are nothing else but a collection of certain castes, those who are excluded are persons who belong to certain castes. Therefore, in the circumstances of this country, it is impossible to avoid reservation without excluding some people who have got a caste.”

33. After the enactment of the First Amendment the first case that came up before this Court is Balaji v. The State of Mysore AIR 1963 SC 649. (In the year 1961, this Court decided the General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari AIR 1962 SC 36, but that related to reservations in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the matter of promotion in the Railways. Rangachari will be referred to at an appropriate stage later.) In the State of Karnataka, reservations were in force since a few decades prior to the advent of the Constitution and were being continued even thereafter. On July 26, 1958 the State of Mysore issued an order under Art. 15(4) of the Constitution declaring all the communities excepting the Brahmin community as socially and educationally backward and reserving a total of 75 per cent seats in Educational Institutions in favour of SEBCs and SCs/ STs. Such orders were being issued every year, with minor variation in the percentage of reservations. On 13th of July, 1972, a similar order was issued wherein. 68 per cent of the seats in all Engineering and Medical Colleges and Technical Institutions in the State were reserved in the favour of the SEBCs, SCs and STs. SEBCs were again divided into two categories – backward classes and more backward classes. The validity of this order was questioned under Art. 32 of the Constitution. While striking down the said order this Court enunciated the following principles:-

(1) Clause (4) of Art. 15 is a proviso or an exception to Cl. (1) of Art. 15 and to Cl. (2) of Art. 29;

(2) For the purpose of Art. 15(4), backwardness must be both social and educational. Though caste in relation to Hindus may be a relevant factor to consider in determining the social backwardness of a class of citizens, it cannot be made the sole and dominant test. Christians, Jains and Muslims do not believe in caste system; the test of caste cannot be applied to them. Inasmuch as identification of all backward classes under the impugned order has been made solely on the basis of caste, it is bad.

(3) The reservation made under Cl. (4) of Art. 15 should be reasonable. It should not be such as to defeat or nullify the main Rule of equality contained in Cl. (1). While it is not possible to predicate the exact permissible percentage of reservations, it can be stated in a general and broad way that they should be less than 50 per cent.

(4) A provision under Art. 15(4) need not be in the form of legislation; it can be made by an executive order.

(5) The further categorisation of backward classes into backward and more backward is not warranted by Art. 15(4).” .

It must be remembered that Balaji was a decision rendered under and with reference to Art. 15 though it contains certain observations with respect to Art. 16 as well.

34. Soon after the decision in Balaji (supra) this Court was confronted with case arising under Art. 16 — Devadasan v. Union of India AIR 1964 SC 179. This was also a petition under Art. 32 of the Constitution. It related to the validity of the ‘carry-forward’ rule obtaining in Central Secretariat Service. The reservation in favour of Scheduled Castes was twelve and half per cent while the reservation in favour of Scheduled Tribes was five per cent. The ‘carry-forward’ rule considered in the said decision was in the following terms:”If a sufficient number of candidates considered suitable by the recruiting authorities, are not available from the communities for whom reservations are made in a particular year, the unfilled vacancies should be treated as unreserved and filled by the best available candidates. The number of reserved vacancies, thus, treated as un- reserved will be added as an additional quota to the number that would be reserved in the following year in the normal course; and to the extent to which approved candidates are not available in that year against this additional quota, a corresponding addition should be made to the number of reserved vacancies in the second following year.” Because sufficient number of SC/ST candidates were not available during the earlier years the unfilled vacancies meant for them were carried forward as contemplated by the said rule and filled up in the third year – that is in the year 1961. Out of 45 appointments . made, 29 went to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In other words, the extent of reservation in the third year came to 65 per cent. The rule was declared unconstitutional by the Constitution Bench, with Subba Rao, J. dissenting. The majority held that the carry forward rule which resulted in more than 50 per cent of the vacancies being reserved in a particular year, is bad. The principle enunciated in Balaji regarding 50 per cent was followed. Subba Rao, J. in his dissenting opinion, however, upheld the said rule. The learned Judge observed:”The expression, “nothing in this article” is a legislative device to express its intention in a most emphatic way that the power conferred thereunder is not limited in any way by the main provision but falls outside it. It has not really carved out an exception, but has preserved a power untrammelled by the other provisions of the Article.” The learned Judge opined that once a class is a backward class, the question whether it is adequately represented or not is left to the subjective satisfaction of the State and is not a matter for this Court to prescribe.

We must, at this stage, clarify that a ‘carry-forward’ rule may be in a form different than the one considered in Devadasan (supra). The Rule. may provide that the vacancies reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes shall not be filled up by general (open competition) candidates in case of non-availability of SC/ ST candidates and that such vacancies shall be carried forward.

35. In the year 1964 another case from Mysore arose, again under Art. 15 – Chitralekha v. State of Mysore AIR 1964 SC 1823. The Mysore Government had by an order defined backward classes on the basis of occupation and income, unrelated to caste. Thirty per cent of seats in professional and technial institutions were reserved for them in addition to eighteen per cent in favour of SCs and STs. One of the arguments urged was that the identification done without taking the caste into consideration is impermissible. The majority speaking through Subba Rao, J., held that the identification or classification of backward classes on the basis of occupation cum-income, without reference to caste is not bad and does not offend Art. 15(4).

36. During the years 1968 to 1971, this Court had to consider the validity of identification of backward classes made by Madras and Andhra Pradesh Governments. Minor P. Rajendran v. State of Madras AIR 1968 SC 1012 related to specification of socially and educationally backward classes with reference to castes. The question was whether such an identification infringes Art. 15. Wanchoo, C.J., speaking for the Constitution Bench dealt with the contention in the following words:

“The contention is that the list of socially and educationally backward classes for whom reservation is made under R. 5 nothing, but a list of certain castes. Therefore, reservation in favour of certain castes based only on caste considerations violates Article 15(l), which prohibits discrimination on the ground of caste only. Now if the reservation in question had been based only on caste and had not taken into account the social and educational backwardness of the caste in question, it would be violative of Art. 15(l). But it must not be forgotten that a caste is also a class of citizens and the caste as a whole is socially and educationally backward reservation can be made in favour of such a caste on the ground that it is a socially and educationally backward class of citizens within the meaning of Art. 15(4) ………. It is true that in the present cases the list of socially and educationally backward classes has been specified by caste. But that does not necessarily mean that caste was the sole consideration and that person belonging to these castes are also not a class of socially and educationally backward citizens As it was found that members of these castes as a whole were educationally and socially backward, the list which had been coming on from as far back as 1906 was finally adopted for purposes of Art. 15(4).

In view however of the explanation given by the State of Madras, which has not been controverted by any rejoinder, it must be accepted that though the list shows certain castes, the members of those castes are really classes of educationally and socially backward citizens. No attempt was made on behalf of the petitioners/ appellants to show that any caste mentioned in this list was not educationally and socially backward. In this state of the pleadings, we must come to the conclusion that though the list is prepared caste-wise, the castes included therein are as a whole educationally and socially backward and therefore the list is not violative of Art. 15. The challenge to R. 5 must therefore fail.”

37. The shift in approach and emphasis is obvious. The Court now held that a caste is a class of citizens and that if a caste as a whole is socially and educationally backward, reservation can be made in favour of such a caste on the ground’ that it is a socially and educationally backward class of citizens within the meaning of Art. 15(4). More over the burden of proving that the specification/ identification was bad was placed upon the petitioners. In case of failure to discharge that burden, the identification made by the State was upheld. The identification made on the basis of caste was upheld inasmuch as the petitioner failed to prove that any caste mentioned in the list was not socially and educationally backward.

38. Another Constitution Bench took a similar view in Triloki Nath (1969) 1 SCR 103.

Rajendran was expressly referred to and followed in Peeriakaruppan v. State of Tamil Nadu AIR 1971 SC 2303, a decision rendered by a Bench of three Judges (J. C. Shah, K. S. Hegde and A. N. Grover, JJ.). This was a petition under Art. 32 of the Constitution and one arising under Art. 15. The argument was ‘that identification of SEBCs having been done on the basis of caste alone is bad. Repelling the argument, Hegde, J. held:-

“There is no gainsaying the fact that there are numerous castes in this country which are socially and educationally backward. To ignore their existence is to ignore the facts of life. Hence, we are unable to upheld the contention that impugned reservation is not in accordance with Art. 15(4).”

39. Again, in State of Andhra Pradesh v. Balram AIR 1972 SC 1375, a case arising from Andhra Pradesh, a Division Bench (Vaidyalingam and Mathew, JJ.) adopted the same approach and upheld the identification made by Andhra Pradesh Government on the basis of caste. Answering the criticism that the Backward Classes Commission appointed by the State Government did not do a scientific and job, the Bench observed:

“In our opinion, the Commission has taken considerable pains to collect as much relevant material as possible to judge the social and educational backwardness of the persons concerned. When, for instance, it had called for information regarding the student population in classes X and XI from nearly 2224 institutions, if only 50% of the institutions sent replies, it is not the fault of the Commission for they could not get more particulars. If the commission has only to go on doing the work of collecting particulars and materials, it will be a never ending matter. In spite of best efforts that any commission may make in collecting materials and datas, its conclusions cannot be, always scientifically accurate in such matters. Therefore, the proper approach, in our opinion should be to see whether the relevant data and materials referred to in the report of the Commission justify its conclusions. In our opinion, there was sufficient material to enable the Commission to be satisfied that the persons included in the list are really socially and educationally backward. No doubt there are few instances where the educational average is slightly above the State average, but that circumstance by itself is not enough to strike down the entire list. Even assuming there are few categories which are little above the Stage average, in literacy, that is a matter for the State to take note of and review the position of such categories of persons and take a suitable decision.”

We respectfully agree with these observations.

Answering the main criticism that the list of SEBCs was wholly based upon caste, the Bench observed:-

“To conclude, though prima facie the list of Backward Classes which is under attack before us may be considered to be on the basis of caste, a closer examination will clearly show that it is only a description of the group following the particular occupations or professions, exhaustively referred to by the Commission. Even on the assumption that the list is based exclusively on caste, it is clear from the materials before the Commission and the reasons given by it in its report that the entire caste is socially and educationally backward and therefore their inclusion in the list of Backward Classes is warranted by Art. 15(4). The groups mentioned therein have been included in the list of Backward Classes as they satisfy the various tests, which have been laid down by this Court for ascertaining the social and educational backwardness of a class.”

40. In certain cases including Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1973) 3 SCR 236 and State of Uttar Pradesh v. Pradip Tandon (1975) 2 SCR 761 , it was held that poverty alone cannot be the basis for determining or identifying the social and educational backwardness. It was emphasised that Art. 15(4) – or for that matter Art. 16(4) – is not an instance of poverty alleviation programme. They were directed mainly towards removal of social and educational backwardness, it was pointed out. In Pradip Tandon (supra), a decision under Art. 15(4), Ray, C.J. speaking for the Division Bench of three Judges opined:

“Broadly stated, neither taste nor race nor religion can be made the basis of classification for the. purposes of determining social and educational backwardness within the meaning of Art. 15(4). When Art. 15(l) forbids discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, caste cannot be made one of the criteria for determining social and educational backwardness. If caste or religion Is recognised as a criterion of social and educational backwardness Art. 15(4) will stultify Art. 15(l).’ It is true that Art. 15(l) forbids discrimination only on the ground of religion, race, caste but when a classification taken recourse to caste as one of the criteria in determining socially and educationally backward classes the expression “classes” in that case violates the rule of expressio unius est exclusio alterius. The socially and educationally backward classes of citizens are groups other than groups based on caste.”

This statement was made without referring to the dicta in Rajendran AIR 1968 SC 1012, a decision of a larger Bench. Though Balaji AIR 1963 SC 649 was referred to, we Must point out with respect that Balaji does not support the above statement. Balaji indeed said that “though castes in relation to Hindus may be a relevant factor to consider in determining the social backwardness of groups or classes of citizens, it cannot be made the sole or the dominant test in that behalf.”

41. Thomas (supra) marks the beginning of a new thinking on Art.16, though the seed of this thought is to be found in the dissenting opinion of Subba Rao, J. in Devadasan (supra). The Kerala Government had, by amending Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules empowered the Government to exempt, by order, for a specified period, any member or members belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and already in service, from passing the test which an employee had to pass as a precondition for promotion to next higher post. Exercising the said power, the Government of Kerala issued a notification granting “temporary exemption to members already in service belonging to any of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes from passing all tests (unified, special or departmental test) for a period of two years”. On the basis of the said exemption, a large number of employees belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who had been stagnating in their respective posts for want of passing the departmental tests were promoted. They were now required to pass the tests within the period of exemption. Out of 51 vacancies which arose in the category of Upper Division Clerks in the year 1972, 34 were filled up by members of Scheduled Castes leaving only 17 for others. This was questioned by Thomas, a member belonging to non-reserved category. His grievance was:but for the said concession/exemption given to members of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes he would have been promoted to one of those posts in view of his passing the relevant tests. He contended that Art. 16(4) permits only reservation in favour of backward classes but not such an exemption. This argument was accepted by the Kerala High Court. It also upheld the further contention that inasmuch as more than 50% vacancies in the year had gone to the members of Scheduled Castes as a result of the said exemption, it is bad for violating the 50% rule in Balaji (supra). The State of Kerala carried the matter in appeal to this Court which was allowed by a majority of 5:2. All the Seven Judges wrote separate opinions. The head-note to the decision in Supreme Court Reports succiently sets out the principles enunciated in each of the judgments. We do not wish to burden this judgment by reproducing them here. We would rest content with delineating the broad features emerging from these opinions. Ray, C.J. held that Art. 16(l), being a facet of Art. 14, permits reasonable classification Art. 16(4) clarifies and explains that classification on the basis of backwardness. Classification of Scheduled Castes does not fall within the mischief of Article 16(2) since Scheduled Castes historically oppressed and backward are not castes. The concession granted to them is permissible under and legitimate for the purposes of Article 16(l). The rule giving preference to an up-represented or under-represented backward community does not contravene Article 14, 16(l) or 16(2). Any doubt on this score is removed by Article 16(4). He opined further that for determination whether a reservation is excessive or not one must have to look to the total number of posts in a given unit or department, as the case may be. Mathew, J. agreed that Article 16(4) is not an exception to Article 16(l), that Article 16(l) permits reasonable classification and that Scheduled Castes are not ‘castes’ within the meaning of Article 16(2). He espoused the theory of ‘proportional equality’ evolved in certain American decisions. He does not refer to the decisions in Balaji (supra) or Devadasan (supra) in his opinion nor does he express any opinion the extent of permissible reservation. Beg. J. adopted a different reasoning. According to him, the Rule and the orders issued thereunder was “a kind of reservation” falling under Article 16(4) itself. Krishna Iyer, J. was also of the opinion that Article 16(l) being a facet of Article 16 permits reasonable classification. That Article 16(4) is not an exemption but an emphatic statement of what is inherent in Article 16(l) and further that Scheduled Castes are not ‘castes’ within the meaning of Article 16(2) but a collection of castes, races and groups. Article 16(4) is one mode of reconciling the claims of backward people and the opportunity for free competition the forward sections are ordinarily entitled to, held the learned Judge. He approved the dissenting opinion of Subba Rao, J. in Devadasan. Fazal Ali, J. too adopted a similar approach. The learned Judge pointed out “if we read Article 16(4) as an exception to Article 16(1) then the inescapable conclusion would be that Article 16(l) does not permit any classification at all because an express provision has been made for this in clause (4). This, however, is contrary to the basic concept of equality contained in Article 16 which implicitly permits classification in any form provided certain conditions are fulfilled Furthermore, if no classification can be made under Article 16(l) except reservation contained in clause (4) then the mandate contained in Article 335 would be defeated.” He held that the Rule and the orders impugned are referable to and sustainable under Article 16. The learned Judge went further and held that the rule of 50% evolved in Balaji is a mere rule of caution and was not meant to be exhaustive of all categories. He expressed the opinion that the extent of reservation depends upon the proportion of the backward classes to the total population and their representation in public services. He expressed a doubt as to the correctness of the majority view in Devadasan. Among the minority Khanna, J. preferred the view taken in Balaji and other cases to the effect that Article 16(4) is an exception to Article 16(l). He opined that no preference can be provided in favour of backward classes outside clause (4). A. C. Gupta, J. concurred with this view.

42. The last decision of this Court on this subject is in K. C. Vasant Kumar v. State of Karnataka (1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 352 . The Five Judges constituting the Bench wrote separate opinions, each trading a path of his own. Chandrachud, C.J. opined that the present reservations should continue for a further period of 15 years making a total of 50 years from the date of commencement of the Constitution. He added that the means test must be applied to ensure that the benefit of reservations actually reaches the deserving sections. Desai, J. was of the opinion that the only basis upon which backward classes should be identified is the economic one and that a time has come to discard all other bases. Chinnappa Reddy, J. was of the view that identification of backward classes on the basis of caste cannot be taken exception to for the reason that in the Indian context caste is a class. Caste, the learned Judge said, is the primary index of social backwardness, so that social backwardness is often readily identifiable with reference to a person’s caste. If it is found in the case of a given caste that a few members have progressed far enough so as to compare favourably with the forward classes in social, economic and educational fields, an upper income ceiling can perhaps be prescribed to ensure that the benefit of reservation reaches -the really deserving. lie opined that identification of SEBCs in the Indian milieu is a difficult and complex exercise, which does not admit of any rigid or universal tests. It is not a matter for the courts. The “backward class of citizens”, he held, are the very same SEBCs referred to in Article 15(4). The learned Judge condemned the argument that reservations are likely to lead to deterioration in efficiency or that they are anti-merit. He disagreed with the view that for being identified as SEBCs, the relevant groups should be comparable to SCs/ STs in social and educational backwardness. The learned Judge agreed with the opinion of Fazal Ali, J. in Thomas (supra) that the rule of 50% in Balaji (supra) is a rule of caution and not an inflexible rule. At any rate, he said, it is not for the court to lay down any such hard and fast rule. A. P. Sen, J. was of the opinion that the predominant and only factor for making special provision under Article 15(4) or 16(4) should be poverty and that caste should be used only for the purpose of identification of groups comparable to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes. The reservation should continue only till such time as the backward classes attain a state of enlightenment. Venkataramiah, J. agreed with Chinnappa Reddy, J. that identification of backward classes can be made on the basis of caste. He cited the Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary debates in support of this view. According to the learned Judge, equality of opportunity revolves around two dominant principles viz., (i) the traditional value of equality of opportunity and (ii) the newly appreciated – though not newly conceived -idea of equality of results. He too did not agree with the argument of ‘merit’. Application of the principle of individual merit, unmitigated by other consideration, may quite often lead to inhuman results, he pointed out. He supported the imposition of the ‘means’ test but disagreed with the view that the extent ,of reservations can exceed 50%. Periodic review of this list of SEBCs and extension of, other facilities to them is stressed.

“Decisions of US. Supreme Court”

43. At this stage, it would be interesting to notice the development of law on the subject in the U.S.A. the problem of blacks (Negroes) – holds a parallel to the problem of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes in India, with this difference that in U. S. A. the problem is just about 200 years’ old and far less complex. Blacks were held not entitled to be treated as citizens. They were the lawful property of their masters (Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) 15 Law Ed 691). In spite, of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery and the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteeing equality, it persisted in South and Mid-West for several decades. All challenges to slavery and aparthied failed in courts. World War II and its aftermath, however, brought about a radical change in this situation, the culmination of which was the celebrated decisions in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) 98 LE 591[2] and Bolling v. Sharpe, (1954) 98 LE 583[3] overruling the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine evolved in Plessey v. Ferguson (1896) 41 Law Ed 256. In quick succession followed several decisions which effectively out-lawed all discrimination against blacks in all walks of life. But the ground realities remained. Socially, educationally and economically blacks remained a backward community. Centuries of discrimination, deprivation and degradation had left their mark. They were still unable to compete with their white counterparts. Similar was the case of other minorities like Indians and Hispanics. It was not a mere case of economics. It was really a case of ‘persisting effects of past-discrimination’. The Congress, the State Universities and other organs of the State took note of these lingering effects and the consequent disadvantage suffered by them. They set out to initiate measures to ameliorate them. That was the command of the Fourteenth Amendment. Not unnaturally, these measures were challenged in Courts with varying results. The four decisions examined hereinafter, rendered during the period 1974-1990 mirror the conflict and disclose the judicial thinking in that country.

44. The first decision is in Defunis v. Charles Odegard (1974) 40 Law Ed 2d 164. The University of Washington Law School a school operation by the State evolved, in December 1973, an admissions policy whereunder certain percentage of seats in the Law School were reserved for minority racial groups. Para 6 of the programme stated, “because certain ethnic groups in our society have historically been limited in their access to the legal profession and because the resulting under representation can affect the quality of legal services available to members of such groups, as well as limit their opportunity for full participation in the governance of our communities, the faculty recognises a special obligation in its admissions policy to contribute to the solution of the problem.” (emphasis added) Procedure for admission for the minority students was different and of a lesser standard than the one adopted for all others. Defunis, a non-minority student was denied admission while granting it to minority applicants with lower evaluation. He commenced an action challenging the validity of the programme. According to him, the special admissions programme was violative of the Equal Protection Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment. The trial Court granted the requested relief including admission to the plaintiff. On appeal, the Supreme Court of Washington reversed the Trial Court’s Judgment. It upheld the constitutionality of the Admissions Policy. The matter was brought by Defunis to United States Supreme Court by way of certiorari., The Judgment of the Washington Supreme Court was stayed pending the decision. By the time the matter reached the stage of final hearing, Defunis had arrived in the final quarter of the last term. In view of this circumstance, five Members of the Court held that the Constitutional question raised has become ‘moot’ (academic) and, therefore, it is unnecessary to go into the same. Four of the Judges Brennan, Douglas, White and Marshall, JJ., however, did not agree with that view. Of them, only Douglas, J. recorded his reasons for upholding the Special Admissions’ Programme. The learned Judge was of the opinion that the Equal Protection Clause did not require that law schools employ any admissions formula based solely upon testing result and under-graduate grades nor does it prohibit Law Schools from evaluating an applicant’s prior achievements in the light of the barriers that he had to overcome. It would be appropriate, to quote certain observations of the learned Judge to the above effect which inter alia emphasise the importance of looking to the promise and potential of a candidate rather than to mere scores obtained in the relevant tests. He said:

“the Equal Protection Clause did not enact a requirement that Law Schools employ as the sole criterion for admissions a formula based upon the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and under-graduate grandes, nor does it prohibit law schools from evaluating an applicant’s prior achievements in light of the barriers that he had to overcome. A black applicant who pulled himself out of the ghetto into a junior college may thereby demonstrate a level of motivation, perseverence and ability that would lead a fairminded admissions committee to conclude that he shows more promise for law study than the son of a rich alumnus who achieved better grades at Harvard. That applicant would not be offered admission because he is black, but because as an individual he has shown he has the potential, while the Harvard man may have taken less advantage of the vastly superior opportunities offered to him. Because of the weight of the prior handicaps, the black applicant may not realize his full potential in the first year of law school, or even in the full three years, but in the long pull of a legal career, his achievements may far outstrip those of his classmates whose earlier records appeared superior by conventional criteria.”

The learned Judge while agreeing that any programme employing racial classification to favour certain minority groups would be subject to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause, yet concluded that the material placed before the Court did not establish that Defunis was invidiously discriminated against because of his race. Accordingly, he opined that the matter should be remanded for fresh trial to consider whether the plaintiff has been individually discriminated against because of his race.

45. The next case is in Regents of the University of California v. Allan Bakke (1978) 57 Law Ed 2d 750. The Medical School of the University of California at Davis had been following two admissions programmes, one in respect of the 84 seats (general) and the other, a special admissions programme under which only disadvantaged members of certain minority races were considered for the remaining 16 seats – the total seats available being 100 a year. For these 16 seats, none except the members of the minority races were considered and evaluated. The respondent, Bakke, a white, could not obtain admission for two consecutive years, in view of his evaluation scores, while admission was given to members of minority races who had obtained lesser scores than him. He questioned the validity of special admissions programme on the ground that it violated the equal protection clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution and also Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 1964. The trial Court upheld the plea on the ground that the programme excluded members of non-minority races from the 16 reserved seats only on the basis of race and thus operated as a racial quota. It, however, refused to direct the plaintiff to be admitted inasmuch as he failed to establish that he would have been admitted but for the existence of the special admissions programme. The matter was carried in direct appeal to Supreme Court of California, which not only affirmed the trial Court’s Judgment in so far as it held the special admission programme to be invalid but also granted admission to the plaintiff-respondent into the Medical School. It was of the view that the University had failed to prove that in the absence of special admissions programme the respondent would not have been admitted. The matter was then carried to the United States Supreme Court, where three distinct view-points emerged. Brennan, White, Marshall and Blackmun, JJ. were of the opinion that the special admissions programme was a valid one and is not violative of the Federal or State Constitutions or of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 1964. They were of the opinion that the purpose of overcoming substantial, chronic minority under-representation in the medical profession is sufficiently important to justify the University’s remedial use of race. Since the Judgment of the Supreme Court of California prohibited the use of race as a factor in University admissions, they reversed that Judgment. Chief Justice Warren Burger, Stevens, Stewart and Rehnquist, JJ. took the other view. They affirmed the judgment of the California Supreme Court. They based their judgment mainly on Title VI of Civil Rights Act, 1964, which provided that “no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race colour or national origin, be excluded from,; participation in, be denied the benefits of or .be subjected to discrimination under any programme or activity receiving Federal Financial. assistance.” They opined that Bakke was the victim of, what may be called, reverse discrimination and that his exclusion .from consideration in respect of the 16 seats being solely based on. race is impermissible. Powell, J. took the third view in his separate opinion, partly agreeing and partly disagreeing with the other view-points. He based his decision on Fourteenth Amendment alone. He did not take into consideration the 1964 Act. The learned Judge held that though racial and ethnic classifications of any kind are inherently suspect and call for the most exacting judicial scrutiny, the goal of achieving a racially balanced student body is sufficiently compelling to justify consideration of race in admissions decisions under certain circumstances. He was of the opinion that while preference can be provided in favour of minority races in the matter of admission, setting up of quotas (which have the effect of foreclosing consideration of all others in respect thereof) is not necessary for achieving the said compelling goal. He was of the opinion that impugned programme is bad since it set apart a quota for minority races. He sustained the admission granted to Bakke on the ground that the University failed to establish that even without the quota, he would not have been admitted.

46. It would be useful to notice the three points of view in a little more detail. Brennan, J. (with whom Marshall, White and Blackmun JJ. agreed) observed that though the U.S. Constitution was founded on the principle that “all men are created equal”, the truth is that it is not so in fact. Racial discrimination still persists in the society. In such a situation the claim that the law must be “colour blind”[4] is more an aspiration rather than a description of reality. The context and the reasons for which Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 1964 was enacted leads to the conclusion that the prohibition contained in Title VI was intended to be consistent with the commands of the Constitution and no more. Therefore, “any claim that the use of racial criteria is barred by the plain language of the statute must fall in light of the remedial purpose of Title VI and its legislative history.” On the contrary, said the learned Judge, prior decisions of the court strongly suggest that Title VI does not prohbit the remedial use of race where such action is constitutionally permissible.

“…. in view of the Constitution, in the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here. Our Constitution is colour-blind, and neither knows or tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful. The law regards man as man, and takes no account of his surroundings or of his color when his civil rights as guaranteed by the supreme law of the land are involved. It is, therefore, to be regretted that this ‘high tribunal, the final expositor of the fundamental law of the land, has reached the conclusion that it is competent for a state to regulate the enjoyment by citizens of their civil rights solely upon the basis of race.”

Dealing with the equal protection clause in the Fourteenth Amendment, the learned Judge observed:

“The assertion of human equality is closely associated with the proposition that differences in colour or creed, birth or status, are neither significant nor relevant to the way in which person should be treated. Nonetheless, the position that such factors must be “constitutionally an irrelevance” summed up by the shorthand phrase “our Constitution is colour-blind” has never been adopted by this Court as the proper meaning of the Equal Protection Clause. We conclude, therefore, that racial classifications are not per se invalid under the Fourteenth Amendment. Accordingly, we turn to the problem of articulating what our role should be in reviewing state action that expressly classifies by race.”

(Emphasis added)

After examining a large number of decided cases, the learned Judge held:

“The conclusion that state educational institutions may constitutionally adopt admissions programs designed to avoid exclusion of historically disadvantaged minorities, even when such programs explicitly take race into account, finds direct support in our cases construing congressional legislation designed to overcome the present effects of past discrimination.”

Indeed, held the learned Judge, failure to take race into account to remedy unequal access to University programs caused by their own or by past societal discrimination would not be consistent with the mandate of the Fourteenth Amendment. The special admissions programme whereunder whites are excluded from the 16 reserved seats is not bad for the reason that “its purpose is to overcome the effects of segregation by bringing races together”. The learned Judge then pointed out the relevance of race and the lesser impact of economic disadvantage, with reference to certain facts and figures, and concluded:

“While race is positively correlated with differences in GPA and MCAT scores, economic disadvantage is not:Thus, it appears that economically disadvantaged whites do not score less well than economically advantaged whites while economically advantaged blacks score less well than do disadvantaged whites.

47. Warren Burger, C.J., with whom Stevens, Stewart and Rehnquist, JJ. agreed opined that since in respect of 16 seats reserved for racial minorities, whites are totally excluded only on the basis of their race, it is clear case of discrimination on the basis of race and, therefore, violative of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution as well as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 1964

48. Powell, J. took a different line agreeing in part with both the points of view. His approach is this:

(1) It is not necessary to consider the impact or the scope of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act inasmuch as the said question was not raised or considered in the courts below. The matter had to be examined only with reference to the Fourteenth Amendment;

(2) Any distinction based on race is inherently suspect in the light of the equal protection clause and calls for more exacting judicial examination. It is for the State in such a case to establish that the distinction was precisely tailored to serve a compelling governmental interest.

(3) Since the special admissions program of the University totally excluded some individuals (non-minorities) from enjoying the State-provided benefit of admission to the medical school solely because of their race, the classification must be regarded as suspect and it will be sustained only if it is supported by substantial state purpose or interest and only where it is established that the classification is necessary to the accomplishment of such purpose or for- safeguarding such interest. The University has failed to discharge this burden, though the State interest in removing “identified discrimination” and attainment of a diverse student body” were certainly compelling interests. In other words, the University has failed to establish that for attaining the said objectives, creation of quotas was necessary.

(4) While preferences can be provided in favour of disadvantaged sections, reservation of seats which had the effect of excluding members of a race or races from those seats altogether, is not permissible. For this reason too, the special admissions program of the University must be held to violate the Fourteenth Amendment.

In the course of his opinion, the learned Judge observed:

“A facial intent to discriminate, however, is evident in petitioner’s preference program and not denied in this case. No such facial infirmity exists in an admissions program where race or ethnic background is simply one element – to be weighed fairly against other elements – in the selection process…..

In summary, it is evident that the Davis special admissions program involves the use of an explicit racial classification never before countenanced by this Court. It tells applicants who are not Negro, Asian, or Chicano that they are totally excluded from a specific percentage-of the seats in an entering class. No matter how strong their qualifications, quantitative and extracurricular including their own potential for contribution to educational diversity, they are never afforded the chance to compete with applicants from the preferred groups for the special admissions seats. At the same time, the preferred applicants have the opportunity to compete for every seat in the class.”

In this manner, the learned Judge agreed with Brennan, J. that race-conscious admissions programmes are permissible under the Fourteenth Amendment, but qualified the meaning of the race-conscious programmes. At the same time, he agreed with the learned Chief Justice that the special admissions programme of Davis was unconstitutional. He commended the Harvard admissions programme which provided for certain preferences in favour of racially disadvantaged sections, without reserving any seats as such for them.

49. We may next notice the decision in Fullilove v. Phillip M. Klutznick (1980) 63 Law Ed 2d 902. The Public Works Employment Act, 1977 contained a provision to the effect that at least 10% of federal funds granted for local public works projects must be used by the State or the local grantee to procure services or supplies from businesses owned by minority group members, defined as United State citizens “who are Negroes, Spanish-speaking, Orientals, Indians, Eskimos and Aleuts”. Regulations were framed under the Act and guidelines issued requiring the grantees and private contractors to seek out all available qualified bona fide minority business enterprises (MBEs), to the extent feasible, for fulfilling the 10% MBE requirement. The guidelines provided that contracts shall be awarded to bona fide MBEs, even though they are not the lowest bidders if their bids reflect merely attempts to cover costs inflated by the present effects of prior disadvantage and discrimination. This requirement could, however, be waived in individual cases if the grantee established the infeasility of the requirement Several associations of construction contractors and sub-contractors filed a suit in the Federal District Court for a declaration that the said provision of the Public Works Employment Act and the regulations made thereunder are void and unforceable being violative of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and equal protection component of the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. The challenge failed in the District Court as well as in the Court of Appeals. The matter was then carried to the United State Supreme Court. By a majority of 6:3 (Stuwart, Rehnquist and Stevens, JJ. dissenting) the Supreme Court repelled the challenge. Chief Justice Burger speaking for himself. White and Powell, JJ. stated the object of the impugned provision in the following words:

“the device of a 10% MBE participation requirement, subject to administrative waiver, was thought to be required to assure minority business participation, otherwise it was thought that repetition of the prior experience could be expected, with participation by minority business accounting for an inordinately small percentage of government contracting.”

The learned Chief Justice then proceeded to examine “the question whether as a means to accomplish these plainly constitutional objectives, congress can use racial and ethnic criteria in this limited way as a condition attached to a federal grant.” Indeed, he posed the same question in this form:”Whether the limited use of racial and ethnic criteria is a constitutionally permissible means for achieving the congressional objectives”, and proceeded to answer the same – after referring exhaustively to the earlier provisions of the court relating to school admissions – in the following words:

“We held that “just as the race of students must be considered in determining whether a constitutional violation has occurred, so also must race be considered in formulating a remedy.

(Emphasis added)

“…….In dealing with this facial challenge to the statute, doubts must be resolved in support of the congressional judgment that this limited program is a necessary step to effectuate the constitutional mandate for equality of economic opportunity.”

50. Marshall, J. speaking for himself, Brennan and Blackmun, JJ. in his concurring opinion, pointed out the approach to be adopted in judging the validity of the race-conscious programmes and concluded with these resounding words:

“In my separate opinion in Bakke, I recounted the ingenious and pervasive forms of discrimination against the Negro” long condoned under the Constitution and concluded that “the position of the Negro today in America is the tragic but inevitable consequence of centuries of unequal treatment” I there stated

“It is because of a legacy of unequal treatment that we now must permit the institutions of this society to give consideration to race in making decisions about who will hold the positions of influence, affluence, and prestige in America. For far too long, the doors to those positions have been shut to Negroes. If we are ever to become. a fully integrated society, one in which the color of a person’s skin will not determine the opportunities available to him or her, we must be willing to take steps to open those doors.”

51. We may now examine the decision in Metro Broadcasting Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission (1990) 111 Law Ed Ad 445), rendered on June 27, 1990 (Copies of the decision have been made available to us by Sri K. Parasaran, counsel for Union of India). Under the Communications Act, 1934, the Federal Communications Commission was vested with the exclusive authority to grant licences to persons wishing to construct and operate Radio and Television Broadcasting Station in United States. The grant of licences was to be based on public convenience, interest or necessity. The commission found that over the last two decades relatively fewer members of minority groups have held broadcasting licences, indeed less than one per cent. Even as late as in 1986, they owned just 2.1%. The Commission proposed to remedy this under-representation and accordingly evolved a policy whereunder minorities were to be granted certain preferences in the matter of grant of these licences. The policy had two prominent features. The first was to provide for a preference in the matter of evaluation of applicants and the second was, what may be called, ‘distress sale policy’. The second feature meant that where the qualifications of a licencee to hold a broadcast licence comes into question he was entitled to transfer the said licence to save the disqualification provided such transfer is made in favour of a member of a minority. The said two features were questioned by Metro Broadcasting Inc., which matter was ultimately brought to the Supreme Court. The decision of the majority (Brennan, White, Marshall, Blackmun and Stevens, JJ.) rendered by Brennan, J. is note-worthy for the shift of approach from the earlier decisions. It is now held that a classification based on race (benign race conscious measures) is constitutionally permissible even if it is not designed to compensate victims of past governmental or societal discrimination so long as it serves important governmental objectives and is substantially related to achievement of those objectives. In other words, it is held that it is not necessary that the Court apply a strict standard of scrutiny to evaluate racial classification to ascertain whether it is necessary for achieving the relevant objective and further whether it is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling state interest. Brennan, J. relied upon the opinion of Chief Justice Burger in Fullilove ((1980) 65 Law Ed 2d 902) for this liberal approach. It would be appropriate to quote certain observations from his opinion:

“We hold that benign race-conscious measures mandated by Congress – even if those measures are not “remedial” in the sense of being designed to compensate victims of past governmental or societal discrimination – are constitutionally permissible to the extent that they serve important governmental objectives within the power of Congress and are substantially related to achievement of those objectives…. Congress and the FCC have selected the minority ownership policies primarily to promote programming diversity, and they urge that such diversity is an important governmental objective that can serve as a constitutional basis for the preference Policies. We agree …………

Against this background, we conclude that the interest in enhancing broadcast diversity is, at the very least an important governmental objective and is therefore a sufficient basis for the Commission’s minority ownership policies……we must pay close attention to the expertise of the Commission and the fact finding of the Congress when analyzing the nexus between minority ownership and programming diversity With respect to this “complex” expirical. question, ibid., we are required to give “great weight to the decisions of Congress and the experience of the Commission.”

52. On the other hand, the minority (O’ Connor, J. speaking for herself, Rehnquist, C.J., Scalia and Kennedy., JJ.) protested against the abandonment of what they thought was a well established standard of scrutiny in such cases in the following words:

“Strict scrutiny” requires that, to be upheld, racial classifications must be determined to be necessary and narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling state interest. The Court abandons this traditional safeguard against discrimination for a lower standard of review, and in practice applies a standard like that applicable to routine legislation. This Court’s precedents in no way justify the Court’s marked departure from our traditional treatment or race classifications and its conclusion that different equal protection principles apply to these federal actions.”

53. We have examined the decisions of U.S. Supreme Court at some length only with a view to notice how another democracy is grappling with a problem similiar in certain respects to the problem facing this country. The minorities (including blacks) in United States are just about 16 to 18% of the total population, whereas the backward classes (including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) in this country – by whichever yardstick they are measured – do certainly constitute a majority of the population. The minorities there comprise 5 to 7 groups Blacks, Spanish-speaking people, Indians, Purto Ricano, Aleuts and so on – whereas the castes and communities comprising backward classes in this country run into thousands. Untouchability – and ‘unapproachability’, as it was being practised in Kerala – is something which no other country in the world had the misfortune to have – nor the blessed caste system. There have been equally old civilisations on earth like ours, if not older, but none had evolved these pernicious practices, much less did they stamp them with scriptural sanction. Now coming to Constitutional provisions, Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment (insofar as it guarantees equal protection of the laws) corresponds t0o Article 14 but they do not have provisions corresponding to Article 16 (4) or 15(4). Title VI of the Civil Rights Act enacted in 1964 roughly corresponds to Clause (2) of Articles 15 and 16.

54. At this stage, we wish to clarify one particular aspect. Article 16(l) is a facet of Article 14. Just as Article 14 permits reasonable classification, so does Article 16(l). A classification may involve reservation of seats or vacancies, as the case may be. In other ‘words, under clause (1) of Article 16, appointments and/or posts can be reserved in favour of a class. But an argument is now being advanced – evidently inspired by the opinion of Powell, J. in Bakke ((1978) 57 Law Ed 2d 750) that Article 16(l) permits only preferences but not reservations. The reasoning in support of the said argument is the same as was put forward by Powell, J. This argument, in our opinion, disregards the fact that that is not the unanimous view of the Court in Bakke. Four Judges including Brennan, J. took the view that such a reservation was not barred by the Fourteenth Amendment while the other four (including Warren Burger, C.J.) took the view that the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 1964 bars all race-conscious programmes. At the same time, there are a series of decisions relating to school desegregation – from Brown to Board of Education v. Swann (1971) 28 Law Ed 2d 586 – where the Court has been consistently taking the view that if race be the basis of discrimination, race can equally form the basis of remedial action. The shift in approach indicated by Metro Broadcasting Inc. ((1990) 111 Law Ed 2d 445) Is equally significant. The ‘lingering effects’ (of past discrimination) theory as well as the standard of strictest scrutiny of race-conscious programmes have both been abandoned. Suffice it to note that no single uniform pattern of thought can be discerned from these decisions. Ideas appear to be still in the process of evolution.

PART – III (QUESTIONS 1 AND 2)

We may now proceed to deal with the questions aforementioned.

. “Question”1(a):Whether the ‘provision’ in Article 16(4) must necessarily be made by the Parliament/ Legislature?

55. Sri K. K. Venugopal, learned counsel for the petitioner in writ petition No. 930 of 1990 submits that the “provision” contemplated by clause (4) of Article 16 can be made only by and should necessarily be made by the legislative wing of the State and not by the executive or any other authority. He disputes the correctness of the holding in Balaji (supra) negativing an identical contention. He submits that since the provision made under Article 16(4) affects the fundamental rights of other citizens, such a provision can be made only by the Parliament/ Legislature. He submits that if the power of making the “provision” is given to the executive, it will give room for any amount of abuse. According to the learned counsel, the political executive, owing to the degeneration of the electoral process, normally acts out of political and electoral compulsions, for which reason it may not act fairly and independently. If, on the other hand, the provision is to be made by the legislative wing of the State, it will not only provide an opportunity for debate and discussion in the legislature where several shades of opinion are represented but a balanced and unbiased decision free from the allurements of electoral gains is more likely to emerge from such a deliberating body. Sri Venugopal cites the example of Tamil Nadu where, according to him, before every general election a few communities are added to the list of backward classes, only with a view to winning them over to the ruling party. We are not concerned with the aspect of what is ideal or desirable but with what is the proper meaning to be ascribed to the expression ‘provision’ in Article 16(4) having regard to the context. The use of the expression ‘provision’ in clause (4) of Article 16 appears to us to be not without design According to the definition of ‘State’ in Article 12, it includes not merely the government and Parliament of India and Government and Legislature of each of the States but all local authorities and other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India which means that such a measure of reservation can be provided not only in the matter of services under the Central and State Governments but also in the services of local and other authorities referred to in Article 12. The expression ‘Local Authority’ is defined in Section 3(31) of the General Clauses Act. It takes in all municipalities, Panchayats and other similar bodies. The expression ‘other authorities’ has received extensive attention from the Court. It includes all statutory authorities and other agencies and instrumentalities of the State Government/ Central Government. Now, would it be reasonable, possible or practicable to say that the Parliament or the Legislature of the State should provide for reservation of posts/appointments in the services of all such bodies besides providing for in respect of services under the Central/State Government? This aspect would become clearer if we notice the definition of “Law” in Article 13(3)(a). It reads:

“13(3) In this article, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) “Law” includes any Ordinance, order, bye-law, rule, regulation, notification, custom or usage having in the territory of India the force of law; ……..”

The words “order”, “bye-law”, “rule” and “regulation” in this definition are significant. Reading the definition of “State” in Article 12 and of “Law” in Article 13(3)(a), it becomes clear that a measure of. the nature contemplated by Article 16(4) can be provided not only by the Parliament/ Legislature but also by the executive in respect of Central/State services -and by the local bodies and “other authorities” contemplated by Article 12, in respect of their respective services. Some of the local bodies and some of the statutory corporations like Universities may have their own legislative wings. In such a situation, it would be unreasonable and inappropriate to insist that reservation in all these services should be provided by Parliament/Legislature. The situation and circumstances of each of these bodies may vary. The rule regarding reservation has to be framed to suit the particular situations. All this cannot reasonably be done by Parliament/ Legislature.

Even textually speaking, the contention cannot be accepted. The very use of the word .provision” in Article 16(4) is significant. Whereas clauses (3) and (5) of Article 16 –and clauses (2) to (6) of Article 19 – use the word “Law”, Article 16(4) uses the word “provision”. Regulation of service conditions by orders and Rules made by the Executive was a well known feature at the time of the framing of the Constitution. Probably for this reason, a deliberate departure has been made in the case of clause (4). Accordingly. we hold, agreeing with Balaji, that the “provision” contemplated by Article 16(4) can also be made by the executive wing of the Union or of the State, as the case may be, as has been done in the present case. Balaji (supra) has been followed recently in Comptroller and Auditor General of India v. Mohan Lal Mehrotra, AIR 1991 SC 2288. With respect to the argument of abuse of power by the political executive, we may say that there is adequate safeguard against misuse by the political executive of the power under Article 16(4) in the provision itself. Any determination of backwardness is not a subjective exercise nor a matter of subjective satisfaction. As held herein – as also by earlier judgments – the exercise is an objective one. Certain objective social and other criteria has to be satisfied before any group or class of citizens could be treated as backward. If the executive includes, for collateral reasons, groups or classes not satisfying the relevant criteria, it would be a clear case of fraud on power.

Question 1(b):Whether an executive order making a ‘provision’ under Article 16(4) is enforceable forthwith?

56. A question is raised whether an executive order made in terms of Article 16(4) is effective and enforceable by itself or whether it is necessary that the said “provision” is enacted into a law made by the appropriate legislature under Article 309 or is incorporated into and issued as a Rule by the President/ Governor under the proviso to Article 309 for it to become enforceable? Mr. Ram Jethmalani submits that Article 16(4) is merely declaratory in nature, that it is an enabling provision and that it is not a source of power by itself. He submits that unless made into a law by the appropriate legislature or issued as a rule in terms of the proviso to Article 309, the “provision” so made by the Executive does not become enforceable. At the same time, he submits that the impugned Memorandums must be deemed to be and must be treated as Rules made and issued under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution. We find it difficult to agree with Sri Jethmalani. Once we hold that a provision under Article 16(4) can be made by the executive, it must necessarily follow that such a provision is effective the moment it is made. A Constitution Bench of this Court in B. S. Yadav, AIR 1981 SC 561, (Y.C. Chandrachud, C.J., speaking for the Bench) has observed:

“Article 235 does not confer upon the High Court the power to make rules relating to conditions of service of judicial officers attached to district Courts and the Courts subordinate thereto. Whenever it was intended to confer on any authority the power to make any special provisions or rules, including rules relating to conditions of service, the Constitution has stated to in express terms. See, for example Articles 15(4), 16(4), 77(3), 87(2), 118, 145(l), 146(l) and (2), 148(5), 166(3), 176(2), 187(3), 208, 225, 227(2) and (3), 229(l) and (2), 234, 237 and 283(l) and (2).

Be that as it may, there is yet another reason, why we cannot agree that the impugned Memorandums are not effective and enforceable the moment they are issued. It is well settled by the decisions of this Court that the appropriate government is empowered to prescribe the conditions of service of its employees by an executive order in the absence of the rules made under the proviso to Article 309. It is further held by this Court that even where Rules under the proviso to Article 309 are made, the Government can issue orders/ instructions with respect to matters upon which the Rules are silent. (See Sant Ram Sharma v. State of Rajasthan, (1968) 1 SCR 111 ). This view has been reiterated in a recent decision of this Court in Comptroller and Auditor General v. Mohanlal Mehrotra, 1990 (2) SCC I. wherein it is held:

“The High Court is not right in stating that there cannot be an administrative order directing reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as it would alter the statutory rules in force. The rules do not provide for any reservation. In fact it is silent on the subject of reservation. The Government could direct the reservation by executive orders. The administrative orders cannot be issued in contravention of the statutory rules but it could be issued to supplement the statutory rules (See the observations in Santram Sharma v. State of Rajasthan, (1968).l SCR III. In fact similar circulars were issued by the Railway Board introducing reservations for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the Railway Services both for selection and non-selection categories of posts. They were issued to implement the policy of the Central Government and they have been upheld by this Court in Akhil Bhartiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (Railways) v. Union of India, 1991 (1) SCC 246”.

It would, therefore, follow that until a law is made or rules are issued under Article 309 with respect to reservation in favour of backward classes, it would always be open to the Executive (Government) to provide for -reservation of appointments/ posts in favour of Backward Classes by an executive order. We cannot also agree with Sri Jethmalani that the impugned Memorandums should be treated as Rules made under the proviso to Article 309. There is nothing in them suggesting even distantly that they were issued under the proviso to Article 309. They were never intended to be so, nor is that the stand of the Union Government before us. They are executive orders issued under Article .73 of the Constitution read with clause (4) of Article 16. The mere omission of a recital “in the name and by order of the President of India” does not affect the validity or enforceability of the orders, as held by this Court repeatedly.

Question 2 (a), Whether clause (4) of Article 16 is an exception to clause (1)?”

57. In Balaji (supra) it was held – “there is no doubt that Article 15(4) has to be read as a proviso or an exception to Articles 15(l) and 29(2)”. It was observed that Article 15(4) was inserted by the First Amendment in the light of the decision in Champakam (supra), with a view to remove the defect pointed out by this Court namely, the absence of a provision in Article 15 corresponding to Clause (4) of Article 16. Following Balaji (supra) it was held by another Constitution Bench (by majority) in Devadasan (supra) – “further this Court has already held that clause (4) of Article 16 is by way of a proviso or an exception to Clause (1)”. Subbarao, J., however, opined in his dissenting opinion that Article 16(4) is not an exception to Article 16(l) but that it is only an emphatic way of stating the principle inherent in the main provision itself. Be that as it may, since the decision in Devadasan, it was assumed by this Court that Article 16(4) is an exception to Article 16(l). This view, however, received a severe set-back from the majority decision in State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas, (1976) 1 SCR 906 . Though the Minority (H. R. Khanna and A. C. Gupta, JJ,) stuck to the view that Article 16(4) is an exception, the majority (Ray, C. J., Mathew, Krishna Iyer and Fazal Ali, JJ.) held that Article 16(4) is not an exception to Article 16(l) but that it was merely an emphatic way of stating a principle implicit in Article 16(l). (Beg, J. took a slightly different view which it is not necessary to mention here). The said four learned Judges – whose views have been referred to in para 41 -held that Article 16(l) being a facet of the doctrine of equality enshrined in Article 14 permits reasonable classification just as Article 14 does. In our respectful opinion, the view taken by the majority in Thomas is the correct one. We too believe that Article 16(l) does permit reasonable classification for ensuring attainment of the equality of opportunity assured by it. For assuring equality of opportunity, it may well be necessary in certain situations to treat unequally situated persons unequally. Not doing so, would perpetuate and accentuate inequality. Article 16(4) is an instance of such classification, put in to place the matter beyond controversy. The “backward class of citizens” are classified as a separate category deserving a special treatment in the nature of reservation of appointments/ posts in the services of the State. Accordingly, We hold that clause (4) of Article 16 is not exception to clause (1) of Article 16. It is an instance of classification implicit in and permitted by clause (1). The speech of Dr. Ambedkar during the debate on draft Article 10(3) (corresponding to Article 16(4) in the Constituent Assembly – referred to in para 28 – shows that a substantial number of members of the Constituent Assembly insisted upon a “provision (being made for the entry of certain communities which have so far been outside the administration”, and that draft clause (3) was put in recognition and acceptance of the said demand. It is a provision which must be read along with and in harmony with clause (1). Indeed, even without clause (4), it would have been permissible for the State to have evolved such a classification and made a provision for reservation of appointments/ posts in their favour. Clause (4) merely puts the matter beyond any doubt in specific terms.

Regarding the view expressed in Balaji (supra) and Devadasan (supra), it must be remembered that at time it was not yet recognised by this Court that Article 16(l) being a facet of Article 14 does implicitly permit classification. Once this feature was recognised the theory of clause (4) being an exception to clause (1) became untenable. It had to be accepted that clause (4) is an instance of classification inherent in clause (1). Now, just as Article 16(l) is a facet or an elaboration of the principle underlying Article 14, clause (2) of Article 16 is also an elaboration of a facet of clause (1). If clause (4) is an exception to clause (1) then it is equally an exception to clause (2). Question then arises, in what respect is clause (4) an exception to clause (2), if ‘class’ does not mean ‘caste’. Neither clause (1) nor clause (2) speak of class. Does the contention mean that clause (1) does not permit classification and therefore clause (4) is an exception to it. Thus, from any point of view, the contention of the petitioners has no merit.

Question 2(b):Whether Article 16(4) is exhaustive of the concept of reservations in favour of backward classes?

58. The question then arises whether clause (4) of Art. 16 is exhaustive of the topic of reservations in favour of backward classes. Before we answer this question it is well to examine the meaning and content of the expression “reservation”. Its meaning has to be ascertained having regard to the context in which it occurs. The relevant words are “any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts.” The question is whether the said words contemplate only one form of provision namely reservation simpliciter, or do they take in other forms of special provisions like preferences, concessions and exemptions. In our opinion, reservation is the highest form of special provision, while preference, concession and exemption are lesser forms. The Constitutional scheme and context of Article 16(4) induces us to take the view that larger concept of reservations takes within its sweep all supplemental and ancillary provisions as also lesser types of special provisions like exemptions, concessions and relaxations consistent no doubt with the requirement of maintenance of efficiency of administration – the admonition of Art. 335. The several concessions. Exemptions and other measures issued by the Railway Administration and noticed in Karamchari Sangh are instances of supplementary, incidental and ancillary provisions made with a view to make the main ,provision of reservation effective i.e., to ensure that the members of the reserved class “fully avail of the provision for reservation in their favour. The other type of measure is the one in Thomas (supra). There was no provision for reservation in favour of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes in the matter of promotion to the category of Upper Division Clerks. Certain tests were required to be passed before a Lower Division Clerk could be promoted as Upper Division Clerk. A large number of Lower Division Clerks belonging to S.C./ S.T. were not able to pass those tests, with the result they were stagnating in the category of L.D.Cs. Rule 13AA was accordingly made empowering the government to grant exemption to members of S.C./S.T. from passing those tests and the .Government did exempt them, not absolutely, but only for a limited period. This provision for exemption was a lesser form of special treatment than reservation. There is no reason why such a special provision should not be held to be included within the larger concept of reservation. It is in this context that the words “any provision for the reservation of appointments and posts” assume significance. The word “any” and the associated words must be given their due meaning. They are not a mere surplusage. It is true in Thomas it was assumed by the majority that clause (4), permits only one form of provision namely reservation of appointments/ posts and that if any concessions or exemptions are to be extended to backward classes it can be done only under clause (1) of Art. 16. In fact that argument of the writ petitioners (who succeeded before the Kerala High Court) was that the only type of prevision that the State can make in favour of the backward classes is reservation of appointments/ posts provided by clause (4) and that the said clause does not contemplate or permit granting of any exemptions or concessions to the backward classes. This argument was accepted by Kerala High Court. This Court, however, by a majority (Ray, C.J., Mathew, Krishna lyer, and. Fazal All JJ.) reversed the view taken by Kerala High Court, holding that such exemptions/ concessions can be extended under clause (1) of Art. 16. Beg, J. who joined the majority in upholding the validity of notification rested his opinion on a different basis. According to him, the exemption provided by impugned notification was indeed a kind of reservation and was warranted by and relatable to clause (4) of Art. 16 itself. This was because – according to the learned Judge – clause (4) was exhaustive of the provisions that can be made in favour of the backward classes in the matter of employment. We are inclined to agree with the view taken by Beg, J. for the reasons given hereinabove. In our opinion, therefore, where the State finds it necessary – for the purpose of giving full effect to the provision of reservation to provide certain exemptions, concessions or preferences to members of backward classes, it can extend the same under clause (4) itself. In other words, all supplemental and ancillary “provisions to ensure full availment of provisions for reservations can be provided as part of concept of reservation itself. Similarly, in a given situation, the State may think that in the case of a particular backward class it is not necessary to provide reservation of appointments/ posts-and that it would be sufficient if a certain preference or a concession is provided in their favour. This can be done under clause (4) itself. In this sense, clause (4) of Art. 16 is exhaustive of the special provisions that can be made in favour of “the backward class of citizens”. Backward Classes having been classified by the Constitution itself as a class deserving special treatment and the Constitution having itself specified the nature of special treatment, it should be presumed that no further classification or special treatment is permissible in their favour apart from or outside of clause (4) of Art. 16.

Question 2(c):Whether Article 16(4) is exhaustive of the very concept of reservations?

59. The aspect next to be considered is whether clause (4) is exhaustive of the very concept of reservations? In other words, the question is whether any reservations can be provided outside clause (4) i.e., under clause (I) of Art. 16. There are two views on this aspect. On a fuller consideration of the matter we are of the opinion that clause (4) is not, and cannot be held to be, exhaustive of the concept of reservations; it is exhaustive of reservations in favour of backward classes alone. Merely because, one form of classification is stated as a specific clause, it does not follow that the very concept and power of classification implicit in clause (i) is exhausted thereby. To say so would not be correct in principle. But, at the same time, one thing is clear. It is in very exceptional situations, – and not for all and sundry reasons – that any further reservations, of whatever kind, should be provided under clause (i). In such cases, the State has to satisfy, if called upon, that making such a provision was necessary (in public interest) to redress a specific situation. The very presence of clause (4) should act as a (sic) done upon the propensity to create further classes deserving special treatment. The reason for saying so is very simple. If reservations are made both under clause (4) as well as under clause (1), the vacancies available for free competition as well as reserved categories would be correspondingly whittled down and that is not a reasonable thing to do.

Whether clause (i) of Article 16 does not permit any reservations?

60. For the reasons given in the preceding paragraphs, we must reject the argument that clause (1) of Art. 16 permits only extending of preferences, concessions and exemptions, but does not permit reservation of appointments/ posts. As pointed out in para (54) the argument that no reservations can be made under Art. 16(l) is really inspired by the opinion of Powell, J in Bakke ((1978) 57 Law Ed 2d 750). But in the very same paragraph we had pointed out that it is not the unanimous opinion of the Court. In principle, we see no basis for acceding to the said contention . What kind of special provision should be made in favour of a particular class is a matter for the State to decide, having regard to the facts and circumstances of a given situation – subject, of course, to the observations in the preceding paragraph. PART – IV (QUESTIONS 3,4 AND 5)

Question 3(a):Meaning of the expression “Backward Class of citizens” in Art. 16(4).

61. What does the expression “Backward Class of Citizens” in Art. 16(4) signify and how should they be identified? This has been the single-most difficult question tormenting this nation. The expression is not defined in the Constitution. What does it mean then? The arguments before us mainly revolved round this question. Several shades of opinion have been presented to us ranging from one extreme to the other. Indeed, it may be difficult to set out in full the reasoning presented before us orally and in several written propositions submitted by various counsel. We can mention only the substance of and the broad features emerging from those submissions. At one end of the spectrum stands Sri N.A. Palkhiwala (supported by several other counsel) whose submissions may briefly be summarised in the following words:a secular, unified and casteless society is a basic feature of the Constitution. Caste is a prohibited ground of distinction under the Constitution. It ought to be erased altogether from the Indian Society. It can never be the basis for determining backward classes referred to in Article 16(4). The Report of the Mandal Commission, which is the basis of the impugned Memorandums, has treated the expression “backward classes” as Synonymous with backward castes and has proceeded to identify backward classes solely and exclusively on the basis of castes, ignoring all other considerations including poverty. It has indeed invented castes for Non-Hindus where none exists. The Report has divided the nation into two sections, .backward and forward, placing 52% of the population in the former section. Acceptance of Report would spell disaster to the unity and integrity of the nation. If half of the posts are reserved for backward classes, it would seriously jeopardise the efficiency of the administration, educational system, and all other services resulting in backwardness of the entire nation. Merit will disappear by defying backwardness. Art. 16(4) is broader than Article 15(4). The expression “backward class of citizens” in Art. 16(4) is not limited to “socially and educationally backward classes” in Art. 15(4). The impugned Memorandums, based on the said report must necessarily fall to the ground along with the Report. In fact the main thrust of Sri Palkhiwala’s argument has been against the Mandal Commission Report.

62. Sri K. K. Venugopal appearing for the petitioner in writ petition No. 930 of 1990 .adopted a slightly different approach while reiterating that the expression “backward classes of citizens” in Art. 16(4) cannot be construed as backward castes. According to him backwardness may be social and educational and may also be economic. The authority appointed to identify backward classes must first settle the criteria or the indicators for determining backward classes and then it must apply the said criteria to each and every .group in the country. In the course of such identification, it may well happen that certain castes answer and satisfy the criteria of backwardness and may as a whole qualify for being termed as a backward class. But it is not permissible to start with castes to determine whether a caste is a backward class. He relied upon the provision in clause (2) of Article 38 to ,and Art. 46 to say that the objective is to minimize the inequalities in income not only among individuals but also among groups of persons and to help the weaker sections of the society. The economic criterion is an important one and must be applied in determining backward classes and also for excluding those sections or identified groups who may for the sake of convenience be referred to as the creamy layer’. Since castes do not exist among Muslims, Christians and Sikhs, caste can never be the basis of identification. The learned counsel too pointed out the alleged basic errors in the approach adopted by and conclusions arrived at by the Mandal Commission.

Smt. Shyamala Pappu also took the stand that caste can never be the basis for identification. According to her, survey to identify backward classes should be from individual to individual; it cannot be caste-wise. To the same effect are the submissions of Sri P. P. Rao appearing for the Supreme Court bar Association. According to him, the only basis for identifying backward classes should be occupation-cum-means as was done in the State of Karnataka at a particular stage which aspect is dealt with and approved by this court in Chitralekha v. State of Mysore, (1964) 6 SCR 368 . A secular socialist society, he submitted, can never countenance identification of backward classes on the basis of caste which would only perpetuate and accentuate caste differences and generate antagonism and antipathy between castes.

63. At the other end of the . spectrum stands Sri Ram Jethmalani, counsel appearing for the State of Bihar supported by several other counsel. According to him, backward castes in Art. 16(4) meant and means only the members of Shudra caste which is located between the three upper castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas) and the out-castes (Panchamas) referred to as Scheduled Castes. According to him, Article 16(4) was conceived only for these “middle castes” i.e. castes categorised as shudras in the caste system and for none else. These backward castes have suffered centuries of discrimination and disadvantage, leading to their backwardness. The expression “backward classes” does not refer to any current characteristic of a backward caste save and exceptpaucity or inadequacies of representation in the apparatus of the Government. Poverty is not a necessary criterion of backwardness; it is in fact irrelevant. The provision for reservation is really a programme of historical compensation. It is neither a measure of economic reform nor a poverty alleviation programme. The learned counsel further submitted that it is for the State to determine who are the backward classes; it is not a matter for the court. The decision of the Government is not judicially reviewable. Even if reviewable, the scope of judicial review is extremely limited – to the only question whether the exercise of power is a fraud on the Constitution. The learned counsel referred to certain American decisions to show that even in that country several programmes of affirmative action and compensatory discrimination have been evolved and upheld by courts.

64. Dr. Rajiv Dhawan, learned counsel appearing for Srinarayana Dharama Paripalana Yogam (an association of Ezhavas in Kerala) submitted that Arts. 16(4) and 15(4) occupy different fields and serve different purposes. Whereas Art. 15(4) contemplates positive action programmes, Article 16(4) enables the State to undertake schemes of positive discrimination. For this reason, the class of intended beneficiaries under both the clauses is different. The social and educational backwardness which is the basis of identifying backwardness under Art. 15(4) is only partly true in the-case of ‘backward class of citizens in Art. 16(4). The expression “any backward class of citizens” occurring in Art. 16(4) must be understood in the light of the purpose of the said clause namely, empowerment of those groups and classes which have been kept out of the administration classes which have suffered historic disabilities arising from discrimination or disadvantage or both and who must now be provided entry into the administrative apparatus. In the light of the fact that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were also intended to be beneficiaries of Art. 16(4) there is no reason why caste cannot be an exclusive criteria for determining beneficiaries under Art. 16(4). Counsel emphasised the fact that Art. 16(4) speaks of group protection and not individual protection.

Sri R. K. Garg appearing for the Communist Party of India, an Intervener, submitted that caste plus poverty plus location plus residence should be the basis of identification and not mere caste. According to the learned counsel, a national concensus is essential to introduce reservations” for ‘other backward classes’ under Art. 16(4) and that efforts must be made to achieve such a concensus.

65. Sri Siva Subramanium appearing for the- State of Tamil Nadu supported the Mandal Commission Report in its entirety. According to him, backward classes must be identified only on the basis of caste and that no economic criteria should be adopted for the said purpose. He submitted that economic criteria may be employed as one of the indicators for identification of backward classes but once a backward class is identified as such, there is no question of excluding any one from that class on the basis of income or means or on any other economic criterion. He referred to the history of reservations in the province of Madras prior to independence and how it has been working there successfuly and peacefully over the last several decades.

Sri P. S. Poti appearing for the State of Kerala supported the identification of backward classes solely and exclusively on the basis of caste. He submitted that the caste system is scientifically organised and practised in Kerala and, therefore, furnishes a perfectly scientific basis for identification of backward classes. He submitted that besides the vice of untouchability, another greater vice of unapproachability was also being practised in that State.

Sri Ram Awadesh Singh, M. P., President of Lok Dal and President of All India Federation of Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Religious minorities submitted that caste should be the sole criteria for determining backwardness. He referred to centuries of injustice meted out by upper castes to shudras and panchnamas and submitted that these castes must now be given a share in the governance of the country which alone will assure their dignity besides instilling in them a sense of confidence and a spirit of competition.

66. Sri K. Parasaran, learned counsel appearing for the Union of India urged the following submissions:

1) The reservation provided for by clause (4) of Article 16 is not in favour of backward citizens, but in favour of backward class of citizens. What is to be identified is backward class of citizens and not citizens who can be classified as backward. The homogeneous groups based on religion, race, caste, place of birth etc. can form a class of citizens and if that class is backward there can be a reservation in favour of that class of citizens.

2) Caste is a relevant consideration. It can even be the dominant consideration. Indeed, most of the lists prepared by the States are prepared with reference to and on the basis of castes. They have been upheld by this court.

3) Article 16(2) prohibits discrimination only on any or all of the grounds mentioned therein. A provision for protective discrimination on any of the said grounds coupled with other relevant grounds would not fall within the prohibition of clause (2). In other words, if reservation is made in favour of backward class of citizens the bar contained in clause (2) is not attracted. Even if the backward classes are identified with reference to castes. The reason is that the reservation is not being made in favour of castes simpliciter but on the ground that they are backward castes/classes which are not adequately represented in the services of the State.

4) The criteria of backwardness evolved by Mandal Commission is perfectly proper and unobjectionable. It has made an extensive investigation and has prepared a list of back ward classes. Even if there are instances of under-inclusion or over-inclusion, such errors do not vitiate the entire exercise. Moreover whether a particular caste or class is backward or not and whether it is adequately represented in the services of the State or not are questions of fact and are within the domain of the executive decision.

67. In paragraphs 33 to 42, we have noticed how this court has been grappling with the problem over the years. In Venkataraman’s case (supra), a Seven Judge Bench of this court noticed the list of backward classes mentioned in Schedule III to the Madras Provincial and Subordinate Service Rules, 1942, as also the fact that backward classes were enumerated on the basis of caste/race. It found no objection thereto though in Champakam (supra) rendered by the same Bench and on the same day it found such a clasiffication bad under-Art. 15 on the ground that Art. 15 did not contain a clause corresponding to clause (4) of Art. 16. In Venkataraman’s case (supra) this court observed that in respect of the vacancies reserved for backward classes of Hindus, the petitioner (a Brahmin) cannot have any claim inasmuch as “those reserved posts (were reserved) not on the ground of religion, race, caste etc. but because of the necessity for making a provision for reservation of such post in favour of a backward class of citizens.” The writ petition was allowed on the ground that the allocation of vacancies to and among communities other than Harijans and backward classes of Hindus cannot be sustained in view of clauses (1) and (2) of Art. 16.

68. Though Balaji was not a case arising under Art. 16(4), what it said about Art. 15(4) came to be accepted as equally good and valid for the purpose of Art. 16(4). The formulations enunciated with respect to Article 15(4) were, without question, applied and adopted in cases arising under Art. 16(4). It is, therefore, necessary to notice precisely the formulations in Balaji (supra) relevant in this behalf. Gajendragadkar, J. speaking for the Constitution Bench found, on an examination of the Nagangewda Committee Report, “that the Committee virtually equated the class with the castes.” The learned Judge then examined the scheme of Art. 15, the meaning of the expression class, the importance of caste in the Hindu social structure and observed, while dealing with social backwardness:

“Therefore, in dealing with the question as to whether any class of citizens is socially backward or not, it may not be irrelevant to consider the caste of the said group of citizens……Though the caste of the group of citizens may be relevant, its importance should not be exaggerated. If the classification of backward classes of citizens was based solely on the caste of the citizen, it may not always be logical and may perhaps contain the vice of perpetuating the caste themselves.”

The learned Judge further proceeded to hold:

“Besides, if the caste of the group of citizens was made the sole basis for determining the social backwardness of the said group, the test would inevitably break down in relation to many sections of Indian society which do not recognise castes in the conventional sense known to Hindu society. How is one going to decide whether Muslims, Christians or Jains or even Lingayats are socially backward or not? The test of castes would be inapplicable to those groups, but that would hardly justify the exclusion of these groups in toto from the operation of Art. 15(4). It is not unlikely that ‘in some States some Muslims or Christians or Jains forming groups may be socially backward. That is why we think that though castes in relation to Hindus may be a relevant factor to consider in determining the social backwardness of groups or class of citizens, it cannot be made the sole or the dominant test in that behalf. Social backwardness is in the ultimate analysis the result of poverty to a very large extent….. It is true that social backwardness which results from poverty is likely to be aggravated by considerations of caste to which the poor citizens may belong, but that only shows the relevance of both caste and poverty in determining the backwardness of citizens.”

The learned Judge stressed the part played by the occupation, conventional beliefs and place of habitation in determining the social backwardness. Inasmuch as the identification of backward classes of Nagangowda Committee was based almost solely on the basis of caste, it was held to be bad.

The criticism of the Respondents’ counsel against the Judgment runs thus:While it recognises the relevance and significance of the caste and the integral connection between caste, poverty and social backwardness, it yet refuses to accept caste as the sole basis of identifying socially backward classes, partly for the reason that castes do not exist among non-Hindus. The judgment does not examine whether caste can or cannot form the starting-point of process of identification of socially backward classes. Nor does it consider the aspect how does the non-existence of castes among non-Hindus (assuming that the said premise is factually true) makes it relevant in the case of Hindu, who constitute the bulk of the country’s population. There is no rule of law that a test or basis adopted must be uniformly applicable to the entire population in the country as such.

Before proceeding further it may be noticed that Balaji was dealing with Art. 15(4) which clause contains the qualifying words “socially and educationally” preceding the expression “backward classes”. Accordingly, it was held that the backwardness contemplated by Art. 15(4) is ‘both social and educational. Though, clause (4) of Art. 16 did not contain any such qualifying words, yet they came to be read into it. In Janaki Prasad Parimoo (supra), Palekar, J. speaking for a Constitution Bench, took it as “well-settled that the expression ‘backward classes’ in “Art. 16(4) means the same thing as the expression any socially and educationally backward class of citizens’ in Art. 15(4)”. More of this later.

69. In Minor P. Rajendran (supra), the caste vis-a-vis class debate took a sharp turn. The ratio in this case marks a definite and clear shift in emphasis. (We have dealt with it at some length in para 36). Suffice it to mention here that in this decision, it was held that “a caste is also a class of citizens and if the caste as a whole is socially and educationally backward reservation can be made in favour of such a caste on the ground that it is a socially and educationally backward class of citizens within the meaning of Art. 15(4)……….It is true that in the present case the list of socially and educationally backward classes has been specified by caste. But that does not necessarily mean that caste was a sole consideration and that persons belonging to these castes are also not a class of socially and educationally backward citizens. “This principle was reiterated in Peeriakarupan (supra), Balram (supra) and Trilokinath-11 (supra). We have referred to these decisions at some length in paras 38 and 39. In Peeriakaruppan, Hegde , J. concluded, “a caste has always been recognised as a class.”

70. This issue was gone into in some detail in Vasant Kumar (supra), where all the five Judges constituting the Constitution Bench expressed different opinions. Chandrachud, C.J. did not express himself on this aspect but other four learned Judges did. Desai, J. recognised that “in the early stages of the functioning of the Constitution, it was accepted without dissent or dialogue that caste furnishes a working criterion for identifying socially and educationally backward class of citizens for the purpose of Art. 15(4). “He also recognised that “there has been some vacillation on the part of the judiciary on the question whether the caste should be the basis for recognising the backwardness.” After examining the significance of caste in the Indian social structure, the learned Judge observed:

“Social hierarchy and economic position exhibit an indisputable mutuality. The lower the caste, the poorer its member. The poorer the members of a caste, the lower the caste. Caste and economic situation, reflecting each other as they do are the Deus ex-Machina of the social status occupied and the economic power weilded by an individual or class in rural society. Social status and economic power are so woven and fused into the caste system in Indian rural society that one may without hesitation, say that if poverty be the cause, caste is the primary index of social backwardness, so that social backwardness is often readily identifiable with reference to a person’s caste.”

The learned Judge also recognised that caste system has even penetrated other religions to whom the practice of caste should be anathema. He observed:

“So sadly and oppressively deep-rooted is caste in our country that it has cut across even the barriers of religion. The caste system has penetrated other religious and dissentient Hindu sects to whom the practice of caste should be anathema and today we find that practitioners of other religious faiths and Hindu dissentients are sometimes as rigid adherents to the system of caste as the conservative Hindus. We find Christians harijans, Christian Madars, Christian Reddys, Christian Kammas, Mujbi Sikhs. etc. etc. In Andhra Pradesh there is a community known as Pinjars or Ludekulas (known in the North as ‘Rui Panjane Wala’):(professional cotton-beaters) who are really Muslims but are treated in rural society, for all practical purposes, as a Hindu caste. Several other instances may be given.”

Having thus noticed the pernicious effects of the caste system, the learned Judge opined that the only remedy in such a situation is to devise a method for determining social and educational backward classes without reference to caste. He stressed the significance of economic criterion and of poverty and concluded that a time has come when the economic criterion alone should be the basis for identifying the backward classes. Such an identification has the merit of advancing the secular character of the nation and will tend towards nullifying caste influence, said the learned Judge.

71. Chinnappa Reddy, J. dealt with the question at quite some length. The learned Judge quoted Max Weber, according to whom the three dimensions of social inequality are class, status and power – and stressed the importance of poverty in this matter. Learned Judge opined that caste system is closely entwined with economic power. In the words of the learned Judge:

“Social status and economic power are so woven and fused into the caste system in Indian rural society that one may without hesitation, say that if poverty be the cause, caste is the primary index of social backwardness, so that social backwardness is often readily identifiable with reference to a person’s caste.”

72. The learned Judge too recognised the percolation of caste system into other religions and concluded his opinion in the following words:

“Poverty, caste, occupation and habitation are the principal factors which contribute to brand a class as socially backward ……. But mere poverty it seems is not enough to invite the Constitutional branding, because of the vast majority of the people of our country are poverty-struck but some among them are socially and educationally forward and others backward………True, a few members of those caste or social groups may have progressed far enough and forged ahead so as to compare favourably with the leading forward classes economically, socially and educationally. In such cases, perhaps an upper income ceiling would secure the benefit of reservation to such of those members of the class who really deserve it……… Class poverty, not individual poverty, is therefore the primary test…… Once the relevant conditions are taken into consideration and the backwardness of a class of people is determined, it will not be for the court to interfere in the matter. But, lest there be any misunderstanding, judicial review will not stand excluded.”

A.P. Sen, J. dealt with this question in a short opinion. According to him:

“………..The predominant and the only factor for making special provisions under Art. 15(4) or for reservation of posts and .appointments under Art. 16(4) should be poverty, and caste or a sub-caste or a group should be used only for purposes of identification of persons comparable to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, till such members of backward classes attain a state of enlightenment and there is eradication of poverty amongst them and they become equal partners in a new social order in our national life.”

73. E. S. Venkataramiah, J. too dealt with this aspect at some length. After examining the origins of the castes and the ugly practices associated with it, the learned Judge opined

“An examination of the question in the background of the Indian social conditions shows that the expression ‘backward classes’ used in the Constitution referred only to those who were born in particular castes, or who belonged to particular races or tribes or religious minorities which were backward.”

The learned Judge then referred to the debates in Constituent Assembly on draft Art. 10 and other allied articles, including the speech of Dr. Ambedkar and observed thus:

“The whole tenor of discussion in the ‘Constituent Assembly pointed to making reservation for a minority of the population including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes which were socially backward. During the discussion, the Constitution (First Amendment) Bill by which Art. 15(4) was introduced, Dr. Ambedkar referred to Art. 16(4) and said that backward classes are ‘nothing else but a collection of certain castes. This statement leads to a reasonable inference that this was the meaning which the Constituent Assembly assigned to classes’ at any rate so far as Hindus were concerned.”

The learned Judge also supported the imposition of a means test as was done by the Kerala Government in Jayasree (K. S. Jayasree v. State of Kerala, (1977) 1 SCR 194).

The above opinions emphasise the integral ,connection between caste, occupation poverty and social backwardness. They recognise that in the Indian context, lower castes are and ought to be treated as backward classes. Rajendran (supra) and Vasant Kumar (supra) (opinions of Chinnappa Reddy and Venkataramiah, JJ.) constitute, important milestones on the road to recognition of relevance and significance of caste in the context of Art. 16(4) and Art. 15(4).

74. At this stage, it would be fruitful to examine, how the words “caste” and “class” were understood in pre-Constitution India. We shall first refer to various Rules in force in several parts of India, where these expressions were used and notice how were these expressions defined and understood. In the Madras Provincial and Subordinate Service Rules, 1942, framed by the Governor of Madras under S. 241(2)(b) read with Ss. 255 and 275 of the Government of India Act, 1935, the expression “backward classes” was defined in clause 3(A) of Rule 2. (The provinces of Madras at that time covered not only the present State of Tamil Nadu but also a major portion of the present State of Andhra Pradesh and parts of present States of Kerala and Karnataka.) The definition read as follows:

“3(A). “Backward classes” means the communities mentioned in Schedule III of this part.”

Schedule III bore the heading “backward classes”. It was a collection of castes and tribes under the sub-heading “race, tribe or caste.” The backward classes in the Schedule not only included the backward castes and tribes in Hindu religion but also certain sections of Muslims in the nature of castes. For example, item (23) in Schedule III referred to ‘Dudekula’ who, as is well known, is a socially disadvantaged section of Muslims in effect, a caste – pursuing the occupation of ginning and cleaning of cotton and preparing pillows and mattresses. In this connection, reference may be had to Chapter III – History of the Backward Classes Movement in Tamil Nadu’- of the Report of the Tamil Nadu Second Backward Classes Commission (1985), which inter alia refers to formation of ‘The Madras Provincial Backward Classes League, an association representing the various backward Hindu communities’ in 1934 and its demand for separate representation for them in services.

The former State of Mysore was one of the earliest States, where certain provisions were made in favour of Backward Classes. The opinion of E. S. Venkataramiah, J. in Vasant Kumar (1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 352), traces briefly the history of reservations in the State of Mysore from 1918-21 up to the re-organisation of States. The learned Judge points out how the expression ‘backward classes’ and ‘backward communities’ were used interchangeably. All the castes/ communities except Brahmins in the State were notified as backward communities/ castes. As far back as 1921, preferential recruitment was provided in favour. of “backward communities” in Government services.

In Bombay province, the Government of Bombay, Finance Department Resolution No. 2610 dated 5-2-1925 defined “Backward Classes” as all except Brahmins, Prabhus, Marwaris, Parsis, Banyas and Christians, Certain reservations in Government service were provided for these classes. In 1930, the State Committee noticed the over-lapping meanings attached to the expressions “depressed classes” and “backward classes” and recommended that “Depressed Classes” should be used in the sense of untouchables, a usage which “will coincide with existing common practice.” They proposed that the wider group should be called “Backward Classes”, which should be subdivided into Depressed Classes (i.e., untouchables); Aboriginals and Hill Tribes; Other Backward Classes (including wandering tribes). They opined that the groups then currently called Backward Classes should be renamed “intermediate classes”. In addition to 36 Depressed Classes (approximate 1921 population 1,475 millions) and 24 Aboriginal and Hill Tribes (approximate 1921 population 1.323 millions), they listed 95 Other Backward Classes (approximate 1921 population 1.041 millions)”.

75. In the former princely State of Travancore, the expression used was “Communities”, as would be evident from the Proceedings of the Government of His Highness the Maharaja of Travancore, contained in Order R. Dis. No. 893/ general dated Trivandrum, 25th June, 1935. It refers to earlier orders on the subject as well. What is significant is that the expression “communities” was used as taking in Muslims and certain sections of Christians as well; it was not understood as confined to castes in Hindu social system alone. The operative portion of the order reads as follows:

“……….Accordingly, Government have decided that all communities whose population is approximately 2 per cent of the total population of the State or about one lakh, be recognised as separate communities for the purpose of recruitment to the public service. The only exception from the above rule will be the Brahmin community who, though forming only 1.8 per cent of the total population, will be dealt with as a separate community. On the above basis the classification of communities will be as follows:-

A. HINDU.

1. Brahmin.

2. Nayar.

3. Other Caste Hindu.

4. Kummula.

5. Nudar.

6. Ezlmva.

7. Cheramar (Pulaya).

8. Other Hindu.

B. MUSLIM.

C. CHRISTIAN.

1. Jacobite.

2. Marthomite.

3. Syriac Catholic.

4. Latin Catholic.

5. South India United Church.

6. Other Christian.”

In the then United Provinces, the term “Backward Classes” was understood as covering both the untouchable classes as well other “Hindu Backward” classes. Marc Galanter says:

“The United Provinces Hindu Backward Classes League (founded in 1929) submitted a memorandum which suggested that the term “Depressed” carried a connotation “of untouchability in the sense of causing pollution by touch as in the case of Madras and Bombay” and that many communities were reluctant to identify themselves as depressed. The League suggested the term “Hindu Backward” as a more suitable nomenclature. The list of 115 castes submitted included all candidates from the untouchable category as well as a stratum above. “All of the listed communities belong to non-Dwijas or degenerate or Sudra classes of the Hindus.” They were described as low socially, educationally – and economically and were said to number over 60% of the population.”

The expression “depressed and other backward classes” occurs in the Objectives Resolution of the Constituent Assembly moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946.

76. We may also refer to a speech delivered by Dr. Ambedkar on May 9, 1916 at the Columbia university of New York, U.S.A. on the subject “castes in India; their mechanism, genesis and development” (the speech was published in Indian Antiquary-May 1917 Vol. XLI), which shows that as early as 1916, “class” and “caste” were used inter-changeably. In the course of the speech, he said:

“………society is always composed of classes. .It may be an exaggeration to assert the theory of class-conflict, but the existence of definite classes in a society is a fact. Their basis may differ. They may be economic or intellectual or social, but an individual in a society is always a member of a class. This is a universal fact and early Hindu society could not have been an exception to this rule, and, as a matter of fact, we know it was not. If we bear this generalization in mind, our study of the genesis of caste would be very much facilitated, for we have only to determine what was the class that first made itself into a caste, for class and caste, so to say, are next door neighbours, and it is only a span that separates the two. A Caste is an Enclosed Class. “

A little later he stated

“We shall be well advised to recall at the outset that the Hindu society, in common with other societies, was composed of classes and the earliest known are the (1) Brahmins or the priestly class; (2) the Kshatriya, or the military class; (3) the Vaishya, or the merchant class and (4) the Shudra or the artisan and menial class. Particular attention has to be paid to the fact that this was essentially a class system, in which individuals, when qualified, could change their class, and therefore classes did change their personnel. At some time in the history of the Hindus, the priestly class socially detached itself from the rest of the body of people and through a closed-door policy became a caste by itself. The other classes being subject to the law of social division of labour underwent differentiation, some into large, others into very minute groups.”

77. In encyclopaedia Britannica Vol. 16, the following statement occurs under the heading “Slavery, Serfdom and Forced Labour” under the sub-heading “servitude in Accident India and China.” “castes in India.”

“More abundant than slavery were serfdom. Within the rigid classification of social classes in ancient India, the Sudra caste was obliged to serve the Kshatriya, or warrior caste, the Brahmins, or priests, and the Vaisyas, or farmers, cattle raisers and merchants. There is an unbreakable barrier, however, separating these castes from the inferior Sudra caste, the descendants of the primitive indigenous people who lived in serfdom.

In those times it was not a person’s economic wealth that gave him his social rank but rather his social and racial level:and thus one of the Manu’s laws says “Although able, a Sudra must not acquire excess riches, since when a Sudra acquires a fortune, he vexes the Brahmans with his insolence.” The barrier separating the servile castes took on extreme cruelty in some laws;

The legal condition of the Sudra left him only death as a means of improving his condition.”

In Legal Thesaurus (Regular Edition) the following meanings are given to the word “ class”:

“Assortment, bracket, branch, brand, breed, caste, category, classification, classes, denomination, designation, division …..; gradation, grade, group, grouping, hierarchy …….sect, social rank, social status “.

The following meanings are given to the word “caste in Webster’s English Dictionary:

“(1)a race, stock, or breed of men or animals (2):one of the hereditary classes into which the society of India is divided in accordance with a system fundamental to Hinduism, reaching back into distant antiquity, and dictating to every orthodox Hindu the rules and restrictions of all social intercourse and of which each has a name of its own and special customs that restrict that occupation of its members and their intercourse with the members of the other classes (3)(a):a division or class of society comprised of persons within a separate and exclusive order based variously upon differences of wealth, inherited rank or privilege, profession, occupation (b) the position conferred by caste standing. (4) a system of social stratification more rigid than a class and characterized by hereditary status, endogamy and social barriers rigidly sanctioned by custom law or religion.”

All the above materials do go to show that in pre-Independence India, the expressions class and ‘caste’ were used interchangeably and that caste was understood as an enclosed class.

78. We may now turn to Constituent Assembly debates with a view to ascertain the original intent underlying the use of words “backward class of citizens”. At the outset we must clarify that we are not taking these debates or even the speeches of Dr. Ambedkar as conclusive on the meaning of the expression “backward classes.” We are referring to these debates as furnishing the context in which and the objective to achieve which this phrase was put in clause (4). We are aware that what is said during these debates is not conclusive or binding upon the court because several members may have expressed several views, all of which may not be reflected in the provision finally enacted. The speech of Dr. Ambedkar on this aspect, however, stands on a different footing. He was not only the Chairman of the Drafting Committee which inserted the expression “backward” in draft Art. 10(3) (it was not there in the original draft Art. 10(3)), he was virtually piloting the draft Article. In his speech, he explains the reason behind draft clause (3) as also the reason for which the Drafting Committee added the expression “backward” in the clause. In this situation, we fail to understand how can anyone ignore his speech while trying to ascertain the meaning of the said expression. That the debates in Constituent Assembly can be relied upon as an aid to interpretation of a constitutional provision is borne out by a series of decisions of this Court. (See Madhu Limaye, AIR 1969 SC 1014 at 1018; Golaknath v. State of Punjab, AIR 1967 SC 1643 at page No. 1657 (Subba Rao, CJ); opinion of Sikri C.J., in Union of India v. H. S. Dhillon (1972) 2 SCR 33 and the several opinions in Keshavananda Bharati (1973) 4 SCC 225 where the relevance of these debates is pointed out, emphasing at the same time, the extent to which and the purpose for which they can be referred to). Since the expression “backward” or “backward class of citizens” is not defined in the Act, reference to such debates is permissible to ascertain, at any rate, the context, background and objective behind them. Particularly, where the Court wants to ascertain the ‘original intent’ such reference may be unavoidable.

79. According to Dr. Ambedkar (his speech is referred in para 28 and need not be reproduced here), the Drafting Committee was of the opinion that such a qualifying expression was necessary to indicate that the classes of citizens for whom reservations were to be made are those “communities which have not had so far representation in the State.” It was also of the opinion that without such a qualifying expression (like backward’) the “exemption made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule altogether”. ‘This was also the opinion of Sri K. M. Munshi, who too was a member of the Drafting Committee. In his speach (referred to in para 27) he explains why the said qualifying expression “backward” was inserted by the Drafting Committee in draft Article 10(3). His speech, in so far as it is relevant on this aspect, has been quoted in extenso in para 28 and need not be repeated here.

In our opinion too, the words “class of citizens – not adequately represented in the services under the State” would have been a vague and uncertain description. By adding the word “backward” and by the speeches of Dr. Ambedkar and Sri K. M. Munshi, it was made clear that the “class of citizens………not adequately represented in the services under the State” meant only those classes of citizens who were not so represented on account of their social backwardness.

Reference can also be made in this context to the speech of Dr. Ambedkar in the Parliament at the time the First Amendment to the Constitution was being enacted. It must be remembered that the Parliament which enacted the First Amendment was the very same Constituent Assembly which framed the Constitution and Dr. Ambedkar as the Minister of Law was piloting the Bill. He said that backward classes “are nothing else but a collection of certain castes”. (the relevant portion of his speech is referred to in para 32) and that it was for these backward classes that Art. 15(4) was being enacted.

80. Pausing here, we may be permitted to make a few observations. The speeches of Dr. Ambedkar may have to be understood in the context of the then obtaining ground realities viz. (a) Hindus constituted 84% of the total population of India. And among Hindus, caste discrimination was unfortunately an unpleasant reality; (b) caste system had percolated even the Non-Hindu religions – no doubt to varying extents. Particularly among Christians in Southern India, who were converts from Hinduism, it was being practised with as much rabidity as it was among Hindus. (This aspect has been stressed .by the Mandal Commission (Chapter 12 paras 11 to 16) and has also been judicially recognised. (See, for instance, the opinions of Desai and Chinnappa Reddy, JJ. in Vasant Kumar (supra). Encyclopaedia Britannica-II-Micropaedia refers to existence of castes among Muslims and Christians at pages 618 and 619. Among Muslims, it is pointed out, a distinction is made between ‘Ashrafs’ (supposed to be descendants of Arab immigrants) and non-Ashrafs (native converts). Both are divided into sub-groups. Particularly, the non-Ashrafs, who are converts from Hinduism, it is pointed out, practice caste system (including endogamy)” in a manner close to that of their Hindu counter-parts.” All this could not have been unknown to Dr. Ambedkar, the keen social scientist that he was.

(c) It is significant to notice that throughout his speech in the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Ambedkar was using the word “communities” (and not ‘castes’) which expression includes not only the castes among the Hindus but several other groups. For example, Muslims as a whole were treated as a backward community in the princely State, of Travancore besides several sections/ denominations among the Christians. The word “community” is clearly wider than “caste” and “backward communities” meant not only the castes- wherever they, may be found – but also other groups, classes and sections among the populace.

81. Indeed, there are very good reasons why the Constitution could not have used the expression “castes” or “caste” in Art. 16(4) and why the word “class” was the natural choice in the context. The Constitution was meant for the entire country and for all time to come. Non-Hindu religions like Islam Christianity and Sikh did not recognise caste as such though, as pointed out hereinabove, castes did exist even among these religions to a varying degree. Further, a Constitution is supposed to be a permanent document expected to last several centuries. It must surely have been envisaged that in future many classes may spring-up answering the test of backwardness, requiring the protection of, Art. 16(4). It, therefore, follows that from the use of the word “class” in Article 16(4), it cannot be concluded either that “class” is antithetical to “caste” or that a caste cannot be a class or that a caste as such can never be taken as a backward class of citizens. The word “class” in Art. 16(4), in our opinion, is used in the sense of social class – and not in the sense it is understood in Marxist jargon.

In Rajendran (supra), Trilokinath-II (supra), Balram (supra) and Peerikarupan (supra), this reality was recognised and given effect to, notwithstanding the fact that they had to respect and operate within the rather qualified formulation of Balaji (supra).

For the sake of completeness, we may refer to a few passages from Vasant Kumar (supra) to show what does the concept of ‘caste’ signify? D.A. Desai, J. defines and describes “caste” in the following terms:

“What then is a caste? Though caste has been discussed by scholars and jurists, no precise definition of the expression has emerged. A caste is a horizontal segmental division of society spread over a district or a region or the whole State and also sometimes outside it. Homo Hierarchicus is expected to be the central and substantive element of the caste/ system which differentiates it from other social systems. The concept of purity and impurity conceptualises the caste system……There are four essential features of the caste system which maintained its homo hierarchicus character:(1) hierarchy (2) commensality:(3) restrictions on marriage; and (4) hereditary occupation. Most of the caste are endogamous groups. Intermarriage between two groups is impermissible. ‘But ‘Pratilom’ marriages are not wholly unknown.”

Venkataramiah, J. also defined “caste” in practically the same terms. He said:

“A caste is an association of families which practise the custom of endogamy i.e. which permits marriages amongst the members belonging to such families only. Caste rules prohibit its members from marrying outside their caste……..A caste is based on various factors. Sometimes it may be a class, a race or a racial unit. A caste has nothing to do with wealth. The caste of a person is governed by his birth in a family. Certain ideas of ceremonial purity are peculiar to each caste …… Even the choice of occupation of members of castes was predetermined in many cases, and the members of particular caste were prohibited from engaging themselves in other types of callings, profession or occupations. Certain occupations were considered to be degrading or impure.”

82. The above material makes it amply clear that a caste is nothing but a social class a socially homogeneous class. It is also an occupational grouping, with this difference that its membership is hereditary. One is born into it. Its membership is involuntary. Even if one ceases to follow that occupation, still he remains and continues a member of that group. To repeat, it is a socially and occupationally homogeneous class. Endogamy is its main characteristic. Its social status and standing depend upon the nature of the occupation followed by it. Lowlier the occupation, lowlier the social standing of the class in the graded hierarchy. In rural India, occupation-caste nexus is true even today. A few members may have gone to cities or even abroad but when they return – they do, barring a few exceptions – they go into the same fold again. It doesn’t matter if he has earned money. He may not follow that particular occupation. Still, the label remains. His identity is not changed. For the purposes of marriage, death and all other social functions, it is his social class – the caste – that is relevant. It is a matter of common knowledge that an overwhelming majority of doctors, engineers and other highly qualified people who go abroad for higher studies or employment, return to India and marry a girl from their own caste. Even those who are settled abroad come to India in search of brides and bridegrooms for their sons and daughters from among their own caste or community. As observed by Dr. Ambedkar, a caste is at an enclosed class and it was mainly these classes the Constituent Assembly had in mind – though not exclusively – while enacting Art. 16(4). Urbanisation has to some extent. broken this caste-occupation nexus but not wholly. It one sees around himself, even in towns and cities, a barber by caste continues to do the same job – may be, in a sho (hair dressing saloon). A washerman ordinarily carries on the same job though he may have a ,laundry of his own. May be some others too carry on the profession of barber or washerman but that does not detract from the fact that in the case of an overwhelming majority, the caste-occupation nexus subsists. In a rural context, of course, a member of barber caste carrying on the occupation of a washerman or vice versa would indeed be a rarity it is simply not done. There, one is supposed to follow his caste occupation, ordained for him by his birth. There may be exceptions here and there, but we are concerned with generality of the scene and not with exceptions or aberrations. Lowly occupation results not only in low social position but also in poverty; it generates poverty. Caste-occupation-poverty’ cycle is thus an ever present reality. In rural India, it is strikingly apparent; in urban centres, there may be some dilution. But since rural India and rural population is still the overwhelmingly predominant fact of life in India, the reality remains. All the decisions since Balaji speak of this ‘cast-occupation-poverty’ nexus. The language and emphasis may vary but the theme remains the same. This is the stark reality notwithstanding all our protestations and abhorrence and all attempts at weeding out this phenomenon. We are not saying it ought to be encouraged, It should not be. It must be eradicated. That is the ideal – the goal. But any programme towards betterment. of these sections-classes of society and any programme designed to eradicate this evil must recognise this ground reality and attune its programme accordingly. Merely burying our heads in the sand – Ostrich-like – wouldn’t help. One cannot fight his enemy without recognizing him. The U. S. Supreme Court has said repeatedly, if race be the basis of discrimination – past and present – race must also form the basis of redressal programmes though in our constitutional scheme, it is not necessary to go that far. Without a doubt, an extensive restructuring of socio-economic system is the answer That is indeed the goal, as would be evident from the preamble and Part IV (Directive Principles). But we are concerned here with a limited aspect of equality emphasised in Art. 16(4) – equality of opportunity in public employment and a special provision in favour of backward class of citizens. to enable them to achieve it.

“(b) Identification of “backward class of citizens.

83. Now, we may turn to the identification of “backward class of citizens”. How do you go about it? Where do you begin? Is the method to vary from State to State, region to region and from rural to urban? What do you do in the case of religions where caste system is not prevailing? What about other classes, groups and communities which do not wear the label of caste? Are the people living adjacent to cease-fire line (in Jammu and Kashmir) or hilly or inaccessible regions to be surveyed and identified as backward classes for the purpose of Art. 16(4)? And so on and so forth are the many questions asked of us. We shall answer them. But our answers will necessarily deal with generalities of the situation and not with problems or issues of a peripheral nature which are peculiar to a particular State, district or region. Each and every situation cannot be visualised and answered. That must be left to the appropriate authorities appointed to identify. We can lay down only general guidelines.

At the outset, we may state that for the purpose of this discussion, we keep aside the. Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes (since they are admittedly included within the backward classes), except to remark that backward classes contemplated by Art. 16(4) do comprise some castes – for it cannot be denied that Scheduled Castes include quite a few castes.

Coming back to the question of identification, the fact remains that one has to begin somewhere – with some group, class or section. There is no set or recognised method. There is no law or other statutory instrument prescribing the methodology. The ultimate idea is to survey the entire populace. If so, one can well begin with castes, which represent explicit identifiable social classes/ groupings, more particularly when Art. 16(4) seeks to ameliorate social backwardness. What is unconstitutional with it, more so when caste, occupation, poverty and social backwardness are so closely intertwined in our society? (Individual survey is out of question, since Art. 16(4) speaks of class protection and not individual protection. This does not mean that one can wind up the process of identification with the castes. Besides castes (whether found among Hindus or others) there may be other communities, groups, classes and denominations which may qualify as backward class of citizens. For example, in a particular State, Muslim community as whole may be found socially backward. (As a matter of fact , they are so treated in the State of Karnataka as well as in the State of Kerala by their respective State Governments). Similarly, certain sections and denominations among Christians in Kerala who were included among backward communities notified in the former princely State of Travancore as far back as in 1935 may also be surveyed and so on and so forth. Any authority entrusted with the task of identifying backward classes may well start with the castes. It can take caste ‘A’, apply the criteria of backwardness evolved by it to that caste and determine whether it qualifies as a backward class or not. If it does qualify, what emerges is a backward class, for the purposes of clause (4) of Art. 16. The concept of ‘caste’ in this behalf is not confined to castes among Hindus. It extends to castes, wherever they obtain as a fact, irrespective of religious sanction for such practice. Having exhausted the castes or simultaneously with it, the authority may take up for consideration other occupational groups, communities and classes. For example, it may take up the Muslim community (after excluding those sections,, castes and groups, if any, who have already been considered) and find out whether it can be characterised as a backward class in that State or region, as the case may be. The approach may differ from State to State since the conditions in each State may differ, Nay, even within a State, conditions may differ from region to region. Similarly, Christians may also be considered. If in a given place, like Kerala, there are several denominations, sections or divisions, each of these groups may separately be considered. In this manner, all the classes among the populace will be covered and that is the central idea. The effort should be to consider all the available groups, sections and classes of society in whichever order one proceeds. Since caste represents an existing, identifiable, social group spread over an overwhelming majority of the country’s population, we say one may well begin with castes, if one so chooses, and when go to other groups, sections and classes. We may say, at this stage, that we broadly commend the approach and methodology adopted by Justice O. Chinnappa Reddy Commission in this respect.

We do not mean to suggest – we may reiterate — that the procedure indicated hereinabove is the only procedure or method/ approach to be adopted. Indeed, there is no such thing as a standard or model procedure/ approach. It is for the authority (appointed to identify) to adopt such approach and procedure as it thinks appropriate, and so long as the approach adopted by it is fair and adequate, the Court has no say in the matter. The only object of the discussion in the preceding para is to emphasise that if a Commission/ Authority begins its process of identification with castes (among Hindus) and occupational groupings among others, it cannot by that reason alone be said to be constitutionally or legally bad. We must also say that there is no rule of law that a test to be applied for identifying backward classes should be only one and/or uniform. In a vast country like India, it is simply not practicable. If the real object is to discover and locate backwardness, and if such backwardness is found in a caste, it can be treated as backward; if it is found in any other group, section or class, they too can be treated as backward.

The only basis for saying that caste should be excluded from consideration altogether while identifying the Backward Class of Citizens for the purpose of Art. 16(4) is clause (2) of Article 16. This argument, however, overlooks and ignores the true purport of clause (2). It prohibits discrimination on any or all of the grounds mentioned therein. The significance of the word “any” cannot be minimised.[5] Reservation is not being made under clause (4) in favour of a ‘caste’ but a ‘backward class’. Once a caste satisfies the criteria of backwardness, it becomes a backward class for the purposes of Art. 16(4). Even that is not enough. It must be further found that that backward class is not adequately represented in the services of the State. In such a situation, the bar of clause (2) of Art. 16 has no application whatsoever. Similarly, the argument based upon secular nature of the Constitution is too vague to be accepted. It has been repeatedly held by the U. S. Supreme Court in School desegregation cases that if race be the basis of discrimination, race can equally form the basis of redressal. In any event, in the present context, it is not necessary to go to that extent. It is sufficient to say that the classification is not on the basis of the caste but on the ground that that caste is found to be a backward class not adequately represented in the services of the State. Born heathen, by baptism, it becomes a Christian – to use a similie. Baptism here means passing the test of backwardness.

84. Another contention urged is that only that group or section of people, who are suffering the lingering effects of past discrimination, can alone be designated as a backward class and not others. This “argument, inspired by certain American decisions, cannot be accepted for more than one reason. Firstly, when the caste discrimination is still prevalent, more particularly in rural India (which comprises the bulk of the total population), the theory of lingering effects has no relevance. Where the discrimination has ended, does that aspect become relevant and not when the discrimination itself is continuing Secondly, as we have noticed hereinabove, the said theory has practically been given up by the U.S. Supreme Court in Metro Broad casting (1990 (111) Law Ed 2d 445). In this case, it is held sufficient for introducing and implementing a race-conscious programme that such programme serves important State objectives. In other words, according to this test, it is no longer necessary to prove that such programme is designed to compensate victims of past societal or governmental discrimination. Thirdly, the basic premise of the theory of lingering effects is not accepted by all the learned Judges of U.S. Supreme Court. If one sees the opinion of Douglas, J. in Defunis (1974 (40) Law Ed 2d 164) and of Marshall, J. in Bakke (1978 (57) Law Ed 2d 750) and Fullilove (1980 (65) Law Ed 2d 902), it would become evident. They also say that discriminatory practices against blacks and other minorities have not come to an end but are still persisting. In this country too, none can deny – in the face of the material collected by the various Commissions including Mandal Commission — that discrimination persists even today in India. The representation of the socially backward classes in the Governmental apparatus is quite inadequate and that conversely the upper classes have a disproportionately large representation therein. This is the lingering effect, if one wants to see it.

“Whether the backwardness in Art” 6(4) should be both social and educational?

85. The other aspect to be considered is whether the backwardness contemplated in Art. 16(4) is social backwardness or educational backwardness or whether it is both social and educational backwardness. Since the decision in Balaji (supra), it has been assumed that the backward class of citizens contemplated by Art. 16(4) is the same as the socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes mentioned in Art. 15(4). Though Art. 15(4) came into existence later in 1951 and Art. 16(4) does not contain the qualifying words socially and educationally’ preceding the words “backward class of citizens” the same meaning came to be attached to them. Indeed, it was stated in Janaki Prasad Parimoo (supra) (Palekar, J. speaking for the Constitution Bench) that:

“Article 15(4) speaks about socially and educationally backward classes of citizens.” However, it is now settled that the expression “backward class of citizens” in Art. 16(4) means the same thing as the expression “any socially and educationally backward class of citizens” in Article 15(4). In order to qualify for being called a ‘backward class citizen’ he must be a member of a socially and educationally backward class. It is social and educational backwardness of a class which is material for the purposes of both Arts. 15(4) and 16(4).

It is true that no decision earlier to it specifically said so, yet such an impression gained currency and it is that impression which finds expression in the above observation. In our respectful opinion, however, the said assumption has no basis. Clause (4) of Art. 16 does not contain the qualifying words’ “socially and educationally” as does clause (4) of Art. 15. It may be remembered that Art. 340 (which has remained unamended) does employ the expresion ‘socially and educationally backward classes’ and yet that expression does not find place in Art. 16(4). The reason is obvious:”backward class of citizens” in Art. 16(4) takes in Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and all other backward classes of citizens including the socially and educationally backward classes. Thus, certain classes which may not qualify, for Art. 15(4) may qualify for Art. 16(4). They may not qualify for Art. 15(4) but they may qualify as backward class of citizens for the purposes of Art. 16(4). It is equally relevant to notice that Art. 340 does not expressly refer to services or to reservations in services under the State, though it may be that the Commission appointed thereunder may recommend reservation in appointments/ posts in the services of the State as one of the steps for removing the difficulties under which SEBCs are labouring and for improving their conditions. Thus, SEBCs referred to in Art. 340 is only one of the categories for whom Art. 16(4) was enacted; Art. 16(4) applies to a much larger class than the one contemplated by Art. 340. It would, thus, be not correct to say that ‘backward class of citizens’ in Art. 16(4) are the same as the socially and educationally backward classes in Art. 15(4). Saying so would mean and imply reading a limitation into a beneficial provision like Art. 16(4). Moreover, when speaking of reservation in appointments/ posts in the State services – which may mean, at any level whatsoever insisting upon educational backwardness may not be quite appropriate.

Further, if one keeps in mind the context in which Art. 16(4) was enacted it would be clear that the accent was upon social backwardness. It goes without saying that in Indian context, social backwardness leads to educational backwardness and both of them together lead to poverty – which in turn breeds and perpetuates the social and educational backwardness. They feed upon each other constituting a vicious circle. It is a well known fact that till independence the administrative apparatus was manned almost exclusively by members of the ‘upper’ castes. The Shudras, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and other similar backward social groups among Muslims and Christians had practically no entry into the administrative apparatus. It was this imbalance which was sought to be redressed by providing for reservations in favour of such backward classes. In this sense Dr. Rajiv Dhawan may be right when he says that the object of Art. 16(4) was “empowerment” of the backward classes. The idea was to enable them to share the state power. We are, accordingly, of the opinion that the backwardness contemplated by Art. 16(4) is mainly social backwardness. It would not be correct to say that the backwardness under Art. 16(4) should be both social and educational. The Scheduled Tribes and the Scheduled Castes are without a doubt backward for the purposes of the clause; no one has suggested that they should satisfy the test of social and educational backwardness. It is necessary to state at this stage that the Mandal Commission appointed under Art. 340 was concerned only with the socially and educationally backward classes contemplated by the said Article. Even so, it is evident that social backwardness has been given precedence over others by the Mandal Commission — 12 out of 22 total points. Social backwardness – it may be reiterated — leads to educational and economic backwardness. No objection can be, nor is taken, to the validity and relevancy of the criteria adopted by the Mandal Commission. For a proper appreciation of the criteria adopted by the Mandal Commission and the difficulties in the way of evolving the criteria of backwardness, one must read closely chapters III and XI of Volume I along with Appendixes 12 and 21 in, Volume II Appendix XII is the Report of the Research Planning Team of the Sociologists while Appendix 21 is the ‘Final List of Tables’ adopted in the course of socio-educational survey. In particular, one may read paras 11.18 to 11.22 in Chapter XI, which are quoted hereunder for ready reference:

“11. 18. Technical Committee constituted a Sub-Committee of Experts (Appendix-20, Volume II) to help the Commission prepare ‘Indicators of Backwardness’ for analysing data contained in computerised tables. After a series of meetings and a lot of testing of proposed indicators against the tabulated data, the number of tables actually required for the Commission’s work was reduced to 31 (Appendix-21, Volume II). The formulation and refinement of indicators involved testing and validating checks at every stage.

11. 19. In this connection, it may be useful to point out that in social sciences no mathematical formulae or precise benchmarks are available for determining various social traits. A survey of the above type has to be read warily on unfamiliar ground and evolve its own norms and bench-marks. This exercise was full of hidden pitfalls and two simple examples are given below to illustrate this point. 11.20. I Balaji’s case (supra) the Supreme Court held that if a particular community is to be treated as educationally backward, the divergence between its educational level and that of the State average should not be marginal but substantial. The Court considered 50% divergence to be satisfactory. Now, 80% of the population of Bihar (1971 Census) is illiterate. To beat this percentage figure by a margin of 50% will mean that 120% members of a caste/ class should be illiterates. In fact it will be seen that in this case even 25% divergence will stretch us to the maximum saturation point of 100%.

11.21. In the Indian situation where vast majority of the people are illiterate, poor or backward, one has to be very careful in setting deviations from the norms as, in our conditions, norms themselves are very low. For example, Per Capita Consumer Expenditure for 1977-78 at current prices was ` 991 per annum. For the same period, the poverty line for urban areas was at ` 900 per annum and for rural areas at ` 780. It will be seen that this poverty line is quite close to the Per Capita Consumer Expenditure of an average Indian. Now following the dictum of Balaji case, if 50% deviation from this average Per Capita Consumer Expenditure was to be accepted to identify economically backward classes, their income level will have to be 50% below the Per Capita Consumer Expenditure i.e. less than ` 495.5 per year. This figure is so much below the poverty line both in urban and rural areas that most of the people may die of starvation before they qualify for such a distinction.

11.22. In view of the above, Indicators for Backwardness were tested against various cut-off points. For doing so, about a dozen castes well-known for their social and educational backwardness were selected from amongst the casts covered by our survey in a particular State. These were treated as ‘Control’ and validation checks were carried out by testing them against ‘Indicators’ at various cut-off points. For instance one of the Indicators’ for social backwardness is the rate of student dropouts in the age group 5-15 years as. compared to the State average. As a result of the above tests, it was seen that in educationally backward castes this rate is at least 25 per cent above the State average. Further, it was also noticed that this deviation of 25% from the State average in the case of most of the ‘Indicators’ gave satisfactory results. In view of this, wherever an ‘Indicator’ was based on deviation from the State average, it was fixed at 25% because a deviation of 50% was seen to give wholly unsatisfactory results and, at times, to create anomalous situations. “

It is after these paragraphs that the Report sets out the indicators (criteria) evolved by it, set out in Paras 11.23 and 11.24 of the Report.

The S.E.B.Cs referred to by the impugned Memorandum are undoubtedly ‘backward class of citizens’ within the meaning of Article 16(4).

(d) ‘Means’ test and ‘creamy layer’:

86. ‘Means test’ in this discussion imposition of an income limit, for the purpose of excluding persons (from the backward class) whose income is above the said limit. This submission is very often referred to as “the creamy layer” argument. Petitioners submit that some members of the designated backward classes are highly advanced socially as well as economically and educationally. It is submitted that they constitute the forward section of that particular backward class – as forward as any other forward class member – and that they are lapping up all the benefits of reservations meant for that class, without allowing the benefits to reach the truly backward members of that class. These persons are by no means backward and with them a class cannot be treated as backward. It is pointed out that since Jayasree (supra), almost every decision has accepted the validity of this submission..

On the other hand, the learned counsel for the States of Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other counsel for respondents strongly oppose any such distinction. It is submitted that once a class is identified as a backward class after applying the relevant criteria including the economic one, it is not permissible to apply the economic criteria once again and sub-divide a backward class into two sub-categories. Counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu submitted further that at one. stage (in July 1979) the State of Tamil Nadu did indeed prescribe such an income limit but had to delete it in view of the practical difficulties encountered and also in view of the representations received. In this behalf, the learned counsel invited our attention to Chapter 7-H (pages 60 to 62) of the Ambashankar Commission (Tamil Nadu Second Backward Classes Commission) Report. According to the respondents the argument of ‘creamy layer’ is but a mere ruse, a trick, to deprive the backward classes of the benefit of reservations. It is submitted that no member of backward class has come forward with this plea and that it ill becomes the members of forward classes to raise this point. Strong reliance is placed upon the observations of Chinnappa Reddy J. in Vasant Kumar (supra), to the following effect:

“……One must, however, enter a caveat to the criticism that the benefits of reservation are often snatched away by the top creamy layer of backward class or caste. That a few of the seats and posts reserved for backward classes are snatched away by the more fortunate among them is not to say that reservation is not necessary. This is bound to happen in a competitive society such as ours. Are not the unreserved seats and posts snatched away, in the same way, by the top creamy layers amongst them on the same principle of merit on which the non reserved seats are taken away by the top layers of society. How can it be had if reserved seats and posts are snatched away by the creamy layer of backward classes, if such snatching away of unreserved posts by the top creamy layer of society itself is not bad?”

In our opinion, it is not a question of permissibility or desirability of such test but one of proper and more appropriate identification of a class – a backward class. The very concept of a class denotes a number of persons having certain common traits which distinguish them from the others. In a backward class under clause (4) of Article 16, if the connecting link is the social backwardness, it should broadly be the same in a given class. If some of the members are far too advanced socially (which in the context, necessarily means economically and, may also mean, educationally) the connecting thread between them and the remaining class snaps. They would be misfits in the class. After excluding them alone, would the class be a compact class. In fact, such exclusion benefits the truly backward. Difficulty, however, really lies in drawing the line – how and where to draw the line? For, while drawing the line, it should be ensured that it does not result in taking away with one hand what is given by the other. The basis of exclusion should not merely be economic, unless, of course, the economic advancement is so high that it necessarily means social advancement. Let us illustrate the point. A member of backward class, say a member of carpenter caste, goes to Middle East and works there as a carpenter. If you take his annual income in rupees, it would be fairly high from the Indian standard. Is he to be excluded from the Backward Class? Are his children in India to be deprived of the benefit of Article 16(4)? Situation may, however, be different, if he rises so high economically as to become say a factory owner himself. In such a situation, his social status also rises. He himself would be in a position to provide employment to others. In such a case, his income is merely a measure of his social status. Even otherwise there are several practical difficulties too in imposing an income ceiling. For example, annual income of ` 36,000/ – may not count for much in a city like Bombay, Delhi or Calcutta whereas it may be a handsome income in rural India anywhere. The line to be drawn must be a realistic one. Another question would be, should such a line be uniform for the entire country or a given State or should it differ from rural to urban areas and so on. Further, income from agriculture may be difficult to assess and, therefore, in the case of agriculturists, the line may have to be drawn with reference to the extent of holding. While the income of a person can be taken as a measure of his social advancement, the limit to be prescribed should not be such as to result in taking away with one hand what is given with the other. The income limit must be such as to mean and signify social advancement. At the same time, it must be recognised that there are certain positions, the occupants of which can be treated as socially advanced without any further enquiry. For example, if a member of a designated backward class becomes a member of I.A.S. or I.P.S. or any other All India Service, his status in society (social status) rises; he is no longer socially disadvantaged. His children get full opportunity to realise their potential. They are in no way handicapped in the race of life. His salary is also such that he is above want. It is but logical that in such a situation, his children are not given the benefit of reservation. For by giving them the benefit of reservation, other disadvantaged members of that backward class may be deprived of that benefit. It is then argued for the Respondents that one swallow doesn’t make the summer, and that merely because a few members of a caste or class become socially advanced, the class/ caste as such does not cease to be backward. It is pointed out that clause (4) of Article 16 aims at group backwardness and not individual backwardness. While we agree that clause (4) aims at group backwardness, we feel that exclusion of such socially advanced members will make the ‘class’ as truly backward class and would more appropriately serve the purpose and object of clause (4). (This discussion is confined to other Backward Classes only and has no relevance in the case of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes).

Keeping in mind all these considerations, we direct the Government of India to specify the basis of exclusion – whether on the basis of income, extent of holding or otherwise of ‘creamy layer’. This shall be done as early as possible, but not exceeding four months. On such specification persons falling within the net of exclusionary rule shall cease to be the members of the Other Backward Classes (covered by the expression ‘backward class of citizens’) for the purpose of Article 16(4). The impugned Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990 and 25th September, 1991 shall be implemented subject only to such specification and exclusion of socially advanced persons from the backward classes contemplated by the said O. M. In other words, after the expiry of four months from today, the implementation of the said O.M. shall be subject to the exclusion of the ‘creamy layer’ in accordance with the criteria to be specified by the Government of India and not otherwise.

(c) Whether a class should be situated similarly to the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe for being qualified as a Backward Class?

87. In Balaji (supra) it was held “that the backward classes for whose improvement special provision is contemplated by Article 15(4) are in the matter of their backwardness comparable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.” The correctness of this observation is questioned by the counsel for the respondents. Reliance is placed upon the observations of Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasant Kumar (1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 352) where, dealing with the above observations in Balaji, the learned Judge said:

“We do not think that these observations were meant to lay down any proposition that the socially Backward Classes were those classes of people, whose conditions of life were very nearly the same as those of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes…. There is no point in attempting to determine the social backwardness of other classes by applying the test of nearness to the conditions of existence of the Scheduled Castes. Such a test would practically nullify the provision for reservation for socially and educationally Backward Classes other than Scheduled Castes and Tribes.”

88. We see no reason to qualify or restrict the meaning of the expression “backward class of citizens” by saying that it means those other backward classes who are situated similarly to Scheduled Castes and/or Scheduled Tribes. As pointed out in para 85, the relevant language employed in both the clauses is different. Article 16(4) does not expressly refer to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes; if so, there is no reason why we should treat their backwardness as the standard backwardness for all those claiming its protection. As a matter of fact, neither the several castes/ groups/ tribes within the Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes are similarly situated nor are the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes similarly situated. It any group or class is situated similarly to the Scheduled Castes, they may have a case for inclusion in that class but there seems to be no basis either in fact or in principle for holding that other classes /groups must be situated similarly to them for qualifying as backward classes. There is no warrant to import any Such a priori notions into the concept of Other Backward Classes. At the same time, we think it appropriate to clarify that backwardness, being a relative term, must in the context be judged by the general level of advancement of the entire population of the country or the State, as the case may be. More than this, it is difficult to say. How difficult is the process of ascertainment of backwardness would be known if one peruses Chapters III and XI of Volume I of the Mandal Commission Report along with Appendixes 12 and 21 in Volume 11. It must be left to the Commission/ Authority appointed to identify the backward classes to evolve a proper and relevant criteria and test the several groups, castes, classes and sections of people against that criteria. If, in any case, a particular caste or class is wrongly designated or not designated as a backward class, it can always be questioned before a court of law as well. We may add that relevancy of the criteria evolved by Mandal Commission (Chapter XI) has not been questioned by any of the counsel before us. Actual identification is a different matter, which we shall deal with elsewhere.

We may now summarise our discussion under Question No. 3(a) a caste can be and quite often is a social class in India. If it is backward socially, it would be a backward class for the purposes of Art. 16(4). Among non-Hindus, there are several occupational groups, sects and denominations, which for historical reasons are socially backward. They too represent backward social collectives for the purposes of Art. 16(4). (b) Neither the Constitution nor the law prescribes the procedure or method of identification of backward classes. Nor is it possible or advisable for the court to lay down any Such procedure or method. It must be left to the authority appointed to identify. It can adopt such method / procedure as it thinks convenient and so long as its survey Covers the entire populace, no objection can be taken to it. Identification of the backward classes can certainly be done with reference to castes among, and along with, other groups, classes and sections of people. One can start the process with the castes, wherever they are found, apply the criteria (evolved for determining backwardness) and find out whether it satisfies the criteria. If it does – what emerges is a “backward class of citizens” within the meaning of and for the purposes of Article 16(4). Similar process can be adopted in the case of other occupational groups, communities and classes, so as to cover the entire populace. The central idea and overall objective should be to consider all available groups, sections and classes in society. Since caste represents an existing, identifiable social group/class encompassing an overwhelming majority of the country’s population, one can well begin with it and then go to other groups, sections and classes. (c) It is not necessary for a class to be designated as a backward class that it is situated similarly to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes. (d) ‘Creamy layer’ can be, and must, be excluded. (e) It is not correct to say that the backward classes contemplated by Article 16(4) is limited to the socially and educationally backward classes referred to in Article 15(4) and Article 340. It is much wider. The test or requirement of social and educational backwardness cannot be applied to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who indubitably fall within the expression “backward class of citizens.” The accent in Article 16(4) appears to be on social backwardness. Of course, social, educational and economic backwardness are closely intertwined in the Indian context. The classes contempated by Article 16(4) may be wider than those contemplated by Article 15(4).

Adequacy of Representation in

the services under the State:

89. Not only should a class be a backward class for meriting reservations, it should also be inadequately represented in the services under the State. The language of clause (4) makes it clear that the question whether a backward class of citizens is not adequately,. represented in the service under the State is a matter within the subjective satisfaction of the State. This is evident from the fact that the said requirement is preceded by the words “in the opinion of the State”. This opinion can be formed by the State on its own, i.e. Commission/Committee,, on the basis of the material it has in its possession already or it may gather such material through a Commission/Committee, person or authority. All that is required is, there must be some material upon which the opinion is formed. Indeed, in this matter the court should show due deference to the opinion of the State, which in the present context means the executive. The executive is supposed to know the existing conditions in the society, drawn as it is from among the representatives of the people in Parliament /Legislature It does not, however, mean that the opinion formed is beyond judicial scrutiny altogether. The scope and reach of judicial scrutiny in matters within subjective satisfaction of the executive are well and extensively stated in Barium Chemicals v. Company Law Board AIR 1967 SC 295 which need not be repeated here. Suffice it to mention that the said principles apply equally in the case of a constitutional provision like Article 16(4) which expressly places the particular fact (Inadequate representation) within the subjective judgment of the State/ executive.

“Question 4 “:(a) Whether backward classes can be identified only and exclusivley with reference to the economic criterion:

90. It follows from the discussion under Question. No. 3 that a backward class cannot be determined only and exclusively with reference to economic criterion. It may be a consideration or basis along with and in addition to social backwardness, but it can never be the sole criterion. This is the view uniformly taken by this court and we respectfully agree with the same.

(b) Whether a backward class can be identified on the basis of occupation-cum-income without reference to caste?

91. In Chitralekha (supra), this court held that such an identification is permissible. We see no reason to differ with the said view inasmuch as this is but another method to find socially backward classes. Indeed. this test in the Indian context is broadly the same as the one adopted by the Mandal Commission. While answering Question 3(b), we said that identification of backward classes can be done with reference to castes along with other occupational groups, communities and classes. We did not say that that is the only permissible method. Indeed, there may be some groups or classes in whose case caste may not be relevant to all. For example, agricultural labourers. Rickshawpullers/drivers, street-hawkers etc. may well qualify for being designated as Backward Classes.

Question No 5:Whether Backward Classes can be further divided into backward and more backward categories?

92. In Balaji (supra) it was held “that the sub-classification made by the order between Backward Classes and more backward classes does not appear to be justified under Article 15(4). Article 15(4) authorises special provision being made for the really backward classes. In introducing two categories of backward classes, what the impugned order, in substance, purports to do is to devise measures for the benefit of all the classes of citizens who are less advanced compared to the advanced classes in the State and that, in our opinion is not the scope of Article 15(4). The result of the method adopted by the impugned order is that nearly 90% of the population of the State is treated as backward, and that illustrates how the order in fact divides the population of the State into most advanced and the rest, and puts the latter into two categories of backward and more backward. The classification of the two categories. therefore, is not warranted by Article 15(4).” The correctness of this holding is questioned before us by the counsel for the respondents. It is submitted that in principle there is no justification for the said holding. It is submitted that even among backward classes there are some who are more backward than the others and that the backwardness is not and cannot be uniform throughout the country not- even within a State. In support of this contention, the Respondents rely upon the observation of Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasant Kumar (AIR 1995 SC 1495), where the learned Judge said:

“We do not see why on principle there cannot be a classification into Backward Classes and More Backward Classes, if both classes are not merely a little behind, but far behind the most advanced classes. In fact such a classification would be necessary to help the More Backward Classes; otherwise those of the Backward Classes who might be a little more advanced than the More Backward Classes might walk away with all the seats.”

We are of the opinion that there is no constitutional or legal bar to a State categorising the backward classes as backward and more backward. We are not saying that it ought to be done. We are concerned with the question if a State makes such a categorisation, whether it would be invalid? We think not. Let us take the criteria evolved by Mandal Commission. Any caste, group or class which scored eleven or more points was treated as a backward class. Now. it is not as if all the several thousands of castes/ groups, classes scored identical points. There may be some castes groups classes which have scored points between 20 to 22 and there may be some who have scored points between eleven and thirteen. It cannot reasonably be denied that there is no difference between these two sets of castes/ groups/ classes. To give an illustration, take two occupational groups viz., goldsmiths and vaddes (traditional stone-cutters in Andhra Pradesh) both included within Other Backward Classes. None can deny, that gold-smiths are far less backward than vaddes. If both of them are ground together and reservation provided, the inevitable result would be that gold-smiths would take away all the reserved points leaving none for vaddes. In such a situation, a State may think it advisable to make a reservation even among other backward classes so as to ensure that the more backward among the backward classes obtain the benefits intended for them. Where to draw the line and how to effect the sub-classification is, however, is matter for the Commission and the State – and so long as it is reasonably done. the Court may not intervene. III this connection, reference may be made to the categorisation obtaining in Andhra Pradesh. The Backward Classes have been divided into four categories. Group-A comprises of “Aboriginal tribes, Vimukta jatis. Nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes etc”. Group-B comprises professional group like tappers, weavers, carpenters, ironsmiths, goldsmiths, kamsalins etc. Group-C pertains to “Scheduled Castes converts to Christianity and their progeny”, while Group-D comprises of all other classes/communities groups, which are not included in Groups A, B and C. The 25% vacancies reserved for backward classes are sub-divided between them in proportion to their respective Population. This. categorisation was justified in Balram (1972) 3 SCR 247 at 286) . This is merely to show that even among backward classes, there can be a sub-classification on a reasonable basis.

There is another way of looking at this issue. Article 16(4) recognises only one class viz., “backward class of citizens”. It does not speak separately of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as does Article 15(4). Even so, It is beyond controversy that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also included in the expression “back-ward class of citizens” and that separate reservations can be provided in their favour. It Is a well-accepted phenomenon throughout the country. What is the logic behind it? It is that if Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes are lumped together, O. B. Cs. will take away all the vacancies leaving Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes high and dry. The same logic also warrants categorisation as between more backward and backward. We do not mean to say we may reiterate -that this should be done. We are only saying that if a State chooses to do it, it is not impermissible in law.

Part V (Question Nos. 6, 7 and 8)

Question 6:To what extent can the reservation be made?

(a) Whether the 50% rule enunciated in Balaji a binding rule or only a rule of caution or rule of prudence? (b) Whether the 50% rule, if any , Is confined to reservations made under clause (4) of Article 16 or whether it takes in all types of reservations that can be provided under Article 16?

(c) Further while applying 50% rule, if any, whether a year should be taken as a unit or whether the total strength of the cadre should be looked to?

93. In Balaji (supra), a Constitution Bench of this Court rejected the argument that in the absence of a limitation contained in Article 15(4), no limitation can be prescribed by the Court on the extent of reservation. It observed that a provision under Article 15(4) being a “special provision” must be within reasonable limits. It may be appropriate to quote the relevant holding from the judgment:

“When Art. 15(4) refers to the special provision for the advancement of certain classes or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it must not be ignored that the provision which is authorised to be made is a special provision; it is not a provision which is exhaustive in character, so that in looking after the advancement of those classes, the State would be justified in ignoring altogether the advancement of the rest of the society. It is because the interests of the society at large would be served by promoting the advancement of the weaker elements in the society that Art. 15(4) authorises special provision to be made. But if a provision which is in the nature of an exception completely excludes the rest of the society, that clearly is outside the scope of Art. 15(4). It would be extremely unresonable to assume that in enacting Art. 15(4) the Parliament intended to provide that where the advancement of the Backward Classes or the Scheduled Castes and Tribes was concerned, the fundamental rights of the citizens constituting the rest of the society were to be completely and absolutely ignored …….A special provision contemplated by Art. 15(4) like reservation for posts and appointments contemplated by Art. 16(4) must be within reasonable limits. The interests of weaker sections of society which are a first charge on the State and the Centre have to be adjusted with the interests of the community as a whole. The adjustment of these competing claims is undoubtedly a difficult matter, but if under the guise of making a special provision, a State reserves practically all the seats available in all the colleges, that clearly would be subverting the object of Art. 15(4). In this matter again, we are reluctant to say definitely what would be a proper provision to make. Speaking generally and in a broad way a special provision should be less than 50%; how much less than 50% would depend upon the relevant prevailing circumstances in each case.”

In Devadasan (supra) this rule of 50% was applied to a case arising under Article 16(4) and on that basis the carryforward rule was struck down, In Thomas (1976) 1 SCR 906, however, the correctness of this principle was seriously questioned. Fazal Ali, J. observed:

“This means that the reservation should be within the permissible limits and should not be a cloak to fill all the posts belonging to a particular class of citizens and thus violate Art. 16(l) of the Constitution indirectly. At the same time clause (4) of Art. 16 does not fix any limit on the power of the Government to make reservation. Since clause (4) is a part of Art. 16 of the Constitution it is manifest that the State cannot be allowed to indulge in excessive reservation so as to defeat the policy contained in Art. 16(l). As to what would be a suitable reservation within permissible limits will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case and no hard and fast rule can be laid down, nor can this matter be reduced to a mathematical formula so as to be adhered to in all cases. Decided cases of this Court have no doubt laid down that the percentage of reservation should not exceed 50%. As I read the authorities, this is however, a rule of caution and does not exhaust all categories. Suppose for instance a State has a large number of backward class of citizens which constitute 80% of the population and the Government, in order to give them proper representation, reserves 80% of the jobs for them can it be said that the percentage of reservation is bad and violates the permissible limits of clause (4) of Art. 16? The answer must necessarily be in the negative. The dominant object to this provision is to take steps to make inadequate representation adequate.”

Krishna Iyer, J. agreed with the view taken by Fazal Ali, J. in the following words:

“I agree with my learned brother Fazal Ali, J. in the view that the arithmatical limit of 50% in any one year set by some earlier rulings cannot perhaps be pressed too far. Overall representation in a department does not depend on recruitment in a particular year, but the total strength of a cadre. I agree with his construction of Art, 16(4) and his view about the ‘carry forward’ rule.”

Mathew, J. did not specifically deal with this aspect but from the principles of ‘proportional equality’ and ‘equality of results’ espoused by the learned Judge, it is argued that he did not accept the 50% rule. Beg, J. also did not refer to this rule but the following sentence occurs in his judgment at pages 962 and 963:

“If a reservation Of Posts Under Article 16(4) for employees of backward classes could include complete reservation of higher posts to which they could be promoted, about which there could be no doubt now, I fail to see why it cannot be partial or for a part of the duration of service and hedged round with the condition that a temporary promotion would operate as a complete and confirmed promotion only if the temporary promotee satisfies some tests within a given time.”

Ray, C. J., did not dispute the correctness of the 50% rule but at the same time he pointed out that this percentage should be applied to the entire service as a whole.

After the decision in Thomas, controversy arose whether the 50% rule enunciated in Balaji (supra) stands overruled by Thomas (supra) or does it continue to be valid. In Vasant Kumar (supra), two learned Judges came to precisely opposite conclusions on this question. Chinnappa Reddy, J. held that Thomas has the effect of undoing the 50% rule in Balaji whereas Venkataramiah, J. held that it does not.

94. It is aruged before us that the observations on the said question in Thomas were obiter and do not consitute a decision so as to have the effect of overruling Balaji. Reliance is also placed upon the speech of Dr Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly where he said that reservation must be confined to a minority of seats (See para 28). It is also pointed out that Krishna Iyer, J. who agreed with Fazal Ali, J. in Thomas on this aspect, came back to, and affirmed, the 50% rule in Karamchari Sangh. On the other hand, it is argued for the respondents that when the population of the other backward classes is more than 50% of the total population, the reservation in their favour (excluding Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) can also be 50%,.

We must, however, point out that clause (4) speaks of adequate representation and not proportionate representation. Adequate representation cannot be read as proportionate representation. Principle of proportionate representation is accepted only in Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution and that too for a limited period. These articles speak of reservation of seats in Lok Sabha and the State legislature in favour of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes proportionate to their population, but they are only temporary and special provisions. It is therefore not possible to accept the theory of proportionate representation though the proportion of population of backward classes to the total population would certainly be relevant. Just as every power must be exercised reasonably and fairly, the power conferred by clause (4) of Article 16 should also be exercised in a fair manner and within reasonable limits – and what is more reasonable than to say that reservation under clause (4) shall not exceed 50% of the appointments or posts, barring certain extra-ordinary Situations as explained hereinafter. From this point of view, the 27% reservation provided by the impugned Memorandums in favour of backward classes is well within the reasonable limits. Together with reservation in favour of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it comes to a total of 49.5%. In this connection, reference may be had to the Full Bench decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Narayana Rao v. State AIR 1987 Andh Pra 53, striking down the enhancement of reservation from 25% to 44% O.B.Cs. The said enhancement had the effect of taking the total reservation under Article 16(4) to 65%.

It needs no emphasis to say that the principle aim of Articles 14 and 16 is equality and equality of opportunity and that clause (4) of Article 16 is but a means of achieving the very same objective. Clause (4) is a special provision – though not an exception to clause (1). Both the provisions have to be harmonised keeping in mind the fact that both are but the restatements of the principle of equality enshrined in Article 14. The provision under Article 16(4) – concieved in the interest of certain sections of society – should be balanced against the guarantee of equality enshrined in clause (1) of Article 16 which is a guarantee held out to every citizen and to the entire society. It is relevant to point out that Dr. Ambedkar himself contemplated reservation being “confined to a minority of scats” (see his speech in Constituent Assembly, set out in para 28). No other member of the Constituent Assembly suggested otherwise. It is, thus, clear that reservation of a majority of seats was never envisaged by the founding fathers. Nor are we satisfied that the present context requires us to depart from that concept.

From the above discussion, the irresistible conclusion that follows is that the reservations contemplated in clause (4) of Article 16 should not exceed 50%.

While 50% shall be the rule, it is necessary not to put out of consideration certain extraordinary situations inherent in the great diversity of this country and the people. It might happen that in farflung and remote areas the population inhabiting those areas might, on account of their being out of the main stream of national life and in view of conditions peculiar to and characteristical to them, need to be treated in a different way, some relaxation in this strict rule may become imperative. In doing so, extreme caution is to be exercised and a special case made out.

In this connection it is well to remember that the reservations under Article 16(4) do not operate like a communal reservation. It may well happen that some members belonging to say, Scheduled Castes get selected in the open competition field on the basis of their own merit; they will not be counted against the quota reserved for Scheduled Castes; they will be treated as open competition candidates.

95. We are also of the opinion that this rule of 50% applies only to reservations in favour of backward classes made under Article 16(4). A little clarification is in order at this juncture:all reservations are not of the same nature. There are two types of reservations, which may, for the sake of convenience, be referred to as ‘vertical reservations’ and ‘horizontal reservations’. The reservations in favour of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes (under Article 16(4) may be called vertical reservations whereas reservations in favour of physically handicapped (under clause (1) of Article 16); can be referred to as horizontal reservations. Horizontal reservations cut across the vertical reservations — what is called inter-lock reservations. To be more precise, suppose 3% of the vacancies are reserved in favour of physically handicapped persons; this would be a reservation relatable to clause (1) of Article 16. The persons selected against this quota will be placed in the appropriate category; if he belongs to S.C. category he will be placed in that quota by making necessary adjustments; similarly, if he belongs to open competition (O.C.) category, he will be placed in that category by making necessary adjustments. Even after providing for these horizontal reservations, the percentage of reservations in favour of backward class of citizens remains — and should remain – the same This is how these reservations are worked our in several States and there is no reason not to continue that procedure.

It is, however, made clear that the rule of. 50% shall be applicable only to reservations proper; they shall not be – indeed cannot he applicable to exemptions, concessions relaxations, if any, provided to ‘Backward Class of Citizens’ under Article 16(4).

96. The next aspect of this question is whether a year should be taken as the unit or the total strength of the cadre, for the purpose of applying the 50% rule. Balaji (supra) does not deal with this aspect but Devadasan (supra) (majority opinion) does. Mudholkar, J. speaking for the majority says:

“We would like to emphasise that the guarantee contained in Article 16(1) is for ensuring equality of opportunity for all citizens relating to employment, and to appointments to any office under the State. This means that on every occasion for recruitment the State should see that all citizens are treated equally. The guarantee is to each individual citizen and, therefore, every citizen who is seeking employment or appointment to an office under the State is entitled to be afforded an opportunity for seeking such employment or appointment whenever it is intended to be filled. In order to effectuate the guarantee each year of recruitment will have to be considered by itself and the reservation for backward communities should not be so excessive as to create a monopoly or to disturb unduly the legitimate claims of other communities.”

On the other hand is the approach adopted by Ray, C.J. in Thomas (supra). While not disputing the correctness of the 50’% rule he seems to apply it to the entire service as such. In our opinion, the approach adopted by Ray, C.J. would not be consistent with Article 16. True it is that the backward classes, who are victims of historical social injustice, which has not ceased fully as yet, are not properly represented in the services under the State but it may not be possible to redress this imbalance in one go i.e., in a year or two. The position can be better explained by taking an illustration. Take a unit/service/cadre comprising 1000 posts. The reservation in favour of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes is 50% which means that out of the 1000 posts 500 must be held by the members of these classes i.e., 270 by other backward classes, 150 by scheduled castes and 80 by scheduled tribes. At a given point of time, let us say, the number of members of O.B.Cs. in the unit/service/ category is only 50, a short fall of 220. Similarly the number of members of scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is only 20 and 5 respectively, shortfall of 130 and 75. If the entire service/cadre is taken as a unit and the backlog is sought to be made up, then the open competition channel has to be choked altogether for a number of years until the number of members of all backward classes reaches 500 i.e., till the quota meant for each of them is filled up. This may take quite a number of years because the number of vacancies arising each year are not many. Meanwhile, the members of open competition category would become age barred and ineligible. Equality of opportunity in their case would become a mere mirage. It must be remembered that the equality of opportunity guaranteed by clause (1) is to each individual citizen of the country while clause (4) contemplates special provision being made in favour of socially disadvantaged classes. Both must be balanced against each other. Neither should be allowed to eclipse the other. For the above reason, we hold that for the purpose of applying the rule of 50% a year should be taken as the unit and not the entire strength of the cadre, service or the unit, as the case may be.

(d) Was Devadasan correctly decided?

97. The rule (providing for carry forward of unfilled reserved vacancies as modified in 1955) struck down in Devadasan (supra) read as follows:

“3(a) If a sufficient number of candidate considered suitable by the recruiting authorities, are not available from the communities for whom reservations are made ‘in a particular year, the unfilled vacancies should be treated as unreserved and filled by the best available candidates. The number of reserved vacancies thus treated as unreserved will be added as an additional quota to the number that would be reserved in the following year in the normal course; and to the extent to which approved candidates are not available in that year against this additional quota, a. corresponding addition should be made to the number of reserved vacancies in the second following year.” The facts of the case relevant for our purpose are the following:

(i) Reservation in favour of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was 12 1/2% and 5% respectively;

(ii) In 1960, U.P.S.C. issued a notification proposing to hold a limited competitive examination for promotion to the category of Assistant Superintendents in Central Secretariat Services. 48 vacancies were to be filled, out of which 16 were unreserved while 32 were reserved for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes, because of the operation of the carry forward Rule; 28 vacancies were actually carried forward;

(iii) U.P.S.C. recommended 16 for unreserved and 30 for reserved vacancies – a total of 46;

(iv) the Government however appointed in all 45 persons, out of whom 29 belonged to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes.

The said Rule and the appointments Made on that basis were questioned mainly on the ground that they violated the 50% rule enunciated in Balaji. It was submitted that by virtue of the carry forward Rule, 65% of the vacancies for the year in question came to be reserved for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes.

The majority, speaking through Mudholkar, J. upheld the contention of the petitioners and struck down the Rule purporting to apply the principle of Balaji (supra). The vice of the Rule was pointed out in the following words:

“In order to appreciate better the import of this rule on recruitment, let us take an illustration. Supposing in two successive years no candidate from amongst the Scheduled Castes and Tribes is found to be qualified for filling any of the reserved posts. Supposing also that in each of those two years the number of vacancies to be filled in a particular service was 100. The reserved vacancies for each of those years would, according to the Government resolution, be 18 for each year. Now, since these vacancies were not filled in those years a total of 36 vacancies will be carried forward to the third year. Supposing in the third year also the number of vacancies to be filled is 100. Then 18 vacancies out of these will also have to be reserved for members of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. By operation of the carry forward rule the vacancies to be filled by persons from amongst the Scheduled Castes and Tribes would be 54 as against 46 by persons from amongst the more advanced classes. The reservation would thus be more than 50%.

98. We are of the respectful opinion that on its own reasoning, the decision in so far as it strikes down the Rule is not sustainable. The most that could have been done in that case was to quash the appointments in excess of 50%, inasmuch as, as a matter of fact, more than 50% of the vacancies for the year 1960 came to be reserved by virtue of the said Rule. But it would not be correct to presume that that is the necessary and the only consequence of that rule. Let us take the very illustration given at pp. 691-2, – namely 100 vacancies arising in three successive years and 18% being the reservation quota — and examine. Take a case, where in the first year, out of 18 reserved vacancies 9 are filled up and 9 are carried forward. Similarly, in the second year again, 9 are filled up and another 9 are carried forward. Result would be that in the third year, 9 + 9 + 18 = 36 (out of a total of 100) would be reserved which would be far less than 50% the rule in Balaji (supra) is not violated. But by striking down the Rule itself, carrying forward of vacancies even in such a situation has become impermissible, which appears to us indefensible in principle. We may also point out that the premise made in Balaji and reiterated in Devadasan (supra), to the effect that clause (4) is an exception to clause (1) is no longer acceptable, having been given up in Thomas (supra). It is for this reason that in Karamchari Sangh (supra), Krishna Iyer, J. explained Devadasan in the following words:

“In Devadasan’s case (supra) the Court went into the actuals, not into the hypotheticals. This is most important. The Court actually verified the degree of deprivation of the ‘equal opportunity’ right ……

…..What is striking is that the Court did not take an academic view or make a notional evaluation but checked up to satisfy itself about the seriousness of the infraction of the right…. Mathematical calculations, departing from realities of the case, may startle us without justification, the apprehension being misplaced. All that we need say is that the Railway Board shall take care to issue instructions to see that in no year shall SC and ST candidates be actually appointed to substantially more than 50% of the promotional posts. Some excess will not affect as mathematical precision is different in human affairs, but substantial excess will void the selection. Subject to this rider or condition that the ‘carry foward’ rule shall not result, in any given year, in the selection of appointments of SC and ST candidates considerably in excess of 50% we uphold Annexure I”.

We are in respectful agreement with the above statement of law. Accordingly, we over-rule the decision in Devadasan (supra). We have already discussed and explained the 50% rule in paras 93 to 96. The same position would apply in the case of carry forward rule as well. We, however, agree that a year should be taken as the unit or basis. as the case may be, for applying the rule of 50% and not the entire cadre strength.

99. We may reiterate that a carry forward rule need not necessarily be in the same terms as the one found in Devadasan. A given rule may say that the unfilled reserved vacancies shall not be filled by unreserved category candidates but shall be carried forward as such for a period of three years. In such a case, a contention may be raised that reserved posts remain a separate category altogether. In our opinion, however, the result of application of carry forward rule, in whatever manner it is operated, should not result in breach of 50% rule.

Question No. 7:Whether clause (4) of Article 16 provides reservation only in the matter of initial appointments/ direct recruitment or does it contemplate and provide for reservations being made in the matter of promotion as well?[6]

100. The petitioners’ submission is that the reservation of appointments or posts contemplated by clause (4) is only at the stage of entry into State service, i.e., direct recruitment. It is submitted that providing for reservation thereafter in the matter of promotion amounts to a double reservation and if such a provision is made at each successive stage of promotion it would be a case of reservation being provided that many times. It is also submitted that by providing reservation in the matter of promotion. the member of a reserved category is enabled to frog-leap over his compatriots, which is bound to generate acute heart-burning and may well lead to inefficiency in administration. The members of the open competition category would come to think that whatever be their record and performance the members of reserved categories would steal a march over them, irrespective of their performance and competence. Examples are given how two persons (A) and (B), one belonging to O.C. category and the other belonging to reserved category, having been appointed at the same time, the member of the reserved category gets Promoted earlier and how even in the promoted category he jumps over the members of the O.C. category already there and gains a further promotion and so on. This would generate, it is submitted, a reeling of disheartening which kills the spirit of competition and develops a sense of disinterestedness among the members of O.C. category. It is pointed out that once persons coming from different sources join a category or class, they must be treated alike thereafter in all matters including promotions and that no distinction is permissible on the basis of their “birth-mark”. It is also pointed out, that even the Constituent Assembly debates on draft Article 10(3) do not indicate in any mariner that it was supposed to extend to promotions as well. It is further submitted that if Article 16(4) is construed as warranting reservation even in the matter of promotion it would he contrary to the mandate of Article 335 viz., maintenance of efficiency in administration. It is submitted that such a provision would amount to putting a premium upon in-efficiency. The members of the reserved category would not work hard since they do not have to compete with all their colleagues but only within the reserved category and further because they are assured of promotion whether they work hard and efficiently or not. Such a course would also militate against the goal of excellence referred to in clause (J) of’ Article 51A (Fundamental Duties).

101. Sri K. Parasaran, learned Counsel appearing for the Union of India raised a preliminary objection to the consideration of this question at all. According to him, this question does not arise at present inasmuch as the impugned Memorandums do not provide for reservation in the matter of promotion. They confine the reservation only to direct recruitment. Learned counsel reiterated the well-established principle of Constitutional Law that Constitutional questions should not be decided in vacuum and that they must be decided only if and when they arise properly on the pleadings of a given case and where it is found necessary to decide them for a proper decision of the case. A large number of decisions of this Court and English Courts are relied upon in support of this proposition.[7] If for any reason this Court decides to answer the said question, says the counsel, the answer can only be one — which is already given by this Court in a number of decisions namely, Rangachari (supra), Hiralal (supra) and Karamchari Sangh (supra). He submits that an appointment to a post is made either by direct recruitment or by promotion or by transfer. In all these cases it is but an appointment. If so, Article 16(4) does undoubtedly take in and warrant making a provision for reservation in the matter of promotion as well. Learned counsel commended to us the further reasoning in Rangachari that adequate representation means not merely quantitative representation but also qualitative representation. He says further that adequacy in representation does not mean representation at the lowest level alone but at all levels in the administration. Regarding the Constituent Assembly debates, his submission is that those debates do not indicate that the said provision was not supposed to apply to promotions. In such a situation, it is argued, plain words of the Constitution should be given their due meaning and that there is no warrant for cutting down their ambit on the basis of certain suppositions with respect to interpretation of clauses (1), (2) and (4). This is also the contention of the other counsel for respondents.

102. With respect to the preliminary objection of Sri Parasaran, there can hardly be any dispute about the proposition espoused by him. But it must be remembered that reference to this larger Bench was made with a view to “finally settle the legal position relating to reservations”. The idea was to have a final look at the said question by a larger Bench to settle the law in an authoritative way. It is for this reason that we have been persuaded to express ourselves on this question. But before we proceed to express ourselves on the question, a few clarifications would be in order.

103. Reservation in the case of promotion is normally provided only where the promotion is by selection i.e., on the basis of merit. For, if the promotion is on the basis of seniority, such a rule may not be called for; in such a case the position obtaining in the lower category gets reflected in the higher category (promotion category) also. Where, however, promotion is based on merit, it may happen that members of backward classes may not get selected in the same proportion as is obtaining in the lower category. With a view to ensure similar representation in the higher category also, reservation is thought of even in the matter of promotion based on selection. This is, of course, in addition to the provision for reservation at the entry (direct recruitment) level. This was the position in Rangachari (supra). Secondly, there may be a service/ class/category, to which appointment is made partly by direct recruitment and partly by promotion (i.e., promotion on the basis of merit). If no provision is made for reservation in promotion, the backward class members may not be represented in this category to the extent prescribed. We may give an illustration to explain what we are saying. Take the category of Assistant Engineers in a particular service where 50% of the vacancies arising in a year are filled up by direct recruitment and 50% by promotion (by selection i.e., on merit basis) from among junior Engineers. If provision for reservation is made only in the matter of direct recruitment but not in promotions, the result may be that members of backward classes (where quota, let us say, is 25%) would get in to that extent only in the 50% direct recruitment quota but may not get in to that extent in the balance 50% promotion quota. It is for this reason that reservation is thought of even in the matter of promotions, particularly where promotions are on the basis of merit. The question for our consideration, however, is whether Article 16(4) contemplates and permits reservation only in the matter of direct recruitment or whether it also warrants provision being made for reservation in the matter of promotions as well. For answering this question, it would be appropriate, in the first instance, to examine the facts of and dicta in Rangachari, Hiralal and Karamchari Sangh.

104. In Rangachari (supra), validity of the circulars issued by the Railway administration providing for reservation in favour of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes in promotions (by selection) was questioned. The contention was that Article 16(4) does not take in or comprehend reservation in the matter of promotions as well and that it is confined to direct recruitment only. The Madras High Court agreed with this contention. It held that the word “appointments” in clause (4) did not denote promotion and further that the word “posts” in the said clause referred to posts outside the cadre concerned. On appeal, this Court reversed by a majority of 3:2. Gajendragadkar, J. speaking for the majority enunciated certain propositions, of which the following are relevant for our discussion

(a) matters relating to employment (in clause (i)) must include all matters in relation to employment both prior, and subsequent, to the employment which are incidental to the employment and form part of the terms and conditions of such employment.

(b) in regard to employment, like other terms and conditions associated with and incidental to it, the promotion to a selection post is also included in the matters relating to employment, and even in regard to such a promotion to a selection post all that Article 16(l) guarantees is equality of opportunity to all citizens who enter service.”

(c) “The condition precedent for the exercise of the powers conferred by Art. 16(4) is that the State ought to be satisfied that any backward class of citizens is not adequately represented in its services. This condition precedent may refer either to the numerical inadequacy of representation in the services or even to the qualitative inadequacy of representation. The advancement of:the socially and educationally backward classes requires not only that they should have adequate, representation in the lowest rung of services but that they should aspire to secure adequate representation in selection posts in the services as well. In the context the expression ‘adequately represented’ imports considerations of “size” as well as “values”, numbers as well as the nature of appointments held and so it involves not merely the numerical test but also the qualitative one.”

(d) “in providing for the reservation of appointments or posts under Art. 16(4), the State has to take into consideration the claims of the members of the backward classes consistently with the maintenance of the efficiency of administration. It must not be forgotten that the efficiency of administration is of such paramount importance that it would be unwise and impermissible to make any reservation at the cost of efficiency of administration. That undoubtedly is the effect of Art. 335. Reservation of appointments or posts may theoretically and conceivably mean some impairment of efficiency, but the risk involved in sacrificing efficiency of administration must always be borne in mind when any State sets about making a provision for reservation of appointments of posts.”

105. In State of Punjab v Hiralal AIR 1971 SC 1777, validity of an order made by the Government of Punjab providing for reservation in promotion (in addition to initial recruitment) was questioned. Though the High Court upheld the challenge, this Court (Shah, Hegde and Grover, JJ.) reversed and upheld the validity of the Government order following Rangachari (supra).

106. Validity of a number of circulars issued by the Railway Administration was questioned in Karamchari Sangh (supra), a petition under Article 32. The experience gained over the years disclosed that reservation of appointments/ posts in favour of SC/STs, though made both at the stage of initial recruitment and promotion was not achieving the intended results, inasmuch as several posts meant for them remained unfilled by them. Accordingly, the Administration issued several circulars from time to time extending further concessions and other measures to ensure that members of these categories avail of the posts reserved for them fully. (The original circular is referred to in the judgment as Ann.-F, whose validity was upheld in Rangachari (supra) itself. The other circulars are referred to as Annexures I, H, J and K). These circulars contemplated (i) giving one grade higher to SC/ST candidates than is assignable to an employee; (ii) carrying forward vacancies for a period of three years; and (iii) provision for in-service training and coaching (after promotion) to raise the level of efficiency of SC/ST employees who were directed to be promoted on a temporary basis for a specified period, even if they did not obtain the requisite places. The contention of the writ petitioners was that these circulars, being inconsistent with the mandate of Article 335, are bad. Rangachari was sought to be reopened by arguing that Article 16(4) does not take in reservation in the matter of promotion. The Division Bench (Krishna Iyer, Pathak and Chinnappa Reddy, JJ.) not only refused to re-open Rangachari but also repelled the attack upon the circulars. It was held that no dilution of efficiency in administration resulted from the implementation of the circulars inasmuch as they preserved the criteria of eligibility and minimum efficiency required and also provided for in-service training and coaching to correct the deficiencies, if any. The carry forward rule was also upheld subject to the condition that the operation of the rule shall not result, in any given year, selection/appointment of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates in excess of 50%.

In Comptroller and Auditor General v. K. S. Jagannathan (1986) 2 SCR 17), it was held:

“It is now well settled by decisions of this court that the reservation in favour of backward classes of citizens including the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, as contemplated by Art. 16(4) can be made not merely in respect of initial recruitment but also in respect of posts to which promotions are to be made. (See for instance:(1971) 3 SCR 267 and Akhil Bhartiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh v. U. O. I. (1981) l SCC 246).”

107. We find it difficult to agree with the view in Rangachari (supra) that Article 16(4) contemplates or permits reservation in promotions as well. It is true that the expression “appointment” takes in appointment by direct recruitment, appointment by promotion and appointment by transfer. It may also be that Article 16(4) contemplates not merely quantitative but also qualitative support to backward class of citizens. But this question has not to be answered on a reading of Article 16(4) alone but on a combined reading of Article 16(4) and Article 335. In Rangachari this fact was acknowledged but explained away on a basis which, with great respect to the learned Judges who constituted the majority – does not appear to be acceptable. The propositions emerging from the majority opinion in Rangachari have been set out in Para 104. Under proposition (d) (as set out in para 104), the majority does say that “in providing for the reservation of appointments or posts under Art. 16(4), the State has to take into consideration the claims of the members of the backward classes consistently with the maintenance of the efficiency of administration. It must not be forgotten that the efficiency of administration is of such paramount importance that it would be unwise and impermissible to make any reservation at the cost of efficiency of administration. That undoubtedly is the effect of Art. 335. Reservation of appointments or posts may theoretically and conceivably means “some impairment of efficiency;” but then it explains it away by saying “but the risk involved in sacrificing efficiency of administration must always be borne in mind when any State sets about making a provision for reservation of appointments or posts”. We see no justification to multiply ‘the risk’, which would be the consequence of holding that reservation can be provided even in the matter of promotion. While it is certainly just to say that a handicap should be given to backward class of citizens at the stage of initial appointment, it would be serious and unacceptable inroad into the rule of equality of opportunity to say that such a handicap should be provided at every stage of promotion throughout their career. That would mean creation of a permanent separate category apart from the mainstream – a vertical division of the administrative apparatus. The members of reserved categories need not have to compete with others but only among themselves. There would be no will to work, compete and excel among them. Whether they work or not, they tend to think, their promotion is assured. This in turn is bound to generate a feeling of despondence and ‘heart-burning’ among open competition members. All this is bound to affect the efficiency of administration. Putting the members of backward classes on a fast-track would necessarily result in leap-frogging and the deleterious effects of “leap-frogging” need no illustration at our hands. At the initial stage of recruitment reservation can be made in favour of backward class of citizens but once they enter the service, efficiency of administration demands that those members too compete with others and earn promotion like all others; no further distinction can be made thereafter with reference to their “birth- mark”, as one of the learned Judges of this Court has said in another connection. They are expected to operate on equal footing with others. Crutches cannot be provided throughout one’s career. That would not be in the interest of efficiency of administration nor or at in the larger interest of the nation. It is wrong to think that by holding so, we are confining the backward class of citizens to the lowest cadres. It is well-known that direct recruitment takes place at serveral higher levels of administration and not merely at the level of Class-IV and Class-III. Direct recruitment is provided even at the level of All India Services. Direct recruitment is provided at the level of District Judges, to give an example nearer home. It may also be noted that during the debates in the Constituent Assembly, none referred to reservation in promotions; it does not appear to have been within their contemplation.

It is true that Rangachari (supra) has been the law for more than 30 years and that attempts to re-open the issue were repelled in Karamchari Sangh (supra). It may equally be true that on the basis of that decision, reservation may have been provided in the matter of promotion in some of the Central and State services but we are convinced that the majority opinion in Rangachari, to the extent it holds, that Article 16(4) permits reservation even in the matter of promotion, is not sustainable in principle and ought to be departed from. However, taking into consideration all the circumstances, we direct that our decision on this question shall operate only prospectively and shall not affect promotions already made, whether on temporary, officiating or regular/permanent basis. It is further directed that wherever reservations are already provided in the matter of promotion – be it Central Services or State Services, or for that matter services under any corporation, authority or body falling under the definition of ‘State’ in Article 12 – such reservations shall continue in operation For a period of five years from this day. Within this period, it would be open to the appropriate authorities to revise, modify or re-issue the relevant Rules to ensure the achievement of the objective of Article 16(4). If any authority thinks that for ensuring adequate representation of ‘backward class of citizens’ in any service, class or category, it is necessary to provide for direct recruitment therein, it shall be open to it to do so. A purist or a legal theoretician may find this direction a little illogical. We can only answer them in the words of Lord Roskill. In his presidential address to the Bentham Club at University College of London on February 29, 1984 on the subject “Law Lords, Reactionaries or Reformers?”, the learned Law Lord said:

“Legal policy now stands enthroned and will I hope remain one of the foremost considerations governing, the development by the House of Lords of the common law. What direction should this development now take? I can think of several occasions upon which we have all said to ourselves “this case requires a policy decision – what is the right policy decision?” The answer is, and I hope will hereafter be, to follow that route which is most consonant with the current needs of the society, and which will be seen to be sensible and will pragmatically thereafter be easy to apply. No doubt the Law Lords will continue to be the targets for those academic lawyers who will seek intellectual perfection rather than imperfect pragmatism. But much of the common law and virtually all criminal law, distasteful as it may be to some to have to acknowledge it, is a blunt instrument by means of which human beings, whether they like it or not, are governed and subject to which they are required to live, and blunt instruments are rarely perfect intellectually or otherwise. By definition they operate bluntly and not sharply.”

We must also make it clear that it would not be impermissible for the State to extend concessions and relaxations to members of reserved categories in the matter of promotion without compromising the efficiency of the administration. The relaxation concerned in Thomas and the concessions namely carrying forward of vacancies and provisions for in-service coaching/training in Karamchari Sangh are instances of such concessions and relaxations. However, it would not be permissible to prescribe lower qualifying marks or a lesser level of evaluation for the members of reserved categories since that would compromise the efficiency of administration. We reiterate that while it may be permissible to prescribe a reasonably lesser qualifying marks or evaluation for the 0. B. Cs., S. Cs. and S.Ts. — consistent with the efficiency of’ administration and the nature of duties attaching to the office concerned – in the matter of direct recruitment, such a course would not be permissible in the matter of promotions for reasons recorded hereinabove.

. Question No 8:Whether Reservations are anti -meritarian?

108. In Balaji (supra) and other cases, it was assumed that reservations are necessarily anti-meritarian. For example, in Janaki Prasad Parimoo (supra) it was observed, “it is implicit in the idea of reservation that a less meritorious person be preferred to another who is more meritorious.” To the same effect is the opinion of Khanna, J. in Thomas (supra), though it is a minority opinion. Even Subba Rao, J. who did not agree with this view did recognise some force in it. In his dissenting opinion in Devadasan (supra), while holding that there is no conflict between Article 16(4) and Article 335, he did say, “ it is inevitable in the nature of reservation that there will be a lowering of standards to some extent”, but, he said, on that account the provision cannot be said to be bad, inasmuch as in that case, the State had, as a matter of fact, prescribed minimum qualifications, and only those possessing such minimum qualifications were appointed. This view was, however, not accepted by Krishna lyer, J. in Thomas. He said efficiency means, in terms of good Government, not marks in examinations only, but responsible and responsive service to the people. A chaotic genius is a grave danger to public administration. The inputs of efficiency rule include a sense of belonging and of accountability (not pejoratively used) if its composition takes in also the weaker segments of “We, the people of India”. No other understanding can reconcile the claim of a radical present and the hangover of the unjust past.” A similar view was expressed in Vasant Kumar (supra) by Chinnappa Reddy, J. The learned Judge said “the mere securing of high marks at an examination may not necessarily mark out a good administrator. An efficient administrator, one takes it, must be one who possesses among other qualities the capacity to understand with sympathy and, therefore, to tackle bravely the problems of a large segment of population constituting the weaker sections of the people. And, who better than the ones belonging to those very sections? Why not ask ourselves why 35 years after Independence, the position of the Scheduled Castes etc. has not greatly improved? Is it not a legitimate question to ask whether things might have been different, had the district administrators and the State and Central Bureaucrats been drawn in larger numbers from these classes? Courts are not equipped to answer these questions, but the courts may not interfere with the honest endeavours of the Government to find answers and solutions. We do not mean to say that efficiency in the civil service is unnecessary or that it is a myth. All that we mean to say is that one need not make a fastidious fetish of it.”

109. It is submitted by the learned counsel for petitioners that reservation necessarily means appointment of less meritorious persons, which in turn leads to lowering of efficiency of administration. The submission, therefore, is that reservation should be confined to a small minority of appointments/ posts, – in any event, to not more than 30%, the figure referred to in the speech of Dr. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly. The mandate of Article 335, it is argued, implies that reservations should be so operated as not to affect the efficiency of administration. Even Art. 16 and the directive of Art. 46, it is said, should be read subject to the aforesaid mandate of Art. 335.

110. The respondents, on the other hand, contend that the marks obtained at the examination/ test/ interview at the stage of entry into service is not an indicia of the inherent merit of a candidate. They rely upon the opinion of Douglas, J. in Defunis (1974 (40) Law Ed 2d 164) where the learned Judge illustrates the said aspect by giving example of a candidate coming from disadvantaged sections of society and yet obtaining reasonably good scores – thus manifesting his “promise and potential” – vis-a-vis a candidate from a higher strata obtaining higher scores. (His opinion is referred to in para 44). On account of the disadvantages suffered by them and the lack of opportunities, – the Respondents say – members of backward classes of citizens may not score equally with the members of socially advanced classes at the inception but in course of time, they would. It would be fallacious to presume that nature has endowed intelligence only to the members of the forward classes. It is to be found everywhere. It only requires an opportunity to prove itself. The directive in Art. 46 must be understood and implemented keeping in view these aspects, say the Respondents.

111. We do not think it necessary to express ourselves at any length on the correctness or otherwise of the opposing points of view referred to above. (It is, however, necessary to point out that the mandate — if it can be called that – of Article 335 is to take the claims of members of SC/ST into consideration, consistent with the maintenance of efficiency of administration. It would be a misreading of Article to say that the mandate is maintenance of efficiency of administration.) May be, efficiency, competence and merit are not synonymous concepts; May be, it is wrong to treat merit as synonymous with efficiency in administration and that merit is but a component of the efficiency of an administrator. Even so, the relevance and significance of merit at the stage of initial recruitment cannot be ignored. It cannot also be ignored that the very idea of reservation implies selection of a less meritorious person. At the same time, we recognise that this much cost has to be paid, if the, constitutional promise of social justice is to be redeemed. We also firmly believe that given an opportunity, members of these classes are bound to overcome their initial disadvantages and would compete with – and may, in some cases, excel – members of open competitor candidates. It is undeniable that nature has endowed merit upon members of backward classes as much as it has endowed upon members of other classes and that what is required is an opportunity to prove it. It may not, therefore, be said that reservations are antimeritian. Merit there is even among the reserved candidates and the small difference, that may be allowed at the stage of initial recruitment is bound to disappear in course of time. These members too will compete with and improve their efficiency along with others.

Having said this we must append a note of clarification. In some cases arising under Art. 15, this court has upheld the removal of minimum qualifying marks, in the case of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates, in the matter of admission to medical courses. For example, in State of M.P. v. Nivedita Jain (1982) 1 SCR 759 admission to medical course was regulated by an entrance test (called PreMedical Test). For general candidates, the minimum qualifying marks were 50% in the aggregate and 33% in each subject. For Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe candidates, however, it was 40% and 30% respectively. On finding that Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe candidates equal to the number of the seats reserved for them did not qualify on the above standard, the Government did away with the said minimum standard altogether. The Government’s action was challenged in this court but was upheld. Since it was a case under Art. 15, Art. 335 had no relevance and was not applied. But in the case of Art. 16, Art. 335 would be relevant and any order on the lines of the order of the Government of M.P. (in Nivedita Jain) could not be permissible, being inconsistent with the efficiency of administration. To wit, in the matter of appointment of Medical Officers, the Government or the Public Service Commission cannot say that there shall be no minimum qualifying marks for Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe candidates, while prescribing a minimum for others. It may be permissible for the Government to prescribe a reasonably lower standard for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes / Backward Classes – consistent with the requirements of efficiency of administration — it would not be permissible not to prescribe any such minimum standard at all. While prescribing the lower minimum standard for reserved category, the nature of duties attached to the post and the interest of the general public should also be kept in mind.

112. While on Art. 335, we are of the opinion that there are certain services and positions where either on account of the nature of duties attached to them or the level (in the hierarchy) at which they obtain, merit as explained hereinabove, alone counts. In such situations, it may not be advisable to provide for reservations. For example, technical posts in research and development organisations/departments/Institutions, in specialities and super-specialities in medicine engineering and other such courses in physical sciences and mathematics, In defence services and in the establishments connected therewith. Similarly, in the case of posts at the higher echelons e.g., Professors (in Education), Pilots in Indian Airlines and Air India Scientists and Technicians in nuclear and space application, provision for reservation Would not be advisable.

As a matter of fact, the impugned Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990 applies the rule of reservation to “civil posts and services under the Government of India” only, which means that defence forces are excluded from the operation of the rule of reservation though it may yet apply to civil posts in defence services. Be that as it may we are of the opinion that in certain services and in respect of certain posts, application of the rule of’ reservation may not be advisable for the reason indicated hereinbefore. Some of them are:(1) Defence Services including all technical posts therein but excluding civil posts. (2) All technical posts in establishments engaged in Research and Development including those connected with atomic energy and space and establishments engaged in production of defence equipment. (3) Teaching posts of Professors – and above, if any. (4) Posts in super-specialities in Medicine, engineering and other scientific and technical subjects. (5) Posts of pilots (and co-pilots) in Indian Airlines and Air India. The list given above is merely illustrative and not exhaustive. It is for the Government of India to consider and specify the service and posts to which the Rule of reservation shall not apply but on that account the implementation of the impugned Office Memorandum dated 13th August 1990 cannot be stayed or withheld. We may point out that the services posts enumerated above, on account of their nature and duties attached, are such as call for highest level of intelligence, skill and excellence. Some of them are second level and third level posts in the ascending order. Hence, they form a category apart. Reservation therein may not be consistent with “efficiency of administration” contemplated by Art. 335.

We may add that we see no particular relevance of Article 38(2) in this context. Art. 16(4) is also a measure to ensure equality of status besides equality of opportunity.

PART VI

(QUESTIONS 9, 10 and 11 AND OTHER

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS)

Question No 9:Will the extent of judicial review be limited or restricted in regard to the identification of Backward Classes and the percentage of reservations made for such classes, to a demonstrably perverse identification or a demonstrably unreasonable percentage?

113. It is enough to say on this question that there is no particular or special standard of judicial scrutiny in matters arising under Art. 16(4) or for that matter, under Art. 15(4). The extent and scope of judicial scrutiny depends upon the nature of the subject matter, the nature of the right affected, the character of the legal and constitutional provisions applicable and so on. The acts and orders of the State made under Art. 16(4) do not enjoy any particular kind of immunity. At the same time, we must say that court would normally extend due deference to the judgment and discretion of the Executive – a co-equal wing in these matters. The political executive, drawn as it is from the people and represent as it does the majority will of the people, is presumed to know the conditions and the needs of the people and hence its judgment in matters within its judgment and discretion will be entitled to due weight. More than this, it is neither possible nor desirable to say. It ‘is not necessary to answer the question as framed.

Question No10:Whether the distinction made in the second Memorandum between ‘poorer sections’ of the backward classes and others permissible under Art. 16?

114. While dealing with Question No.3(d), we held that that exclusion of ‘creamy layer’ must be on the basis of social advancement (such advancement as renders them misfits in the backward classes) and not on the basis of mere economic criteria. At the same time, we held that income or the extent of property held by a person can be taken as a measure of social advancement and on that basis ‘creamy layer’ of a given caste/community/ occupational group can be excluded to arrive at a true backward class. Under Question No.5, we held that it is not impermissible for the State to categorise backward classes into backward and more backward on the basis of their relative social backwardness. We had also given the illustration of two occupational groups, viz., goldsmiths and vaddes (traditional stone-cutters in Andhra Pradesh); both are included within other backward classes’. If these two groups are lumped together and a common reservation is made, the gold-smiths would walk away with all the vacancies leaving none for vaddes. From the said point of view, it was observed, such classification among the designated backwards classes may indeed serve to help the more backward among them to get their due. But the question now is whether clause (i) of the Office Memorandum dated 25th September, 1991 is sustainable in law. The said clause provides for a preference in favour of “poorer sections” of the backward classes over other members of the backward classes. On first impression, it may appear that backward classes are classified into two sub-groups on the basis of economic criteria alone and a preference provided in favour of the poorer sections of the backward classes. In our considered opinion, however, such an interpretation would not be consistent with the context in which the said expression is used and the spirit underlying the clause nor would it further the objective it seeks to achieve. The object of the clause is to provide a preference in favour of more backward among the “socially and educationally backward classes”. In other words, the expression ‘poorer sections’ was meant to refer to those who are socially and economically more backward. The use of the word poorer, in the context, is meant only as a measure of social backwardness. (Of course, the Government is yet to notify which classes among the designated backward classes are more socially backward, i.e. ‘poorer sections’). Understood in this sense, the said classification is not and cannot be termed as invalid either constitutionally speaking or in law. The next question that arises is:what is the meaning and context of the expression ‘preference’? Having regard to the fact the backward classes are sought to be divided into two sub-categories, viz., backward and more backward, the expression ‘preference’ must be read down to mean an equitable apportionment of the vacancies reserved (for backward classes) among them. The object evidently could not have been to deprive the ‘backward’ altogether from benefit of reservation, which could be the result if word ‘preference’ is read literally – if the ‘more backward’ take away all the available vacancies/posts reserved for O.B.Cs., none would remain for ‘backward’ among the O.B.Cs. It is for this reason that we are inclined to read down the expression to mean an equitable apportionment. This, in our opinion, is the proper and reasonable way of understanding the expression preference in the context in which it occurs. By giving the above interpretation, we would be effectuating the underlying purpose and the true intention behind the clause.

It shall be open to the Government to notify which classes among the several designated other backward classes are more backward for the purposes of this clause and the apportionment of reserved vacancies/posts among ‘backward’ and “more backward”. On such notification, the clause will become operational.

Question No 11:Whether the reservation of 10% of the posts in favour of ‘other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of the reservations’ made by the Office Memorandum dated 25-9-1991 permissible under Art. 16?

115. This clause provides for a 10% reservation (in appointments/ posts) in favour of economically backward sections among the open competition (non-reserved) category. Though the criteria is not yet evolved by the Government of India, it is obvious that the basis is either the income of a person and/or the extent of property held by him. The impugned Memorandum does not say whether this classification is made under clause (4) or clause (1) of Art. 16. Evidently, this classification among a category outside clause (4) of Art. 16 is not and cannot be related to clause (4) of Art. 16. If at all, it is relatable to clause (1). Even so, we find it difficult to sustain. Reservation of 10% of the vacancies among open competition candidates on the basis of income/property-holding means exclusion of those above the demarcating line from those 10% seats. The question is whether this is constitutionally permissible? We think not. It may not be permissible to debar a citizen from being considered for appointment to an office under the State solely on the basis of his income or property-holding. Since the employment under the State is really conceived to serve the people (that it may also be a source of livelihood is secondary) no such bar can be created. Any such bar would be inconsistent with the guarantee of equal opportunity held out by clause (1) of Art. 16. On this ground alone, the said clause in the Office Memorandum dated 25-5-1991 fails and is Accordingly declared as such.

“The concept of positive action and positive discrimination”

116. Dr. Rajiv Dhawan describes Article 15(4) as a provision envisaging programmes of positive action and Art. 16(4) as a provision warranting programmes of positive discrimination. We are Afraid we may not be able to fit these provisions into this kind of compartmentalisation to the context and scheme of our constitutional provisions. By now, it is well settled that reservations in educational institutions and other walks of life can be ‘provided under Art. 15(4) just as reservations can be provided in services under Art. 16(4). If so, it would not be correct to confine Art. 15(4) to programmes of positive action alone. Article 15(4) is wider than Art. 16(4) inasmuch as several kinds of positive action programmes can also be evolved and implemented thereunder (in addition to reservations) to improve the conditions of SEBCs., Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, whereas Art. 16(4) speaks only of one type of remedial measure, namely, reservation of appointments/ posts. But it may not be entirely right to say that Art. 15(4) is a provision envisaging programmes of positive action. Indeed, even programmes of positive action may sometimes involve a degree of discrimination. For example, if a special residential school is established for Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes at State expense, it is a discrimination against other students, upon whose education a far lesser amount is being spent by the State. Or for that matter, take the very American cases – Fullilove (1980 (65) Law Ed 2d 902) or Metro Broadcasting (1990 (111) Law Ed 2d 445) – Can it be said that they do not involve any discrimination? They do. It is another matter that such discrimination is not unconstitutional for the reason that it is designed to achieve an important governmental objective.

Desirability of a permanent statutory body to examine complaints of over-inclusion/ under-inclusion”>.

117. We are of the considered view that there ought to be a permanent body, in the nature of a Commission or Tribunal, to which complaints of wrong inclusion or non-inclusion of groups, classes and sections in the lists of Other Backward Classes can be made. Such body must be empowered to examine complaints of the said nature and pass appropriate orders. Its. advice/opinion should ordinarily be binding upon the Government. Where, however, the Government does not agree with its recommendation, it must record its reasons therefor. Even if any new class/group is proposed to be included among the other backward classes, such matter must also be referred to the said body in the first instance and action taken on the basis of its recommendation. The body must be composed of experts in the field, both official and non-official, and must be vested with the necessary powers to make a proper and effective inquiry. It is equally desirable that each State constitutes such a body, which step would go a long way in redressing genuine grievances. Such a body can be created under clause (4) of Art. 16 itself – or under Art. 16(4) read with Article 340 – as a concomitant of the power to identify and specify backward class of citizens, in whose favour reservations are to be provided. We direct that such a body be constituted both at Central level and at the level of the States within four months from today. They should become immediately operational and be in a position to entertain and examine forthwith complaints and matters of the nature aforementioned, if any, received. It should be open to the Government of India and the respective State Governments to devise the procedure to be followed by such body. The body or bodies so created can also be consulted in the matter of periodic revision of lists of O.B.Cs. As suggested by Chandrachud, C.J. in Vasant Kumar (supra), there should be a periodic revision of these lists to exclude those who have ceased to be backward or for inclusion of new classes, as the case may be.

Should the matter go back to Constitution Bench to go into the defects of the Mandal Commission Report”>.

118. Now that we have answered all the questions raised for our consideration, question now arises, whether in view of the answers given and directions being given by us, is it necessary to send back the matter to the Five-Judge Bench to consider whether the investigation and survey done, and conclusions arrived at, by the Mandal Commission are contrary to law and if so, whether the impugned Office Memorandums, based as they are on the report of the said Commission, can be sustained? We think not. This is not a case where the Five-Judge Bench framed certain questions and referred them to this Bench. All the matters as such were placed before this Bench for disposal. During the course of hearing, however, when some counsel wanted to take us into details of castes/ groups/ classes which, according to them have been wrongly included or excluded, as the case may be, we refused to go into those details saying that those details can be gone into before the Five-Judge Bench later. Otherwise, we heard the counsel fully on the alleged illegalities in the approach and methodology adopted by the Commission. The written arguments bear them out. We shall notice the criticism first and then answer the question posed at the inception of this para.

The first and foremost criticism levelled against the approach and the procedure adopted by Mandal Commission is that the Mandal Commission has adopted caste and caste alone as the basis of its approach throughout. On this count alone, it is argued, the entire report of the Commission is vitiated. It is pointed out that in its very first letter dated 25th April, 1979 (Appendix VII at page 91 -Vol. 2) addressed to all the Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, the Commission has prescribed the following test for determining the socially and educationally backward classes:

“(a) In respect of employees belonging to the Hindu communities

(i) an employee will be deemed to be socially backward if he does not belong to any of the three twice-born (Dvij) ‘Varnas’ i.e., he is neither a Brahmin, nor a Kshatriya/ nor a Vaishya; and

(ii) he will be deemed to be educationally backward if neither his father nor his grand father has studied beyond the primary level.

(b) Regarding the non-Hindu Communities

(i) an employee will be deemed to be socially backward if either

(1) he is a convert from those Hindu communities which have been defined as socially backward as per para 4(a)(i) above, or

(2) in case he is not such a convert, his parental income is below the prevalent poverty line, i.e., Rs.71/- per head per month.

(ii) he will be deemed to be educationally backward if neither his father nor his grand father had studied beyond the primary level.”

Serious objection is taken to the above criteria. Treating all the Hindus not belonging to three upper castes as socially and educationally backward classes, it is submitted, is faulty to the core. In the case of non-Hindus, the prescription of income limit is said to be arbitrary. The criteria for identifying backward classes must be uniform for the entire population; it cannot vary from religion to religion. This shows, says the counsel, the impropriety and impermissibility of adopting the caste as the basis of identification, since castes exist only in the Hindu religion and not in others. On the basis of the statements made in Chapters IV and V, it is submitted that the Commission was obsessed by caste and was blind to all other determinants. It is also pointed out that the Survey done by the Commission is cursory, totally inadequate and faulty. According to the petitioners, the survey must be an exhaustive one like the one done by Venkataswamy Commission in Karnataka, which also forms the basis of Justice Chinnappa Reddy Commission Report. Carrying out the Survey to cover merely two villages and one urban block in each District is not likely to disclose a true picture since it does not represent survey of even one per cent of the population. Objection is also taken to use of personal knowledge and also to reliance upon lists of backward classes prepared by State Governments. It is repeatedly urged that the survey done by the Commission cannot be called a scientific one, which has led to discovery of as many as 3,743 castes and their identification as socially and educationally backward classes. This is a steep increase over Kaka Kalelkar Commission, according to which, the number of S.E.B.Cs. was only 2,733. It is pointed out further that certain castes which obtained less than 11 points on being tested against the criteria evolved by the Commission are included among the backward classes. Conversely, certain castes which obtained 11 or more points are yet excluded from the list of backward classes. It is urged that the caste-based approach adopted by the Commission has practically divided the nation into a forward section and a backward section. If Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also added to the Other Backward Classes, more than 81 per cent of the population gets designated as backward. But for the decision in Balaji (supra), it is submitted, the Commission would certainly have recommended reservation of 52 per cent of the appointments/ posts in favour of the backward classes. The Commission was actuated by malice towards upper castes and has submitted an unbalanced, unjust and unconstitutional report, it is argued.

Respondent’s counsel, on the other hand, have refuted each and every contention of the petitioners. According, to them, the criteria evolved, the methodology adopted, identification made and lists prepared are all perfectly valid and legal. The Union-of India, while justifying the Report, has taken the stand that even if there are any errors or inadequacies in the work and report of the Commission, it is no ground for throwing out the report altogether, more particularly when the Government of India has taken care by ‘marrying’ the Mandal lists with the State lists. If any errors are brought to the notice of the Government, Sri Parasaran says, the Government will certainly look into them and rectify them, if satisfied about the error.

119. Before we decide to answer the question, it is necessary to point out that each and every defect, if any, in the working and Report of the Mandal Commission does not automatically vitiate the impugned Office Memorandums.

120. It has to be shown further that particular defect has crept into the Office Memorandum as well. In addition to the above, the following factors must also be kept in mind:

(a) The Mandal Commission Report has not been accepted by the Government of India in its fullness, nor has the Government accepted the list of Other Backward Classes prepared by it in its entirety. What is now in issue is not the validity of the Report but the validity of the impugned Office Memorandums issued on the basis of the Report. The First Memorandum expressly directs that only those classes will be treated as backward classes for the purposes of Art. 16(4) as are common to both the Mandal List and the respective State List. (It may be remembered that the Mandal Commission has prepared the lists of Other Backward Classes Statewise). Almost every caste, community and occupational group found in the State lists is also found in the concerned State list prepared by Mandal Commission; Mandal lists contain many more castes/ occupational groups than the respective State lists. (It should indeed be rare that a particular caste/group/ class is included in the State list and is not included in the Mandal list relating to that State. In such a case, of course, such caste/ group/ class would not be treated as an O.B.C. under the Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990). In such a situation, what the Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990 does in effect is to enforce the respective State lists. In other words, the Government of India has, for all practical purposes, adopted the respective State lists, as they obtained on 13th August, 1990. In this sense, the lists prepared by Mandal have no real significance at present. The State lists were prepared both for the purposes of Art. 16(4) as well as Art. 15(4). The following particulars furnished by the Union of India do establish that these State lists have been prepared after due enquiry and investigation and have stood the test of time and judicial scrutiny:

(See table on next page)

Even if in one or two cases (e.g., Goa), the list is prepared without appointing a Commission, it cannot be said to be bad on that account. The Government, which drew up the list, must be presumed to be aware of the conditions obtaining in their State/ area. Unless so held by any competent court – or the permanent mechanism (in the nature of a Commission) directed to be created herewith holds otherwise – the lists must be deemed to be valid and enforceable. Basis of identification of SEBCs, OBCs in the States covered by O.M. of 13-8-1990.

S.No. Name of States Whether State’s list is based on report of Commission/Committee Status
1. 2. 3. 4.
1. Andhra Pradesh Reports of the Commission headed by Shri K. M. Anantharaman and Shri Muralidhara Rao (June, 1970 and August, 1982 respectively). State’s G.O. based on the report of the Anantharam Commission was upheld by the Supreme Court in Balaram case (supra). The modified list of OBCs based on the report of Muralidhara Rao Commission was upheld by the A.P. High Court but the increased quantum of reservation from 25% to 44% was struck down (Judgment of 5-9-1986).
2. Bihar Commission set up in 1971 under the Chairmanship of Sri Mungeri Lal. Not challenged.
3. Gujarat Commission headed by Shri A. R. Bakshi, Retd. High Court Judge (Report of Feb., 1976). ————————-
4. Goa No Commission/ Committee State Government have notified 4 communities as OBC on their own. The list was challenged in the High Court in 1986 for quashing the G.O. and instead declare all the 19 communities recommended by the Mandal Commission as OBCs. The High Court rejected the petitioner’s claim on 10-3-88. The matter is now before the Supreme Court through SLP No.9813 of 1988.
5. Haryana Committees of 1951 and 1965. (In 1990 Gurnam Singh Commission was also set up and its report accepted by State Government).
6. Himachal Pradesh Based on the list of OBCs declared by the erstwhile State of Punjab for the areas merged in the State of Himachal Pradesh in November, 1966. The list is now extended to the entire State. Not challenged.
7. Karnataka Commission headed by Shri L.G. Havanuri (Report of Nov. 75) The Karnataka High Court struck down the inclusion of certain communities in the list of SEBCs. The matter was then taken to the Supreme Court in the Vasanth Kumar’s case (supra). (High Court judgment was prior to Mandal report.)
8. Kerala (i) Commission headed by Shri G. Kumara Pillai set up in 1964. The Kerala Govt. vide communication dt. 8-2-91 has intimated that the list of OBCs has not been challenged.
(ii) Commission headed by Shri N. P. Damodaran set up in 1967.
9. Madhya Pradesh Mahajan Commission (report of Dec. 1983) (when Mandal was working, no State list) List stayed by M.P. High Court.
10. Maharashtra Committee headed by Shri B. D. Deshmukh (report of Jan.1964) Not challenged
11. Punjab Committees set up in 1951 and 1965. The latter Committee was headed by Shri Brish Bhan. Not challenged
12. Tamil Nadu (i) Commission headed by Shri A. N. Sattanathan set up in 1969.
(ii) Commission headed by Shri J. A. Ambasankar (report of Feb. 1985) The revised list prepared by the Ambasankar Commission has been challenged in the Supreme Court vide WP No. 1 of 1987 which is pending.
13. Uttar Pradesh Commission headed by Shri Chhedi Lal Sathi (Report of 1977). Status report not received from State Government. )

At the same time, we think it necessary to make the following clarification:It is true that the Government of India has adopted the State lists obtaining as on 13th August, 1990 for its own purposes but that does not mean that those lists are meant to be sacrosanct and unalterable. There may be cases where Commissions appointed by the State Government may have, in their reports recommended modification of such lists by deletion or addition of certain castes, communities and classes. Wherever such Commission reports are available, the State Government is bound to look into them and take action on that basis with reasonable promptitude. If the State Government effects any modification or alteration by way of deletions or addition, the same shall be intimated to the Government of India forthwith which shall take appropriate action on that basis and make necessary changes in its own list relating to that State. Further, it shall be equally open to, indeed the duty of, the Government of India – since it has adopted the existing State lists – to look into the reports of such Commission, if any, and pass its own orders, independent of any action by the State Government, thereon with reasonable promptitude by way of modification or alteration. It shall be open to the Government of India to make such modification/ alteration in the lists adopted by way of additions or deletions, as it thinks appropriate on the basis of the Reports of the Commission (s). This direction, in our opinion, safeguards against perpetuation of any errors in the State lists and ensures rectification of those lists with reasonable promptitude on the basis of the reports of the Commissions already submitted, if any. This course may be adopted dehors the reference to or advice of the permanent mechanism (by way of Commission) which we have directed to be created at both Central and State level and with respect to which we have made appropriate directions elsewhere.

(b) Strictly speaking, appointment of a Commission under Art. 340 is not necessary to identify the other backward classes. Article 340 does not say so. According to it, the Commission is to be constituted “to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes……and the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties………”The Government could have, even without appointing a Commission, specified the O.B.Cs., on the basis of such material as it may have had before it (e.g., the lists prepared by various State Governments) and then appointed the Commission to investigate their conditions and to make appropriate recommendations. It is true that Mandal Commission was constituted “to determine the criteria for defining the socially and educationally backward classes” and the Commission did determine the same. Even so, it is necessary to keep the above constitutional position in mind, – more particularly in view of the veto given to State lists over the Mandal lists as explained in the preceding sub-para. The criteria evolved by Mandal Commission for defining/identifying the other Backward Classes cannot be said to be irrelevant. May be there are certain errors in actual exercise of identification, in the nature of over-inclusion or under-inclusion, as the case may be. But in an exercise of such magnitude and complexity, such errors are not uncommon. These errors cannot be made a basis for rejecting either the relevance of the criteria evolved by the Commission or the entire exercise of identification. It is one thing to say that these errors must be rectified by the Government of India by evolving an appropriate mechanism and an altogether different thing to say that on that account, the entire exercise becomes futile. There can never be a perfect report. In human affairs, such as this, perfection is only an ideal – not an attainable goal. More than forty years have passed by. So far, no reservations could be made in favour of O.B.Cs. for one or the other reason in Central services though in many States, such reservations are in force. Reservations in favour of O.B.Cs. are in force in the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar, Gujarat, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh among others. In Madhya Pradesh, a list of O.B.Cs. was prepared on the basis of Mahajan Commission Report but it appears to have been stayed by the High Court,

(c) The direction made herein for constitution of a permanent Commission to examine complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion obviates the need of any such scrutiny by this Court. We have directed constitution of such Commission both at Central and State level. Persons aggrieved can always approach them for appropriate redress. Such Commission, which will have the power to receive evidence and enquire into disputed questions of fact, can more appropriately decide such complaints than this Court under Art. 32.

In this view of the matter, it is unnecessary for us to express any opinion on the correctness or adequacy of the exercise done by the Mandal Commission. (If and when the Government of India notifies any caste/ community/ group/ class from out of the Mandal list, which caste etc. is not included in the appropriate State list, would the said question fall for consideration. It is then that it would be necessary to deal with the criticism against the Mandal Commission). For the same reason, it is unnecessary to refer or deal with the arguments of the counsel for Union of India and the Respondents in Justification of the Mandal Commission Report.

Before parting with this aspect, we must say that identifying the impugned Office Memorandums with the Mandal Commission report is basically erroneous. Such an identification is bound to lead one into confusion. He would be missing the wood for the trees. Instead of concentrating on the real issues, he would deviate into irrelevance and imbalance. Mandal Commission report may have led to the passing of the impugned Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990; It may have acted as the catalytic agent in bringing into existence the reservation in favour of O.B.Cs. (loosely referred to as SEBCs. in the O.M.) but the Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990 doesn’t incorporate the Mandal lists of O.B.Cs. as such. It incorporates, in truth and effect, the State lists as explained hereinabove. In a social measure like the impugned one, the court must give due regard to the judgment of the Executive, a co-equal wing of the State and approach the measure in the spirit in which it is conceived. This very idea is put forcefully by Joseph Raz (Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford) in his article “The Rule of law and its virtue” (1977) 93 Law Quarterly Review 195 at 211 in the following words:

“……..one should be wary of disqualifying the legal pursuit of major social goals in the name of the rule of law. After all the rule of law is meant to enable the law to promote social good, and should not be lightly used to show that it should not do so. Sacrificing too many social goals on the altar of the rule of law may make the law barren and empty.”

A note of clarification may be appended at this stage. We are told that in the State of Madhya Pradesh a list of Other Backward Classes has been prepared but it has been stayed by the High Court. The said stay, in our opinion, does not affect the operation of the Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1992 even with respect to the Other Backward Classes in Madhya Pradesh. What the said Office Memorandum does is to import and adopt the said list for its own purposes i.e. for the purpose of making reservations in central services in favour of Other Backward Classes. In such a situation, the stay of the operation of the said list by the State of Madhya Pradesh does have no relevance to the importation and adoption of the said list into Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990.

PART VII

121. We may summarise our answers to the various questions dealt with and answered hereinabove:

(1)(a) It is not necessary that the ‘provision’ under Art. 16(4) should necessarily be made by the Parliament/ Legislature. Such a provision can be made by the Executive also. Local bodies, Statutory Corporations and other instrumentalities of the State falling under Art. 12 of the Constitution are themselves competent to make such a provision, if so advised. (Para 55)

(b) An executive order making a provision under Art. 16(4) is enforceable the moment it is made and issued. (Para 56)

(2)(a) Clause (4) of Art. 16 is not an exception to clause (1). It is an instance and an illustration of the classification inherent in clause (i). (Para 57)

(b) Article 16(4) is exhaustive of the subject of reservation in favour of backward class of citizens, as explained in this judgment. (Para 58)

(c) Reservations can also be provided under clause (1) of Art. 16. It is not confined to extending of preferences, concessions or exemptions alone. These reservations, if any, made under clause (1) have to be so adjusted and implemented as not to exceed the level of representation prescribed for ‘barkward class of citizens’ as explained in this judgment. (Para 60)

(3)(a) A caste can be and quite often is a social class in India. If it is backward socially, it would be a backward class for the purposes of Art. 16(4). Among non-Hindus, there are several occupational groups, sects and denominations, which for historical reasons, are socially backward. They too represent backward social collectives for the purposes of Art. 16(4). (Paras 61 to 82)

(b) Neither the Constitution nor the Law prescribes the procedure or method of identification of backward classes. Nor is it possible or advisable for the court to lay down any such procedure or method. It must be left to the authority appointed to identify. It can adopt such method /procedure as it thinks convenient and so long as its survey covers the entire populace, no objection can be taken to it. Identification of the backward classes can certainly be done with reference to castes among, and along with, other occupational groups, classes and sections of people. One can start the process either with the occupational groups or with castes or with some other groups. Thus one can start the process with the castes, wherever they are found, apply the criteria (evolved for determining backwardness) and find out whether it satisfies the criteria. If it does – what emerges is a “backward class of citizens” within the meaning of and for the purposes of Art. 16(4). Similar process can be adopted in the case of other occupational groups, communities and classes, so as to cover the entire populace. The central idea and overall objective should be to consider all available groups, sections and classes in society. Since caste represents an existing, identifiable social group/class encompassing an overwhelming majority of the country’s population, one can well begin with it and then go to other groups, sections and classes. (Paras 83 and 84)

(c) It is not necessary for a class to be designated as a backward class that it is situated similarly to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes. (Paras 87 and 88)

(d) ‘Creamy layer’ can be, and must be excluded. (Para 86)

(e) It is not correct to say that the backward class of citizens contemplated in Art. 16(4) is the same as the socially and educationally backward classes referred to in Art. 15(4). It is much wider. The accent in Art. 16(4) is on social backwardness. Of course, social, educational and economic backwardness are closely inter-twined in the Indian context. (Para 85)

(f) The adequacy of representation of a particular class in the services under the State is a matter within the subjective satisfaction of the appropriate Government. The Judicial scrutiny in that behalf is the same as in other matters within the subjective satisfaction of an authority. (Para 89)

(4)(a) A backward class of citizens cannot be identified only and exclusively with reference to economic criteria. (Para 90)

(b) It is, of course, permissible for the Government or other authority to identify a backward class of citizens on the basis of occupation-cum-income, without reference to caste, if it is so advised. (Para 91)

(5) There is no constitutional bar to classify the backward classes of citizens into backward and more backward categories. (Para 92)

(6)(a) and (b) The reservations contemplated in Clause (4) of Art. 16 should not exceed 50%. While 50% shall be the rule, it is necessary not to put out of consideration certain extraordinary situations inherent in the great diversity of this country and the people. It might happen that in far-flung and remote areas the population inhabiting those areas might, on account of their being out of the main-stream of national life and in view of the conditions peculiar to and characteristic of them need to be treated in a different way, some relaxation in this strict rule may become imperative. In doing so, extreme caution is to be exercised and a special case made out.

(c) The rule of 50% should be applied to each year. It cannot be related to the total strength of the class, category, service or cadre, as the case may be. (Para 96)

(d) Devadasan (supra) was wrongly decided and is accordingly overruled to the extent it is inconsistent with this judgment. (Paras 97 to 99)

(7) Article 16(4) does not permit provision for reservations in the matter of promotion. This rule shall, however, have only prospective operation and shall not affect the promotions already made, whether made on regular basis or on any other basis. We direct that our decision on this question shall operate only prospectively and shall not affect promotions already made, whether on temporary, officiating or regular/ permanent basis. It is further directed that wherever reservations are already provided in the matter of promotion – be it Central Services or State Services, or for that matter services under any Corporation, authority or body falling under the definition of ‘State’ in Art. 12 – such reservations may continue in operation for a period of five years from this day. Within this period, it would be open to the appropriate authorities to revise, modify or re-issue the relevant rules to ensure the achievement of the objective of Art. 16(4). If any authority thinks that for ensuring adequate representation of’ ‘backward class of citizens’ in any service, class or category, it is necessary to provide for direct recruitment therein, it shall be open to it to do so. (Ahmadi, J. expresses no opinion on this question upholding the preliminary objection of Union of India). It would not be impermissible for the State to extend concessions and relaxations to members of reserved categories in the matter of promotion without compromising the efficiency of the administration. (Paras 100 to 107).

(8) While the rule of reservation cannot be called anti-meritarian, there are certain services and posts to which it may not be advisable to apply the rule of reservation. (Paras 108 to 112)

(9-10) The distinction made in the impugned Office Memorandum dated 25th September, 1991 between ‘poorer sections’ and others among the backward classes is not invalid, if the classification is understood and operated as based upon relative backwardness among the several classes identified as Other Backward Classes, as explained in para 114 of this judgment. (Para 114)

(11) The reservation of 10% of the posts in favour of ‘other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of the reservation’ made in the impugned Office Memorandum dated 25-9-1991 is constitutionally invalid and is accordingly struck down. (Para 115)

(12) There is no particular or special standard of judicial scrutiny applicable to matters arising under Art. 16(4). (Para 113)

(13) The Government of India and the State Governments have the power to, and ought to, create a permanent mechanism – in the nature of a Commission – for examining requests of inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion or non-inclusion in the list of O.B.Cs. and to advise the Government, which advice shall ordinarily be binding upon the Government. Where, however, the Government does not accept the advice, it must record its reasons therefor. (Para 117)

(14) In view of the answers given by us herein and the directions issued herewith, it is not necessary to express any opinion on the correctness and adequacy of the exercise done by the Mandal Commission. It is equally unnecessary to send the matters back to the Constitution Bench of Five Judges. (Paras 118 to 119)

122. For the sake of ready reference, we also record our answers to questions as framed by the counsel for the parties and set out in para 26. Our answers question-wise are:

(1) Article 16(4) is not an exception to Art. 16(1). It is an instance of classification inherent in Art. 16(1). Art. 16(4) is exhaustive of the subject of reservation in favour of backward classes, though it may not be exhaustive of the very concept of reservation. Reservations for other classes can be provided under clause (1) of Art. 16.

(2) The expression ‘backward class” in Art. 16(4) takes in ‘Other Backward Classes’, S.Cs., S.Ts. and may be some other backward classes as well. The accent in Art. 16(4) is upon social backwardness. Social backwardness leads to educational backwardness and economic backwardness. They are mutually contributory to each other and are intertwined with low occupations in the Indian society. A caste can be and quite often is a social class in India. Economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for determining the backward class of citizens contemplated by Art. 16(4). The weaker sections referred to in Art. 46 do include S.E.B.Cs. referred to in Art. 340 and covered by Art. 16(4).

(3) Even under Art. 16(1), reservations cannot be made on the basis of economic criteria alone.

(4) The reservations contemplated in Clause (4) of Art. 16 should not exceed 50%. While 50% shall be the rule, it is necessary not to put out of consideration certain extraordinary situations inherent in the great diversity of this country and the people. It might happen that in far-flung and remote areas the population inhabiting those areas might, on account of their being out of the main-stream of national life and in view of the conditions peculiar to and characteristic of them need to be treated in a different way, some relaxation in this strict rule may become imperative. In doing so, extreme caution is to be exercised and a special case made on.

For applying this rule, the reservations should not exceed 50% of the appointments in a grade, cadre or service in any given year. Reservation can be made in a service or category only when the State is satisfied that representation of backward class of citizens therein is not adequate.

To the extent, Devadasan is inconsistent herewith, it is overruled.

(5) There is no constitutional bar to classification of backward classes into more backward and backward classes for the purposes of Art. 16(4). The distinction should be on the basis of degrees of social backwardness. In case of such classification, however, it would be advisable – nay, necessary – to ensure equitable distribution amongst the various backward classes to avoid lumping so that one or two such classes do not eat away the entire quota leaving the other backward classes high and dry.

For excluding ‘creamy layer’, an economic criterion can be adopted as an indicium or measure of social advancement.

(6) A ‘provision’ under Art. 16(4) can be made by an executive order. It is not necessary that it should be made by Parliament/ Legislature.

(7) No special standard of judicial scrutiny can be predicated in matters arising under Art. 16(4). It is not possible or necessary to say more than this under this question.

(8) Reservation of appointments or posts under Art. 16(4) is confined to initial appointment only and cannot extend to providing reservation in the matter of’ promotion. We direct that our decision on this question shall operate only prospectively and shall not affect promotions already made, whether on temporary officiating or regular/ permanent basis. It is further directed that wherever reservations are already provided in the matter of promotion – be it Central Services or State Services, or for that matter services under any Corporation, authority or body falling under the definition of ‘State’ in Art. 12 – such reservations may continue in operation for a period of five years from this day. Within this period, it would be open to the appropriate authorities to revise, modify or reissue the relevant rules to ensure the achievement of the objective of Art. 16(4). If any authority thinks that for ensuring adequate representation of ‘backward class of citizens’ in any service, class or category, it is necessary to provide for direct recruitment therein, it shall be open to it to do so.

(As pointed out at the end of the paragraph 101 of this judgment, Ahmadi, J. having upheld the preliminary objection raised by Sri Parasaran and others has not associated himself with the discussion on the question whether reservation in promotion is permissible. Therefore, the views expressed in this judgment on the said point are not the views of Ahmadi, J.)

“The following directions are given to the Government of India, the State Govts”>. and the Administration of Union Territories.

123.(A) The Government of India, each of the State Governments and the Administrations of Union Territories shall, within four months from today, constitute a permanent body for entertaining, examining and recommending upon requests for inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion and under-inclusion in the lists of other backward classes of citizens. The advice tendered by such body shall ordinarily be binding upon the Government.

(B) Within four months from today the Government of India shall specify the bases, applying the relevant and requisite socio-economic criteria to exclude socially advanced persons/sections (‘creamy layer) from ‘Other Backward Classes’. The implementation of the impugned O.M. dated 13th September 1990 shall be subject to exclusion of such socially advanced persons (‘creamy layer).

This direction shall not however apply to States where the reservations in favour of backward classes are already in operation. They can continue to operate them. Such States shall however evolve the said criteria within six months from today and apply the same to exclude the socially advanced persons/sections from the designated ‘Other Backward Classes’.

(C) It is clarified and directed that any and all objections. to the criteria that may be evolved by the Government of India and the State Governments in pursuance of the direction contained in clause (B) of para 123 as well as to the classification among backward classes and equitable distribution of the benefits of reservations among them that may be made in terms of and as contemplated by clause (1) of the Office Memorandum dated 25th September 1991, as explained herein, shall be preferred only before this Court and not before or in any other High Court or other Court or Tribunal. Similarly, any petition or proceeding questioning the validity, operation or implementation of the two impugned Office Memorandums, on any grounds whatsoever, shall be filed or instituted only before this Court and not before any High Court or other Court or Tribunal.

124. The Office Memoranda dated August 13, 1990 impugned in these writ petitions is accordingly held valid and enforceable subject to the exclusion of the socially advanced members/ sections from the notified ‘Other Backward Classes’, as explained in para 123(B).

Clause (i) of the Office Memorandum dated September 25, 1991 requires – to uphold its validity – to be read, interpreted and understood as intending a distinction between backward and more backward classes on the basis of degrees of social. backwardness and a rational and equitable distribution of the benefits of the reservations amongst them. To be valid, the said clause will have to be read understood and implemented accordingly.

Clause (ii) of the Office Memorandum dated September 25, 1991 is held invalid and inoperative.

The Writ Petitions and Transferred Cases are disposed of in the light of the principles, directions, clarifications and orders contained in this judgment.

No costs.

Per S RATNAVAEL PANDIAN, J.:-124-A. ‘Equality of status and of opportunity…….’ the rubric chiselled in the luminous preamble of our vibrating and pulsating Constitution radiates one of the avowed objectives in our Sovereign, Socialist and Secular Democratic Republic. In every free country which has adopted a system of governance through democratic principles, the people have their fundamental inalienable rights and enjoy the recognition of inherent dignity and of equality analogous to the rights proclaimed in the ‘Bill of Rights’ in U.S.A.. the ‘Rights of Man’ in the French Constitution of 1971 and ‘Declaration of Human Rights’ etc. Our Constitution is unquestionably unique in its character and assimilation having its notable aspirations contained in ‘Fundamental Rights’ (in part III) through which the illumination of Constitutional rights comes to us not through an artless window glass but refracted with the enhanced intensity and beauty by prismatic interpretation of the Constitutional provisions dealing with equal distribution of justice in the social, political and economic spheres.

Though forty-five years from the commencement of the Indian independence after the end of British paramountcy and forty-two years from the advent of our Constitution have marched on, the tormenting enigma that often nags the people of India is whether the principle of ‘equality of status and of opportunity’ to be equally provided to all the citizens of our country from cradle to grave is satisfactorily consummated and whether the clarion of ‘equality of opportunity in matters of public employment’ enshrined in Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India has been called into action? With a broken heart one has to answer these questions in the negative.

125. The founding fathers of our Constitution have designedly couched Articles 14, 15 and 16 in comprehensive phraseology so that the frail and emaciated section of the people living in poverty, rearing in obscurity, possessing no wealth or influence, having no education, much less higher education and suffering from social repression and oppression should not be denied of equality before the law and equal protection of the laws and equal opportunity in the matters of public employment or subjected to any prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

126. To achieve the above objectives, the Government have enacted innumerable social welfare legislations and geared up social reformative measures for uplifting the social and economic development of the disadvantaged section of people. True, a rapid societal transformation and profusion of other progressive changes are taking place, yet a major section of the people living below the poverty line and suffering from social ostracism still stand far behind and lack in every respect to keep pace with the advanced section of the people. The undignified social status and sub human living conditions leave an indelible impression that their forlorn hopes for equality in every sphere of life are only a myth rather than a reality. It is verily believed -rightly too – that the one and only peerless way and indeed a most important and promising way to achieve the equal status and equal opportunity is only by means of constitutional justice so that all the citizens of this country irrespective of their religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them may achieve the goal of an equalitarian society.

127. This Court has laid down a series of landmark judgments in relation to social justice by interpreting the constitutional provisions upholding the cherished values of the Constitution and thereby often has shaped the course of our national life. Notwithstanding a catena of expository decisions with interpretive semantics, the naked truth is that no streak of light or no ray of hope of attaining the equality of status and equality of opportunity is visible.

128. Confining to the issue involved in this case as regards the equal opportunity in the matters of public employment. I venture to articulate without any reservation, even on the possibility of any refutation that it is highly deplorable and heart-rending to note that the constitutional provision, namely, clause, (4) of Article 16 proclaiming a “Fundamental Right” enacted about 42 years ago for providing equality of opportunity in matters of public employment to people belonging to any backward class has still not been given effect to in services under the Union of India and many more States. A number of Backward Classes Commissions have been appointed in some of the States, the recommendations of which have been repeatedly subjected to judicial scrutiny. Though the President of India appointed the second Backward Classes Commission under the chairmanship of Shri B.P. Mandal as far back as 1st January, 1979 and the Report was submitted in December, 1980 no effective steps were taken for its implementation till the issuance of the two impugned OMs. Having regard to this appalling situation and the pathetic condition of the backward classes, for the first time the Union of India has issued the Office Memorandum (hereinafter called the ‘O.M.’) in August 1991 and thereafter an amended O.M. in September 1991 on the basis of the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.

129. Immediately after the announcement of the acceptance of the Report of the Mandal Commission, as pointed. out in Writ Petition No. 930/190 and the Annexures I and II enclosed thereto, there were unabated pro as well as anti-reservation agitations and violent societal disturbances virtually paralysing the normal life. It was unfortunate and painful to note that some youths who are intransigent to recognise the doctrine of equality in matters of public employment and who under the mistaken impression that ‘wrinkles and gray hairs’ could not do any thing in this matter, actively participated in the agitation. Similarly, another section of people suffering from a fear psychosis that the Mandal recommendations may not at all be implemented entered the fray of the agitation. Thus, both the pro and anti-reservationists on being detonated and inflamed by the ruffled feelings that their future in public employment is bleak raised a number of gnawing doubts which in turn sensationalised the issue. Their pent up fury led to an orgy of violence resulting in loss of innocent life and damaged the public properties. It is heart-rending that some youths particularly students – in their prime of life went to the extent of even self-immolating themselves. No denying the fact that the horrible, spine – chilling and jarring piece of information that some youths whose feelings ran high had put an end to their lives in tragic and pathetic manner had really caused a tremor in Indian society. My heart bleeds for them.

130. In fact, a three-Judges Bench of this Court comprised of Ranganath Misra, C.J. and K.N. Singh and M. H. Kania, JJ (as the learned Chief Justices then were) taking note of the widespread violence, by their order dated 21st September 1990 made the following appeal to the general public and particularly the student community:

“After we made order on 11th September, 1990, we had appealed to counsel and those who were in the Court room to take note of the fact that the dispute has now come to the apex court and it is necessary that parties and the people who were agitated over this question should maintain a disciplined posture and create an atmosphere where the question can be dispassionately decided by this court……….There is no justification to be panicky over any situation and if any one’s rights are prejudiced in any manner, certainly relief would be available at the appropriate stage and nothing can happen in between which would deter this Court from exercising its power in an effective manner.”

131. Be that as it may, sitting as a Judge one cannot be swayed either way while interpreting the Constitutional provisions pertaining to the issues under controversy by the mere reflexes of the opinion of any section of the people or by the turbulence created in the society or by the emotions of the day. Because nothing inflicts a deeper wound on our Constitution than in interpreting it running berserk regardless of human rights and dignity.

132. We are very much alive to the fact that the issues with which we are now facing are hypersensitive, highly explosive and extremely delicate. Therefore, the permissible judicial creativity in tune with the Constitutional objectivity is essential to the interpretation of the Constitutional provisions so that the dominant values may be discovered and enforced. At the same time, one has to be very cautious and careful in approaching the issues in a very pragmatic and realistic manner.

133. Part-III dealing with ‘Fundamental Rights’ and Part-IV dealing with ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’ which represent the core of the Indian Constitutional philosophy envisage the methodology for removal of historic injustice and inequalities – either inherited or artificially created – and social and economic disparity and ultimately for achieving an egalitarian society in terms of the basic structure of our Constitution as spelt out by the preamble.

134. Though all men and women created by the Almighty, whether orthodox or heterodox; whether theist or atheist; whether born in the highest class or lowest class; whether belong to ‘A’ religion or ‘B’ religion are biologically same, having same purity of blood. In a Hindu Society they are divided into a number of distinct sections and subsections known as castes and sub-castes. The moment a child comes out of the mother’s womb in a Hindu family and takes its first breath and even before its umbilical cord is cut off, the innocent child is branded, stigmatized and put in a separate slot according to the caste of its parents despite the fact that the birth of the child in the particular slot is not by choice but by chance.

135. The concept of inequality is unknown in the kingdom of God who creates all beings equal, but the “created” of the creator has created the artificial inequality in the name of casteism with selfish motive and Vested interest.

136. Swami Vivekananda in one of his letters addressed to his disciples in Madras dated 24-1-1894 has stated thus:

“Caste or no caste, creed or no creed, …….or class, or caste, or nation, or institution which bars the power of free thought and action of an individual – even so long as that power does not injure others – is devilish and must go down.”

(Vide ‘The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol. V page 29)

137. A Biblical verse in New Testament says “He denieth none that come unto Him, black and white”.

Sura 10 Verse No. 44 of Holy Quran reads:

“Verily God will not deal unjustly with man in aught; it is man that wrongs his own soul.”

138. The Hindus who form the majority, in our country, are divided into 4 Varnas -namely, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas (who are all twice born) and lastly Shudras which Varnas are having a four tier demarcated hierarchical caste system based on religious tenets, believed to be of divine origin or divinely ordained, otherwise called the Hindu Vernasharma Dharma Beyond the 4 Varnas Hinduism recognises a community, by name panchama (untouchables) though Shudras are recognised as being the lowest rung of the hierarchical race. This system not only creates extreme forms of caste and gender prejudices, injustices, inequalities but also divides the society into privileged and disabled, revered and despised and so on. The perpetuation of casteism, in the words of Swami Vivekananda “continues social tyranny of ages”. The caste system has been religiously preserved in many way including by the judicial verdicts, pronounced according to the traditional Hindu Law.

139. On account of the caste system and the consequent inequalities prevailing in Hinduism between person to person on the basis of Varnasharama Dharma new religions such as Buddhism and Jainism came into existence on the soil of this land. Many humanistic thinkeres and farseeing revolutionary leaders who stood foursquare by the down-trodden section of the Backward Classes aroused the consciousness of the backward class to fight for justice and join the wider struggle for social equality and propagated various reforms. It was their campaign of waging an unending war against social injustice which created a new awareness. The sustained and strenuous efforts of those leaders in that pursuit have been responsible for bringing many new social reforms.

140. Recognizing and recalling the selfless and dedicated social service carried on by those great leaders from their birth to the last breath; the then Prime Minister while making his clarificatory statement regarding the implementation of the Mandal Commission’s Report in the Rajya Sabha on the 9th August 1990 paid the tributes in the following words:

“In fact this is the realisation of the dream of BHARAT RATNA Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, of the great PERIYAR Ramaswamy and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia.”

141. Harkingback, it is for the first time that the controversial issue as regards the equality of opportunity in matters of public employment as contemplated under Article 16(4) has come up for deliberation before a nine-Judges Bench, on being referred to by a five-Judges Bench.

142. There are various Constitutional provisions such as Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, 38, 46, 332, 338 and 340 which are designed to redress the centuries old grievances of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes as well as the backward classes and which have come for judicial interpretation on and off. It is not merely a part of the Constitution but also a national commitment.

143. This Court which stands as a sentinel on the quie vie over the rights of people of this country has to interpret the Constitution in its true spirit with insight into social values and suppleness of the adoption to the changing social needs upholding the basic structure of the Constitution for securing social justice, economic justice and political justice as well as equality of status and equality of opportunity.

144. The very blood and soul of our Constitutional scheme are to achieve the objectives of our Constitution as contained in the preamble which is part of our Constitution as declared by this Court in Kesvananda Bharti v. State of Kerala 1973 (Suppl) SCR 1 . So it is incumbent to lift the veil and see the notable aspirations of the Constitution.

145. No one can be permitted to invoke the Constitution either, as a sword for an offence or as a shield for anticipatory defence, in the sense that no one under the guise of interpreting the Constitution can cause irrevertible injustice and irredeemable inequalities to any section of the people or can protect those unethically claiming unquestionable dynastic monopoly over the Constitutional benefits.

146. Therefore, the Judges who are entrusted with the task of fostering an advanced social policy in terms of the Constitutional mandates cannot afford to sit in ivory towers keeping Olympian silence unnoticed and uncaring of the storms and stresses that affect the society.

147. This Summit Court has not only to interpret the Constitution but also sometimes to articulate the Constitutional norms, serving as a publicist for reforms in the areas of the most pressing needs and directing the executive to take the needed actions. Mere verbal gymnastics or empty slogans and sermons honoured more often in rhetoric than practice are of no use.

148. It may be a journey of thousand miles in achieving the equality of status and of opportunity, yet it must begin with a single step. So let the socially backward people take their first step in that endeavour and march on and on.

149. When new societal conditions and factual situations demand the Judges to speak they, without professing the tradition of judicial lock-jaw, must speak out. So I speak.

150. For providing reservations for backward class of citizens, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the public educational institutions and for providing equal opportunity in the matters of public employment, some States have appointed Commissions on Backward Classes. The Central Government has also appointed two Commissions under Article 340(1) of the Constitution of India for identifying the backward class of citizens as contemplated under Article 16(4) for the purpose of making reservation of appointments or posts in the Services under Union of India. The list of Commissions appointed by the various States and the Central Government is given as under:

Second Backward Classes Commission

(popularly known as Mandal Commission)

COMMISSIONS ON BACKWARD CLASSES

1918-1990

Andhra Pradesh Manohar Pershad Committee (1968-69)
Ananta Raman Commission (1970)
Muralidhara Rao Commission (1982)
Bihar Mungeri Lal Commission (1971-76)
Gujarat A. R. Bakshi Commission (1972-76)
Justice C. V. Rane Commission (1981-83)
Justice R. C. Mankad Commission (1987)
Haryana Gurnam Singh Commission (1990)
Jammu and Kashmir Justice Ganjendragadkar Commission (1967-68)
Justice J. N. Wazir Commission (1969)
Justice Adarsh Anand Commission (1976-77)
Karnataka Justice L. C. Miller Committee (1918-1920; Mysore)
Naganna Gowda Commission (1960-61)
L. G. Havnur Commission (1972-75)
T. Venkataswamy Commission (1983-86)
Justice Chinnappa Reddy Commission (1989-90)
Kerala Justice C. D. Nokes Committee (1935; Travancore-Cochin)
V. K. Vishvanatham Commission (1961-63)
G. Kumar Pillai Commission (1964-66)
N. P. Damodaran Commission (1967-70)
Maharashtra O. H. B. Starte Committee (1928-30; Bombay Presidency)
B. D. Deshmukh Committee (1961-64)
Punjab Brish Ban Committee (1965-66)
Tamil Nadu A. N. Sattanathan Commission (1969-70)
J. M. Ambasankar Commission (1982-86)
Uttar Pradesh Chhedi Lal Sathi Commission (1975-77)
All India Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953-55)
B. P. Mandal Commission (1979-80)

Note:1.Where two dates are mentioned they refer to year of appointment and year of submission. Where only one is mentioned it refers to year of submission which is also the year of appointment in some cases.

2. The three commissions of the colonial period mentioned here had an ambit wider than those groups that later came to be known as Backward Classes.

151. By a Presidential Order under Article 340 of the Constitution of India, the first Backward Class Commission known as Kaka Kalelkar’s Commission was set up on January 29, 1953 and it submitted its report on March 30, 1955 listing out 2399 castes as socially and educationally backward on the basis of criteria evolved by it, but the Central Government did not accept that report and shelved it in the cold storage.

152. It was about twenty-four years after the First Backward Classes Commission submitted its Report in 1955 that the President of India pursuant to the resolution of the Parliament appointed the second Backward Classes Commission on 1st January 1979 under the Chairmanship of Shri B. P. Mandal to investigate the conditions of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (for short ‘SEBCs’) within the territory of India. One of the terms of reference of the Commission was to determine the criteria for defining the SEBCs. The Commission commenced its functioning on 21st March 1979 and completed its work on 12th December 1980, during the course of which it made an extensive tour throughout the length and breadth of India in order to collect the requisite data for its final report. The Commission submitted its report with a minute of dissent of one of its members, Shri L. R. Naik on 31st December 1980. The Commission appears to have identified as many as 3743 castes as SEBCs and made its recommendations under Chapter XIII of Valume I of its report (vide paras 13.1 to 13.39) and finally suggested “regarding the period of operation of Commission’s recommendations, the entire scheme should be reviewed after twenty years. (Vide para 13.40) 153. The entire Report comprises of fourteen Chapters of which Chapter IV deals with ‘Social Backwardness and Caste’, Chapter XI deals with ‘Socio-Educational Field Survey and Criteria of Backwardness’, Chapter XII deals with ‘Identification of OBCs’ and Chapter XIII gives the ‘Recommendations’. After a thorough survey of the population, the Commission has arrived at the percentage of OBCs as follows:

“12.22 From the foregoing it will be seen that excluding Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes constitute nearly 52% of the Indian population.

Percentage of Distribution of Indian Population by Caste and Religious Groups

S. No. Group Name Percentage of the total population
I. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
A-1 Scheduled Castes 15.05
A-2 Scheduled Tribes 7.51
Total of ‘A’ 22.56
II. Non-Hindu Communities, Religious Groups, etc.
B-1 Muslims (other than STs) 11.19 (0.2)*
B-2 Christians (other than STs) 2.16 (0.44)*
B-3 Sikhs (other than SCs and STs) 1.67 (0.22)*
B-4 Budhists (other than STs) 0.67 (0.03)*
B-5 Jains 0.47
Total of ‘B’ 16.16
III. Forward Hindu Castes and Communities
C-1 Brahmins (including Bhumihars) 5.52
C-2 Rajputs 3.90
C-3 Marathas 2.21
C-4 Jats 1.00
C-5 Vaishyas-Bania etc. 1.88
C-6 Kayasthas 1.07
C-7 Other forward Hindu castes/groups 2.00
Total of ‘C’ 17.58
Total of ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ 56.30
IV. Backward Hindu Castes and Communities
D. Remaining Hindu castes/groups which come in the category of ‘Other Backward Classes’ 43.70 @
V. Backward Non-Hindu Communities
E. 52% of religious groups under Section B may also be treated as OBCs 8.40
F. The approximate derived population of Other Backward Classes including non-Hindu Communities 52%
(Aggregate of D and E, rounded)

@ This is a derived figure

_____________________________________________________________________

Figures in brackets give the population of S. C. and S. T. among these non-Hindu Communities. 154. On the basis of the Commission’s Report – Popularly known as Mandal Commission’s Report – (for short ‘the Report’), two Office Memoranda – one dated 13-8-1990 and the other amended one dated 25-9-1991 were issued by the Government of India. We are reproducing those Memoranda hereunder for proper understanding and appreciation of the significance of these two OMs and the distinctions appearing between them:

“No. 36012/31/90-Estt (SCT)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances

and Pensions

(Deptt. of Personnel and Training)

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

New Delhi, the 13th August, 1990

Subject:Recommendation of the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Report) – Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes in services under the Government of India.

______________________________

In a multiple undulating society like ours, early achievement of the objective of social justice as enshrined in the Constitution is a must. The second Backward Classes Commission called the Mandal Commission was established by the then Government with this purpose in view, which submitted its report to the Government of India on 31-12-1980.

2. Government have carefully considered the report and the recommendations of the Commission in the present context responding the benefits to be extended to the socially and educationally backward classes as opined by the Commission and are of the clear view that at the outset certain weightage has to be provided to such classes in the services of the Union and their Public Undertakings. Accordingly orders are issued as follows:

(i) 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved for SEBC.

(ii) The aforesaid reservation shall apply to vacancies to be filled by direct recruitment. Detailed instructions relating to the procedure to be followed for enforcing reservation will be issued separately.

(iii) Candidates belonging to SEBC recruited on the basis of merit in an open competition on the same standards prescribed for the general candidates shall not be adjusted against the reservation quota of 27%.

(iv) The SEBC would comprise in the first phase the castes and communities which are common to both the list in the report of the Mandal Commission and the State Government’s lists. A list of such castes/ communities is being issued separately.

(v) The aforesaid reservation shall take effect from 7-8-1990. However, this will not apply to vacancies where the recruitment process has already been initiated prior to the issue of these orders.

Similar instructions in respect of public sector undertakings and financial institutions including public sector banks will be issued by the Department of Public Enterprises and Ministry of Finance respectively.

Sd/-

(Smt. Krishna Singh)

Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India,

Amended Memorandum:

“No. 36012/ 31/ 90-Estt (SCT)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances

and Pensions

(Deptt. of Personnel and Training)

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

New Delhi, the. 25th September, 1991.

Subject:Recommendation of the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Report) – Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes in service under the Government of India.

The undersigned is directed to invite the attention to O. M. of even number dated the 13th August, 1990, on the above sections of the SEBCs to receive the benefits of reservation on a preferential basis and to provide reservation for other economically backward sections of the people not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation, Government have decided to amend the said Memorandum with immediate effect as follows:-

2. (i) Within the 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India reserved for SEBCs, preference shall be given to candidates belonging to the poorer sections of the SEBCs. In case sufficient number of such candidates are not available, unfilled vacancies shall be filled by the other SEBC candidates.

(ii) 10% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved for other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation.

(iii) The criteria for determining the poorer sections of the SEBCs or the other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservations are being issued separately.

3. The O. M. of even number dated the 13th August, 1990, shall be deemed to have been amended to the extent specified above.

Sd/-

(A. K. HARIT)

DEPUTY SECRETARY TO THE

GOVT. OF INDIA”

155. The expression deployed in both the OMs, “Socially and Educationally Backward Classes” is on the strength of the Report of the Commission, though no such expression is used in Article 16(4) whereunder the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens is to be made. This expression is used as an explanatory one to the words ‘backward class’ occurring in Article 16(4). Articles 16 (4) and 340 (1) were embodied in the Constitution even at the initial stage; but Article 15(4) containing the same expression as in Article 340 (1) was subsequently added by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act of 1951 to override the decision of this Court in State of Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan (1951) SCR 525 .

Legislative History of Article 15 (4) of the Constitution

156. A legislative historical event that warranted the introduction of clause (4) to Article 15 may be briefly retraced.

157. The Government of Tamil Nadu issued a Communal G. O. in 1927 making compartmental reservation of posts for various communities. Subsequently the G. O. was revised. In 1950 one Smt. Champakam Dorairajan who intended to join the Medical College, on enquiries came to know that in respect of admissions into the Government Medical College the authorities were enforcing and observing an order of the Government, namely, notification G. O. No. 1254 Education dated 17-5-1948 commonly known as Communal G. O. which restricted the number of seats in Government Colleges for certain castes. It appeared that the proportion fixed in the old Communal G. O. had been adhered to even after commencement of the Constitution on January 26, 1950. She filed a writ petition on 7th June 1950 under Article 226 of the Constitution for issuance of a writ of mandamus restraining the State of Madras from enforcing the said Communal G. O. on the ground that the G. O. was sought or purported to be regulated in such a manner as to infringe the violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 15(1) and 29(2). Similarly one Srinivasan who had applied for admission into the Government Engineering College at Guindy also filed a writ petition praying for a writ of mandamus for the same relief as in Champakam Dorairajan. A Full Bench of the Madras High Court heard both the writ petitions and allowed them (vide Smt. Champakam Dorairajan v. State of Madras, AIR 1951 Madras 120). In this connection it may be mentioned that while the writ petition was pending before the High Court, another revised G. O. No. 2208 dated June 16, 1950 substantially reproducing the communal proportion fixed in the old Communal G. O. came into being. The State on being aggrieved by the judgment of the Madras High Court preferred an appeal before this Court in State of Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan, (1951) SCR 525 . A seven Judges Bench dismissed the appeal holding that “the Communal G. O. being inconsistent with the provisions of Article 29(2) in Part III of the Constitution is void under Article 13.” This judgment necessitated the introduction of a Bill called Constitution (First Amendment) Bill for overriding the decision of this Court in Champakam’s case (supra).

158. During the Parliament Debates held on 29th May 1951 Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then Prime Minister while moving the Bill to amend the Constitution stated as follows:

“We have to deal with the situation where for a variety of causes for which the present generation is not to blame, the past has the responsibility, there are groups, classes, individuals, communities, if you like, who are backward. They are backward in many ways – economically, socially, educationally – sometimes they are not backward in one of these respects and yet backward in another. The fact is therefore that if we wish to encourage them in regard to these matters, we have to do something special for them ………

Therefore one has to keep a balance between the existing fact as we find it and the objective and ideal that we aim at.”

159. Thereafter, the Bill was passed and clause (4) to Article 15 was added by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act. The object of the newly introduced clause (4) to Article 15 was to bring Articles 15 and 29 in line with Articles 16(4), 46 and 340 and to make it constitutionally valid for the State to reserve seats for backward class of citizens, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the public educational institutions as well as to make other special provisions as may be necessary for their advancement.

Scope of Article 16 (4) of the Constitution

160. Article 16(4) expressly permits the State to make any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which in the opinion of the State are not adequately represented in the services under the State. As the power conferred on the State under this clause (4) is to be exercised only if ‘in the opinion of the State’ that there is no adequate representation in the services under the State, a vital question arose for consideration whether the issue of determination by the State as to whether a particular class of citizens is backward or not is a justiciable one? This question was answered by the Constitution Bench of this Court in Trilok Nath Tiku v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (1967) 2 SCR 265 holding thus:

“While the State has necessarily to ascertain whether a particular class of citizens are backward or not, having regard to acceptable criteria, it is not the final word on the question; it is a justiciable issue. While ordinarily a Court may accept the decision of the State in that regard, it is open to be canvassed if that decision is based on irrelevant considerations. The power under clause (4) is also conditioned by the fact that in regard to any backward classes of citizens there is no adequate representation in the services under the State. The opinion of the State in this regard may ordinarily be accepted as final, except when it is established that there is an abuse of power.”

161. The words “backward class of citizens” occurring in Article 16(4) are neither defined nor explained in the Constitution though the same words occurring in Article 15 (4) are followed by a qualifying phrase, “Socially and Educationally”.

162. Though initially, Article 10(3) of the draft Constitution did not contain the qualifying word ‘backward’ preceding the words ‘class of citizens’ the said qualifying word was subsequently inserted on the suggestion of the Drafting Committee. Strong objection was taken for insertion of the word ‘backward’ and more so for the introduction of Article 10 (3) of the Draft Constitution. Amendments were moved by one section of the members of the Constituent Assembly for complete deletion of clause (3) and by another section for the omission of the word ‘backward’. The discussion and debate took place at length for and against the introduction of clause (3) as well as for the insertion of the word ‘backward’. Before the motions for amendments were put on vote, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in answering the scathing criticism made in the course of the debate and explaining the significance of clause (3) of Article 10 with the qualifying word ‘backward’ and insisting the sustenance of the said clause emphatically expressed his views as follows:

“I am not prepared to say that this Constitution will not given rise to questions which will involve legal interpretation or judicial interpretation. In fact, I would like to ask Mr, Krishnamachari if he can point out to me any instance of any Constitution in the world which has not been a paradise for lawyers, I would particularly ask him to refer to the vast storehouse of law reports with regard to the Constitution of the United States, Canada and other countries. I am therefore not ashamed at all if this Constitution hereafter for purposes of interpretation is required to be taken to the Federal Court. That is the fate of every Constitution and every Drafting Committee, I shall therefore not labour that point at all.”

While winding up the debate he said:

………the Drafting Committee had to produce a formula which would reconcile these three points of view, firstly, that there shall be equality of opportunity, secondly that there shall be reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a ‘proper look in’ so to say into the administration……that no better forumla could be produced than the one that is embodied in clause (3) of Art. 10 of the Constitution; they will find that the view of those who believe and hold that there shall be equality of opportunity has been embodied in sub-clause(1) of Art. 10. It is a generic principle……….Supposing for instance, we are to concede in full the demand of those communities who have not been so far employed in the pubic services to the fullest extent, what would really happen is, we shall be completely destroying the first proposition upon which we are all agreed, namely that there shall be an equality of opportunity ……………………… I am sure they will agree that unless you use some such qualifying phrase as “backward” the exception made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule altogether. Nothing of the rule will remain. That I think, if I may say so, is the justification why the Drafting Committee undertook on its own shoulders the responsibility of introducing the word ‘backward’ which, I admit, did not originally find a place in the fundamental right in the way in which it was passed by this Assembly ……………….. Somebody asked me; “What is a backward community”? Well, I think any one who reads the language of the draft itself will find that we have left it to be determined by each local Government. A backward community is a community which is backward in the opinion of the Government. My honourable Friend Mr. T. T. Krishnamachari asked me whether this rule will be justiciable. It is rather difficult to give a dogmatic answer. Personally I think it would be a justiciable matter. If the local Government included in this category of reservations such a large number of seats; I think one could very well go to the Federal Court and the Supreme Court and say that the reservation is of such a magnitude that the rule regarding equality of opportunity has been destroyed and the court will then come to the conclusion whether the local Government or the State Government has acted in a reasonable and prudent manner.”

(Emphasis supplied)

(Constituent Assembly Debates, Volume VII Pages 700-703).

163. After the debate, two motions were put to vote but they were negatived. The unexpurgated draft Article 10(3) corresponds to the present Art. 16(4) of the Constitution. It has now become necessary for this Court to interpret and explain the words ‘backward class’.

164. There is a galaxy of decisions of this Court, explaining the words ‘backward class’ as occurring under Art. 16(4) in relation to Arts. 16(1) and 16 (2) which I shall recapitulate in my endeavour to meet the arguments advanced by the learned counsel appearing for various parties in interpreting the words ‘backward class’.

165. The Government both in the earlier O.M. and the subsequent amended O.M. has used the expression ‘socially and educationally backward classes’ thereby qualifying the word ‘backward’ as ‘socially and educationally backward’ though in the second amended O.M., the ‘economic backwardness’ is alone taken as a ground for providing reservation for the economically backward section’ of the people not covered by the reservation meant for ‘socially and educationally backward classes’.

166. The word ‘backward’ is very wide bringing within its fold the social backwardness, educational backwardness, economic backwardness, political backwardness and even physical backwardness.

167. To assimilate the expression ‘class’ in its legal sense, the said expression should be strictly construed and tested on the principles of agreed criteria which throw a flood light on its true meaning. In interpreting the words ‘backward class’, I am sorry to say there is no uniform and consistent view expressed by the Court by laying down a rigid formula exhaustively listing out the specifc criteria. The battery of tests that are recognised by the Courts in determining ‘socially and educationally backward classes’ are caste, nature of traditional occupation or trade, poverty, place of residence, lack of education and also the sub-standard education of the candidates for the post in comparison to the average standard of candidates from general category. These factors are not exhaustive.

168. As to the questions (1) whether ‘caste’ can be taken as a criterion in determining and identifying a ‘backward class’ in Hindu society, and (2) whether it could be a pre-dominant factor or one of the factors in identifying the backward class, there is a cleavage of opinion.

169. Ray, C. J. in State of Uttar Pradesh v. Pradeep Tandon (1975) 2 SCR 761 at 766 has gone to the extent of saying that “when Art. 15(1) forbids discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste – caste cannot be made one of the criteria for determining social and educational backwardness. If caste or religion is recognised as a criterion of social and educational backwardness Art. 15(4) will stultify Art. 15(1)”. The effect of this judgment is that caste can never be a criterion. This decision has also ruled that the place of habitation and the environment are also the determining factors in judging the social and educational backwardness.

170. A good deal of arguments was advanced on the question whether caste can be the sole if not the dominant factor or at the least one of the factors or not at all. Whilst anti-reservationists contend that the Report should be thrown overboard on the ground that the reservation is made on the caste criterion, the pro-reservationists would forcibly refute that contention making counter submissions stating, inter alia, that caste can justifiably be taken as an important and dominant factor if not the sole factor in determining the social and educational backwardness for various reasons as pointed out in the Report. Since backwardness is a direct consequence of caste status and the discrimination perpetuated against the socially backward people is based on the caste system, the caste, criterion can never be divested while interpreting the word ‘class’. Mr. K.K. Venugopal, the learned senior counsel while concluding his arguments has stated that caste if it is to be taken as one of the criteria, it must be at the end point and not the starting point. Therefore, even at the threshold, it has become obligatory to decide the question whether ‘caste’ should be completely excluded from being considered as one of the criteria, if not to what extent caste would become relevant in the determination and ascertainment of ‘socially and educationally backward class’. There is a galaxy of decisions of this Court in explaining the words ‘backward class’ and ‘caste’ which I shall refer to at the appropriate place.

Meaning of ‘Class’ and ‘Caste.

171. To identify the diversity of meanings of the words ‘class’ and ‘caste’ that constitute their inner complexity; to formulatle the questions about them that are disputed and to examine as well as to assess the opposed voices in controversies that have ensued and to understand their semiology, I shall first of all reprodue the meaning of those words as lexically defined. The Oxford English Dictionary (Volume II):

Class

(2) a division or order of society according to status; a rank or grade of society;……..(6) a number of individuals (persons or things) possessing common attributes, and grouped together under a general or ‘class’ name; a kind, sort, division.

Caste

(2) one of the several hereditary classes into which society in India has from time immemorial been divided; the members of each caste being socially equal, having the same religious rites, and generally, following the same occupation or profession; those of one caste have no social intercourse with those of another;

(3) the system or basis of this division among the Hindoos.

172. In Webster Comprehensive Dictionary (International Edition), the meaning of the words is given as follows:

Class

(1) A number of body of persons with common characteristics; the educated class; (2) social rank; caste

Caste

(1) one of the hereditary classes into which Hindu society is divided in India; (2) the principle of practice of such division or the position it confers; (3) the division of society on artificial grounds; a social class.

173. According to Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language meaning of the words ‘class’ and ‘caste’ is as follows:

Class

(1) a number of persons or things regarded as forming a group by reason of common attributes, characteristics, qualities, or traits, kind, sort (2) any division of persons or things according to rank or grade……….(9) Social, a social stratum sharing basic, economic, political or cultural characteristics and having the same social position……..(10) the system of dividing society; caste ……….

Caste

(1) Sociol, an endogamous and hereditary social group limited to persons of the same rank occupation, economic position etc. and having mores distinguishing it from other such groups, (2) any rigid system of social distinctions (2) Hinduism, any of the four social divisions, the Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra, into which Hindu society is rigidily divided each caste having its own privileges and limitations, transferred by inheritance from one generation to the next (3) any class or group of society sharing common cultural features……….(6) pertaining to characterised by caste, a caste society; a caste system; a caste structure.

174. In Corpus Juris Secundum (14), the meaning of words ‘class’ and ‘caste’ is given thus:

Class

A number of objects distinguished by common characters from all others, and regarded as a collective unit or group, a collection capable of a general division, a number of persons or things ranked together for some common purpose or possessing some attribute in common; the order of rank according to which persons or things are arranged or assorted;……..

Caste

A class or grade, or division of society separated from others by differences of wealth, hereditary rank or privileges, or by profession or employment, having special significance when applied to the artificial divisions or social classes into which the Hindu are rigidly separated.

175. Black Law Dictionary (Sixth Edition) Centennial Edition (1891-1991) gives the meaning of ‘class’ thus:

Class

A group of persons, things, qualities, or activities having common characteristics or attributes.

176. The word ‘caste’ is defined in Encyclopedia Americana (5) thus: Caste is a largely, exclusive social class, membership in which is determined by birth and involves particular customary restrictions and privileges. The word derives from the Portuguese casta, meaning ‘breed’, ‘race’, or ‘kind’ and was first used to denote the Hindu social classification on the Indian subcontinent. While this remains the basic connotation the word ‘caste’ is also used to describe in whole or in part social system that emerged at various times in other parts of the world.

**********

177. The meaning of the word ‘backward’ is defined in lexicons as ‘retarded in physical, material or intellectual development’ or “slow’ in growth or development; retarded”.

178. A careful examination of the meaning of the words ‘class’ and ‘caste’ as defined above by the various dictionaries, perceivably shows that these two words are not synonymous with each other and they do not convey the same meaning.

179. See R. Chitralekha v. State of Mysore, (1964) 6 SCR 368 at 388 and Triloki Nath v. J. and K. State (1969) 1 SCR 103 at 105 and K. C. Vasanth Kumar v. State of Karnataka (1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 353 .

180. The quintessence of the above definitions is that a group of persons having common traits or attributes coupled with retarded social, material (ecomomic) and intellectual (educational) development in the sense not having so much of intellect and ability will fall within the ambit of ‘any backward class of citizens’ under Art. 16(4) of the Constitution.

181. In the course of debate in the Parliament on the intendment of Art. 16(4). Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the then Minister for Law expressed his views that “backward classes which are nothing else but a collection of certain castes.”

182. The next important, but central point at issue is whether caste by the name of which a group of persons are identified, can be taken as a criterion in determining that caste as ‘socially and educationally backward class’ and if so, will it be the sole or dominant or one of the factors in the determination of “social and educational backwardness”.

183. Before embarking upon a discussion relating to this aspect, it is pertinent to note the views of certain States as regards the caste criterion and economic criterion for identifying the ‘backwardness’.

184. In reply to a questionnaire issued by the Second Backward Class Commission, the States of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh stated that castes should be used as one of the criteria for identifying backwardness. Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh stated that caste should not be made a criterion of backwardness. Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh suggested low economic status as one of the significant tests, while Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Haryana desired the econocmic factor to be the sole determinant of backwardness.

185. Articles 15(4), 16(4) and 340(1) do not speak of ‘caste’ but only ‘class’. The learned counsel particularly those appearing for anti-reservationists have stressed that if the makers of the Constitution had really intended to take ‘caste or castes’ as conveying the meaning of socially and educationally backward class, they would have incorporated the said word ‘caste or castes’ in Arts. 15(4) and 340(1) as ‘socially and educationally backward caste or castes instead of ‘class or classes’ as they have adopted the expression in the case of ‘scheduled castes and scheduled tribes’. Similarly in Art. 16(4) also they would have used the words as ‘backward caste or castes’ instead of ‘backward class’. It has been further urged that the very fact that the framers of the Constitution in their wisdom thought of using a wider expression, ‘classes’ in Articles 15(4) and 340 (1) and ‘class’ in Art. 16(4) alludes that they did not have the intention of equating classes with the castes.

186. The word ‘caste’ is not used in the Constitution as indicative of any section of people or community except in relation to ‘Scheduled Castes’ which is defined in Art. 366(24). However, the word ‘caste’ in Arts. 15(2), 16(2) and 29(2) does not include

‘scheduled caste’ but it refers to a caste within the ordinary meaning of caste. The word ‘scheduled caste’ came into being only by the notification of President under Art. 341. It would be appropriate, in this connection, to recall the observation of Fazal Ali, J. in his separate but concurring judgment in State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas (1976) 1 SCR 986 wherein at page No. 996 , he has said that “the word ‘caste’ appearing after ‘scheduled’ is really a misnomer and has been used only for the purpose of identifying this particular class of citizens which has a special history of several hundred years behind it.”

187. Mathew, J. in his separate judgment in the same case (Thomas) has expressed that “it is by virtue of the notification of the President that the ‘Scheduled Castes’ came into being”.

188. Reference also may be made to the observation of Krishna Iyer, J. in Akhil Bhartiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh v. Union of India (1981) 2 SCR 185 at 234 where he has said:

“Terminological similarities are an illusory guide and we cannot go by verbal verisimilitude. It is very doubtful whether the expression caste will apply to Scheduled Castes. At any rate Scheduled Tribes are identified by their tribal denomination. A tribe cannot be equated with a caste. As stated earlier, their are sufficient indications in the Constitution to suggest that the Scheduled Castes are not mere castes”.

189. There is a long line of decisions dealing with the significance of the word ,caste’ in relation to Hindus as being one of the relevant criteria, if not the sole criterion for asceraining whether a particular person or group of persons will fall within the wider connotation of ‘class’.

190. In M.R. Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439 , Gajendragadkar, J. observed “Though castes in relation to Hindus may be a relevant factor to consider in determining the social backwardness of groups or classes of citizens, it cannot be the sole or the dominant test in that behalf.”

191. Subba Rao, J. speaking for the majority of the Constitution Bench in R. Chitralekha v. State of Mysore (1964) 6 SCR 368 at 389 has stated:”…………what we intend to emphasize is that under no circumstances a ‘class” can be equated to a “caste”, though the caste of an individual or a group of individual may be considered along with other relevant factors in putting him in particular class. We would also like to make it clear that if in a given situation caste is excluded in ascertaining a class within the meaning of Art. 15(4) of the Constitution, it does not vitiate the classification if it satisfied other tests.”

192. Mudholkar, J. in his dissenting judgment in considering the caste in determination of the backward class, has expressed his view thus:

“…………..it would not be in accordance either with cl. (1) of Art. 15 or Cl. (2) of Art. 29 to require the consideration of the castes of persons to be borne in mind for determining what are socially and educationally backward classes. It is true that cl. (4) of Art. 15 contains a non obstante clause with the result that power conferred by that clause can be exercised despite the provisions of Cl. (1) of Art. 15 and cl. (2) of Art. 29. But that does not justify the inference that castes have any relevance in determining what are socially and educationlly backward communities.”

193. Wanchoo, C.J. speaking for the Constitution Bench in Minor P. Rajendran v. State of Madras, (1968) 2 SCR 786 at 790 pointed out that “if the reservation in question had been based only on caste and had not taken into account the social and educational backwardness of the caste in question, it would be violative of Art. 15(1). But it must not be forgotten that a caste is also a class of citizens and if the caste as a whole is socially and educationlly backward, reservation can be made in favour of such a caste on the ground that it is a socially and educationally backward class of citizens within the meaning of Art. 15(4)”.

(Emphasis supplied)

194. The learned Chief Justice in support of his above observation has placed reliance on Balaji (supra).

195. In State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sagar (1968) 3 SCR 595 , it has been observed: “………..the expression ‘class’ means a homogeneous section of the people grouped together because of certain likenesses or common traits and who are identifiable by some common attributes such as status, rank, occupation, residence in a locality, race, religion and the like. In determining whether a particular section forms a class, caste cannot be excluded altogether. But in the determination of a class a test solely based upon the caste or community cannot also be accepted.”

196. In Triloki Nath v. J. and K. State (II) (1969) 1 SCR 103 Shah, J. speaking for the Constitution Bench has reiterated the meaning of the word ‘class’ as defined in the case of Sagar and added that “for the purpose of Art. 16(4) in determining whether a section forms a class, a test solely based on caste, community, race, religion, sex, descent, place of birth or residence cannot be adopted, because it would directly offend the Constitution.”

197. Further, this judgment reaffirms the view in Minor P. Rajendran’s case (supra) to the effect that if the members of an entire caste or community at a given time are socially, economically and educationally backward that caste on that account be treated as a backward class. This is not because they are members of that caste or community but because they form a class.

198. Hegde, J. in A. Peeriakaruppan, v. State of Tamil Nadu (1971) 2 SCR 430 at 443 has observed:

“A caste has always been recognised as a class.”

199. Vaidialingam, J. in State of Andhra Pradesh v. U.S.V. Balram, (1972) 3 SCR 247 in his conclusion upheld the list of Backward Class in that case as they satisfied the various tests, which have been laid down by this Court for ascertaining the social and educational backwardness of a class even though the said list was exclusively based on caste.

(Emphasis ours)

200. Chief Justice Ray in Kumari K.S. Jayasree v. The State of Kerala (1977) 1 SCR 194 was of the view that, “In ascertaining social backwardness of a class of citizens it may not be irrelevant to consider the caste of the group of citizens. Caste cannot however be made the sole or dominant test ……………….”

201. Speaking for the Bench in U.P. State v. Pradip Tandon Ray AIR 1975 SC 563, Ray, the learned Chief Justice after stating that neither caste nor race nor religion can be made the basis of classification for the purposes of determining social and educational backwardness within the meaning of Art. 15(4) when Art. 15(1) forbids discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste observed that caste cannot be made one of the criteria for determining social and educational backwardness and that if the caste or religion is recognised as a criterion of social and educaional backwardness, Art. 15 (4) stultify Art. 15(1). Further, he observed that “It is true that Art. 15(1) forbids discrimination only on the ground of religion, race, caste but when a classification takes recourse to caste as one of the criteria in determining socially and educationally backward classes, the expression ‘classes’ in that case violates the rule of expressio unius est exclusio alterjus. The socially and educationally backward classes of citizens are groups other than groups based on caste.”

202. The learned Chief Justice also recognised the meaning of the expression “classes of citizens” in line with the observation made in Triloki Nath (II) (supra) and Sagar (supra) and explained the traits of social backwardness, economic backwardness and educational backwardness.

203. See also Akhil Bhartiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (supra) and K. C. Vasant Kumar (supra).

204. Though there is tremendous ambivalence in a host of judgments rendered by this Court, not even a single judgment has held that class has no relevance to caste at all wherever caste system is prevalent.

205. Collating the above said views expressed by this Court in a catena of decisions as regards the relevance and significance of the caste crtierion in the field of identification of ‘socially and educationally backward classes’ it may be stated that caste neither can be the sole criterion nor can it be equated with ‘class’ for the purpose of Art. 16(4) for ascertaining the social and educational backwardness of any section or group of people so as to bring them within the wider connotation of ‘backward class’. Nevertheless ‘caste’ in Hindu society becomes a dominant factor or primary criterion in determining the backwardness of a class of citizens. Unless ,caste’ satisfies the primary test of social’ backwardness as well as the educational and economic backwardness which are the established and accepted criteria to identify the ‘backward class’ a caste per se without satisfying the agreed formulae generally cannot fall within the meaning of ‘backward class of citizens’ under Art. 16(4), save in given exceptional circumstances such as the caste itself being identifiable with the traditional occupation of the lower strata – indicating the social backwardness.

206. True, the caste system is predominantly known in Hindu society and runs through the entire fabric of the social structure. Therefore, the caste criterion cannot be divested from the other established and agreed criteria in identifying and ascertaining the backward classes.

207. It is said that the caste system is unknown to other communities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jews, Parsis, Jains etc. in whose respective religion, the caste system is not recognised and permitted. But in practice, it cannot be irrefutably asserted that Islam, Christianity, Sikhism are all completely immune from casteism.

208. There are marked distinctions in one form or another among various sections of the Muslim community especially among converts to Islam though does not recognise such kind of divisions among Muslims and professes only common brotherhood.

209. There are various sects or separate groups of people in Muslim communities being identified by their occupation such as Pinjara in Gujarat, Dudekula (cotton beaters) in Andhra Pradesh, Labbais, Rowthar and Marakayar in Tamil Nadu.

210. Though Christianity does not acknowledge caste system, the evils of caste system in some States are as prevalent as in Hindu society especially among the converts. In Andhra Pradesh, there are Harijan Christians, Reddy Christians, Kamma Christians etc. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, there are Pillai Christians, Marvar Christians, Nadar Chiristians and Harijan Christians etc. That is to say all the converts to Christianity have not divested or set off themselves from their caste labels and crossed the caste barrier but carry with them the banners of their caste labels. Like Hindu they interact and have their familiar relationship and marital alliances only within the converted caste groups.

211. In Tamil Nadu, after persistent effort and agitations some of the sections of people belonging to some castes or communities converted either to Islam or Christianity have become successful in having them included in the list of ‘backward classes’ on par with their corresponding Hindu caste people.

212. The Government of Tamil Nadu on the basis of the report of the Second Backward Classes Commission issued a revised list of ‘backward classes’ by G.O. Ms. No. 1564 (Social Welfare Department) dated 30th July 1985 wherein the following castes and communities converted to Islam and Christianity are included for the purpose of reservation under Arts. 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution.

Serial No.
26 Converts to Christianity from Scheduled Castes irrespective of the generation of conversion for the purpose of reservation of seats in Educational Institutions and to seats in Public Services.
98[8] Labbais including Rowthar and Harakayar (whether their spoken language is Tamil or Urdu.)
100 Latin Catholics………..; in Kanyakumari district and Shenkottah taluk of Tirunelveli district.
110 Meenavar, Parvatharajakulam, Pattanavar, Sembadavar (including converts to Christianity).
115 Mukkuvar or Mukayar (including converts to Christianity)
118 Nadar, Shanar and Gramani, including Christian Nadar, Christian Shanar and Christian Gramani.
136 Paravar including converts to Christianity (except in Kanyakumari district and Shenkottah taluk of Tirunelveli district where the community is a Scheduled Caste.)

213. By another G. O. Ms. No. 1565 dated 30th July 1985, the Government of Tamil Nadu directed the reservation of seats at 50% for Backward Classes and 18% for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in respect of all courses in all kinds of educational institutions as well as in all Services in the Government of Tamil Nadu. Thereafter, another G. O. Ms. No. 558 dated 24th February 1986 on the representation of Christian converts was issued, the relevant paragraphs of which reads as follows:

“(5) Accordingly, the Government declare that, in addition to the Christian Converts mentioned in paragraph one above, the persons belonging to the other Christian communities who are converts from any Hindu community included in the list of Backward Classes also will be considered as socially and educationally backward for the purposes of Article 15 (4) of the Constitution.

(6) The Government also declare that, in addition to the Christian converts mentioned in paragraph one above, the persons belonging to the other Christian communities who are converts from any Hindu community included in the list of Backward Classes also will be considered as Backward Classes of citizens and that they are not adequately represented in the services under the State with reference to Article 16(4) of the Constitution.”

214. The Christian converts mentioned in, the above G. 0. relates to the list of Christian converts mentioned in G. O. Ms. No. 1564 dated 30th July 1985.

215. As per the statistics given in the Report of the Second Backward Classes Commission, in Tamil Nadu out of 27.05,960 people belonging to Muslim minorities 25,60, 195 are included in the backward list which works out to 94,61% of the total Muslim population of the State. Similarly, among Christians, out of 31,91,988 of the total population, 25,48, 148 are included in the backward list which works out to 79,83%.

216. The Nav Budhists, and Neo Budhists the majority of whom are converts from Scheduled Castes enjoy the reservation on the ground that their low status in that community have not become advanced equal to the status of others and their social backwardness is not changed in spite of the change of their religion.

217. Sikhism, no doubt, strictly believes in social equality and justice, denounces all sorts of social discrimination between man and man, strongly advocates the equality and parity in all humanity and propagates that caste, birth or colour cannot make one superior or inferior. All the Gurus of Sikhism have advocated and articulated the concept of equality of man as the basis of egalitarian society. Notwithstanding Sikhism is violently against casteism, some converts to Sikhism from the Scheduled Castes still retain their caste label.

218. Thus even among non-Hindus, there are occupational organisations or social groups or sects which are having historical background/ evolution. They too constitute social collectives and form separate classes for the purposes of Article 16(4).

219. Though in India, caste evil originated from Hindu religion that evil has taken its root so deep in the social structure of all the Indian communities and spread its tentacles far and wide thereby leaving no community from being influenced by the caste factor. In other words, it cannot be authoritatively said that some of the communities belonging to any particular religion are absolutely free from casteism or at least from its shadow. The only difference being that the rigour of caste varies from religion to religion and from region to region. Of course, in some of the communities, the influence of the caste factor may be minimal. So far as the Hindu society is concerned, it is most distressing to note that it receives sanction from the Hindu religion itself and perpetuated all through.

220. Reference may be made to paragraphs 12.11 to 12.16 of Chapter XII of the Report.

221. After identifying in paragraph 12.18, the Commission has laid down the following tests for identifying non-Hindu OBCs:

“12.18 After giving a good deal of thought to these difficulties, the Commission has evolved the following rough and ready criteria for identifying non-Hindu OBCs:-

i) All untouchables converted to any non-Hindu religion; and

ii) Such occupational communities which are known by the name of their traditional hereditary occupation and whose Hindu counterparts have been included in the list of Hindu OBCs. (Examples; Dhobi, Teli, Dheemar, Nai, Gujar, Kumhar, Lohar, Darji, Badhai, etc.)”

222. Even assuming that the caste factor would not furnish a reliable yardstick to identify ‘socially and educationally groups’ in the communities other than Hindu community as there is no commonness since all sections of people among Budhists, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians etc. and as the respective religion of those communities do not recognise the caste system, yet on the principle of the other agreed criteria such as traditional occupation, trade, place of residence, poverty lack of education or economic backwardness etc., the social and economic backwardness of those communities could be identified independently of the caste criterion. Once these ‘casteless socities’ are tested on the anvil of the established relevant criteria dehors the caste criterion, there may not be any difficulty in identifying the socially and educational backwardness of the section of the people of that community and classifying them as ‘backward class of citizens’ within the meaning of Article 16(4).

223. In this connection, reference may be made to the observation of this Court in Chitralekha (supra) that “…………if in a given situation caste is excluded in ascertaining a class within the meaning of Article 15 (4) of the Constitution, it does not vitiate the classification if it satisfied other tests.”

224. More often than not, a question that is put forth is should the caste label be accepted as a criterion in ascertaining the social and educational backwardness of a group of persons or community. No doubt, it is felt that in identifying and classifying a group of persons or community as ‘socially and educationally backward class’, it should be done dehors the caste label. But, all those who address such a question turn a blind eye to the existing stark reality that in the Hindu society ever since the caste system was introduced, till today, the social status of a Hindu is so woven or inextricably intertwined and fused with the caste system to such an extent that no one in such a situation can say that the caste is not a primary indicator of social backwardness and that social backwardness is not identifible with reference to the caste of an individual or group of persons or community. However, painful and distasteful, it may be, we have to face the reality that under the hydraulic pressure of caste system in Hindu society, a major section of the Hindus under multiple caste labels are made to suffer socially, educationally and economically. There appears no symptoms of early demise of this dangerous disease of caste system or getting away from the caste factor in spite of the fact that many reformative measures have been taken by the Government. Unless this caste system, unknown to other parts of the world is completely eradicated and all the socially and educationally backward classes to whichever religion they belong inclusive of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are brought up and placed on par with the advanced section of the people, the caste label among Hindus will continue to serve as a primary indicator of its social backwardness.

225. Though I am not inclined to exhaustively elaborate the untold agony and immeasurable sufferings undergone by the people in the lower strata under the label of their respective caste, I cannot avoid but citing a jarring piece of information appearing in the Report. The noted and renowned Sociologist Shri J. R. Kamble in Rise and Awakening of Depressed Classes in India published by National Publishing House, New Delhi has quoted a passage from the issue of ‘Hindu’ dated 24-12-1932 as an example of visual pollution existing in Tinnevelli (Tamil Nadu) which the Mandal Commission has extracted in Chapter IV vide para 4.13 of its report:

“4.13……….In this (Tinnevelly) district there is a class of unseeables called purada vannas. They are not allowed to come out during day time because their sight is considered to be pollution. Some of these people who wash the clothes of other exterior castes working between midnight and day-break, were with difficulty persuaded to leave their houses to interview.”

226. Does not the very mention of the caste named ‘purada vannas’ indicate that the people belonging to that community were so backward, both socially, economically as well as educationally beyond comprehension? Would the children of those people who were not allowed to come out during day time have gone to any school? Does not the very fact that those people were treated with contempt and disgrace as if they were vermin in the human form freeze our blood? Alas! What a terrible and traumatic experience it was for them living in their hide-outs having occasional pot-luck under pangs of misery, all through mourning over their perilous predicament on account of this social ostracism. When people placed at the base level in the hierarchical caste system are living like mutes, licking their wounds – caused by the deadening weight of social customs and mourning over their fate for having born in lower castes – can it be said by any stretch of imagination that caste can never be the primary criterion in identifying the social, economic and educational backwardness? Are not the social and economic activities of Shudras and Panchamas (untouchables) severely influenced by their low caste status?

227. There is no denying that many of the castes are identified even by their traditional occupation. This is so because numerous castes arranged in a hierarchical order in the Hindu social structure are tied up with their respective particular traditional occupation consequent upon the creation of four Varnas on the concept of divine origin of caste system based on the Vedic principles. Can it be said that the propagation and practice on the caste – based discrimination; the marked dividing line between upper caste Hindus and Shudras, and the practice of untouchability in spite of the Constitutional declaration of abolition of untouchability under Article 17 are completely eradicated and erased? Can it be said that the social backwardness has no relation to caste status? The unchallengeable answer for the first question would be in the negative and for the second question, the answer would be that social backwardness does have a relation with the caste status.

228. It is not germane for my purpose to enter into a lengthy deliberation as to how religion and mythology were used for founding the social institution in Hindu society containing so much of inequalities and discrimination among the people professing the same Hinduism.

229. The Mandal commission in Chapter IV of its report under the heading “Social Backwardness and Caste” has concluded its view with a query under paragraph 4.33 of its Report (Volume I) thus:

“In view of the foregoing will it be too much to say that in the traditional Indian society social backwardness was a direct consequence of caste status ……………..”

230. Though the Government both on the Central and State level have taken and are taking positive steps through law and other reformative measures to eradicate this social evil, it is heart-rending to note that in many circumstances, the caste system is being perpetuated instead of being banished for the reasons best known to those perpetrators.

231. It is common knowledge that in Hindu society, if a person merely mentions the name of a traditional occupation, another by his empirical knowledge can immediately identify the caste by the said traditional occupation. To illustrate, the traditional occupation of washing clothes is identified with washerman (Dhobi), caste, traditional occupation of hair-cutting is identified with Barber (Nai) – caste, traditional occupation of pottery is identified with Potter (Kumhar’s caste), and so on. Of course in modern times, persons belonging to any particular caste might have shifted over to other occupation leaving their traditional occupation but generally speaking, the occupation is identified with the caste and vice versa. Many backward castes have taken ‘agriculture’ as their profession. In such an unquestionable situation, in my opinion, there can be no Justification ill saying that caste in Hindu Society cannot serve as a primary criterion even at the starting point in ascertaining its social, economic and educational backwardness. To say that in the effort of ascertaining social backwardness, caste should be considered only at the end point, is a misnomer and fallacious. Because after identifying and classifying a group of persons belonging to a particular caste by testing with the application of the relevant criteria other than the caste criterion, the identification of the caste of that class of persons is no more required as in the case of identification of casteless society as a backward class. In fact, this Court in a number of decisions has held that a caste may become a ‘backward class’ provided that caste satisfies the test of backwardness.

232. It is apposite. in this context, to Make reference of the views expressed by the Mandal Commission stating that there is “a close linkage between caste ranking of a person and his social educational and economic status………In India, therefore, the low ritual caste status of a person has a direct bearing on his social backwardness”.

233. Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasanth Kumar (supra) points out that the social investigator “………..may freely perceive those pursuing certain ‘lowly’ occupation its socially and educationally backward classes.”

234. In passing, I would like to make reference to the pith and substance of the report of Kaka Kalekar, according to which the relevant factors to consider in classifying ‘backward class’ Would be their traditional occupation or profession, the percentage of literary or the general educational advancement made by them; the estimated population of the community, and the distribution of the various communities throughout the State or their concentration in certain areas.

What the Expression “Backward Class means?

235. In Minor P. Rajendran (supra), Wanchoo, C.J. speaking for the Constitution Bench has stated that “a caste is also a ‘class of citizens’ and that reservation can be made in such a case provided if that caste as a whole is socially and educationally backward within the meaning of Article 15(4)”.

236. Reference may also be made to Triloki Nath (II) (supra) and Balaram (supra).

237. The facts in Balaram (cited above) disclose that for the admission to the integrated M.B.B.S. Course in the government medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh, the Government issued a GO making a reservation of 25% of seats in favour of ‘backward classes’ as recommended by the Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes Commission besides other reservations inclusive of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The reservation for the ‘backward classes’ was challenged on the ground that the Government Order violated Article 15(1) read with Article 29 and that the reservation was not saved by Article 15(4). The High Court held that the Commission had merely enumerated the various persons belonging to a particular caste as ‘backward classes’ which was contrary to the decision of this Court and violative of the constitutional provisions and consequently struck down the GO. The Government preferred an appeal before this Court. Vaidialingam, J. speaking for the Bench had observed:

“In the determination of a class, to be grouped as backward, a test solely based upon caste or community cannot be valid. But, in our opinion, though Directive Principles contained in Art. 46 cannot be enforced by Courts, Art. 15(4) will have to be given effect to in order to assist the weaker sections of the citizen, as the State has been charged with such a duty. No doubt, we are aware that any provision made under, this clause must be within the well defined limits and should not be on the basis of caste alone. But it should not also be missed that a caste is also a class of citizens and that a caste as such may be socially and educationally backward. If after collecting the necessary data, it is found that the caste as a whole is socially and educationally backward, in our opinion, the reservation made of such persons will have to be upheld notwithstanding the fact that a few individuals in that group may be both socially and educationally above the general average. There is no gainsaying the fact that there are numerous castes in the country, which are socially and educationally backward and, therefore, a suitable provision will have to be made by the State as charged in Art. 15(4) to safeguard their interest.”

(Emphasis supplied)

238. The decisions which we have referred to above support the view that a caste is also a class of citizens and that if that caste satisfies the requisite tests of backwardness, then the classification of that caste as a backward class is not opposed to Article 16(4) notwithstanding that a few individuals of that caste are socially and educationally above the general average. I am in full agreement with the above view.

239. The composition and terms of reference of the Second Backward Classes Commission show that the Commission was appointed to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India but not the socially, economically and educationally backward classes. The earlier O.M. issued on 13-8-90 reads that with a view to providing certain weightage to socially and educationally backward classes in the services of the Union and their Public Undertakings, as recommended by the Commission, the orders are issued in the terms mentioned therein. The said O.M. also explains that “the SEBC would comprise in the first phase the castes and communities which are common to both the lists, in the report of the Commission and the State Governments’ list”. In addition it is said that a list of such castes/ communities is being issued separately. The subsequent amended O.M. dated 25-9-91 states that in order to enable the ‘poorer sections’ of the SEBCs to receive the benefits of reservation on a preferential basis and to provide reservation for other economically backward sections of the people not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation, the Government have decided to amend the earlier Memorandum. Thus this amended O.M. firstly speaks of the ‘poorer sections’ of the SEBCs and secondly about the economically backward sections of the people not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation. However, both the O.Ms. while referring to the SEBCs, do not include the ‘economic backwardness’ of that class along with ‘social and educational backwardness’. By the amended O.M., the Government while providing reservation for the backward sections of the people not covered by the existing schemes of reservation meant for SEBCs, classifies that section of the people as ‘economically backward’, that is to say that those backward sections of the people are to be identified only by their economic backwardness and not by the test of social and educational backwardness, evidently for the reason that they are all socially and educationally well advanced.

240. Coming to Article 16(4) the words ‘backward class’ are used with a wider connotation and without any qualification or explanation. Therefore, it must be construed in the wider perspective. Though the OMs speak of social and educational backwardness of a class, the primary consideration in identifying a class and in ascertaining the inadequate representation of that class in the services under the State under Article 16(4) is the social backwardness which results in educational backwardness, both of which culminate in economic backwardness. The degree of importance to be attached to social backwardness is much more than the importance to be given to the educational backwardness and the economic backwardness, because in identifying and classifying a section of people as a backward class within the meaning of Article 16(4) for the reservation of appointments or posts, the ‘social backwardness’ plays a predominant role.

241. Ray, C.J. in Jayashree (supra) is of the view that “Social backwardness can contribute to educational backwardness and educational backwardness may perpetuate social backwardness. Both are often no more than the inevitable corollaries of the extremes of poverty and the deadening weight of custom and tradition.”

242. The very fact that the Commission itself has given a weightage of 12 points to ‘social backwardness’ and 6 points to ‘educational backwardness’ and 4 points to ‘economic backwardness’ (vide paragraph 11.24 of Chapter XI) shows in very clear terms that ‘social backwardness’ is taken as a predominant factor in ascertaining the backwardness of a class under Article 16(4).

243. In M.R. Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439 at page No. 454 Gajendragadkar, J. observed that “economic backwardness might have contributed to social backwardness………….” This observation tends to show that Gajendragadkar, J. was of the view that economic backwardness may contribute to social backwardness. With respect to the learned Judge, I am unable to agree with his view.

244. Desai, J. in Vasanth Kumar (supra) has expressed a similar view that if economic criterion for compensatory discrimination or affirmative action is accepted, it would strike at the root cause of “socially and educationally backwardness …… thereby holding that only criterion which can be devised is the ‘economic backwardness’ for identifying ‘socially and educationally backward classes’ ignoring the predominance of, social backwardness. I am unable to share with this above view.

245. How far the Courts would be competent to identify the ‘Backward class’ is explained by Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasanth Kumar (supra) in the following words:

“We are afraid Courts are not necessarily the most competent to identify backward classes or to lay down guidelines for their identification except in broad and very general way. We are equipped for; that we have no legal barometers to measure social backwardness. We are truly removed from the people, particularly those of the backward classes, by layer upon layer of gradation and degradation.”

246. Let us have a glance over the Report in identifying the ‘backward classes’ by testing the same on the touchstone of various established criteria.

247. In chapter XI of the Report (Volume I Part I) under the caption ‘Socio-Educational Field Survey and Criteria of Backwardness’ it is categorically stated that after most comprehensive enquiries and survey in the socio-educational fields with the association and help of top social scientists and specialists in the country as well as experts from a number of disciplines, the Commission had prepared the “Indicators (Criteria) for Social and Educational Backwardness” on the analysis of data and submitted its report. The relevant paragraphs 11.23, 11.24 and 11.25 showing the criteria for identification of backwardness are as follows:

“Indicators (Criteria) for Social and Educational Backwardness

11.23 As a result of the above exercise, the Commission evolved eleven ‘Indicators’ or ‘criteria’ for determining social and educational backwardness. These 11 ‘Indicators’ were grouped under three broad heads, i.e. Social, Educational and Economic. They are:-

A. Social

(i) Castes/Classes considered as socially, backward by others. (ii) Castes/Classes which mainly depend on manual labour for their livelihood.

(iii)Castes/Classes where at least 25% females and 10% males above the State average get married at an age below 17 years in rural areas and at least 10% females and 5% males do so in urban areas.

(iv) Castes/Classes where participation of females in work is at least 25% above the State average.

B. Educational

(v) Castes/Classes where the number of children in the age group of 5-15 years who never attended school is at least 25% above the State average.

(vi) Castes/Classes where the rate of student drop-out in the age group of 5-15 years is at least 25% above the State average.

(vii) Castes/Classes amongst whom the proportion of matriculates is at least 25% below the State average.

C. Economic

(viii) Castes/ Classes where the average value of family assets is at least 25% below the State average.

(ix) Castes/ Classes where the number of families living in Kuccha houses is at least 25% above the State average.

(x) Castes/Classes where the source of drinking water is beyond half a kilometer for more than 50% of the households.

(xi) Castes/ Classes where the number of households having taken consumption loan is at least 25% above the State average.

11.24. As the above three groups are not of equal importance for our purpose, separate weightage was given to ‘Indicators’ in each group. All the Social ‘Indicators’ were given a weightage of 3 points each, Educational ‘Indicators’ a weightage of 2 points each and Economic ‘Indicators’ a weightage of one point each. Economic, in addition to Social and Educational indicators, were considered important as they directly flowed from social and eucational backwardness. This also helped to highlight the fact that socially and educationally backward classes are economically backward also.

11.25 It will be seen that from the values given to each Indicator, the total score adds up to 22. All these 11 Indicators were applied to all the castes covered by the survey for a particular State. As a result of this application, all castes which had a score of 50 per cent (i.e. 11 points) or above were listed as socially and educationally backward and the rest were treated as ‘advanced’. (It is a sheer coincidence that the number of indicators and minimum point score for backwardness, both happen to be eleven). Further, in case the number of households covered by the survey for any particular caste were below 20, it was left out of consideration, as the sample was considered too small for any dependable inference.”

248. It is crystal clear that the Commission only on the basis of the galaxy of facts unearthed and massive statistics collected by it, has made its recommendations on a very scientific basis of course taking ‘caste’ as the primary criterion in identifying the backward class in Hindu society and the occupation as the basis for identifying all those in whose societies, the caste system is not prevalent.

249. It is not necessary for a class to be designated as a backward class that it should be situated similarly to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

250. Vaidalaingam, J. in Balaram (supra) while examining a similar issue after making reference to the cases of Balaji (supra), Chitralekha (supra) and P. Sagar (supra) stated, “None of the above decisions lay down that socially and educationally backward class must be exactly similar in all respects to that of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

251. Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasanth Kumar (supra) while dealing with the observations made in Balaji “that the backward classes for whose improvement, special provision is contemplated by Article 15(4) are in the matter of their backwardness comparable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes” observed thus: “There is no point in attempting to determine the social backwardness of other classes by applying the test of nearness to the conditions of existence of the Scheduled Castes. such a test would practically nullify the provision for reservation for socially and educationally Backward Classes other than Scheduled Castes and Tribes.”

Criticism levelled against Mandal Commission Report

252. The learned senior counsel, Mr. N. A. Palkhiwala, Mr. K.K. Venugopal, Smt. Shyamala Pappu and Mr. P.P. Rao assisted by a battery of lawyers appearing for the petitioners condemn the rcommendations of the Commissions on the various grounds. Therefore, it has become unavoidable to meet their challenges, it may not be necessary otherwise to express any opinion on the correctness and adequacy of the exercise done by the Mandal Commission.

253. Taking pot-shots at the Mandal Report recommending exclusive reservation for SEBCs, the belligerent antireservationists denigrate the report by making scathing criticism and indiscriminately trigger off a volley of bullets against the Report. The first attack against the Report is that it is perpetuating the evils of caste system and accentuating caste consciousness besides impeding the doctrine of scularism, the net effect of which would be dangerous and disastrous for the rapid development of the Indian society as a whole marching towards the goal of the welfare state. According to them, the identification of SEBCs by the Commission on the basis of caste system is bizzare and barren of force, muchless exposing hollowness. Therefore, the OMs issued on the strength of the Mandal Report which is solely based on the caste criterion are violative of Article 16(2).

254. The above criticism, in my considered view, is very uncharitable and bereft of the factual position. Hence it has to be straightway rejected as unmeritorious since that Report is not actually based solely on caste criteria but on the anvil of various factors grouped under three heads i.e. social, educational and economic backwardness but giving more importance – rightly too – to the social backwardness as having a direct consequence of caste status.

255. Adopting the policy of ‘Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds’, a conciliatory argument was advanced saying that although it is necessary to make provisions for providing equality of opportunity in matters of public employment ‘in favour of any backward class’ in terms of Article 16(4),

256. The present Report based on 1931 census can never serve a correct basis for identifying the ‘backward class’, that therefore, a fresh Commission under Article 340(1) of the Constitution is required to be appointed to make a fresh wide survey throughout the length and breadth of the country and submit a new list of OBCs (other backward classes) on the basis of the present day Census and that there are million ways of guaranteeing progress of backward classes and ensuring that it percolates down the social scale, but the Mandal Commission is the one.

257. Firstly, in my view if the above argument is accepted it will result in negation of the just claim of the SEBCs to avail the benefit of Articles 16(4) which is a fundamental right.

258. Secondly, this attack is based on a misconception. A perusal of the Report would indicate that the 1931 census does not have even a remote connection with the identification of OBCs. But on the other hand, they are identified only on the basis of the country-wide socio-educational field survey and the census report of 1961 particularly for the identification of primitive tribes, aboriginal tribes, hill tribes, forest tribes and indigenous tribes and personal knowledge gained through extensive touring and receipt of voluminous public evidence and lists of OBCs notified by various States. It was only after the identification of OBCs, the Commission was faced with the task of determining their population percentage and at that stage 1931 census became relevant. It is to be further noted after 1931 census, no caste-wise statistics had been collected. In fact, the identification of classes by the Commission was based on the realities prevailing in 1980 and not in 1931. It is brought to our notice that the same method had already been adopted in Section 5 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 1976.

259. Thirdly, the Commission cannot be said to have ignored this factual position and found fault with for relying on 1931 census. In fact, this position is made clear by the Commission itself in Chapter XII of its Report, the relevant paragraphs of which read thus:

“12.19 Systematic caste-wise enumeration of population was introduced by the Registrar General of India in 1881 and discontinued in 1931. In view of this, figures of castewise Population beyond 1931 are not available. But assuming that the inter se rate of growth of population of various castes, communities, and religious groups over the last half a century has remained more or less the same, it is possible to work out the percentage that all these groups constitute the total population of the country.

12.10 Working on the above basis, the Commission culled out caste, communitywise population figures from the census records of 1931 and, then grouped them into broad caste-clusters and religious groups. These collectivities were subsequently aggregated under five major heads i.e. (i) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, (ii) Non-Hindu communities, Religious Groups, etc.; (iii) Forward Hindu Castes and Communities; (iv) Backward Hindu Castes and Communities; and (v) Backward Non-Hindu Communities………….”

260. In Balaram (supra), wherein a similar argument was addressed ‘this Court after going through the Report of the Backward Classes Commission of the State of Andhra Pradesh, felt the difficulty of the non-availability of the caste-wise statistics after 1931 census and pointed out that in Andhra, the figures of 1921 census were available and in Telangana area, 1931 census of castewise statistics was available.

261. In the background of the above discussion, the anti-reservationists cannot have any legitimate grievance and justifiably demand this Court to throw the Report overboard on the mere ground that 1931 census had been taken into consideration by the Commission.

262. As pointed out by this Court in Balaram that no conclusions can always be scientifically accurate in such matters. If at all the attack perpetrated on the Report renders any remedy to the anti-reservationists, it would be only for the purpose of putting the Report in cold storage as has happened to the Report of the First Backward Classes Commission.

263. Therefore, for the aforementioned reasons, I hold that the above submission made against the Report with reference to the consideration of Census of 1931 cannot be countenanced.

264. After having gone through the Commission’s Report very assiduously and punctiliously, I am of the firm view that the Commission only after deeply considering the social, educational and economic backwardness of various classes of citizens of our country in the light of the various propositions and tests laid down by this Court had submitted its Report enumerating various classes of persons who are to be treated as OBCs. The recommendations made in the present Report after a long lull since the submission of the Report by the First Backward Classes Commission are supportive of affirmative action programmes holding the members of the historically disadvantaged groups for centuries to catch up with the standards of competition set up by a welll advanced society.

265. As a matter of fact the Report wanted to reserve 52% of all the posts in the Central Government for OBCs commensurate with their ratio in the population. However, in deference to legal limitation it has recommended a reservation of 27% only even though the population of OBCs is almost twice this figure.

266. Yet another argument oil behalf of the anti-reservationists was addressed contending that if the recommendations of the Commission are implemented, it would result in the sub-standard replacing the standard and the reigns of power passing from meritocracy to mediocrity; that the upshot will be in demoralization and discontent and that it would revitalize caste system, and cleave the nation into two – forward and backward -and open up new vistas for internecine conflict and fissiparous forces, and make backwardness a vested interest.

267. The above tortuous line of reasoning, in my view is not only illogical, inconceivable, unreasonable and unjustified but also utterly overlooks the stark grim reality of the SEBCs suffering from social stigma and ostracism in the present day scenario of hierarchical caste system. The very object of Article 16(4) is to ensure equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and give adequate representation to those who have been placed in a very discontent position from time immemorial on account of sociological reasons. To put it differently, the purpose of clause (4) is to ensure the benefits flowing from the fountain of’ this clause on the beneficiaries namely the Backward Classes – who in the opinion of the Constitution makers would have otherwise found it difficult to enter into public services. competing with advanced classes and who could not be kept in limbo until they are benefited by the positive action schemes and who have suffered and are still suffering from historic disabilities arising from past discrimination or disadvantage or both. However, unfortunately all of them had been kept at bay on account of various factors, operating against them inclusive of poverty. They continue to be deprived of enjoyment of equal opportunity in matters of public employment despite there being sufficient statistical evidence in proof of manifest imbalance in Government jobs which evidence is Sufficient to support an affirmative action plan. If candidates belonging to SEBCs (characterised as mediocre by antireservationists), are required to enter the open field competition, along with the candidates belonging to advanced communities without any preferential treatment in public services in their favour and go through a rigid test mechanism being the highly intelligence test and professional ability test as conditions of employment, certainly those conditions would operate as “built-in headwinds” for SEBCs. It is. therefore, in order to achieve equality of employment opportunity, clause (4) of Article 16 empowers the State to provide permissible reservation to SEBCs in the matters of appointments or posts its a remedy so as to set right the manifest imbalance in the field of public employment.

268. The argument that the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission would result in demoralisation and discontent has no merit because conversely can it not be said that the non-implementation of the recommendations would result in demoralisation and discontent among the SEBCs.

269. Though ‘equal protection’ clause prohibits the State from making unreasonable discrimination in providing preferences and facilities for any section of its people, nonetheless it requires the State to afford substantially equal opportunities to those, placed unequally.

270. The basic policy of reservation is to off-set the inequality and remove the manifest imbalance, the victims of’ which for bygone generations lag far behind and demand equality by special preferences and their strategies. Therefore, a comprehensive methodological approach encompassing Jurisprudential, comparative, historical and anthropological conditions is necessary. Such considerations raise controversial issues transcending the routine legal exercise because certain social groups who are inherently unequal and who have fallen victims of societal discrimination require compensatory treatment. Needless to emphasise that equality in fact or substantive equality involves the necessity of beneficial treatment in order to attain the result which establishes an equilibrium between two sections placed unequally.

271. It is more appropriate to recall that “There is equality only among equals and to equate unequals is to perpetuate inequality.”

272. Therefore, the submission that the implementation of the recommendations of the Report will curtail concept of equality as enshrined under Article 14 of the Constitution and destroy the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be countenanced.

273. One of the arguments criticising the Report is that the said Report virtually rewrites the Constitution and in effect buries 50 fathoms deep the ideal of equality and that if the recommendations are given effect to and implemented, the efficiency of administration will come to a grinding halt. This submission is tantamount to saying that the reservation of 27% to SEBCs as per the impugned OMs is opposed to the concept of equality.

274. There is no question of rewriting the Constitution, because the Commission has acted only under the authority of the notification issued by the President. It has after laying down the parameters in the light of the various pronouncements of this Court has ultimately submitted its Report recommending the reservation in tune with the spirit of Article 16 (4).

275. The question whether the candidates, belonging to the SEBCs should be given a preferential treatment in matters of public employment to such time as it is necessary, receives a fitting reply in Devdasan (supra) wherein Subba Rao, J. (as the learned Chief Justice then was) has observed, by citing an illustration as to how the manifest imbalance and inequality will occur otherwise, thus:

“To make my point clear, take the illustration of a horse race. Two horses are set down to run a race – one is a first class race horse and the other an ordinary one. Both are made to run from the same starting point. Though theoretically they are given equal opportunity to run the race, in practice the ordinary horse is not given an equal opportunity to compete with the race horse. Indeed that is denied to it. So a handicap may be given either in the nature of extra weight or a start from a longer distance. By doing so, what would otherwise have been a farce of a competition would be made a real one. The same difficulty had confronted the makers of the Constitution at the time it was made. Centuries of calculated oppression and habitual submission reduced a considerable section of our community to a life of serfdom. It would be well nigh impossible to raise their standards if the doctrine of equal opportunity was strictly enforced in their case. They would not have any chance if they were made to enter the open field of competition without adventitious aids till such time when they could stand on their own legs. That is why the makers of the Constitution introduced cl. (4) in Article 16.”

276. It will be befitting, in my opinion, to extract a passage from the book, Bakke, Defunis and Minority Admissions (The Quest for Equal Opportunity) by Allan P. Sindler wherein at page 9, the unequal competition is explained by an analogy which is as follows:

“A good way to appreciate the “something more” quandary is to consider the metaphor of the shackled runner, an analogy frequently advanced by spokesmen for minorities:

‘Imagine two runners at the starting line, readying for the 100-yard dash. One has his legs shackled, the other not. The gun goes off and the race begins. Not surprisingly, the unfettered runner immediately takes the lead and then rapidly increases the distance between himself and his shackled competitor. Before the finish line is crossed, over the judging official blows his whistle, calls off the contest on the grounds that the unequal conditions between the runners made it an unfair competition, and orders removal of the shackles.’

Surely few would deny that pitting a shackled runner against an unshackled one is inequitable and doe’s not provide equality of opportunity. Hence, cancelling the race and freeing the disadvantaged runner of his shackles seem altogether appropriate. Once beyond this point, however, agreement fades rapidly. The key question becomes:what should be done so that the two runners can resume the contest on a basis of fair competition? Is it enough after removing the shackles, to place both runners back at the starting point? or is “something more” needed, and if so, what? Should the rules of the running be altered, and if so, how? should the previously shackled runner be given a compensatory edge, or should the other runner be handicapped in some way? How much edge or handicap?”

277. To one of the queries posed by the author of the above analogy, the proper reply would be that even if the shackles whether of iron chains or silken cord, are removed and the shackled person has become unfettered, he must be given a compensatory edge until he realises that there is no more shackle on his legs because even after the removal of shackles he does not have sufficient courage to compete with the runner who has been all along unfettered.

278. Mr. Ram Awadesh Singh, an intervener demonstrably explained that as unwatered seeds do not germinate, unprotected backward class citizens will wither away.

279. The above illustration and analogies would lead to a conclusion that there is an ocean of difference between a well advanced class and a backward class in a race of open competition in the matters of public employment and they, having been placed unequally, cannot be measured by the same yardstick. As repeatedly pointed out, it is only in order to make the unequals equals, this constitutional provision, namely, clause (4) of Article 16 has been designed and purposely introduced providing some preferential treatment to the backward class. It is only in case of denial of such preferential treatment, the very concept of equality as enshrined in the Constitution, will get buried 50 fathoms deep.

280. A programme of reservation may sacrifice merit but does not in any way sacrifice competence because the beneficiaries under Article 16(4) have to possess the requisite basic qualifications and eligibility and have to compete among themselves though not with the mainstream candidates.

281. As Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasanth Kumar (supra) has rightly observed, “Always one hears the word ‘efficiency’ as if it is sacrosanct and the sanctorum has to be fiercely guarded. ‘Efficiency’ is not a mantra which is whispered by the Guru in the Sishya’s ear.”

282. In yet another context, in the same decision, the learned Judge, (1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 352 at page No. 394:AIR 1985 SC 1495 has firmly and irrefutably put the merit argument at rest stating thus:

“The real conflict is between the class of people, who have never been in or who have already moved out of the desert of poverty, illiteracy and backwardness and are entrenched in the oasis of convenient living and those who are still in the desert and want to reach the oasis. There is no enough fruit in the garden and so those who are in. want to keep out those who are out. The disastrous consequences of the so-called meritarian principle to the vast majority of the under-nourished, poverty-stricken, barely literate and vulnerable people of our country are too obvious to be stated, And, what is merit? There is 110 merit in a system which brings about such consequences.”

283. Be that as it may, the intelligence, merit, ability, competence, meritocracy. administrative efficiency and achievement cannot be measured by skin-pigmentation by the surname of an individual indicating his caste.

284. In this regard. the observation of Subba Rao, J. in Devadasan (1964) 4 SCR 680 at page No. 706 may be recapitulated, which to some extent answers the doubt raised by a section of anti-reservationists that reservation will result in deterioration in the standard of service. The said observation reads as follows:

“If the provision deals with reservation which I hold it does- I do not see how it will be bad because there will be some deterioration in the standard of service. It is inevitable in the nature of reservation that there will be lowering of standards to some extent but on that account the provision cannot be said to be bad. Indeed, the State laid down the minimum qualifications and all the appointments were made from those who had the said qualifications. How far the efficiency of the administrations suffers by this provision is not for me to say, but it is for the State, which is certainly interested in the maintenance of standards of its administration.”

Submission on the theory of past discrimination based on the decisions of the Supreme Court of United States.

285. Based on certain American decisions, it has been urged that only that group or section of people suffering from the lingering effects of past discrimination can he classified as ‘backward classes’ and not others. This submission has to be mentioned for being simply rejected for more than one reason. Even today, the caste discrimination is very much prevalent in India particularly in the rural areas. Secondly, even among the judges of the Supreme Court of United States there is a division of opinion on the theory of lingering effects of past discrimination. Thirdly, this theory cannot be imported to the Indian conditions where the Hindu society even today is suffering from the firm grip of discrimination based on caste system. The vastness and richness of the materials unearthed by the various Commissions inclusive of States’ Commissions unambiguously and pellucidly reveal that in our country, representation of the SEBCs in the services under the State is grossly inadequate when compared to the representation of the advanced class of citizens leave the complete absence of reservation for SEBCs in the Central Services. This inadequate representation is not confined to any specific section of the people, but all those who fall under the group of social backwardness whether they are Shudras of Hindu community or similarly situated other backward classes of people in other communities, namely, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians etc.

286. Drawing strength on the opinion of Powell, J. in Regents of the University of California v. Allan Bakke (1978) 57 Law Ed 2d 750, an argument has been advanced that Article 16(1) permits only preferences but not reservations. In the above Bakke’s case (supra), a white male who had been denied admission to the medical school at the University of California at Davis for two consecutive years, instituted an action for declaratory and injunctive relief against the Regents of the University in the Superior Court of Yolo County, California alleging the invalidity under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, a provision of the California Constitution, and the proscription in racial discrimination in any programme receiving federal financial assistance of the medical school’s special admissions programme. The Supreme Court announced its decision amid confusion and controversy. There was no clear majority, but a three-way split namely four Judges took one view and four other Judges took a different view, leaving Justice Powell straddling in the middle. In their joint opinion partially concurring and partially dissenting, Justices Brennan, White, Marshal and Blackmun took issue with Powell’s conclusion that the Davis programme was unconstitutional and said. “We cannot…………let colorblindness become myopia which masks the reality that many ‘created equal’ have been treated within our lifetimes as inferior both by the law and by their fellow citizens.”

287. Attention was also drawn to Defunis v. Charles Odegaard 1974 (40) Law Ed 2d 164.

288. The analytical study of American cases shows that the American-style justification of positive discrimination is on the ground of utility whereas the Indian-style justification is on the ground of constitutional rights. Therefore, the decision in relation to a racial discrimination relating to an admission to the medical school cannot be of much assistance in the matter of identification of ‘backward classes’ falling under Article 16(4). The dicta in Bakke and Defunis is one akin to the principle covered under Article 15 (4) and not under Article 16 (1) or 16 (4).

Whether Article 16 (4) is an exception to Articles 16 (1) and (2) ?

289. Mr. Parasaran, the learned senior counsel, appearing on behalf of the Union of India articulated that Articles 16(4) and 335 are so worded as to give a wide latitude to the State in the matter of reservation and that Article 16(4) having non obstante clause reading “Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any provision……….” has an overriding effect on Article 16 (2).

290. In support of the above argument based on the non obstante clause, much reliance was placed on various decisions, namely, (1) Punjab Province v. Daulat Singh, 1942 F. C. R. 67 at 87 and 88, (2) Orient Paper and Industries Ltd. v. State of Orissa AIR 1991 SC 672 at 677 and 678; (3) In re Hatscheks Patents (1909) 2 Chancery Division 68 at 82 and 85; and (4) Hari Vishnu Kamath v. Syed Ahmed Ishaque, (1955) 1 SCR 1104 at 1121 .

291. Yet another argument placing reliance on Triloki Nath’s case (i) (supra) was advanced contending that Article 16(4) is an enabling provision conferring a discretionary power on the State to make a reservation of appointments in favour of backward class of citizens. Placing reliance on the view expressed by Wanchoo, J. (as the learned Chief Justice then was) in General Manager, Southern Railways v. Rangachari (1962) 2 SCR 586 it was further urged that Article 16(4) which is in the nature of an exception or proviso to Article 16(1) cannot nullify equality of opportunity guaranteed to all citizens by that article.

292. In my view, that clause (4) of Article 16 is not an exception to Article 16(1) and (2) but it is an enabling provision and permissive in character overriding Article 16 (1) and (2); that it is a source of reservation for appointments or posts in the Services so far as the backward class of citizens is concerned and that under clause (1) of Article 16 reservation for appointments or posts can be made to other sections of the society such as physically handicapped etc.

293. There is complete unanimity of judicial opinion of this Court that under Article 16(4) the State can make adequate provisions for reservations of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens, if in the opinion of the State such ‘backward class’ is not adequately represented in the State. In fact in B. Venkataramana v. State of Madras, AIR 1951 SC 229 a seven Judges Bench of this Court held that “reservation of posts in favour of any backward class of citizens cannot, therefore, be regarded as unconstitutional”. Not a single decision of this Court has cast slightest shadow of doubt on the constitutional validity of reservation. Therefore, in view of the above position of law, I am not inclined to embark upon an elaborate discussion on this question any further.

Whether Reservation under Article 16(4) can be made by Executive Order?

294. The next submmission that the provision for reservation of appointments or posts under Article 16(4) can be made only by a legislation and not by an executive order is unsustainable. This contention as a matter of fact has already been answered in (1) Balaji (supra) and (2), Comptroller and Auditor General v. Mohan Lal Mehrotra (1992) 1 SCC 20 .

295. In passing, it may be stated that this Court while reversing the judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in favour of the appellant (State) in State of Punjab v. Hiralal, (1971) 3 SCR 267 upheld the reservation which was made not by a legislation but by an executive order. See also Mangal Singh v. Punjab State Police, AIR 1968 Punjab 306.

296. Agreeing with the reasonings of Balaji, I hold that the provision for reservation in the “Services under the State” under Article 16 (4) can be made by an executive order.

Whether the power conferred under Art. 16(4) is coupled with duty ?

297. Mr. K. Parasaran put forth an argument that the enabling power conferred under Article 16 (4) is intended for the benefit of the ‘backward classes of citizens’ who in the opinion of the State are not adequately represented in the services under the State and that the power is one coupled with a duty and, therefore, has to be exercised by the State for the benefit of those for whom it is intended. Reference was made to H. W. R. Wade Administrative Law V. Edn. Pages 228 and 229, Halsburys Laws of England IV Edn. Vol. I paras page 34 para 27 and page 35 para 29. He adds that the duty caused on the State is to be exercised in keeping with the directive principles laid down under Article 46 to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and to protect them from social injustice and all other forms of exploitation. In this connection, attention was drawn to a few decisions of this Court, namely (1) Chief Controlling Revenue Authority v. Maharashtra Sugar Mills Ltd. (1950) SCR 536 ; (2) Official Liquidator v. Dharti Dhan (1977) 2 SCR 964 ; (3) Delhi Administration v. I. K. Nangia (1980) 1 SCR 1016 ; and (4) Jaganathan (supra). Whether formation of opinion by State is subjective ?

298. The expression “in the opinion of the State” would mean the formation of opinion by the State which is purely a subjective process. It cannot be challenged in a Court on the ground of propriety, reasonableness and sufficiency though such an opinion is required to be formed on the subjective satisfaction of the Government whether the identified ‘backward class of citizens’ are adequately represented or not in the Services under the State. But for drawing such requisite satisfaction, the existence of circumstances relevant to the formation of opinion is a sine qua non. If the opinion suffers from the vice of non-application of mind or formulation of collateral grounds or beyond the scope of Statute, or irrelevant and extraneous material then that opinion is challengeable. (See (1) Dr. N. B. Khare v. The State of Delhi (1950) SCR 519; (2) Govindji v. Municipal Corporation, Ahmedabad ILR 1957 Bom 147; (3) Virendra v. The State of Punjab, (1958) SCR 308 ; (4) The Barium Chemicals Ltd. v. Company Law Board, (1966) Suppl. SCR 311 and (5) Rohtas Industries v. S. D. Agarwal, (1969) 1 SCC 325 .

299. In the present case, nothing is shown that the opinion of the Government as regards the inadequacy of representation in the services is vitiated on any of the grounds mentioned above.

Whether the policy of the Government can be subjected to judicial review?

300. The action of the Government in making provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any ‘backward class of citizens’ is a matter of policy of the Government.What is best for the ‘backward class’ and in what manner the policy should be formulated and implemented bearing in mind the object to be achieved by such reservation is a matter for decision exclusively within the province of the Government and such matters do not ordinarily attract the power of judicial review or judicial interference except on the grounds which are well settled by a catena of decisions of this Court. Reference may be made to (1) Hindustan Zinc v. A. P. State Electricity Board (1991) 3 SCC 299 ; (2) Sitaram Sugars v. Union of India, (1990) 3 SCC 223 ; (3) D. C. M. v. S. Paramjit Singh (1990) 4 SCC 723 ; (4) Minerva Talkies v. State of Karnataka, (1988) Suppl. SCC 176 ; (5) State of Karnataka v. Ranganath Reddy (1978) 1 SCR 641 ; (6) Kerala State Electricity Board v. S. N. Govind Prabhu, (1986) 4 SCC 198 ; (7) Prag Ice Company v. Union of India, (1978) 2 SCC 459 ; (8) Saraswati Industries Syndicate Ltd. v. Union of India (1975) 1 SCR 956 ; (9) Murti Match Works v. Assistant Collector, Central Excise (1974) 3 SCR 121 ; (10) T. Govindraja Mudaliar v. State of Tamil Nadu (1973) 3 SCR 222 ; and (11) Narender Kumar v. Union of India, (19601) 2 SCR 375 .

To what extent can the reservation be made?

301. The next baffling question relates to the permissible extent of reservation in appointments.

302. It was for the first time that this Court in Balaji has indicated broadly that the reservation should be less than 50% and the question how much less than 50% would depend on the relevant prevailing circumstances in each case, Though in Balaji (supra), the issue in dispute related only to the reservation prescribed for admissions in the medical college from the educationally and socially backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes as being violative of Article 15 (4), this Court after expressing its view that it should be less than 50% observed further that “the provisions Article 15 (4) are similar to those of Article 16 (4) ……… Therefore, what is true in regard to Article 15(4) is equally true in regard to Article 16 (4) ……………reservation made under Article 16(4) beyond the permissible and legitimate limits would be liable to be challenged as a fraud on the Constitution.” This decision has gone further holding that the reservation of 68% seats made in that case was offending Article 15(4) of the Constitution. To say in other words, Balaji has fixed that the maximum limit of reservation all put together should not exceed 50% and if it exceeds, it is nothing but a fraud on the Constitution. Even at the threshold, I may emphatically state that I am unable to agree with the proposition fixing the reservation for SEBCs at 50% as the maximum limit.

303. Mr. Jethmalani strongly articulated that the observation in Balaji that reservation under Article 16 (4) should not be beyond 50% is only an obiter dicta since that question did not at all arise for consideration in that case. Therefore, according to him, this observation is not a law declared by the Supreme Court within the meaning of Article 141 of the Constitution. He continued to state that unfortunately some of the subsequent decisions have mistakenly held as if the question of permissible limit has been settled in Balaji while, in fact, the view expressed in it was an obiter dicta. According to him, the policy of reservation is in the nature of affirmative action, firstly to eliminate the past inhuman discrimination and secondly to ameliorate the sufferings and reverse the genetic damage so that the people belonging to ‘backward class’ can be uplifted. When it is the main objective of clause (4) of Article 16 any limitation on reservation would defeat the very purpose of this Article falling under Fundamental Rights and, therefore, reservation if -the circumstances so warrant can go even up to 100%.

304. This view of Mr. Jethmalani has been fully supported by Mr. Siva Subramaniam appearing on behalf of the State of Tamil Nadu who pointedly referred to the speech of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu made in the Chief Ministers’ Conference held on 10th April 1992 and produced a copy of the printed speech of the Chief Minister, issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu as an annexure to the written submissions. It is seen from the said annexure that the Chief Minister has categorically emphasised the stand of the Government of Tamil Nadu stating that the total reservation for backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes is 69%; that it is but fair and proper that socially and educationally backward classes (alone) as a whole should be given at least 50% reservation for employment opportunities in Central Government services and its undertakings as well as for admission in educational institutions run by the Central Government. It has also been pointed out that in consonance with this avowed policy, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed unanimously a resolution on 30-9-1991 urging the Government of India to adopt a policy of 50% reservation for the Backward Classes instead of 27% and to apply this reservation not only for employment opportunities in all Central Government departments and Public Sector Undertakings, but also for admission in all Educational Institutions run by the Central Government.

305. Mr. Rajiv Dhawan appearing in W. P. No. 1094/91 submits that the limits to the reservation in Article 16 (4) cannot be fixed on percentage but it must be with the ulterior objective of achieving adequate representation for ‘backward classes’.

306. I see much force in the above submissions and hold that any reservation in excess of 50% for ‘backward classes’ will not be violative of Articles 14 and/or 16 of the Constitution. But at the same time, I am of the view that such reservations made either under Article 16 (4) or under Article 16 (1) and (4) cannot be extended to the totality of 100%. In fact, my learned brother, P. B. Sawant, J. in his separate judgment has also expressed a similar view that “there is no legal infirmity in keeping the reservations under clause (4) alone or under clause (4) and clause (1) of Article 16 together exceeding 50 per cent” though for other reasons the learned Judge has concluded that ordinarily the reservations kept under Article 16 (1) and 16(4) together should not exceed 50% of the appointments in a cadre or service in any particular year, but for extraordinary reasons this percentage may be exceeded. My learned brother, B. P. Jeevan Reddy, J in his separate judgment has expressed his view that in given circumstances, some relaxation in the strict rule of reservation may become imperative and added tha in doing so extreme caution is to be exercised and a special case made out.

307. As to what extent the proportion of reservation will be so excessive as to render it bad must depend upon adequacy of representation in a given case. Therefore, the decisions fixing the percentage of reservation only up to the maximum of 50% are unsustainable, The percentage of reservation at the maximum of 50% is neither based on scientific data nor on any established and agreed formula. In fact, Article 16 (4) itself does not limit the power of the Government in making the reservation to any maximum percentage; but it depends upon the quantum of adequate representation required in the Services. In this context, it would be appropriate to recall some of the decisions of this Court, not agreeing with Balaji as regards the fixation of percentage of reservation.

308. The question of percentage of reservation was examined in Thomas (supra) wherein Fazal Ali, J. not agreeing with Balaji (supra) has observed thus:

“……….Clause (4) of Art. 16 does not fix any limit on the power of the Government to make reservation. Since clause (4) is a part of Art. 16 of the Constitution it is manifest that the State cannot be allowed to indulge in excessive reservation so as to defeat the policy contained in Article 16 (1). As to what would be a suitable reservation within permissible limits will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case and no hard and fast rule can be laid down, nor can this matter be reduced to a mathematical formula so as to be adhered to in all cases. Decided cases of this Court have no doubt laid that the percentage of reservation should not exceed 50%. As I read the authorities, this is, however, a rule of caution and does not exhaust all categories. Suppose for instance a State has a large number of backward classes of citizens which constitute 80% of the population and the Government, in order to give them proper representation, reserves 80% of the jobs for them, can it be said that the percentage of reservation is bad and violates the permissible limits of clause (4) of Article 16 ? The answer must necessarily be in the negative. The dominant object of this provision is to take steps to make in adequate representation adequate.”

309. Krishna Iyer, J. in the same decision has agreed with the above view of Fazal Ali, J. stating that……..the arithmetical limit of 50% in any one year by some earlier rulings cannot perhaps be pressed too far.”

310. Though Mathew, J did not specifically deal with this maximum limit of reservation, nevertheless tenor of his judgment indicates that he did not favour 50% rule.

311. Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Karmachari case (supra) has expressed his view on the ceiling of reservation as follows:

“………There is no fixed ceiling to reservation or preferential treatment in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes though generally reservation may not be far in excess of fifty percent. There is no rigidity about the fifty percent rule which is only a convenient guideline laid down by Judges. Every case must be decided with reference to the present practical results yielded by the application of the particular rule of preferential treatment and not with reference to hypothetical results which the application of the rule may yield in the future. Judged in the light of this discussion I am unable to find anything illegal or unconstitutional in any one of the impugned orders and circulars …….”

312. Again in Vasanth Kumar (supra), Chinnappa Reddy, J. reiterates his view taken in Karmachari in the following words:

“We must repeat here, what we have said earlier, that there is no scientific statistical data or evidence of expert administrators who have made any study of the problem to support the opinion that reservation in excess of 50 per cent may impair efficiency.”

313. I fully share the above views of Fazal, Ali, Krishna Iyer, Chinnappa Reddy, JJ. holding that no maximum percentage of reservation can be justifiably fixed under Articles 15 (4) and/or 16 (4) of the Constitution.

314. It should not be out of place to recall the observation of Hegde, J. in Hira Lal (supra) observing, “The extent of reservation to be made is primarily a matter for the State to decide. By this we do not mean to say that the decision of the State is not open to judicial review………The length of the leap to be provided depends upon the gap to be covered.” (Emphasis supplied)

315. Desai, J. in Vasanth Kumar (supra) expressed his view that in dealing with the question of reservation in favour of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes as well as other SEBCs ‘Judiciary retained its traditional blindfold on its eyes and thereby ignored perceived realities”

Whether the further arbitrary classification as ‘poorer sections’ from and out of the identified SEBCs is permissible under Article 16 (4) after acceptance and approval of the list without reservation and whether such classification suffers from non-application of mind ?

316. The most important pivotal and crucial issue that I would now like to ponder over relates to the intent of para 2 (i) of the OM dated 25th September 1991 whereunder it is declared that “within the 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India reserved for SEBCs, Preference will be given to the candidates belonging to the poorer sections of the SEBCs. In case sufficient number of such candidates is not available, unfilled vacancies shall be filled by the other SEBC candidates”.        (Emphasis supplied)

317. To say in other words, the Government intends to prescribe an income ceiling for determination of ‘poorer sections’ of the SEBCs who will be eligible to avail of the preference of reservation of appointments or posts in the Services under the State. It is an admitted fact that the Government so far has not laid down any guideline or test for identifying and ascertaining the ‘poorer sections’ among the identified SEBCs.

318. The OM has specifically used the expression, ‘poorer sections’ but not ‘weaker sections’ as contemplated under Art. 46 of the Constitution. Though the expressions ‘poorer sections’ and ‘weaker sections’ may connote in general ‘the disadvantaged position of a section of the people’ they do not convey one and the same meaning and they are not synonymous. When the OM deliberately uses the expression ‘poorer sections’, it has become incumbent to examine what that expression means and whether there can be any sub-classification as ‘poorer’ and ‘non-poorer’ among the same category of potential backward class of citizens on the anvil of economic criterion.

319. The word ‘poor’ lexically means “having little or no money, goods or other means of support” (Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary) or “lacking financial or other means of subsistence” (Collins English Dictionary).

320. The OM uses the expression ‘poorer’ in its comparative term for the word ‘poor’. It is common knowledge that the superlative term for the word ‘poor’ is ‘poorest’. The very usage of the word ‘poorer’ is in comparison with the positive word ‘poor’. Therefore, it necessarily follows that the OM firstly considers all the identified SEBCs in general as belonging to ‘poor sections’ from and out of which the ‘poorer sections’ are to be culled out by applying a test to be yet formulated by the Government evidently on economic criterion or by application of poverty test based on the ceiling of income. After the segregation of ‘poorer sections’ of the SEBCs, the left out would be the ‘poor sections’. By the use of the word ‘poorer’, the Government is superimposing a relative poverty test for identifying and determining a preferential class among the identified SEBCs. It is stated that the preference will be given first to the ‘poorer sections’ and only in case there are unfilled vacancies, those vacancies will be filled by the left out SEBCs, namely, those other than the poorer sections. In other words, it means that all the identified SEBCs do not belong to affluent sections but to poor and poorer sections, that the expression ‘poorer sections’ denotes only the economically weaker sections of SEBCs compared with the remaining same category of SEBCs and that those, other than the ‘poorer sections’ although socially and educationally backward are economically better off compared with the ‘poorer sections’. The view that all the identified SEBCs are considered as ‘poor’ or ‘poorer’ is fortified by the fact that there is an inbuilt explanation in the amended OM itself to the effect that those who do not fall within the category of ‘poorer sections’ also will be entitled for the benefit of reservation but of course subject to the availability of unfilled vacancies.

321. An argument was advanced that for identifying ‘poorer sections’, the ‘means test’ signifying an imposition of outer income limit should be applied and those who are above the cut off income limit should be excluded so that the better off sections of the SEBCs may be prevented from taking the benefit earmarked for the less fortunate brethren, and the only genuine and truly members of ‘poorer sections’ of SEBCs may avail the benefit of reservation. In support of this argument, an attempt has been made to draw strength on two decisions of this Court rendered in Jayashree (supra) and Vasanth Kumar (supra).

322. Chief Justice Ray in Jayashree seems to have been inclined to take the view that reservation of seats in educational institutions should not be allowed to be enjoyed by the rich people suffering from the same communal disabilities.

323. Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasanth Kumar recognises this ‘means test’ saying that “an upper income ceiling would secure the benefit of reservation to such of those members of the class who really deserved it”, with which view Venkataramiah, J. (as the learned’ Chief Justice then was) has agreed.

324. Thus the above argument based on ‘means test’ though seems to be plausible at the first sight is, in my opinion, not well founded and must be rejected on the ground that the identified category of SEBCs, having common characteristics or attributes – namely the potential social backwardness cannot be bisected or further classified by applying the economic or poverty test.

325. A doubt has been created as to whether the word ‘poorer’ connotes economic status or social status or is to be understood in any other way.

326. The word ‘poorer’ when examined in the context in which it is deployed both syntactically and etymologically, in my view, may not convey any other meaning except relative poverty or comparative economic status. If any other meaning is imported which the Government evidently appears to have not contemplated, virtually one will be rewriting the second OM.

327. An order of a Constitution Bench dated 1st October 1991 clearly spells out that that Bench was of the view that ‘poorer sections’ are to be identified by the economic criterion. The relevant portion of the above Order reads as follows:

“The matters are adjourned to 31st October 1991 when learned Additional Solicitor General will tell us how and when Government would be able to give the list of the economic criteria referred to in the notification of 25th September 1992.”

(Emphasis supplied)

328. The same view is reflected in a subsequent Order dated 4th December 1991 made by this nine-Judges Bench, the relevant part of which reads thus:

“Learned Additional Solicitor General states that the Government definitely expects to be able to fix the economic criteria by January 28, 1992 …………………………….. …. As far as the question of stay granted by us earlier is concerned, we see no reason to pass any order at this stage as the petitions are posted for hearing on January 28, 1992 and in view of the economic criterion not being yet determined and other relevant circumstances, no question of immediate implementation of the notification arises.” (Emphasis supplied)

329. The above Order of this Court supports my view that the Government has to identify the ‘poorer sections’ only by the economic criteria or by the application of poverty test otherwise called ‘means test’. It appears that this Court has all along been given to understand that ‘poorer sections ill be tested by the Government on economic criterion.

330. The above view is further fortified by the very fact that the second OM providing 10% of the reservation for economically backward sections of the people not covered by any other scheme of the reservation’ indicates that the Government has taken only the economic criteria in making the classification of the various sections of the people (Emphasis supplied). Therefore, I proceed on the basis that the second OM identifies the ‘poorer sections’ only on the basis of economic status.

331. When the ‘means test’ is analysed in depth so as to explore its merits and demerits, one would come to an inevitable conclusion that it is not a decisive test but on the other hand it will serve as a protective umbrella for many to get into this segregated section by adopting all kinds of illegal and unethical methods. Further, this test will be totally unworkable and impracticable in the determination of “getting somebody in and getting somebody out” from among the same identified SEBCs. If this ‘means test’ argument is accepted and put into action by scanning the identified SEBCs by applying a super-imposition test, the very object and purpose of reservation, intended for the socially backward class would reach only a culde sac and the identified SEBCs would be left in a maze. In my considered opinion, it will be a futile exercise for the courts to find out the reasons in support of the division between and among the group of SEBCs and make rule therefor, for multiple reasons, a few of which I am enumerating hereunder.

(1) The division among the identified and ascertained SEBCs having common characteristics and attributes – the primary of which being the potential social backwardness, as ‘poorer sections’ and ‘non-poorer sections’ on the anvil of economic criterion or by application of a super-imposition test of relative poverty is impermissible as being opposed to the scope and intent of Article 16 (4).

(2) If this apex Court puts its seal of approval to part 2 (i) of the second OM whereunder a section of the people under the label of ‘poorer sections’ is carved out from among the SEBCs, it becomes a law declared by this Court for the entire nation under Article 141 of the Constitution and is binding on all the Courts within the territory of India and that the decision of this Court on a constitutional question cannot be over-ridden except by the constitutionally recognised norms. When such is the legal position, the law so declared should be capable of being effectively implemented in its full measure, in the generality of cases and not confined in its applicability to some rare or freakish cases. The law should not be susceptible of being abused or misused and leave scope for manipulation which can remain undetected. If the law so declared by this Court is indecisive and leaves perceivable loopholes, by the aid of which one can defeat or circumvent or nullify that law by adopting an insidious, tricky, fraudulent and strategic device to suit one’s purpose then that law will become otiose and remain as a dead letter.

I would like to indicate the various reasons in support of my opinion that this process of elimination or exclusion of a section of people from and out of the same category of SEBCs cannot be sustained leave apart the authority of the Government to take any decision and formulate its policy in its discretion or opinion provided that the policy is not violative of any constitutional or legal provisions or that discretion or opinion is not vitiated by non-application of mind, arbitrariness, formulation of collateral grounds or consideration of irrelevant and extraneous material etc.

a) If the annual gross income of a government servant derived from all his sources during a financial year is taken as a test for identifying the ‘poorer sections’, that test could be defeated by reducing the income below the ceiling limit by a Government servant voluntarily going on leave on loss of pay for few months during that financial year so that he could bring his annual income within the ceiling limit and claim the benefit of reservation meant for ‘poorer sections’. Similarly, a person owning extensive land also may lay a portion of his land fallow in any particular year or dispose of a portion of his land so as to bring his agricultural income below the ceiling limit so that he may fall within the category of ‘poorer sections’.

b) The fluctuating fortunes or misfortunes also will play an important role in determining whether one gets within the area of ‘poorer sections’ or gets out of it.

c) Take a case wherein there are two brothers belonging to the same family of ‘backward class’ of whom one is employed in Government service and another is privately employed or has chosen some other profession. The annual income of the Government employee if slightly exceeds the ceiling limit, his children will not fall within the category of ‘poorer sections’ whereas the other brother can deceitfully show his income within the ceiling limit so that his children can enjoy that benefit.

d) Among the pensioners also, the above anomaly will prevail as pointed out in Janaki Prasad (supra).

e) Any member of SEBCs who is in Government job and is on the verge of his superannuation and whose income exceeds the ceiling limit, will go out of the purview of ‘poorer sections’ but in the next financial year, he may get into the ‘poorer sections’ if his total pensionary benefits fall within the ceiling limit.

f) A person who is within the definition of ‘poorer sections’ may suddenly go out of its purview by any intervening fortuitous circumstances such as getting a marital alliance in a rich family or by obtaining any wind-fall wealth.

g) If poverty test is made applicable for identifying the ‘poorer sections’ then in a given case wherein a person is socially oppressed and educationally backward but economically slightly advanced in a particular year, he will be deprived of getting the preferential treatment.

The above are only by way of illustrations, though this type can be multiplied, for the purpose of showing that a person can voluntarily reduce his income and thereby circumvent the declared law of this Court. In all the above illustrations, enumerated as (a) to (g) the chance of “getting into or getting out of the definition of ‘poorer sections’ will be like a see-saw depending upon the fluctuating fortunes or misfortunes.

(3) The income-test for ascertaining poverty may severally suffer from the vice of corruption and also encourage patronage and nepotism.

(4) When the Government has accepted and approved the lists of SEBCs, identified by the test of social backwardness, educational backwardness and economic backwardness which lists are annexed to the Report, there is no justification by dividing the SEBCs into two groups, thereby allowing one section to fully enjoy the benefits and another on a condition only if there are unfilled vacancies.

(5) The elimination of a section of SEBCs by putting an arbitrary and unnecessary barrier on the basis of economic criterion is absolutely unjustified. This process of elimination or exclusion of a section of SEBCs will be tentamount to pushing those persons into the arena of open competition along with the forward class if there are no unfilled vacancies out of the total 27% meant for SEBCs. This will cause an irretrievable injustice to all the non-poorer sections though they are also theoretically declared as SEBCs.

(6) The second OM providing a scanning test is neither feasible nor practicable. It will be perceptible and effectual only if the entire identified backward class enjoys the benefit of reservation.

(7) The proposed ‘means test’ is highly impressionistic test, the result of which is likely to be influenced by many uncertain and imponderable facts.

(8) It may theoretically sound well but in practice attempts may be made in a underhanded way to get round the problem.

332. What I have indicated above is only the tip of the iceberg and more of it is likely to surface at the time when any scanning process and super-imposition test are put into practice.

333. In this connection, I would like to mention the views of the Tamil Nadu Government as expressed by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the Chief Ministers’ Conference held in New Delhi (already referred to) stating that the application of income limit on reservation will exclude those people whose income is above the ‘cut-off’ limit and literally, it means that they will come under the open competition quota and if caste is not the sole criterion, income limit cannot also be the decisive and determining factor for social backwardness and that the exclusion of certain people from the benefits of reservation by the application of economic criterion will not bring the desired effect for the advancement and improvement of the backward classes who have suffered deprivation from the time immemorial.

334. Reference also made be made to Balaji (supra) wherein it has been ruled that backward classes cannot be further classified into backward and more backward and that such a sub-classification “does not appear to be justified under Article 16(4)”. This view, in my opinion, can be equally applied even for sub-classification under Article 16(4).

335. Arguing with the above view of Balaji, I hold that the further sub-classification as ‘poorer sections’ out of the ascertained SEBCs after accepting that group in which the common thread of social backwardness runs through as an identifiable unit within the meaning of the expression ‘backward class’, is violative of Article 16(4).

336. Of course, in Vasanth Kumar, AIR 1985 SC 1495 Chinnappa Reddy, J. in his separate judgment has taken a slightly contrary view, holding that there can be classification for providing some reservation to the more backward classes compared to little more advanced backward classes. This view is expressed only by the learned Judge (Chinnappa Reddy, J) on which view other Judges of that Bench have not expressed any opinion. However, it appears that the learned Judge has not said that the entire reservation should go only to the more backward classes but only some percentage of reservation should be provided and earmarked exclusively for the more backward classes.

337. In the present case, the entire reservation of 27 per cent is given firstly to be enjoyed by the ‘poorer sections’ and only the unfilled vacancies, if any, can be availed of by others. As I have already held, the view expressed by the Constitution Bench in Balaji is more acceptable to me.

338. It may not be out of place to mention here that in Tamil Nadu, based on one of the recommendations of the First Backward Classes Commission constituted in 1969 – known as ‘Sattanatham Commission’ – the Government issued orders in GO Ms. No. 1156, Social Welfare Department, dated 2nd July 1979, superimposing the income ceiling of ` 9,000/ – per annum as additional criterion for the backward classes to be eligible for reservation for admission in educational institutions and recruitment to public services. This order was challenged before the High Court but the High Court by 2:1 upheld the G.O. However, the order provoked a considerable volume of public criticism. After an All-party meet, the Government in GO Ms. No. 72, Social Welfare Department dated 1 st February 1980 revoked their orders and the position as it stood prior to 2nd July 1979 was restored. Simultaneously, by another GO Ms. No. 73, Social Welfare Department dated 1st February 1980, the Government raised the percentage of reservation for backward classes from 31 per cent to 50 per cent commensurate with the population of the backward classes in the State. Both the GOs i.e. GO Ms Nos. 72 and 73 dated 1 st February 1980 were challenged in the Supreme Court in Writ Petition Nos. 4995-4997 of 1980 along with W.P No. 402 of 1981.

339. The Constitution Bench of this Court by its order dated 14th October 1980 directed the State Government to appoint another Commission to review the then existing enumeration and classification of backward classes and to take necessary steps for identifying the backward classes in the light of the report of the said Commission and that both the GOs “shall lapse after January 1, 1985 “. However, by order dated 5-5-1981, the above writ petitions were directed to be listed along with W.P. Nos. 1297-98/79 and 1497/ 79 (Vasanth Kumar) (supra). Thereafter, a number of CMPs in the writ petitions for extension of time for implementation of this Court’s directions were filed. This Court periodically extended the time up to July 1985. A CMP for further extension of time was dismissed on 23-7-1985 by a three Judges Bench of this Court since the judgment in Vasanth Kumar involving the same question was delivered on 8-5-1985. Vide (1) Orders of Supreme Court in W.P. Nos. 4995-97/1980 and W.P. No. 402/1981, (2) Orders of High Court of Madras in W.P. Nos. 3069, 3292 and 3436/79 dated 20th August 1979 and (3) Paragraph 1.01 of Chapter I of the Report of the Tamil Nadu Second Backward Classes Commission (popularly known as Ambasankar Commission). 340. We have referred to the above facts for the purpose of showing that the fixation of ceiling limit on economic criterion was not successful and that for identifying the ‘weaker sections’, ceiling limit is not the proper test, once the backward class is identified and ascertained.

341. Further, it is clear for the aforementioned reasons that the Executive while making the division of sub-classification has not property applied its mind to various factors, indicated above which may ultimately defeat the very purpose of the division or sub-classification. In that view, para 2(i) not only becomes constitutionally invalid but also suffers from the vice of non-application of mind and arbitrariness.

342. For the aforementioned reasons, I am of the firm view that the division made in the amended OM dividing a section of the people as ‘poorer sections’ and leaving the remaining as ‘non-poorer sections’ on economic criterion from and among the same unit of identified and ascertained SEBCs, having common characteristics the primary of which is the social backwardness as listed in the report of the Commission, is not permissible and valid and such a division or sub-classification is liable to be struck down as being violative of clause (4) of Article 16 of the Constitution.

343. A further submission has been made stating that the benefits of reservation are often snatched away of eaten up by top creamy layer of socially advanced backward class who consequent upon their social development no longer suffer from the vice of social backwardness and who are in no way handicapped and who by their high professional qualifications occupy upper echelons in the public services and therefore, the children of those socially advanced section of the people, termed as ‘creamy layer’ should be completely removed from the lists of ‘Backward Classes’ and they should not be allowed to compete with the children of socially under privileged people and avail the quota of reservation. By way of illustration it is said that if a member of a designated backward class holds a high post by getting through the qualifying examinations of IAS, IFS, IPS or any other All India Service, there can be no justification in extending the benefit of reservation to their children, because the social status is well advanced and they no longer suffer from the grip of poverty.

344. On the same analogy, it has been urged that the children of other professionals such as Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers etc. etc. also should not be given the benefit of reservation, since in such cases, they are not socially handicapped.

345. No doubt the above argument on the face of it appears to be attractive and reasonable. But the question is whether those individuals belonging to any particular caste, community or group which satisfies the test of backward class should be segregated, picked up and thrown over night out of the arena of backward class. One should not lose sight of the fact that the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of ‘any backward class of citizens’ in the Central Government services have not yet been put in practice in spite of the impugned OMs. It is after 42 years since the advent of our Constitution, the Government is taking the first step to implement this scheme of reservation for OBCs under Article 16(4). In fact, some of the States have not even introduced policy of reservation in the matters of public employment in favour of OBCs.

346. In opposition, it is said that only a very minimal percentage of BCs have stepped into All India Civil Services or any other public services by competing in the mainstream along with the candidates of advanced classes despite the fact that their legs are fettered by social backwardness and hence it would be very uncharitable to suddenly deprive their children of the benefit of reservation under Article 16(4) merely on the ground that their parents have entered into Government services especially when those children are otherwise entitled to the preferential treatment by falling within the definition of ‘backward class’. It is further stressed that those children so long as they are wearing the diaper of social backwardness should be given sufficient time till the Government realises on review that they are completely free from the shackles of social backwardness and have equated themselves to keep pace with the advanced classes. There, are a few decisions of this Court which I have already referred to, holding the view that even if a few individuals in a particular caste, community or group are socially and educationally above the general average, neither that caste nor that community or group can be held as not being socially backward. (Vide Balaram).

347. In the counter-affidavit dated 30th October 1990 filed by the Union of India sworn by the Additional Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Welfare, the following averments with statistical figures are given:

“Based on the replies furnished by 30 Central Ministries and Departments and 31 attached and subordinate offices and public sector undertakings under the administrative control of 14 Ministries (which may be treated as sufficiently representative of the total picture) the Commission arrived at the following figures:-

Category of Employees Total number of Employees Percentage of SC / ST Percentage of OBCs
All classes 15,71,638 18.72 12.55

(Extracted from page 92 of First Part of Mandal Commission Report)”

348. The above figures clearly show that the SEBCs are inadequately represented in the Services of the Government of India and that the SCs and STs in spite of reservation have not yet been able to secure representation commensurate with the percentage of reservation provided to them.

349. Meeting an almost similar argument that the ‘creamy layers’ are snatching away the benefits of reservation, Chinnappa Reddy, J observed in Vasanth Kumar (supra) to the following effect:

“One must, however, enter a caveat to the criticism that the benefits of reservation are often snatched away by the top creamy layer of backward class of caste. That a few of the seats and posts reserved for backward classes are snatched away by the more fortunes among them is not to say that reservation is not necessary. This is bound to happen in a competitive society such as ours. Are not the unreserved seats and posts snatched away, in the same way, by the top creamy layers amongst them on the same principle of merit on which the non reserved seats are taken away by the top layers of society. How can it be bad if reserved seats and posts are snatched away by the creamy layer of backward classes, if such snatching away of unreserved posts by the top creamy layer of society itself is not bad?”

350. The above observation, in my view, is an apt reply to such a criticism with which I am in full agreement. To quote Krishna Iyer, J “For every cause there is a martyr”, I am also reminded of an adage,” One swallow does not make the summer.”

351. Reverting to the case on hand, the O.M. does not speak of any ‘creamy layer test’. It cannot be said by any stretch of imagination. that the Government was not aware of some few individuals having become both socially and educationally above the general average and entered in the All India Services or any other Civil Services. Despite the above fact, the Government has accepted the listed groups of SEBCs as annexed to the Report and it has not thought it prudent to eliminate those individuals. Therefore, in such circumstances, I have my own doubt whether the judicial supremacy can work in the broad area of social policy or in the great vortex of ideological and philosophical decisions directing the exclusion of any section of the people from the accepted list of OSCs on the mere ground that they are all ‘creamy layers’ which expression is to be tested with reference to various factors or make suggestions for exclusion of any section of the people who are otherwise entitled for the benefit of reservation in the decision of the Government so long that decision does not suffer from any constitutional infirmity.

352. Added to the above submission, it has been urged that some pseudo communities have smuggled into the backward classes and they should be removed from the list of OBCs, lest those communities would be eating away the major portion of the reservation which is meant only for the true and genuine backward classes. There cannot be any dispute that such pseudo communities should be weeded out from the list of backward classes but that exercise must be done only by the Government on proper verification.

353. The identification of the backward classes by the Mandal Commission is not with a seal of perpetual finality but on the other hand it is subjected to reviewability by the Government. The Mandal Commission itself in paragraph 13.40 in Chapter XIII has suggested that “the entire scheme should be reviewed after 20 years.” Mr. Jethmalani suggested that the list may be reviewed at the interval of 10 years. There are judicial pronouncements to the effect that the Government has got the right of reviewability. There cannot be any controversy indeed there is none – that the Government which is certainly interested in the maintenance of standards of its administration, possesses and retains its soverign authority to adopt general regulatory measures within the constitutional framework by reviewing any of its schemes or policies. The interval of the period at which the review is to be held is within the authority and discretion of the Government, but of course subject. to the constitutional parameters and well settled principles of judicial review. Therefore, it is for the Government to review the lists at any point of time and take a decision for the exclusion of any pseudo community or caste smuggled into the backward class or for inclusion of any other community which in the opinion of the Government suffers from social backwardness.

354. It may be recalled that the petitioner herself in W.P. No. 930 of 1990 has stated, “…… the Courts cannot sit as a super legislature to determine and decide the social issue as to who are socially and educationally backward ……………..”

355. It will be appropriate to refer to an observation of the five-Judges Bench of this Court (which heard initially these matttrs) in its order dated 8th August 1991 stating:

“The validity of the Mandal Commission Report as such is not in issue before us ……”

356. A three-Judges Bench of this Court comprising of Ranganath Mishra, K. N. Singh, M. H. Kania, JJ (as the learned Chief Justice then were) has observed in their order dated 21st September 1990 that the implementation of executive decisions is in the hands of the Government of the day but constitutional validity of such action is a matter for Court’s examination.

357. Thereafter, a Constitution Bench of this Court of their order dated 1 st October 1990 explained the earlier order stating “Three out of us sitting as a Bench on the 21 st September 1990 made an order after hearing parties wherein we had indicated that the decision to implement three aspects of the recommendations of the Mandal Commission was a political one and ordinarily the Court would not interfere with such a decision.”

358. Therefore, when this Court is not called upon to lay a test or give any guideline as to who are all to be eliminated from the listed groups of the Report, there is no necessity to lay any test muchless ‘creamy layer test’. I find no grey area to be clarified and consequently hold that what one is not free to do directly cannot do it indirectly by adopting any means. Therefore, the argument of ‘creamy layer’ pales into insignificance.

359. Further I hold that all SEBCs brought in the lists of the Commission which have been accepted and approved by the Government should be given equal opportunity in availing the benefits of the 27 per cent reservation. In other words, the entire 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved and extended to all the SEBCs.

360. In fact, the first OM dated 13th August 1990 does not make any division or sub-classification as in the amended OM. Para2(i) of the first OM reads. “27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services in the Government of India shall be reserved for SEBC”. In reading para 2(i) of the first OM In juxtaposition with para 2 (i) of the amended OM, no basic difference in the policies of the two Government is spelt out; in that both the impugned OMs have made 27% reservation in civil posts and services under the Government of India for SEBCs on the basis of the recommendations of the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Report). The only difference between the two impugned OMs is that in the amended OM a division among the SEBCs is made as ‘poorer sections’ and others that the ‘poorer sections’ is firstly allowed to avail the benefit of reservation and that others to avail the benefit of reservation of only the unfilled vacancies. Therefore, by striking down para 2(i) of the amended OM as unconstitutional, I hold that there is no legal impediment in implementing para 2 (i) of the first OM dated 13th August 1990 which has not been supersed, rescinded or repealed but “deemed to have been amended.”

361. Before parting with this aspect of the matter, I would like to express my view that the ‘poorer sections’ of the SEBCs may be provided with various kinds of concessions and facilities such as educational concessions, special coaching facilities, financial assistance, relaxation of upper age limit, increase of number of attempts etc. for government services with a view to give them equal opportunity to compete and keep pace with the advanced sections of the people.

Whether 10% reservation in favour of ‘other economically backward section is permissible under Article 16?

362. Now I shall pass on to paragraph 2(ii) of the amended OM which reveals that 10 per cent of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved for other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation.

363. This reservation of 10 per cent cannot be held to be constitutionally valid as concluded by my learned brother B. P., Jeewan Reddy, J. for the reasons, mentioned in paragraph 115 of his judgment. I am in full agreement with his conclusion on this issue of 10% reservation.

Whether Art.16(4) contemplates reservation in the matter of promotion?

In Mohan Kumar Singhania v. Union of India (1992) 1 Suppl. SCC 594, a three-Judges Bench of this Court to which I was a party has taken a view that once candidates even from reserved communities are allocated and appointed to a Service based on their ranks and performance and brought under the one and same stream of category, then they too have to be treated on par with all other selected candidates and there cannot be any question of preferential treatment at that stage on the ground that they belong to reserved community though they may be entitled for all other statutory benefits such as the relaxation of age, the reservation etc. Reservation referred to in that context is referable to the reservation at the initial stage or the entry point as could be gathered from that judgment.

365. It may be recalled, in this connection, the view expressed by Chief Justice Ray in Thomas (supra) that “efficiency has been kept in view and not sacrificed”.

366. Hence, I share the view of my learned brother B. P. Jeevan Reddy, J. holding that “Article 16(4) does not permit provision for reservation in the matter of promotions and that this rule shall, however, have only prospective operation and shall not affect the promotions already made, whether made on regular basis or on any other basis” and the direction given by him that wherever reservations are provided in the matter of promotion such reservation may continue in operation for a period of five years from this day.

In Summation

(1) Article 16(4) of the Constitution is neither an exception nor a proviso to Article 16(l). It is exhaustive of all the reservations that can be made in favour of backward class of citizens. It has an overriding effect on Article 16 (1) and (2). (2) No Reservation can be made under Article 16 (4) for classes other than backward classes. But under Article 16(l), reservation an be made for classes, not covered by Article 16(4).

(3) The expression, ‘backward class of citizens’ occurring in Article 16(4) is neither defined nor explained in the Constitution. However, the backward class or classes can certainly be identified in Hindu society with reference to castes along with other criteria such as traditional occupation, poverty, place of residence, lack of education etc. and in communities where caste is not recognised by the above recognised and accepted criteria except caste criterion.

(4) In the process of identification of backward class of citizens under Article 16(4) among Hindus, caste is a primary criterion or a dominant factor though it is not the sole criterion.

(5) Any provision under Article 16(4) is not necessarily to be made by the Parliament or Legislature. Such a provision could also be made by an Executive order.

(6) The power conferred on the State under Article 16(4) is one coupled with a duty and, therefore, the State has to exercise that power for the benefit of all those, namely, backward class for whom it is intended.

(7) The provision for reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens is a matter of policy of the Government, of course subject to the constitutional parameters and well settled principles of judicial review.

(8) The expression ‘poorer sections’ mentioned in para 2(i) of the amended Office Memorandum of 1991 denotes a division among SEBCs on economic criterion. Therefore, no division or sub classification as poorer sections’ and other backward class (non poorer sections) out of the identified SEBCs can be made by application of ‘means test’ based on economic criterion. Such a division in the same identified and ascertained unit consisting of SEBCs having common characteristics and attributes, the primary characteristic or attributes being the social backwardness is violative of clause (4) of Article 16 of the Constitution. Hence, the division of the SEBCs as ‘poorer sections’ and others, brought out in para 2(i) of the impugned amended Office Memorandum dated 25th September 1991 is constitutionally invalid and impermissible. Accordingly, para2(i) of the said amended Office Memorandum is struck down.

(9) No maximum ceiling of reservation can be fixed under Article 16(4) of the Constitution for reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens “in the Services under the State”. The decisions fixing the percentage of reservation only up to the maximum of 50% are unsustainable.

(10) As regards the reservation in the matter of promotion under Article 16(4). I am in agreement with conclusion No. (7) made in paragraph 121 in Part VII of the judgment of my learned brother. B.P. Jeevan Reddy, J.

(11) I also agree with conclusion No. (8) of paragraph 121 of the judgment of my learned, brother, B. P. Jeevan Reddy, J. quo the exception to the rule of reservation to certain Services and posts.

(12) The reservation of 10% of the vacancies in civil posts and Services in favour of other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any other scheme of the reservation as mentioned in para2(ii) of the impugned amended Office Memorandum dated 25th September 1991 is constitutionally invalid and it is accordingly struck down. In this regard, I am also in agreement with conclusion No. (11) of paragraph 121 of the judgment of my learned brother, C. P. Jeevan Reddy, J.

(13) No section of the SEBCs can be excluded on the ground of creamy layer till the Government Central and State takes a decision in this regard on a review on the recommendations of a Commission or a Committee to be appointed by the Government.

(14) Para 2(i) and (ii) of the amended Office Memorandum dated 25th September 1991 for the reasons given in my judgment and the conclusions drawn above, are struck down as being violative of Article 16(4).

(15) The impugned Office Memorandum dated 13th August 1990 is held valid and enforceable. So there is no legal impediment in immediately enforcing and implementing this first office Memorandum of 1990.

(16) In Writ Petition No. 1094 of 1991 (Sreenarayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam v. Union of India), there is a prayer (prayer ‘b’), inter alia, for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to implement the impugned unamended office memorandum dated 13th August 1990. In the light of my conclusions,. striking down the amended office memorandum dated 25th September 1991, I direct the Union of India to immediately implement the unamended office memorandum dated 13th August 1990.

(17) The Government of India and the State Governments have to create a permanent machinery either by way of a Commission or a Committee within a reasonable time for examining the requests of inclusion or exclusion of any caste, community or group of persons on the advice of such Commission or Committee, as the case may be, and also for examining the exclusion of any pseudo community if smuggled into the list of OBCs. The creation of such a machinery in the form of a Commission or Committee does not stand in the way of immediate implementation of the office memorandum dated 13-8-1990 and the purpose of creating such machinery is for future guidance.

(18) I am also of the same view of my learned brother, B. P. Jeevan Reddy, J. that it is not necessary to send the matters back to the Constitution Bench of five-Judges.

367. In the result, for the reasons mentioned in my judgment and the conclusions drawn in the summation, the writ petition No. 1094 of 1991 is partly allowed to the extent indicated above and all other writ Petitions, Transferred Cases and interlocutory Applications are disposed of accordingly. No costs.

368. Per SAWANT, J—In a legal system where the Courts are vested with the power of judicial review, on occasions issues with social, political and economic overtones come up for consideration. They are commonly known as political questions. Some of them are of transient importance while others have portentous consequences for generations to come. More often than not such issues are emotionally hyper-charged and raise a storm of controversy in the society. Reason and rationalism become the first casualties, and sentiments run high. The Courts have, however, as a part of their obligatory duty, to decide them. While dealing with them the Courts have to raise the issues above the contemporary dust and din, and examine them dispassionately, keeping in view, the long term interests of the society as a whole. Such problems cannot always be answered by the strict rules of logic. Social realities which have their own logic have also their role to play in resolving them. The present is an issue of the kind.

369. It is for the first time that a Nine Judge Bench has been constituted to consider issues arising out of the provisions for reservations in the services under the State under Article 16 of the Constitution. The obvious purpose is to reconsider, if necessary, the propositions of law so far laid down by this Court on the various aspects of the subject. While, therefore, it may be true that everything is at large and the Court is not inhibited in its approach and conclusions by the precedents, the view taken so far on certain facets of the subject, may be hard to disregard on the principle of stare decisis. This will be more so where certain situations., have crystallised and have become a part of the social psyche over a period of time. They may be unsettled only at the risk of creating avodable problems.

370. The reservation in State employment is not a phenomenon unknown to this country. It is traceable to a deliberate policy of affirmative action or positive discrimination adopted in some parts of the country as early as in the beginning of this century. It is equally known to the employment under the Central Government where reservations in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been in existence for a considerable time now. The reasons why the Issue has assumed agitational proportion on account of the present reservations, may be varied. While it is true that the Court is concerned with the interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution on the subject and not either with the causes of the turmoil or the consequence of the interpretation of the law, it is equally true that the Constitution being essentially a political document, has to be interpreted to meet the “felt necessities of the time”. To interpret it, ignoring the social, political, economic and cultural realities, is to interpret it not as a vibrant document alive to the social situation but as an immutable cold letter of law unconcerned with the realities. Our Constitution, unlike many others, incorporates in it the framework of the social change that is desired to be brought about. The change has to be ushered in as expeditiously as possible but at the same time with the least friction and dislocation in national life. The duty to bring about the smooth change over is cast on all institutions including the judiciary. A deep knowledge of social life with its multitudinous facets and their interactions, is necessary to decide social issues like the present one ?. A superficial approach will be counter-productive.

THE GROUND REALITIES

371. Because of its pernicious caste system which may truly be described as its original sin, the Indian Society has, for ages, remained stratified. The origin of the caste system is shrouded in speculation, neither the historians nor the sociologists being able to trace it in its present form to any particular period of time or region, or to a specific cause or causes. The fact, however, remains that it consists of mobility-tight hierarchical social compartments. Every individual is born in and, therefore, with a particular caste which he cannot change. Hitherto, he had to follow the occupation assigned to his caste and he could not even think of changing it. The mobility to upper caste is forbidden, even if today he pursues the professions and occupations of the upper caste. He continues to be looked upon as a member of the lower caste even if his achievements are higher than of those belonging to the higher castes. In social intercourse, he has to take his assigned caste place. The once casteless and unireligious Indian society of Vedic times became multi-factious and multi-religious mainly on account of the rebellion of the lower castes against the tyranny of the caste system and their exploitation by the higher castes. Various sects emerged within the Hindu fold itself to challenge the inequitous system. Distinct religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism were born as revolts against casteism. When, therefore, first Islam and then Christianity made their entries here and ruled this country, many from the lower castes embraced them to escape the tyranny and inequity, while some from the higher castes for pelf and power. However, the change of religion did not always succeed in eliminating castes. The converts carried with them their castes and occupations to the new religions. The result has been that even among Sikhs, Muslims and Christians casteism prevails in varying degrees in practice, their preaching notwithstanding. Only Zoroastrianism is an exception to the rule; but that is because entry into it by conversion is impermissible. Casteism has thus been the bane of the entire Indian society, the difference in its rigidity being of a degree varying from religion to religion and from region to region.

372. One of the worst effects of casteism with which we are directly concerned in the present case, was that access to knowledge and learning was denied to the lower castes, for centuries. It was not till the advent of the British Rule in this country that the doors of education were opened to them as well as to women who were considered as much disentitled to education as the Shudras. Naturally, all the posts in the administrative machinery (except those of the menials) were manned by the higher castes, which had the monopoly of learning. The concentration of the executive power in the hands of the select social groups had its natural consequences. The most inviduals and self-perpetuating consequence was the stranglehold of a few high castes over the administration of the country from the lower to the higher rungs, to the deliberate exclusion of others. Consequently, all aspects of life were controlled, directed and regulated mostly to suit the sectional interests of a small section of the society which numerically did not exceed 10% of the total population of the country. The state of the health of the nation was viewed through their eyes, and the improvement in its health. was effected according to their prescription. It is naive to believe that the administration was carried on impartially, that the sectional interests were subordinated to the interests of the country and that justice was done to those who were outside the ruling fold. This state of affairs continues even till this day.

373. To accept that after the inauguration of the Constitution and the introduction of adult franchise, there has been a change in the administrative power-balance is to be unrealistic to the point of being gullible. Undoubtedly, the lower castes and classes who constitute the overwhelming majority of no less than 75% of the population have secured for the first time in the history of this country, an advantage in terms of political leverage on account of their voting strength. We do see today that the political executive is not only fairly representative of the lower classes but many times dominantly so. But that is on account of the voting power and not on account of social, educational or economic advancement made by them. The entry into the administrative machinery does not depend on voting strength but on the competitive attainments requisite for the relevant administrative field and post. Those attainments can be had only as a result of the cumulative progress on social, educational and economic fronts. Political power by itself cannot usher in such progress. It has to be exercised to bring about the progress. The only known medium of exercising the power is the administrative machinery. If that machinery is not sympathetic to the purpose of the exercise, the political power becomes ineffective, and at times is also rendered impotent. The reason why, after forty-four years of Independence and of vesting of political power in the hands of the people, the same section which dominated the nation’s affairs earlier, continues to do so even today, lies here.

374. The paradoxical spectacle of political power being unable to deliver the goods to whom it desires, is neither unique nor new to this country. This has happened and happens whenever the implementing machinery is at cross purposes with the political power. Faced with the hostility of the administrative executive to their plans for reform, realising the inequitous distribution of posts in the administration between different castes and communities, and being genuinely interested in lifting the disadvantaged sections of the society in their States, the enlightened Rulers of some of the then Princely States took initiative and introduced reservations in the administrative posts in favour of the backward castes and communities since as early as the first quarter of this century. Mysore and Kolhapur were among the first to do so. On account of the movement for social justice and equality started by the Justice Party, the then Presidency of Madras [which then comprised the present State of Tamil Nadu, parts of the present Andhra Pradesh and Kerala initiated reservations in the Government employment in 1921. It was followed by the Bombay Presidency which then comprised the major parts of the present States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. Thus the first quarter of this century saw reservations in Government employment in almost whole of the Sourthern India. It has to be noted that these reservations were not only in favour of the depressed classes which are today known as the Scheduled Castes, but also in favour of other backward castes and classes including what were then known as the intermediate castes. The policy did arouse hostility and resistance of the higher castes even at that time. The agitation against reservations today is only a new incarnation of the same attitude of hostility. The resistance is understandable. It springs from the real prospect of the loss of employment opportunities for the eligible young. But the deeper reason of the high castes for opposing the reservation may be the prospect of losing the hitherto exclusive administrative power and having to share it with others on an increasing scale. When it is realised that in a democracy, the political executive has a limited tenure and the administrative executive wields the real power, [they can truly be described as the permanent politicians], the antipathy to reservation on a pitched note, propelled by the prospective loss of power, is quite intelligible. The loss of employment opportunities can be made good by generating employment elsewhere and by adopting a rational economic structure with planned economy, planned population and planned education. That is where all sections of the society — whether pro or anti-reservation should concentrate. For even if all available posts are reserved or dereserved, they will not provide employment to more than an infinitesimal number of either of the sections. Unfortunately, it is not logic and sanity, but emotions and politics which dominate the issue. The loss of exclusive political power wielded through administrative machine, however, cannot be avoided except by perpetuating the status quo.

375. The consequences of the status quo are startling and ruinous to the country. One of the major causes of the backwardness of the country in all walks of life is the denial to more than 75% of the population, of an opportunity to participate in the running of the affairs of the country. Democracy does not mean mere elections. It also means equal and effective participation in shaping the destiny of the country. Needless to say that where a majority of the population is denied its share in actual power, there exists no real democracy. It is a harsh reality. It can be mended not by running away from it or by ignoring it, but by taking effective workable remedial measures. Those who point to the past achievements and the present progress of the country, forget that these achievements and the progress are by a tiny section of the society who got an opportunity to realise and use their talent. If all sections of the society had such opportunity, this. country’s achievements in all fields and walks of life would have been many times more. That this is a realistic estimate and not a mere rhetoric is proved by history Dr. Ambedkar belongs to the very recent past. If what is handed down to us as history is to be believed, then the epic ‘Mahabharata’ was penned by Vyasa, who was born of a fisher woman; Ramayana’ was authorised by Valmiki, who belonged to a tribe forced to live by depredations. The immortal poet Kalidasa’s ancestry is not known. These few instances of demonstrate that intelligence, perception, character, scholarship and talent are not a monopoly of any section of the society. Given opportunity, those who are condemned to the lowliest stations in life can rise to the loftiest status in society. One can only guess how much this country has lost for want of opportunities to the vast majority all these centuries. This aspect of the present and the past history has a bearing on the “merit-contention” advanced against reservations.

In this connection, it will be worthwhile quoting what Pandit Nehru had to say on the subject in “Discovery of India”:

“Therefore, not only must equal opportunities be given, to all, but special opportunities for educational, economic and cultural growth must be given to backward groups so as to enable them to catch up with those who are ahead of them. Any such attempt to open the door of opportunities to all in India will release obvious energy and ability and transform the country with amazing speed.”

376. The inequalities in Indian society are born in homes and sustained through every medium of social advancement. Inhuman habitations, limited and crippling social intercourse, low-grade educational institutions and degrading occupations perpetuate the inequities in myriad ways. Those who are fortunate to make their escape from these all-pervasive dragnets by managing to attain at least the minimum of attainments in spite of the paralysing effects of the debilitating social environment, have to compete with others to cross the threshold of their backwardness. Are not those attainments, however low by the traditional standards of measuring them, in the circumstances in which they are gained, more creditable? Do they not show sufficient grit and determination, intelligence, diligence, potentiality and inclination towards learning and scholarship? Is it fair to compare these attainments with those of one who had all the advantages of decent accommodation with all the comfort and facilities, enlightened and affluent family and social life, and high quality education can the advantages gained on account of the superior social circumstances be put in the scales to claim merit and flaunted as fundamental rights? May be in many cases, those coming from the high classes have not utilised their advantages fully and their score, though comprised with others, is high, is in fact not so when evaluated against the backdrop of their superior advantages – may even be lower. With the same advantages, others might have scored better. In this connection, Dr. Ambedkar’s example is worth citing. In his matriculation examination, he secured only 37.5% of the marks, the minimum for passing being 35% [See:”Dr. Ambedkar” by Dr. Dhananjay Keer]. If his potentialities were to be judged by the said marks, the country would have lost the benefit of his talent for all times to come.

377. Those who advance merit contention, unfortunately, also ignore the very basic fact – (though in other contexts, they may be the first to accept it) – that the traditional method of evaluating merit is neither scientific nor realistic. Marks in one-time oral or written test do not necessarily prove the worth or suitability of an individual to a particular post, much less do they indicate his comparative calibre. What is more, for different posts, different tests have to be applied to judge the suitability. The basic problems of this country are mass-oriented. India lives in villages, and in slums in towns and cities. To tackle their problems and to implement measures to better their lot, the country needs personnel who have first-hand knowledge of their problems and have personal interest in solving them. What is needed is empathy and not mere sympathy. One of the major reasons why during all these years after Independence, the lot of the downtrodden has however been marginally improved and why majority of the schemes for their welfare have remained on paper, is perceptibly traceable to the fact that the implementing machinery dominated as it is by the high classes, is indifferent to their problems. The Mandal Commission’s lament in its report’ that it did not even receive replies to the information sought by it from various Governments, departments and organizations on the caste-wise composition of their services, speaks volumes or, the point. A policy of deliberate reservations and recruitment in administration from the lower classes, who form the bulk of the population and whose problems primarily are to be solved on a priority basis by any administration with democratic pretensions, is therefore, not only eminently just but essential to implement the Constitution, and to ensure stability, unity and prosperity of the country.

378. What should further not be forgotten is that hitherto for centuries, there have been cent per cent reservations in practice in all fields, in favour of the high castes and classes, to the total exclusion of others. It was a purely caste and class-based reservation. The administration in the State where the reservations are in vogue for about three quarters of a century now, further cannot be said to be inferior to others in any manner. The reservations are aimed at securing proper representation in administration to all sections of the society, intelligence and administrative capacity being not the monopoly of any one class, caste or community. This would help to promote healthy administration of the country avoiding sectarian approaches and securing the requisite talent from all available sources.

379. The assumption that the reservations lead to the appointment or admission of non-meritorious candidates is also not factually correct. In the first instance, there are minimum qualifying marks prescribed for appointment/ admission. Secondly, there is a fierce competition among the backward class candidates for the seats in the reserved quota. This has resulted in the cut-off marks for the seats in the reserved quota reaching near the cut-off line for seats in the general quota as some surveys made on the subject show. A sample of such surveys made for the State of Tamil Nadu by Era Sezhian and published in the issue of the “Hindu” dated 8th October, 1990 may be reproduced here:

Selection to professional courses:Cut-off level

Course of Study Open Backward Most Scheduled
Competition Backward Caste
Engineering Course
[Anna University]
Computer Science 97.98% 96.58% 93.25% 84.38%
Electronics 97.74% 96.08% 92.16% 82.22%
Electrical 95.84% 95.42% 91.48% 81.98%
Mechanical Engg. 95.78% 94.10% 90.66% 79.21%
Medical Course
[University of Madras]
M. B. B. S. 95.22% 93.18% 89.62% 83.98%
Agricultural Course
[Agricultural University, Coimbatore]
B. Sc. Agri. 90.90% 90.08% 86.10% 78.04%
B. E. Agri. 92.66% 91.96% 87.46% 76.14%
Veterinary
[Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University]
BVSc. 94.90% 93.48% 91.18% 85.24%
BFSc. 96.96% 95.58% 95.02% 93.02%

By what logic can it be said that the above marks secured by the candidates from the backward classes are not meritorious?

380. The reservations by their very nature have, however, to be imaginative, discriminating and gradual, if they are to achieve their desired goal. A dogmatic, unrealistic and hasty approach to any social problem proves, more often than not, self-defeating. This is more so when ills spread over centuries are sought to be remedied. It is not possible to remove the backlog in representation at all levels of the administration in one generation. More difficult it is to do so in all fields and all branches of administration, and at the same pace. It will not only be destructive of the object of reservations but will positively be harmful even to those for whom it is meant not to speak of the society as a whole. It must be remembered that some individual exceptions apart, even the advanced classes have not made it to the top in one generation. Such exceptions are found in backward classes as well.

Philosophy and Objectives of Reservations

381. The aim of any civilised society should be to secure dignity to every individual. There cannot be dignity without equality of status and opportunity. The absence of equal opportunities is any walk of social life is a denial of equal status and equal participation in the affairs of the society and, therefore, of its equal membership. The dignity of the individual is dented and direct proportion to his deprivation of the equal access to social means. The democratic foundations are missing when equal opportunity to grow, govern, and give one’s best to the society is denied to a sizeable section of the society. The deprivation of the opportunities may be direct or indirect as when the wherewithals to avail of them are denied. Nevertheless, the consequences are as potent.

382. Inequality ill-favours fraternity, and unity remains a dream without fraternity. The goal enumerated in the preamble of the Constitution, of fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation must, therefore, remain unattainable so long as the equality of opportunity is not ensured to all.

383. Likewise, the social and political justice pledged by the Preamble of the Constitution to be secured to all citizens, will remain a myth unless first economic justice is guaranteed to all. The liberty of thought and expression also, will remain on paper in the face of economic deprivations. A remunerative occupation is a means not only of economic upliftment but also of instilling in the individual self-assurance, self-esteem and self-worthiness. It also accords him a status and dignity as an independent and useful member of the society. It enables him to participate in the affairs of the society without dependence on, or domination by, others, and on an equal plane depending upon the nature, security and remuneration of the occupation. Employment is an important and by far the dominant remunerative occupation, and when it is with the Government, semi-Government or Government-controlled organisation, it has an added edge. It is coupled with power and prestige of varying degrees and nature, depending upon the ,establishment and the post. The employment under the State, by itself, may, many times help achieve the triple goal of social, economic and political justice.

384. The employment – whether private or public – thus, is a means of social levelling and when it is public, is also a means of directly participating in the running of the affairs of the society. A deliberate attempt to secure it to those who were designedly denied the same in the past, is an attempt to do social and economic justice to them as ordained by the Preamble of the Constitution.

385. It is no longer necessary to emphasise that equality contemplated by Art. 14 and other cognate Articles including Articles 15(l), 16(l), 29(2) and 38(2) of the Constitution, is secured not only when equals are treated equally but also when unequals are treated unequally. Conversely, when unequals are treated equally, the mandate of equality before law is breached. To bring about equality between the unequals. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt positive measures to abolish inequality. The equalising measures will have to use the same tools by which inequality was introduced and perpetuated. Otherwise, equalisation will not be of the unequals. Article 14 which guarantees equality before law would by itself, without any other provision in the Constitution, be enough to validate such equalising measures. The founders of the Constitution, however, thought it advisable to incorporate another provision, viz., Article 16 specifically providing for equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Further they emphasised in clause (4) thereof that for equalising the employment opportunities in the services under the State, the State may adopt positive measures for reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which in the opinion of the State, is mot adequately represented in such services. By hind sight, the foresight shown in making the provision specifically, instead. of leaving it only to the equality provision as under the U.S. Constitution, is more than vindicated. In spite of decisions of this Court on almost all aspects of the problem, spread over the past more than forty years now, the validity, the nature, the content and the extent of the reservation is still under debate. The absence of such provisions may well have led to total denial of equal opportunity in the most vital sphere of the State activity. Consequently, Article 38(2) which requires the State in particular to strive to minimise the inequalities in income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also among groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations, and Article 46 which enjoins upon the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation, and Article 335 which requires the Stale to take into consideration, the claims of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in making the appointments to services and posts under the Union or States, would have, all probably remained on paper.

386. The trinity of the goals of the Constitution, viz., socialism, secularism and democracy cannot be realised unless all sections of the society participate in the State power equally, irrespective of their caste, community, race, religion and sex and all discriminations in the sharing of the State power made on those grounds are eliminated by positive measures.

387. Under Article 16(4), the reservation in the State employment is to be provided for a “class of people” which must be “backward” and “in the opinion of the State” is “not adequately represented” in the services of the State. Under Article 46, the State is required to “promote with special care” the “educational and economic interests” of the “weaker sections” of the people and “in particular”, of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and “to protect” them from “social injustice” and “all forms of exploitation”. Since in the present case, we are not concerned with the reservations in favour of the SCs/STs, it is not necessary to refer to Art. 335 except to point out that, it is in terms provided there that the claims of SCs / STs in the services are to be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration. It must, therefore, mean that the claims of other backward class of citizens and weaker sections must also be considered consistently with the maintenance of the efficiency. For, whomsoever, therefore, reservation is made, the efficiency of administration is not to be sacrificed, whatever the efficiency may mean. That is the mandate of the Constitution itself.

388. The various provisions in the Constitution relating to reservation, therefore, acknowledge that reservation is an integral part of the principle of equality where inequalities exist. Further they accept the reality of inequalities and of the existence of unequal social groups in the Indian society. They are described variously as “socially and educationally backward classes” (Article 15(4) and Article 340), “backward’ class” (Article 16(4)) and “weaker sections of the people” (Article 46). The provisions of the Constitution also direct that the unequal representation in the services be remedied by taking measures aimed at providing employment to the discriminated class, by whatever different expressions the said class is described. How does one identify the discriminated class is a question of methodology. But once it is identified, the fact that it happens to be a caste, race, or occupational group, is irrelevant. If the social group has hitherto been denied opportunity on the basis of caste the basis of the remedial reservation has also to be the caste. Any other basis of reservation may perpetuate the status quo and may be inappropriate and unjustified for remedying the discrimination. When, in such circumstances, provision is made for reservations, for example, on the basis of caste, it is not a reservation in favour of the caste as a “caste” but in favour of a class or social group which has been discriminated against, which discrimination cannot be eliminated, otherwise’, What the Constitution forbids in discrimination “only” on the basis of caste, race etc. However, when the caste also happens to be a social group which is “backward” or “socially and educationally backward” or a “weaker section”, this discriminatory treatment in its favour, is not only on the basis of the caste.

389. The objectives of reservation may be spelt out variously. As the U. S. Supreme Court has stated in different celebrated cases, viz.; Oliver Brown et. al. v. Board of Education of Topeka et. al. (347 US 483:98 L Ed (873), Spottswood Thomas Bolling et. al. y. C. Melvin Sharpe et. al. (347 US 497:98 L Ed 884), Marco Defunis et. al. v. Charles Odegaard ((1974) 416 US 312:40 Law Ed 2d 164),5 Regents of the University of California v. Allan Bakke (1978) 438 US 265:57 Law Ed 2d 750), H. Earl Fullilove et. al. v. Philip M. Klutznick (1980) 448 US 448:65 Law Ed 2d 902), and Metro Broadcasting, Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission (1990) 111 Law Ed 2d 445 rendered as late as on June 27, 1990, the reservation or affirmative action may be undertaken to remove the “persisting or present and continuing effects of past discrimination”; to lift the “limitation on access to equal opportunities”; to grant “opportunity for full participation in the governance” of the society; to recognise the discharge “special obligations” towards the disadvantaged and discriminated social groups”; “to overcome substantial chronic under-representation of a social group”; or “to serve the important governmental objectives”. What applies to American society, applies ex proprio vigore to our society. The discrimination in our society is more chronic and its continuing effects more discernible and disastrous. Unlike in America, the all pervasive discrimination here is against a vast majority.

390. As has been pointed out earlier, our Constitution itself spells out the important objectives of the State Policy. There cannot be a more compelling goal than to achieve the unity of the country by integration of different social groups. Social integration cannot be achieved without giving equal status to all. The administration of the country cannot also be carried on impartially and efficiently without the representation in it all the social groups and interests, and without the aid and assistance of all the views and social experiences. Neither democracy nor unity will become real, unless all sections of the society have an equal and effective voice in the affairs and the governance of the country.

391. In a society such as ours where there exist forward and backward, higher and lower social groups, the first step to achieve social integration is to bring the lower or backward social groups to the level of the forward or higher social groups. Unless all social groups are brought on an equal cultural plane, social intercourse among the groups will be an impossibility. Inter-marriage as a matter of course and without inhibitions is by far the most potent means of effecting social integration. Inter-marriages between different social groups would not be possible unless all groups attain the same cultural level. Even in the same social group, marriages take place only between individuals who are on the same cultural plane. Culture is a cumulative product of economic and educational attainments leading to social accomplishment and refinement of mind, morals and taste. Employment and particularly the governmental employment promotes economic and social advancement which in turn also leads to educational advancement of the group. Though it is true that economic and educational advancement is not necessarily accompanied by cultural growth, it is also equally true that without them, cultural advancement is difficult. Employment is thus an important aid for cultural growth. To achieve total unity and integration of the nation, reservations in employment are, therefore, imperative, in the present state of our society.

392. Under the Constitution, the reservations in employment in favour of backward classes are not intended either to be indiscriminate or permanent. Article 16(4) which provides for reservations, also at the same time prescribes their limits and conditions. In the first place, the reservations are not to be kept in favour of every backward class of citizens. It is only that backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is “not adequately represented” in the services under the State, which is entitled to the benefit of the reservations. Secondly, and this follows from the first, even that backward class of citizens would cease to be the beneficiary of the reservation policy, the moment the State comes to the conclusion that it is adequately represented in the services.

The Impugned Orders of the Government

393. In order to appreciate the relevance of the questions which are to be answered by this Court, it is necessary first to analyse the provisions of the two impugned orders. The first order dated 13th August, 1990, acknowledges the fact that our society is multiple and undulating, and expressly refers to the Second Backward Classes Commission, popularly known as Mandal Commission and its report submitted to the Government of India on 31st December, 1980 and the purpose for which the Commission was appointed, viz., for early achievement of “the objective of social justice” enshrined in the Constitution. The order then states that the Government have considered carefully, the report of the Commission and the recommendations of the Commission in “the present context” regarding the benefits to be extended to the “Socially and Educationally Backward Classes” (SEBCs) as opined by the Commission. The order further declares that the Government are of the clear view that at the outset “certain weightage is to be provided to such classes in the services of the Union and other public undertakings”. With this preface, the order proceeds to

(1) provide for reservation of 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Union Government to “SEBCs”;

(2) restrict the reservations to the vacancies to be filled in by direct recruitment only (and thus by necessary implication excludes reservations in recruitment by promotion);

(3) leave the procedure to be followed for enforcing reservation to be detailed in instructions to be issued separately;

(4) make it clear that those belonging to SEBCs who enter into services in the open i.e., unreserved category are not to be counted for the purpose of calculating the reserved quota of 27%;

(5) specify that in the first phase of reservation, it is only SEBC castes and communities which are common to both the lists given in the report of the Mandal Commission and the list prepared by the State Governments, would be beneficiaries of the reservations;

(6) state that the list of such common castes and communities will be issued by the Government separately;

(7) give effect to the reservation from 7th August, 1990; and

(8) explain that the reservation quota will apply not only to the services under the Government of India but also to the services in the public sector undertakings and financial institutions including the public sector banks;

394. This order was amended by the second order of 25th September, 1991. The first purpose of the amendment, as stated in the opening paragraph of the order is to classify the SDBCs into two categories, namely, SEBCs and the poorer sections of the SEBCs, and to give the latter the benefit of reservations on preferential basis. The second purpose is to carve out a new category of “Other Economically Backward Sections” of the people (OEBSs) which are not covered by any existing schemes of reservation, and to provide reservation in services for them. To effectuate these two objectives, the order provides that

(1) out of the 27% of the vacancies reserved for SEBCs, preference shall be given to candidates belonging to poorer sections of SEBCs. If sufficient number of candidate belonging to poorer sections of SEBCs are not available, the unfilled vacancies shall be filled by other SEBC candidates;

(2) 10% of the vacancies in civil posts and services shall be reserved for “Other Economically Backward Sections of the people” (OEBSs);

(3) The criteria for determining poorer sections of the SEBCs as well as OEBSs are to be issued separately.

The effect of the second order is to increase the reservations by 10% making the total reservations in the civil posts and services 59-1/2% (221/2% for SCs/STs + 27% for SEBCs + 10% for OEBSs)

395. As has been pointed out earlier, Article 16(4) does not use the expression “Socially and Economically Backward Classes”. Instead it uses the expression “Backward Class of Citizens”. It is Article 15(4) and Article 340 which use the expression “Socially and Educationally Backward Classes”. Since the judicial decisions have equated the expression “backward class of citizens” with the expression “Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of citizens”, it appears that the impugned orders have used the two expressions synonymously to mean the same class of citizens. The second order has gone even further. It has carved out yet another class of beneficiaries of reservation, namely, “Other Economically Backward Sections”. As would be pointed out a little later, this new class of citizens cannot be a beneficiary of reservations in services under clause (4) of Article 16 nor under Clause (1) thereof.

We may now proceed to deal with the specific questions raised before us.

Question I

Whether Article 16(4) is an exception to Article 16(l) and would be exhaustive of the right to reservation of posts in services under the State?

396. With the majority decision of this Court in State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas (1976) 1 SCR 906 having confirmed the minority opinion of Subba Rao, J. in T. Devadasan v. Union of India (1964) 4 SCR 680, the settled judicial view is that clause (4) of Article 16 is not an exception to clause (1) thereof, but is merley an emphatic way of stating that is implicit in clause (1).

397. Equality postulates not merely legal equality but also real equality. The equality of opportunity has to be distinguished from the equality of results. The various provisions of our Constitution and particularly those of Arts. 38, 46, 335, 338 and 340 together with the Preamble, show that the right to equality enshrined in our Constitution is not merely a formal right or a vacuous declaration. It is a positive right, and the State is under an obligation to undertake measures to make it real and effectual. A mere formal declaration of the right would not make unequals equal. To enable all to compete with each other on equal plane, it is necessary to take positive measures to equip the disadvantaged and the handicapped to bring them to the level of the fortunate advantaged. Articles 14 and 16 (1) no doubt would by themselves permit such positive measures in favour of the disadvantaged to make real the equality guaranteed by them. However, as pointed out by Dr. Ambedkar while replying to the debate on the provision in the Constituent Assembly, it become necessary to incorporate clause (4) in Art. 16 at the insistence of the members of the Assembly and to allay all apprehensions in that behalf. Thus, what was otherwise clear in clause (1) where the expression “equality of opportunity” is not used in a formal but in a positive sense, was made explicit in clause (4) so that there was no mistake in understanding either the real import of the “right to equality” enshrined in the Constitution or the intentions of the Constitution-framers in that behalf. As Dr. Ambedkar has stated in the same reply, the purpose of the clause (4) was to emphasise that “there shall be reservation in favour of certain communities which have not so far had ‘a proper look into, so to say, in the administration.”.

398. If, however, clause (4) is treated as an exception to clause (1), an important but unintended consequences may follow. There would be no other classification permissible under clause (1), and clause (4) would be deemed to exhaust all the exceptions that can be made to clause (1). It would then not to be open to make provision for reservation in services in favour of say, physically handicapped, army personnel and freedom fighters and their dependents, project affected persons, etc. The classification made in favour of persons belonging to these categories is not hit by clause (2). Apart from the fact that they cut across all classes, the reservations in their favour are made on considerations other than that of backwardness within the meaning of clause (4). Some of them may belong to the backward classes while some may belong to forward classes or classes which have an adequate representation in the services. They are, however, more disadvantaged in their own class whether backward or forward. Hence, even on this ground it will have to be held that Article 16(4) carves out from various classes for whom reservation can be made, specific class, viz., the backward class Of citizens, for emphasis and to put things beyond doubt.

399. For these very reasons, it will also have to be held that so far as “backward classes” are concerned, the reservations for them can only be made under clause (4) since they have been taken out from the classes for which reservation can be made under Article 16(l). Hence, Article 16(4) is exhaustive of all the reservations that can be made for the backward classes as such, but is not exhaustive of reservations that can be made for classes other than backward classes under Art. 16(l). So also, no, reservation can be made under Art. 16(4) for classes other than “backward classes” implicit in that Article. They have to look for their reservations, to Art. 16(l).

400. It may be added here that reservations can take various forms whether they are made for backward or other classes. They may consist of preferences, concessions, exemptions, extra facilities etc. or of an exclusive quota in appointments as in the present case. When measures other than an exclusive quota for appointments are adopted, they form part of the reservation measures or are ancillary to or necessary for availing of the reservations. Whatever the form of reservation, the backward classes have to look for them to Art. 16(4) and the other classes to Art. 16(l).

Question II:

What would be the content of the phrase “Backward Class” in Art. 16(4) of the Constitution and whether caste by itself could constitute a class and whether economic criterion by itself could identify a class for Art. 16(4) and whether “Backward Classes” in Art. 16(4) would include the “weaker sections” mentioned in Art. 46 as well?

401. The courts have, as will be instantly pointed out, equated the expression “backward classes of citizens” with the expression “Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of Citizens (“SEBCs” for short) found in Art. 15(4) and Art. 340. Even the impugned orders have used the expression “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens”. As a matter of fact, since the impugned orders have chosen to give the benefit of reservation expressly to SEBCs and since it is not suggested that SEBCs are not “backward class of citizens” within the meaning of Art. 16(4), the discussion on the point as purely academic in the present case.

402. In this connection, a reference may. first be made to Art. 335 of the Constitution. There is no doubt that backward classes under Art. 16(4) would also include SCs/ STs for whose entry into services, provision is also made under Art. 335. There is, however, a difference in the language of the two Articles Whereas the provision of Art. 16(4) is couched in an enabling language, that of Art. 335 is in a mandatory cast. It appears that it became necessary to make the additional provision of reservations for SCs/STs under Art. 335 because for them the reservations in services were to be made as obligatory as reservations in the House of the People and the Legislative Assemblies under Arts. 330 and 332 respectively. When we remember that Arts. 330, 332 and 335 belong to the family of Articles in Part XVI which makes “Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes”, the additional and obligatory provision for SCs/STs under Art. 335 becomes meaningful. It is probably because of the mandate of Art. 335 and the level of backwardness of the SCs/STs – the most backward among the backward classes:that it also became necessary to caution and emphasise in the same vein, that the imperative claims of the SCs/ STs shall be taken into consideration consistently with the efficiency of the administration, and not by sacrificing it. It cannot, however, be doubted that the same considerations will have to prevail while making provisions for reservation in favour of all backward classes under Art. 16(4). To hold otherwise would not only be irrational but discriminatory between two classes of backward citizens.

403. We may now analyse Art. 16 in the light of the question. In the first instance, it is necessary to note that neither clauses (1) and (2) of Art. 16 read together, nor clause (2) of Art. 29 prohibits discrimination and, therefore, classification, which is not made only on the ground of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them. They do not prevent classification, if religion, race, caste etc. are coupled with other grounds or considerations germane for the purpose for which it is made. Secondly, clauses (1) and (2) of Art. 16 prevent discrimination against individuals and not against classes of citizens. Thirdly, clause (4) of Art. 16 enables the State to make special provision in favour of any backward “class” of citizens and not in favour of citizens who can be classified as backward. The emphasis is on “class of citizens” and not on “citizens”. Fourthly, as has already been pointed out earlier, the class of citizens under Art. 16(4) has not only to be backward but also a class which is not adequately represented in the services under the State. Fifthly, when we remember that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also the members of the backward classes of citizens within the meaning of Art. 16(4), the nature of backwardness of the backward class of citizens is implicit in Art. 16(4) itself. Further, Part XVI of the Constitution which makes special provision under Art. 338 for National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for investigating their conditions, makes a similar provision under Art. 340 for appointment of Commission to investigate the conditions also of “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens”. The two provisions leave no doubt about the kind of backwardness that the Constitution takes care of in Article 16(4). What is more, clause (4) of Article 15 which was added after the decision in The State of Madras v. Srimathi Champakam Dorairajan etc. (1951) SCR 525 specifically mentions that nothing in Article 15 or in clause (2) of Article 29, shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”. The significance of this amendment should not be lost sight of. It groups “socially and educationally backward classes” with “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”. When it is remembered that Articles 341 and 342 enable the President to specify by notification, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it can hardly be debated that such specifications from time to time may only be from the socially and educationally backward classes or from classes whose economic backwardness is on account of their social and educational backwardness.

We may now refer to the decisions of this Court on the point.

404. In M. R. Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439, what fell for consideration was Article 15 (4), and on the language of the said Article, it was held by this Court that the backwardness contemplated by the said Article was both social and educational. It is not either social or educational but it is both social and educational. In Janki Prasad Paromoo etc. etc. v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1973) 3 SCR 236 which was a case under Article 16(4), this Court read “backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4) as “socially and educationally backward class of citizens”, although Justice Palekar who delivered the judgment for the Court, proceeded to equate the two expressions on the assumption that “it was well-settled that the expression “backward class” in Article 16(4) means the same thing as the expression “any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” in Article 15(4)”. It is true that no decision prior to this decision had in terms sought to equate the two expressions, and to that extent the said statement can be faulted as it is sought to be done before us.

In K. C. Vasanth Kumar v. State of Karnataka (1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 352 , this Court was called upon to express opinion on the issue of reservations which may serve as a guideline to the Commission which the Government of Karnataka proposed to appoint for examining the question of affording better employment and educational opportunities to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes. Hence, the interpretation of the expression “backward class of citizens” under Article 16(4) and of the expression “socially and educationally backward classes” under Article 15(4) and their co-relation, fell for consideration directly. The five Judges of the Bench with the exception of Chief Justice Chandrachud expressed their opinion on these two expressions. Desai, J. held that “Courts have more or less veered round to the view that in order to be socially and educationally backward classes, the group must have the same indicia as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”. The learned Judge then proceeded to deal with what, according to him, was a narrow question, viz., whether caste-lable should be sufficient to identify social and educational backwardness. However, it appears that the learned Judge proceeded on the footing that the expression “backward class of citizens” was synonymous with the expression “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens”. There is no discussion whether the two expressions are in fact similar and of the reasons for the same. Chinnappa Reddy, J. dealt with the two expressions a little extensively and came to the conclusion as follows:

“Now, it is not suggested that the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes for whom special provision for advancement is contemplated by Article 15(4) are distinct and separate from the backward classes of citizens who are inadequately represented in the services under the State for whom reservation of posts and appointments is contemplated by Article 16(4). ‘The backward classes of citizens’ referred to in Article 16(4), despite the short description, are the same as ‘the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes’, so fully described in Art. 15(4):Vide Trilokinath Tiku v. State of Jammu and ‘Kashmir AIR 1967 SC 1283 and other cases.”

Sen, J. also appears to have proceeded on the footing that the two expressions, viz., “socially and educationally backward classes” under Article 15(4) and “backward class of citizens” under Article 16(4) are synonymous.

Venkataramaiah, J. (as he then was) held that “Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) are intended for the benefit of “those who belong to castes, communities which are traditionally disfavoured and which have suffered societal discrimination in the past”. The other factors such as physical disability, poverty, place of habitation etc. – according to the learned Judge – were never in the contemplation of the makers of the Constitution while enacting these clauses.” The learned Judge has held that “while relief may be given in such cases under Article 14, 15(l) and Article 16(l) by adopting a rational principle of classification, Article 14, Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) cannot be applied to them”. The learned Judge has further held that “it is now accepted that the expressions ‘socially and educationally backward classes of citizens’ and ‘the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes’ in Article 15(4) of the Constitution together are equivalent to ‘backward class of citizens’ in Article 16(4)”.

405. There is, therefore, no doubt that the expression “backward class of citizens” is wider and includes in it “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” and “Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”.

406. The next question is whether the social and educational backwardness of the other backward classes has to be akin to or of the same level as that of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. It is true that some decisions of this Court such as Balaji (supra) and State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sagar (1968) 3 SCR 595 have taken the view that the backwardness of the backward class under Article 16(4) being social and educational, must be similar to the backwardness from which the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes suffer. In Balaji it is stated:

“It seems fairly clear that the backward classes of citizens for whom special provision is authorised to be made are, by Article 15(4) itself, treated as being similar to the Scheme Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes which have been defined were known to be backward and the Constitution makers felt no doubt that special provision had to be made for their advancement. It was realised that in the Indian Society there were other classes of citizens who were equally, or may be somewhat less, backward than the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and it was thought that some special provision ought to be made even for them.”

After referring to the provisions of Articles 338(3), 340(l), 341 and 342, the Court proceeded to hold as follows:

“It would thus be seen that this provision contemplates that some Backward Classes may by the Presidential order be included in Scheduled Castes and Tribes. That helps to bring out the point that the Backward Classes for whose improvement special provision is contemplated by Art. 15(4) are in the matter of their backwardness comparable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”.

407. The test laid down above of similarity of social and educational backwardness was accepted in P. Sagar (supra).

408. However, in State of Andhra Pradesh v. U. S. V. Balram (1972) 3 SCR 247, the earlier view has been explained by pointing out that the above decisions do not lay down that backwardness of the other backward classes must be exactly similar in all respects to that of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Further, in Parimoo (supra) the test laid down in Balaji has been (supra) explained in the following words:

“Indeed all sectors in the rural areas deserve encouragement but whereas the former by their enthusiasm for education can get on without special treatment, the latter require to be goaded into the social stream by positive efforts by the State. That accounts for the raison d’etre of the principle explained in Balaji’s case (supra) which pointed out that backward classes for whose improvement special provision was contemplated by Article 15 (4 ) must be comparable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who are standing examples of backwardness socially and educationally. If those examples are steadily kept before the mind the difficulty in determining which other classes should be ranked as backward classes will be considerably eased.”

In Kumari K. S. Jayasree v. State of Kerala (1977) 1 SCR 194 at 197-198 it is stated:

“Backward classes for whose improvement special provisions are contemplated by Article 15(4) are in the matter of their backwardness comparable to Scheduled Castes an Scheduled Tribes. This Court has emphasised in decisions that the backwardness under Article 15(4) must be both social and educational.

**********

The concept of backwardness in Article 15(4) is not intended to be relative in the sense that classes who are backward in relation to the most advanced classes of society should be included in it.”

409. These observations will also show that the test of comparable backwardness laid down in Balaji (supra) has not been and is not to be, understood to mean that backwardness of the other backward classes has to be of the same degree as or identical in all respects to, that of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. At the same time, the backwardness is not to be measured in terms of the forwardness of the forward classes and those who are less forward than the forward are to be classified as backward. The expression “backward class of citizens”, as stated earlier, has been used in Article 16(4) in a particular context taking into consideration the social history of this country. The expression is used to denote those classes in the society which could not advance socially and educationally because of the taboos and handicaps created by the society in the past or on account of geographical or other similar factors. In fact, the expression “backward classes” could not be adequately encompassed in any particular formula and hence even Dr. Ambedkar while replying to the debate on ‘the point stated as follows:

“If honourable members understand this position that we have to safeguard two things, namely, the principle of equality of opportunity and at the same time satisfy the demand of communities which have not had so far representation in the State, then, I am sure they will agree that unless you use some such qualifying phrase as “backward” the exception made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule altogether. Nothing of the rule will remain. That I think, if I may say so, is the justification why the Drafting Committee undertook on its own shoulders the responsibility of introducing the word ‘backward’ which, I admit, did not originally find a place in the fundamental right in the way in which it was passed by this Assembly. But I think honourable members will realise that the Drafting Committee which has been ridiculed on more than one ground for producing sometimes a loose draft, sometimes something which is not appropriate and so on, might have opened itself to further that they produced a Draft Constitution in which the exception was so large, that it left no room for the rule to operate. I think this is sufficient to justify why the word ‘backward’ has been used.

………………… Somebody asked me:”What is a backward community”? Well, I think any one who reads the language of the draft itself will find that we have left it to be determined by each local Government. A backward community is a community which is backward in the opinion of the Government”.

410. It will have, therefore, to be held that the backwardness of the backward classes other than the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who are entitled to the benefit of the reservations under Article 16(4), need not be exactly similar in all respects to the backwardness of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. That it is not necessary that the social, educational and economic backwardness of the other backward classes should be exactly of the same kind and degree as that of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is recognised by the various provisions of the Constitution itself since they make difference between the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on the one hand, and other “socially and educationally backward classes” or “backward class of the citizens” on the other. What is further, if the other backward classes are backward exactly in all respects as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the President has the power to notify them as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and they would not continue to be the other backward classes. The nature of their backwardness, however, will have to be mainly social resulting in their educational and economic backwardness as that of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

411. The next important aspect of the question is whether caste can be used for identifying socially and educationally back- ward classes.

412. There is no doubt that no classification can validly be made only on the basis of caste just as it cannot be made only on the basis of religion, race, sex, descent, place of birth or any of them, the same being prohibited by Article 16(2). What is, however, required to be done for the purposes of Article 16(4) is not classification but identification. The identification is of the backward classes of citizens, which have, as seen above, to be socially and, therefore, educationally and economically backward (for short described as socially and educationally backward). Any factor — whether caste, race, religion, occupation, habitation etc. — which may have been responsible for the social and educational backwardness, would naturally also supply the basis for identifying such classes not because they belong to particular religion, race, caste, occupation, area etc. but because they are socially and educationally backward classes.

413. It is, however, contended that the adoption of caste as a factor even for identifying backwardness would perpetuate casteism. The argument, with respect, begs the question. It presumes that the castes are created the moment they are identified as backward classes for the purposes of Article 16(4). One of the most damaging and perpetuating social consequences of the caste system has admittedly been the discrimination suffered by certain castes and communities as such castes and communities. The result has been that these castes and communities as a whole continued to remain as backward classes. If, therefore, an affirmative action is to be taken to give the special advantage envisaged by Article 16(4), it must be given to them because they belong to such discriminated castes. It is not possible to redress the balance in their favour on any other basis. A different basis would perpetuate the status quo and therefore the caste system instead of eliminating it. On the other hand, by giving the discriminated caste groups the benefits in question, discrimination would in course of time be eliminated and along with it the casteism. It would thus be seen that the contention to the contrary is counter-productive and will in fact perpetuate, though unintentionally, the very caste system which it seeks to eliminate.

Prime Minister Nehru while replying to the very point raised in the discussion on the amendment to Article 15 by insertion of clause (4), summarised the situation in the following words:

“……….. But you have to distinguish between backward classes which are specially mentioned in the Constitution that have to be helped to be made to grow and not think of them in terms of this community or that. Only if you think of them in terms of the community you bring in communalism. But if you deal with backward classes as such, whatever religion or anything else they may happen to belong to, then it becomes our duty to help them towards educational, social and economic advance”.

[Lok Sabha Debates 16-5-1951 – Column 1821]

414. ‘Class’ is a wider term. ‘Caste’ is only a species of the ‘class’. The relevant portions of the definitions of “class” and “caste” given to shorter Oxford Dictionary may be reproduced here:

“Class ,…… 6. gen. A number of individuals [persons or things] possessing common attributes, and grouped together under a general or ‘class’ name;

2. Higher [Upper], Middle. Lower Classes [Mod].”

“Caste. 1555. [ad. Sp. and Pg. casta race, lineage; orig. ‘pure (stock or breed)’, f. casta, fem. of casto:- L. castus [see CHASTE]. Formerly written cast.] I. A race, stock, or breed – 1774. 2. spec. One of the hereditary classes into which society in India has long been divided. Also transf. 1613.

The members of each caste are socially equal, have the same religious rites, and generally follow the same occupation or profession; they have no social intercourse with those of another caste. The original castes were four:1st, the Brahmans or priestly caste; 2nd, the Kshatriyas or military caste; 3rd, the Vaisyas or merchants; 4th, the Sudras, or artisans and labourers. Now almost every variety of occupation has its caste.

3. fig. “A class who keep themselves socially distinct, or inherit exclusive privileges 1807.

4. this system among the Hindoos; also the position it confers, as in To lose, of renounce c. 1811, Also gen. and fig.”

415. In view of the above meanings ascribed to the terms, it can hardly be argued that caste is not a class. A caste has all the attributes of a class and can form a separate class. If, therefore, a caste is also a backward class within the meaning of Article 16 (4), there is nothing in the said Article or in any other provision of the Constitution, to prevent the conferment of the special benefits under that Article on the said caste. Hence it can hardly be argued that caste in no circumstances may form the basis of or be a relevant consideration for identification of backward class of citizens.

It will be instructive in this connection to refer to the earlier decisions on the point.

416. The context in which the amendment to Article 15 was made being sufficiently illuminating on the subject, may first be noticed, In Champakam (supra), the Seven-Judge Bench of this Court struck down the classification made on the basis of caste, race and religion for the purposes of admission to educational institutions on the ground that Article 15 did not contain a clause such as clause (4) of Article 16. The necessary corollary of that view is that with the clause like clause (4) of Article 16, the enumeration of backward classes on the basis of caste, race or religion would not be bad, and that is exactly what was held by the same Bench in a decision delivered on the same day in the case of B. Venkataramana v. The State of Madras AIR 1951 SC 229. This was a case directly under Article 16 (4) unlike Champakam which was tinder Article 15. In this case, the Communal G. O. of the Madras Government made reservations of posts for Harijans and backward Hind us as well as for other communities, viz., Muslims. Christians, Non-Brahmin Hindus and Brahmins. The Court upheld the reservations in favour or Harijans and backward Hindus holding that those reserved posts were so reserved not on the ground of religion, race, caste etc. but because of the necessity for making a provision for reservation of such posts in favour of a backward class of citizens. The Court, however, struck down the reservations in favour of other than Harijans and backward Hindus on the ground that it was not possible to say that those classes were backward classes. It can be seen this decision that the classification of the backward classes into Harijan and backward Hindus was upheld by the Court as being permissible under Article 16(4) since it was not a classification made on the ground of religion, race, caste etc. but because the said two groups were backward class citizens.

Balaji (supra) it was observed as follows:

“Therefore, in dealing with the question as to whether any class of citizens is socially backward or not, it may not be irrelevant to consider the caste of the said group of citizens. In this connection, it is, however, necessary to bear in mind that the special provision is contemplated for classes of citizens and not for individual citizens as such, and so, through the caste of the group of citizens may be relevant, its importance should not be exaggerated. If the classification of backward classes of citizens was based solely on the caste of the citizen, it may not always be logical and may perhaps contain the vice of perpetuating the caste themselves.”

In R. Chitralekha v. State of Mysore (1964) 6 SCR 368 the majority held that caste and class are not synonymous. However, it was also held that caste can be one of the relevant factors though not the sole and dominant one to determine the social and educational backwardness. The social and educational backwardness can be ascertained with the help of factors other than castes. The Court further held that if the entire caste is backward, it should in the list of Scheduled Castes. There can be castes whose majority is socially and educationally backward but minority may be more advanced than another small sub-caste, the total of which is far less than the advanced minority. In such cases to give benefit to the advanced section of the majority of the socially and educationally backward castes will be unjust to others.

With respect, these observations leave many things unanswered. In the first instance, it is difficult to undertand as to why, the entire caste or for that matter the majority of the caste is socially and educationally backward, if could not be classified as a backward class, and why when it is done, the caste cannot become a class, as has been held in a later decision, i.e., Balram (supra). Secondly, if the entire caste is backward, it is not necessary to include it in the list of Scheduled Castes unless it is contended that the backwardness of the other backward castes must be of the same nature, degree and level in all respects as that of the Scheduled Castes. The said observation also ignore that the expression “backward class of citizens” is wider than the expression “Scheduled Castes” as former expression includes not only the Scheduled Castes but also other backward classes which may not be as backward as the Scheduled Castes. In any case, there is no reason, why before a backward caste is included in the list of Scheduled Castes, it should not be entitled to be accepted as a socially and educationally backward caste. Thirdly, when a minority of a socially and educationally backward caste is advanced, the remedy lies in denying the benefit of reservation to such minority and not neglect the majority.

In Minor P. Rajendran v. State of Madras (1968) 1 SCR 786, it is held that a caste is also a class of citizens, and if the caste as a whole is socially and educationally backward, reservation can be made in favour of such caste on that ground. It is also held that once the State shows that a particular caste is backward, it is for those who challenge it, to disprove it. The propositions laid down in this case are directly contrary to the propositions laid down in Chitrallekha (supra).

In P. Sagar (supra), it is observed as follows:

“In the context in which it occurs the expression “Class” means a homogeneous section of the people grouped together because of certain likenesses of common traits and who are identifiable by some common attributes such as status, rank, occupation, residence in a locality, race, religion and the like. In determining whether a particular section forms a class, caste cannot be excluded altogether. But in the determination of a class a test solely based upon the caste or community cannot also be accepted.”

In Triloki Nath v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1969) 1 SCR 103, it is held:

“The expression ‘backward classes’ is not used as synonymous with ‘backward caste’ or ‘backward community’. The members of an entire caste or community may, in the social, economic and educational ‘ scale of values at a given time, be backward and may, on that account be treated as a backward class, but that is not because they are members of a caste or community, but because they form a class. In its ordinary connotation, the expression ‘class’ means a homogeneous section of the people grouped together because of certain likenesses or common traits, and who are identifiable by some common attributes such as status, rank, occupation, residence in a locality, race, religion and the like; but for the purpose of Art. 16 (4) in determining whether a section forms a class, a test solely based on caste, community, race, religion, sex, descent, place of birth or residence, cannot be adopted, because it would directly offend the Constitution.”

[Emphasis supplied]

With respect, it may be added that when the members of an entire caste are backward and on that account are treated as a backward class, the expressions “backward caste” and “backward class” become synonymous.

In Minor A. Periakaruppan v. State of Tamil Nadu (1971) 2 SCR 430], it is observed that a caste has always been recognised as a class. The decision refers in this connection to what is observed in Narayan Vasudev v. Emperor AIR 1940 Bombay 379 which observations are as follows:

“In. my opinion, the expression ‘classes of His Majesty’s subjects’ in Section 153-A of the Code is. used in restrictive sense as denoting a collection of individuals or groups bearing a common and exclusive designation and also possessing common and exclusive characteristics which may be associated with their origin, race or religion, and that the term “class” within that section carries with it the idea of numerical strength so large as could be grouped in a single homogeneous community”.

“ The decision also quotes with approval from Paragraphs 10, 11 and 13 of Chapter V of the Backward Classes Commission’s Report [Kalelkar Commission Report] where it is observed:

“We tried to avoid caste but we find it difficult to ignore caste in the present prevailing conditions, We wish it were easy to dissociate caste from social backwardness at the present juncture. In modern times any- body can take to any profession. The Brahman taking to tailoring, does not become a tailor by caste, nor is his social status lowered as a Brahman. A Brahman may be a seller of boots and shoes, and yet his social status is not lowered thereby. Social backwardness, therefore, is not today due to the particular profession of but we cannot escape caste in considering the social backwardness in India”.

“It is not wrong to assume that social backwardness has largely contributed to the educational backwardness of a large number of social groups.”

“All this goes to prove that social backwardness is mainly based on recial, thribal, caste and denominational differences”.

The Court then observes that there is no gainsaying the fact that there are numerous castes in this country which are socially and educationally backward. To ignore their existence is to ignore the facts of life. However, the Court thereafter proceeds also to state that the Government should not proceed on the basis that once a caste is considered as a backward class, it should continue to be a backward class for all time. Such an approach would defeat the very purpose of the reservation because once a class reaches a stage of progress which some modern writers call as “take-off stage”, the competition is necessary for their future progress. In Balram (supra), it was held that entire caste can be socially and educationally backward and in such circumstances reservation can be on the basis of castes not because they are castes but because they are socially and educationally backward classes. It was also held that reservation can also be on the basis of the population of the different castes separately as social and educational backward classes. It was further held that if candidates from social and educational backward castes secure 50 per cent or more seats of merit in the general pool, the list of backward classes need not be invalidated but the Government should be asked to review it.

In Jayasree (supra), it was observed as follows:

“In ascertaining social backwardness of a class of citizens it may not be irrelevant to consider the caste of the group of citizens Caste cannot however be made the sole or dominant test. Social backwardness is in the ultimate analysis the result of poverty to large extent. Social backwardness which results from poverty is likely to be aggravated by considerations of their caste. This shows the relevance of both caste and poverty in determining the backwardness of citizens. Poverty by itself is not the determining factor of social backwardness. Poverty is relevant in the context of social backwardness. The Commission found that the lower income group constitutes socially and educationally backward classes. The basis of the reservation is not income but social and educational backwardness determined on the basis of relevant criteria. If any classification of backward classes of citizens is based solely on the caste of the citizens it will perpetuate the vice of caste system. Again, if the classification solely on poverty it will not be logical.”

In Vasanth Kumar (supra), Chinnappa Reddy, stated as follows:

“Any view of the caste system, Class or cursory, will at once reveal the firm links which the caste system has with economic power. Land and learning, two of the primary sources of economic power in India, have till recently been the monopoly of the superior castes. Occupational skills were practised by the middle castes and in the economic system prevailing till now they could rank in the system next only to the castes constituting the landed and the learned gentry. The lowest in the hierarchy were those who were assigned the meanest tasks, the out-castes who wielded no economic power. The position of a caste in rural society is more often than not mirrored in the economic power wielded by it and vice versa. Social hierarchy and economic position exhibit an undisputable mutuality. The lower the caste, the poorer its members. The poorer the members of a caste lower the caste. Caste and economic situation, reflecting each other as they do are the Deus ex-Machina of the social status occupied and the economic power wielded by an individual or class in rural society. Social status and economic power are so woven and fused into the caste system in Indian rural society that one may without hesitation, say that if poverty be the cause, caste is the primary index of social backwardness, so that social backwardness is often readily identifiable with reference to a person’s caste. Such we must recognise is the primeval force and omnipresence of caste in Indian Society, however, much we may take to wish it away. So sadly and oppressively deep-rooted is caste in our country that it has out across even the barriers of religion. The caste system has penetrated other religious and dissentient Hindu sects to whom the practice of caste should be anathema and today we find that practitioner of other religious faiths and Hindu dissentients are sometimes as rigid adherents to the system of caste as the conservative Hindus. We find Christian Harijans, Christian Madars, Christian Reddys, Christian Kammas, Mujbi Sikhs, etc. etc. In Andhra Pradesh there is a community known as Pinjaras or dudekulas (known in the North as ‘Rui Pinjane Wala’:Professional cotton-beaters) who are really Muslims but are treated in rural society, for all practical purposes, as a Hindu caste. Several other instances may be given.”

Venkataramiah, J. [as he then was] in the same decision observed as follows:

“An examination of the question in the background of the Indian social conditions shows that the expression ‘backward classes’ used in the Constitution referred only to those who were born in particular castes or have belonged to particular races or tribes or religious minorities which were backward.”

417. It will also be useful to note the trend of thinking of some of the learned Judges of the U.S. Supreme Court on measures designed to redress the racial imbalance in that country in various fields. In Regents of the University of California (supra), Marshall, J. expressed the view that in the light of the history of discrimination and its devastating impact on the lives of Negroes, bringing the Negroes into the maintream of American life should be a State interest of the highest order, and that neither the history of the Fourteenth Amendment nor past Supreme Court decisions supported the conclusion that a University could not remedy the cumulative effects of society’s discrimination by giving consideration to race in an effort to increase the number and percentage of Negro doctors. He also held that affirmative action programe of the type used by the University (to reserve seats for the Negroes) should not be held to be unconstitutional.

Blackmun, J. observed that it would be impossible to arrange an affirmative action programme in a racially neutral way and have it successful.

Brennan, J. observed that the claim that the law must be “colour-blind” is more an aspiration rather than a description of reality and that any claim that the use of racial criteria is barred by the plain language of the statute must fail in light of the remedial purpose of Title VI (of the Civil Rights Act, 1964) and its legislative history. On the contrary, he observed, that the prior decisions of the Court strongly suggested that Title VI did not prohibit the remedial use of the race where such action is constitutionally permissible. In this connection, it will be worthwhile to quote two passages from the learned Judge’s opinion in that case. While dealing with equal protection clause in the Fourteenth Amendment, the learned Judge observed as follows:

“The assertion of human equality is closely associated with the proposition that differences in colour or creed, birth or status, are neither significant nor relevant to the way in which person should be treated. Nonetheless, the position that such factors must be “constitutionally an irrelevance” summed up by the shorthand phrase “our Constitution is colour-blind” has never been adopted by this Court as the proper meaning of the Equal Protection Cause. Indeed, we have expressly rejected this proposition on a number of occasions. Our cases have always implied that an “overriding statutory purpose” could be found that would justify racial classifications …….. More recently ……. this Court unanimously reversed the Georgia Supreme Court which had held that a desegregation plan voluntarily adopted by a local school board which assigned students on the basis of races, was per se invalid because it was not colour blind. We conclude, therefore, that racial classifications are not per se invalid under the Fourteenth Amendment. Accordingly, we turn to the problem of articulating what our role should be in reviewing state action that expressly classifies by race.”

“The conclusion that state educational institutions may constitutionally adopt admissions programs designed to avoid exclusion of historically disadvantaged minorities, even when such programs explicitly take rage into account finds direct support in our cases construing congressional legislation designed to overcome the present effects of the past discrimination.”

In Fullilove (supra) where the provision in the Public Works Employment Act, 1977 requiring that at least 10 per cent of the Federal funds granted for local public works projects, should be used by the State or the local grantee to procure services or supplies from businesses owned by minority group member, was challenged, Chief Justice Burger, speaking for himself, White and Powell, JJ. upheld the view expressed in the earlier decisions that if the race was the consideration for earlier discrimination, in remedial process, steps will almost invariably require to be based on racial factors and any other approach would freeze the status quo which is the very target of all remedies to correct the imbalance introduced by the past racial discriminatory measures 1sl………..

(All emphasis supplied)

418. It is further not correct to say that the caste system is prevalent only among the Hindus, and other religions are free from it. Jains have never considered themselves as apart from Hindus. For all practical purposes and from all counts, there are no socially and educationally backward classes in the Jain community for those who embraced it mostly belonged to the higher castes. As regards Buddhists, if we exclude those who embraced Buddhism along with Dr. Ambedkar in 1955, the population of Buddhists is negligible. If, however, we include the new converts who have come to be known as Nav-Buddhists, admittedly almost all of them are from the Scheduled Castes. In fact, in some States, they were sought to be excluded from the list of Scheduled Castes and denied the benefit of reservations on the ground that they had no longer remained the lower castes among the Hindus qualifying to be included among the Scheduled Castes. On account of their agitation, perverse reasoning was set right and today the Nav-Buddhists continue to get the benefit of reservation on the ground that their low status in society as the backward classes did not change with the change of their religion. As regards Sikhs, there is no doubt that the Sikh religion does not recognise caste system. It was in fact a revolt against it. However, the existence of Mazhabis, Kabirpanthis, Ramdasias, Baurias, Sareras and Sikligars and the demand of the leaders of the Sikhs themselves to treat as Scheduled Castes could not be ignored and from the beginning they have been notified as a Scheduled Caste (See:pp. 768-772 of Vol. I and p. 594 of Vol. IV of the Framing of India’s Constitution – Ed. B. Shiva Roa), As far as Islam is concerned, Islam also does recognise castes or caste system. However, among the Muslims, in fact there are Ashrafs and Ajlafs, i.e., high born and low born. The Census Report of 1901 of the Province of Bengal records the following facts regarding the Muslims of the then Province of Bengal:

“the conventional division of the Mahomedans into four tribes – Sheikh, Saiad, Moghul and Pathan – has very little application to this Province (Bengal). The Mahomedans themselves recognise two main social divisions, (1) Ashraf or Sharaf and (2) Ajlaf. Ashraf means ‘noble’ and includes all undoubted descendants of foreigners and converts from high caste Hindus. All other Mahomedans including the occupational groups and all converts of lower ranks, are known by the contemptuous terms, ‘Ajlaf, ‘Wretches’ or ‘mean people’ they are also called Kamina or Itar, ‘base’ or Rasil, a corruption of Rizal, ‘worthless’. In some places a third class, called Arzal or ‘lowest of all’, is added. With them no other Mahomedan would associate and they are forbidden to enter the mosque and to use the public burian (burial) ground.

Within these groups there (sic.) castes with social precedence of exactly the same nature as one finds among the Hindus.

1. Ashrat or better class Mahomedans.

(i) Saiads, (ii) Sheikhs, (iii) Pathans, (iv) Moghul, (v) Mallik, (vi) Mirza.

2. Ajlaf or lower class Mahomedans.

(i) Cultivating Sheikhs, and other who were originally Hindus but who do not belong to any functional group, and have not gained admittance to the Ashrat Community e.g. Pirali and Thakrai, (ii) Darzi, Jolaha, Fakir and Rangrez, (iii) Barhi, Bhathiara, Chik, Churihar, Dai, Dhawa, Dhunia, Gaddi, Kala, Kasai, Kula, Kunjara, Laheri, Mahifarosh, Mallah, Naliya, Nikari, (iv) Adbad, Bako Bediya, Bhat, Chamba, Dafali, Dhobi, Hajjam, Mucho, Nagarchi, Nat, Panwaria, Madaria, Tuntia.

3. Arzal or degraded class. Bhanar, Halalkhor, Hirja, Kashi, Lalbegi, Mangta, Mehtar.

The Census Superintendent mentions another feature of the Muslim social system, namely, the prevalence of the ‘Panchayat system.’ He states:

“The authority of the Panchayat extends to social as well as trade matters and… marriage with people of other communities is one of the offences of which the governing body takes cognizance. The result is that these groups are often as strictly endogamous as Hindu castes. The prohibition on inter-marriage extends to higher as well as to lower castes, and a Dhuma, for example, may marry no one but a Dhuma. If this rule is transgressed, the offender is at once hauled up before the panchayat and ejected ignominiously from his community. A member of one such group cannot ordinarily gain admission to another, and he retains the designation of the community in which he was born even if he abandons its distinctive occupation and takes to other means of livelihood thousands of Jalahas are butchers, yet these are still known as Jolahas.”

[See:pp. 218-220 of Pakistan or Partition of India by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.)

Similar facts regarding the then other Provinces could be gathered from their respective Census Reports. At present there are many social groups among Muslims which are included in the list of Scheduled Castes in some States. For example, in Tamil Nadu, Labbais including Rawthars and Marakayars are in the list of Scheduled Castes. This shows that the Muslims in India have not remained immune from the same social evils as are prevalent among the Hindus.

Though christianity also does not recognise caste system, there are upper and lower castes among Christians. In Goa, for example, there are upper caste Catholic brahmins who do not marry christians belonging to the lower castes. In many churches, the low. caste christians have to sit apart from the high caste Christians. There are constant bickerings between Goankars and Gawdes who form a clear cut division in Goan Christan society. In Andhra Pradesh there are Christian Harijans, Christian Madars, Christian Reddys, Christian Kammas etc. In Tamil Nadu, converts to Christianity from Scheduled Castes – Latin Catholics, Christian Shanars, Christian Nadars and Christian Gramani are in the list of Scheduled Castes. Such instances are many and vary from region to region.

The division of the society even among the other religious groups in this country between the high and low castes is only to be expected. Almost all followers of the non-Hindu religions except those of the Zoroastrianism, are converts from Hindu religion, and in the new religion they carried with them their castes as well. It is unnatural to expect that the social prejudices and biases, and the notions and feelings of superiority and inferiority, nurtured for centuries together, would disappear by a mere change of religion.

419. The castes were inextricably associated with occupations and the low and the mean occupations belonged to the lower castes. In the new religion, along with the castes, most of the converts carried their occupations as well. The backward classes among the Hindus and non-Hindus can, therefore, easily be identified by their occupations also. Whether, therefore, the backward classes are identified on the basis of castes or occupations, the result would be the same. For, it will lead to the identification of the same collectivities or communities. The social groups following different occupations are known among Hindus by the castes named after the occupations, and among non-Hindus by occupation names. Hence for identifying the backward classes among the non-Hindus, their occupations can furnish a valid test. It is for this reason that both Articles 15 (4) and 16(4) do not use the word ‘caste’ and use the word ‘class’ which can take within its fold both the caste and occupational groups among the Hindus and non-Hindus.

420. The next issue arising out of this question is whether economic criterion by itself would identify the backward classes under Article 16(4) and whether the expression “backward class of citizens” in the said Article would include “weaker sections of the people” mentioned in Article 46.

421. Article 46 enjoins upon the State to promote with special care, the educational and economic interests of the “weaker sections” of the people, and, in particular, of the SCs/STs, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. The expression “weaker sections” of the people is obviously wider than the expression “backward class” of citizens in Article 16 (4) which is only a part of the weaker sections. As has been discussed above, the expression “backward class” of citizens is used there in a particular context which is germane to the reservations in the services under the State for which that Article has been enacted. It has also been pointed out that in that context, read with Articles 15 (4) and 340, the said expression means only those classes which are socially backward and whose educational and economic backwardness is on account of their social backwardness and which are not adequately represented in the services under the State. Hence, the expression “backward class” of citizens in Article 16 (4) does not comprise all the weaker sections of the people, but only those which are socially and, therefore, educationally and economically backward, and which are inadequately represented in the services. The expression “weaker sections of the people” used in Article 46, however, is not confined to the aforesaid classes only but also includes other backward classes as well, whether they are socially and educationally backward or not and whether they are adequately represented in the services or not. What is further, the expression “weaker sections” of the people does not necessarily refer to a group or a class. The expression can also take within its compass, individuals who constitute weaker sections or weaker parts of the society. This weakness may be on account of factors other than past social and educational backwardness. The backwardness again may be on account of poverty alone or on account of the present impoverishment arising out of physical or social handicaps. The instances of such weaker sections other than SCs/STs and socially and educationally backward classes may be varied, viz., flood — earthquake – cyclone – fire – famine and project affected persons, war and riot torn persons, physically handicapped persons, those without any or adequate means of livelihood, those who live below the poverty line, slum dwellers etc. Hence the expression “weaker sections” of the people is wider than the expression “back ward class” of citizens or socially and educationally backward classes” and “SCs/ STs”. It connotes all sections of the society who are rendered weaker due to various causes. Article 46 is aimed at promoting their educational and economic interests and protecting them from social injustice and exploitation. This obligation cast on the State is consistent both with the Preamble as well as Article 38 of the Constitution.

422. However, the provisions of Article 46 should not be confused with those of Article 16(4) and hence the expression “ weaker sections of the people” in Article 46 should not be mixed up with the expression “backward class of citizens” under Article 16 (4). The purpose of Article 16 (4) is limited. It is to give adequate representation in the services of the State to that class which has no such representation. Hence, Article 16(4) carves out a particular class of people and not individuals from the “weaker sections”, and the class it carves out is the one which does not have adequate representation in the services under the State. The concept of “weaker sections” in Article 46 has no such limitation. In the first instance, the individuals belonging to the weaker sections may not form a class and they may be weaker as individuals only. Secondly, their weakness may not be the result of past social and educational backwardness or discrimination. Thirdly, even if they belong to an identifiable class but that class is represented in the services of the State adequately, as individuals forming weaker section, they may be entitled to the benefits of the measures taken under Article 46, but not to the reservations under Article 16 (4). Thus, not only the concept of “weaker sections” under Article 46 is different from that of the “backward class” of citizens in Article 16 (4), but the purpose of the two is also different. One is for the limited purpose of the reservation and hence suffers from limitations, while the other is for all purposes under Article 46, which purposes are” other than reservation under Article 16(4). While those entitled to benefits under Article 16(4) may also be entitled to avail of the measures taken under Article 46, the converse is not true. If this is borne in mind, the reasons why mere poverty or economic consideration cannot be a criterion for identifying backward classes of citizens under Article 16(4) would be more clear. To the consideration of that aspect we may now turn.

423. Economic backwardness is the bane of the majority of the people in this country. There are poor sections in all the castes and communities. Poverty runs across all barriers. The nature and degree of economic backwardness and its causes and effects, however, vary from section to section of the populace. Even the poor among the higher castes are socially as superior to the lower castes as the rich among the higher castes. Their economic backwardness is not on account of social backwardness. The educational backwardness of some individuals among them may be an account of their poverty in which case economic case alone may enable them to gain an equal capacity to compete with others. On the other hand, those who are socially backward such as the lower castes or occupational groups, are also educationally backward on account of their social backwardness, their economic backwardness being the consequence of both their social and educational backwardness. Their educational backwardness is not on account of their economic backwardness alone. It is mainly on account of their social backwardness. Hence mere economic aid will not enable them to compete with others and particularly with those who are socially advanced. Their social backwardness is the cause and not the consequence either of their economic or educational backwardness. It is necessary to bear this vital distinction in mind to understand the true import of the expression “backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4). If it is mere educational backwardness or mere economic backwardness that was intended to be specially catered to, there was no need to make a provision for reservation in employment in the services under the State. That could be taken care of under Articles 15 (4), 38 and 46. The provision for reservation in appointments under Article 16 (4) is not aimed at economic upliftment or alleviation of poverty. Article 16(4) is specifically designed to give a due share in the State power to those who have remained out of it mainly on account of their social and, therefore, eductional and economic backwardness. The backwardness that is contemplated by Article 16 (4) is the backwardness which Is both the cause and the consequence of non-representation in the administration of the country. All other kinds of backwardness are irrelevant for the purpose of the said Article. Further, the backwardness has to be a backwardness of the whole class and not of some individuals belonging to the class, which individuals may be economically or educationally backward, but the class to which they belong may be socially forward and adequately or even more than adequately represented in the services. Since the reservation under Article 16 (4) is not for the individuals but to a class which must be both backward and inadequately represented in the services, such individuals would not be beneficiaries of reservation under Article 16(4). It is further difficult to come across a “class” (not individuals) which is socially and educationally advanced but is economically backward or which is not adequately represented in the services of the State on account on its economic backwardness. Hence, mere economic or mere educational backwardness which is not the result of social backwardness, cannot be a criterion of backwardness for Article 16 (4).

424. That only economic backwardness was not in the contemplation of the Constitution is made further clear by the fact that at the time of the First Amendment to the Constitution which added clause (4) to Article 15 of the Constitution, one of the Members, Prof. K. T. Shah wanted the elimination of the word “classes” in and the addition of the word “economically” to the qualifiers of the term “backward classes”. This Amendment was not accepted. Prime Minister Nehru himself stated that the addition of the word economically” would put the language of the Article at variance with that of Article 340. He added that “socially” is a much wider term including many things and certainly including economically”. This shows that economic consideration alone as the basis of backwardness was not only not intended but positively discarded.

425. The reasons for discarding economic criterian as the sole test of backwardness are obvious. If poverty alone is made the test, the poor from all castes, communities, collectivities and sections would compete for the reserved quota. In such circumstances, the result would be obvious, namely, those who belong to socially and educationally advanced sections would capture all the posts in the quota. This would leave the socially and educationally backward classes high and dry although they are not at all represented or are inadequately represented in the services, and the socially and educationally advanced classes are adequately or more than adequately represented in the services. It would thus result in defeating the very object of the reservations in services, under Article 16 (4). It would, also provide for the socially and educationally advanced classes statutory reservations in the services in addition to their traditional but non-statutory cent per cent reservations. It will thus perpetuate the imbalance, and the inadequate representation of the backward classes in the services. It is naive to expect that the poor from the socially and educationally backward classes would be able to compete on equal terms with the poor from the socially and educationally advanced classes. There may be an equality of opportunity for the poor from both the socially advanced and backward classes. There will, however, be no equality of results since the competing capacity of the two is unequal. The economic criterion will thus lead, in effect, to. the virtual deletion of Article 16 (4) from the Constitution.

426. We may refer to some decisions of this Court on this point.

In Chitralekha (supra), which was a case under Article 15 (4), it is observed:

“It is, therefore, manifest that the Government as a temporary measure, pending an elaborate study, has taken into consideration only the economic condition and occupation of the family concerned as the criteria for backward classes within the meaning of Article 15 (4) of the Constitution”

(Emphasis supplied)

The Supreme Court upheld the said classification. However, it must be noted that the classification there was not only on the ground of economic condition but was also based on the occupation of the family concerned.

Parimoo (supra) was a case under Article 16(4). On the test of backwardness, the Court has observed there as follows:

“It is not merely the educational backwardness or the social backwardness which makes a class of citizens backward; the class identified as a class as above must be both educationally and socially backward. In India social and educational backwardness is further associated with economic backwardness and it is observed in Balaji’s case (supra) referred to above that backwardness, socially and educationally is ultimately and primarily due to poverty. But if poverty is the exclusive test, a very large proportion of the population in India would have to be regarded as socially and educationally backward, and if reservations are made only on the ground of economic considerations, an untenable situation may arise because even in sectors which are recognised as socially and educationally advanced there are large pockets of poverty. In this country except for a small percentage of the population the people are generally poor – some being more poor, others less poor. Therefore, when a social investigator tries to identify socially and educationally backward classes, he may do it with confidence that they are bound to be poor. His chief concern is, therefore, to determine whether the class or group is socially and educationally backward. Though the two words ‘socially’ and ‘educationally’ are used cumulatively for the purpose of describing the backward class, one may find that if a class as a whole is educationally advanced, it is generally also socially advanced because of the reformative effect of education on that class. The words “advanced” and “backward” are only relative terms – there being several layers or strata of classes, hovering between “advanced” and “backward”, and the difficult task is which class can be recognised out of these several layers as being socially and educationally backward.” It will be observed from the above that poverty as the sole test of backwardness for Article 16(4) was discarded by this Court in the said decision. On the other hand, it is emphasised there that the poverty in question should be the result of social and educational backwardness.

427. This point has elaborately been dealt with by Chinnappa Reddy, J. in Vasanth Kumar (supra) where the learned Judge has taken pains to point out that although poverty is the dominant characteristic of all backwardness, it is not the cause of all backwardness:

“We, therefore, see that everyone of the three dimensions propounded by Weber is intimately and inextricably connected with economic position. However, we look at the question of ‘backwardness’, whether from the angle of class, status or power, we find the economic factor at the bottom of it all and we find poverty, the culprit-cause and the dominant characteristic. Poverty, the economic factor brands all backwardness just as the erect posture brands the homosapiens and distinguishes him from all other animals, in the eyes of the beholder from Mars. But, whether his racial stock is caucasian, Mongoloid, Negroid, etc., further investigation will have to be made. So too the further question of social and educational backwardness requires further scrutiny. In India, the matter is further aggravated, complicated and pitilessly tyrannised by the ubiquitous caste system, a unique and devastating system of gradation and degradation which has divided the entire Indian and particularly. Hindu society horizontally into such distinct layers as to be destructive of mobility, a system which has penetrated and corrupted the mind and soul of every Indian citizen.”

428. It is, therefore, clear that economic criterion by itself will not identify the backward classes under Article 16(4). The economic backwardness of the backward classes under Article 16(4) has to be on account of their social and educational backwardness.

Question III:

If economic criterion by itself could not constitute a Backward Class under Article 16(4), whether reservation of posts in services under the State, based exclusively on economic criterion would be covered by Article 16(l) of the Constitution?

429. While discussing Question No. I, it has been pointed out that so far as “backward classes” are concerned, clause (4) of Article 16 is exhaustive of reservations meant for them. It has further been pointed out under Question No. II that the only “backward class” for which reservations are provided under the said clause is the socially backward class whose educational and economic backwardness is on account of the social backwardness. A class which is not socially and educationally backward though economically or even educationally backward is not a backward class for the purposes of the said clause. What follows from these two conclusions is that reservations in posts cannot be made in favour of any other class under the said clause. Further, the purpose of keeping reservations even in favour of the socially and educationally backward classes under clause (4), is not to alleviate poverty but to give it an adequate share in power.

430. Clause (1) of Article 16 may permit classification on economic criterion. The purpose of such classification, however, can only be to alleviate poverty or relieve unemployment. If this is so, no individual or section of the society satisfying the criterion can be denied its benefits — and particularly the backward classes who are more in need of it. If, therefore, the backward classes within the meaning of clause (4) are excluded from the reservations kept on economic criterion under clause (1), it will amount to discrimination. Further, the objects of reservations under the two clauses are different. While those falling under clause (1) from other than the backward classes, will continue to enjoy the reservations for ever, the backward classes can get the benefit of the reservation under clause (4) only so long as they are not adequately represented in the services. What is more, those entering the services under clause (1) may belong to classes which are adequately or more than adequately represented in the services. The reservations for them alone under Article 16(l) would virtually defeat the purpose of Article 16(4) and would be contrary to it. No different result will, further, ensue even if the reservations are kept for all the classes since as pointed out above, all the seats will be captured only by the socially and educationally advanced classes. The two clauses of the Article have to be read consistently with each other so as to lead to harmonious results. Hence, so long as the socially backward classes and the effects of their social backwardness continue to exist, the reservations in services on economic criterion alone would be impermissible either under clause (4) or clause (1) of Article 16.

431. Hence no reservation of posts in services under the State, based exclusively on economic criterion would be valid under clause (1) of Article 16 of the Constitution.

Question IV:

Can the extent of reservation of posts in the services under the State under Article 16(4) or, if permitted under Articles 16(l) and 16(4) together, exceed 50% of the posts in a cadre or service under the State or exceed 50% of appointments in a cadre or service in any particular year and can such extent of reservation be determined without determining the inadequacy of representation of each class in the different categories and grades of services under the State?

432. It has already been pointed out earlier that clause (4) of Article 16 is not an exception to clause (1) thereof. Even assuming that it is an exception, there is no numerical relationship between a rule and its exception, and their respective scope depends upon the areas and situations they cover. How large the area of the exception will be, will of course, depend upon the circumstances in each case. Hence, legally, it cannot be insisted that the exception will cover not more than 50 per cent of the area covered by the rule. Whether, therefore, clause (4) is held as an exception to clause (1) or is treated as a more emphatic way of stating what is obvious under the said clause, has no bearing on the percentage of reservations to be kept under it. As Justice Hegde has stated in State of Punjab v. Hiralal ((1971) 3 SCR 267 at 272), “the length of the leap to be provided depends upon the gap to be covered”. In Article 16(4) itself, there is no indication of the extent of reservation that can be made in favour of the backward classes. However, the object of reservation, viz., to ensure adequacy of representation, mentioned there, serves as a guide for the percentage of reservations to be kept. Broadly speaking, the adequacy of representation in the services will have to be proportionate to the proportion of the backward classes in the total population. In this connection, a reference may be made to the U.S. decision in Fullilove (1980 (65) Law Ed 2d 902) where 10% of the business was reserved for the blacks, their population being roughly 10 per cent of the total population. If the reservation is to be on the basis of the proportion of the population in this country, the backward classes being no less than 77 1/2 per cent (socially and educationally backward classes and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes taken together) the total reservation will have to be to that extent. It is not disputed that at present the reservations for the SCs/STs are roughly in proportion to their total population.

433. The adequacy of representation in administration is further to be determined on the basis of representation at all levels or in all posts in the administration. It is not only a question of numerical strength in the administration as a whole. It may happen that at the higher level there may be more representation for a class than at the lower level in terms of its population-ratio. This mostly happens with all the advanced classes. In that case, it cannot be said that the class in question is not represented adequately merely because the total representation Is not numerically in proportion to the population-ratio. On the other hand, it may happen, as it does so far as the representation of the backward classes is concerned, at the lower rungs they may be represented adequately or more than adequately. Yet at the higher rungs, their presence may be next to nil. In such cases, again, it cannot be said that the class is represented adequately. To satisfy the test of adequacy, therefore, what is necessary is an effective representation or effective voice in the administration, and not so much the numerical presence. It is instructive to note in this connection that Article 16(4) speaks of “adequate” and not proportionate representation. The practical question, therefore, is of the manner in which the adequate representation should be secured. Whatever the method adopted it has also to be, consistent with the maintenance of the efficiency of the administration.

434. In this connection, it will first be worthwhile to quote what Dr. Ambedkar had to say with regard to the extent of reservations contemplated under Article 16(4) (Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. 7 (1948-49) pp. 701-702):

“As I said, the Drafting Committee had to produce a formula which would reconcile these three points of view, firstly, that there shall be equality of opportunity, secondly that there shall be reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a ‘proper look-in’ so to say into the administration. If honourable Members will bear these facts in the mind – the three principles, we had to reconcile, – they will see that no better formula could be produced than the one that is embodied in sub-clause (3) of Article 10 of the Constitution; they will find that the view of those who believe and hold that there shall be equality of opportunity, has been embodied in sub-clause (1) of Article 10. It is a generic principle. At the same time, as I said, we had to reconcile this formula with the demand made by certain communities that the administration which has now – for historical reasons – been controlled by one community or a few communities, that situation should disappear and that the others also must have an opportunity of getting into the public services. Supposing, for instance, we were to concede in full the demand of those communities who have not been so far employed in the public services to the fullest extent, what would really happen is, we shall be completely destroying the first proposition upon which we are all agreed, namely, that there shall be an equality of opportunity. Let me give an illustration. Supposing, for instance, reservations were made for a community or a collection of communities, the total of which came to something like 70 per cent of the total posts under the State and only 30 per cent are retained as the unreserved. Could anybody say that the reservation of 30 per cent as open to general competition would be satisfactory from the point of view of giving effect to the first principle, namely, that there shall be equality of opportunity? It cannot be in my judgment. Therefore the seats to be reserved, if the reservation is to be consistent with sub-clause (1) of Article 10 must be confined to a minority of seats. It is then only that the first principle could find its place in the Constitution and effective in operation.”

435. Articles 10(l) and 10(3) of the Draft Constitution corresponded to Articles 16(1) and 16(4) of the Constitution. When we realise that these are the observations of the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, the Law Member of the Government and the champion of the backward classes, it should give us an insight into the mind of the framers of the Constitution on the subject. It is true that the said observations cannot be regarded as decisive on the point. The observations probably also proceeded on the assumption that clause (4) of Article 16 was an exception of its clause (1), and had a numerical relationship with the rule. Whatever the case may be, the observations do give a perceptive and viable guidance to the policy that should be followed in keeping reservations, and in particular on the extent of reservations at any particular point of time. There is, therefore, much force in the contention that at least as a guide to the policy on the subject, the observations cannot be ignored.

436. Although the view expressed in Balaji (supra) and Devasan (supra), that the reservation should not exceed 50 per cent does not refer to Dr. Ambedkar’s aforesaid observations and is, therefore, not based on it, and is based on other considerations, it cannot be said that it is not in consonance with the spirit, if not the letter, of the provisions.

437. It is seen earlier that 50 per cent rule was propounded in Balaji. The rule was propounded in the context of Article 15(4), but, while propounding it, this Court stated among other things, as follows:

“ ……. A special provision contemplated by Art. 15(4) like reservation of posts and appointments contemplated by Art. 16(4) must be within reasonable limits. The interests of weaker sections of society which are a first charge on the States and the Centre have to be adjusted with the interests. of the community as a whole. The adjustment of these competing claims is undoubtedly a difficult matter, but if under the guise of making a special provision, a State reserves practically all the seats available in all the colleges, that clearly would be subverting the object of Art. 15(4). In this matter again, we are reluctant to say definitely what would be a proper provision to make. Speaking generally and in a broad way a special provision should be less than 50%; how much less than 50% would depend upon the relevant prevailing circumstances in each case.”

438. A reference to Article 16(4) there, therefore, unmistakably shows that it is presumed that the same rule will apply to Article 16(4) as well. This rule, however, did not see uniform acceptance in all the decisions that followed. The case which immediately followed — Devasan – applied this rule to the “carry forward rule” and struck down the same in its entirety, since 65 per cent of the vacancies for the year in question, came to be reserved for the SCs/STs by virtue of that rule. With respect, even on the application of the 50 per cent rule, it was not necessary to strike down the “carry forward rule” itself. All that was necessary was to confine the carry forward vacancies for the year in question to 50 per cent. Be that as it may. In Thomas (supra), the correctness of 50 per cent rule was questioned by Fazal Ali, J. who stated that although clause (4) of Article 16 does not fix any limit on reservations, the same being part of Article 16, the State cannot be allowed to indulge in excessive reservation so as to defeat the policy of Article 16(l). The learned Judge, however, added that as to what would be a suitable reservation within permissible limits will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no hard and fast rule can be laid down nor can this matter be reduced to a mathematical formula so as to be adhered to in all cases. The learned Judge then went on to say that although the decided cases till that time,. had laid down that the percentage of reservation should not exceed 50, it was a rule of caution and did not exhaust all categories. He then gave an illustration of a State in which backward classes constituted 80 per cent of the total population, and stated that in such cases, reservation of 80 per cent of the jobs for them, can be justified. The learned Judge justified reservation to the said extent on the ground that the dominant object of the provision of Article 16(4) is to take steps to make inadequate representation of backward classes adequate. Of the other learned Judges constituting the Bench, Krishna Iyer, J. agreed with Fazal Ali, J. and stated that the arithmetical limit of 50 per cent in one year set by earlier rulings cannot “perhaps be pressed too far “. He added that over-representation in a department does not depend on recruitment in a particular year but on the total strength of the cadre.

(Emphasis supplied)

In Vasanth Kumar (supra) Chinnappa Reddy, J. held that Thomas (supra) had undone the 50 per cent rule laid down in the earlier cases, while Vekataramiah, J. disagreed with the learned Judge on that point.

439. It does not appear further than Justice Iyer’s support to Justice Fazal Ali’s view in Thomas was unqualified or remained unchanged. For in Akhil Bharatiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (Railway) v. Union of India ((1981) 2 SCR 185), after referring to Balaji (supra) and Devasan (supra), he stated as follows:

“All that we need say is that the Railway Board shall take care to issue instructions to see that in no year shall SC and ST candidates be actually appointed to substantially more than 50 per cent of the promotional posts. Some excess will not affect as mathematical precision is different in human affairs, but substantial excess will void the selection. Subject to this rider or condition that the ‘carry forward’ rule shall not result, in any given year, in the selection or appointments of SC and ST candidates considerably in excess of 50 per cent, we uphold Annexure I.” The learned Judge has supported this conclusion by the observations made by him in the earlier paragraph of his judgment which show that according to him the reservations made under Article 16(4) should not have the effect of virtually obliterating the rest of the Article – clauses (1) and (2) thereof

440. It is necessary in this connection, to point out that not only Art. 16(4) but for that matter, Art. 335 also does not speak of giving proportional representation to the backward classes and SCs/STs respectively. Article 16(4), as repeatedly pointed out earlier, in terms, speaks of “adequate” representation to the backward classes, while Article 335 speaks of the “claims” of the members of the SCs/STs. However, it cannot be disputed that whether it is the appointments of SCs/ STs or other backward classes, both are to be made consistently with the maintenance of the efficiency in administration. Since the reservations contemplated under both the Articles include also the giving of concessions in marks, exemptions etc., it is legitimate to presume that the Constitution-framers being aware of the level of backwardness, did envisage that the inadequacy in the representation of the backward classes cannot be made up in one generation consistently with the maintenance of efficiency in the administration. In fact, as pointed out earlier, if the backward classes can provide candidates for filling up the posts in all fields and at all levels of administration in one generation, they would cease to be backward classes. What was in the mind of the Constitution framers was the removal of the inadequacy in representation over a period of time, on each occasion balancing the interests of the backward classes and the forward classes so as not to affect the provisions of equality enshrined in Articles 14 and 16(l) as also the interests of the society as a whole. As pointed out earlier, Dr. Ambedkar was not only not in favour of proportional representation but was on the contrary, of the firm view that the reservations under Article 16(4) should be confined to the minority of the posts/ appointments. In fact, as the debate in the Constituent Assembly shows nobody even suggested that the reservations under Article 16(4) should be in proportion to the population of the backward classes.

441. While deciding upon a particular percentage of reservations, what should further not be forgotten is that between the backward and the forward classes, there exists a sizeable section of the population, who being socially not backward are not qualified to be considered as backward. At the same time they have no capacity to compete with the forwards being educationally and economically not as advanced. Most of them have only the present generation acquaintance with education. They are, therefore, left at the mercy of chance-crumbs that may come their way. They have neither the benefit of the statutory nor of the traditional in-built reservations on account of the unequal social advantages. It is this section sandwiched between the two which is most affected by the reservation policy. The reservation-percentage has to be adjusted to meet their legitimate claims also.

442. In this connection, one more fact need to be considered from a realistic angle. A mechanical approach in keeping reservations in all fields and at all levels of administration and that too at a uniform percentage is unrealistic. There is no reason why the authorities concerned should not apply their mind and evolve a realistic policy in this behalf. There are fields and levels of administration where either there may be no candidates from backward classes available or may not be available in adequate number. In such cases, either no reservations should be kept or reservations kept should be at an appropriate percentage. On the other hand, in fields and at levels where the candidates from the backward classes are available in suitable number, the maximum permissible reservations can be kept. The adjustment of the reservations and their percentages, field and grade-wise as well as from time to time, as per the availability of the candidates from the backward classes, is not only implicit in the constitutional provisions but is also warranted for purposeful and effective implementation of the spirit of those provisions. In this connection, it is worth serious consideration whether reservations in the form of preference instead of exclusive quota should not be resorted to in the teaching profession in the interests of the backward classes themselves. Education is the source of advancement of the individual in all walks of life. The teaching profession, therefore, holds a key position in societal life. It is the quality of education received that determines and shapes the equipment and the competitive capacity of the individual, and lays the foundation for his career in life. It is, therefore, in the interests of all sections of the society – socially backward and forward-and of the nation as a whole, that they aim at securing and ensuring the best of education. The student whether he belongs to the backward or forward class is also entitled to expect that he receives the best possible education that can be made available to him and correspondingly it is the duty and the obligation of the management of every educational institution to make sincere and diligent efforts to secure the services of the best available teaching talent. In the appointments of teachers, therefore, there should be no compromise on any ground. For as against the few who may get appointments as teachers from the reserved quota, there will be over the years thousands of students belonging to the backward classes receiving education whose competitive capacity needs to be brought to the level of the forward classes. What is more, incompetent teaching would also affect the quality of education received by the students from the other sections of the society. However, whereas those coming from the advanced sections of the society can make up their loss in the quality of education received, by education at home or outside through private tuitions and tutorial classes, those coming from the backward classes would have no means for making up the loss. The teachers themselves must further command respect which they will do more when they do not come through any reserved quota. The indiscipline in the educational campus is not a little due to the incompetence of the teachers from whatever section they may come, forward or backward . It is, therefore, necessary that there should be no exclusive quota kept in the teaching occupation for any section at all. However, if the candidates belonging to both backward and forward classes are equal in merit, preference should be given to those belonging to the backward classes. For one thing, they must also have a “look into” the teaching profession as in other professions. Secondly, in this vital profession also, the talent, the social experience and the new approach and outlook of the members of the backward classes is very much necessary. That will enrich the profession and the national life. Thirdly, it will also help to meet the complaints of the alleged step-motherly treatment received by the students from the backward classes and of the lack of encouragement to them even when they are more meritorious. Hence in the teaching profession, it is preference rather than reservation, which should be resorted to under Article 16(4) of the Constitution. A precaution, however, has to be taken to see that the selection body has a representation from the backward classes.

It must, however, be added that in judging the merits of the individuals for the profession of teaching as for any other profession, it is not the traditional test of marks obtained in examinations, but a scientific test based, among other things, on the aptitude in teaching, the capacity to express and convey thoughts, the scholarship, the character of the person, his interest in teaching, his potentiality as a teacher judged on the considerations indicated generally at the outset, should be adopted.

What is stated that regard to the teaching profession above is only by way of an illustration as to how the policy of reservation if it is to subserve its larger purpose can be modulated and applied rationally to different fields instead of clamping it mechanically in all the fields or withholding it from some areas altogether. It is not meant to lay down any proposition of law in that behalf.

443. The other aspect of the question is whether for the purposes of the percentage limit of the reservations under Article 16, the reservations made under clause (1) should be taken into consideration together with those made under clause (4) of the Article.

444. As has already been pointed out above, the reservations on the basis of economic criterion alone would be impermissible under clause (1). Assuming, however, that they are legal, they cannot cut into the reservations made for the backward classes under clause (4) which are for the specific purpose of making up the adequacy in representation in the services.

445. However, reservations for individuals are permissible under clause (1) on a ground other than economic, provided of course, the ground is not hit by Article 16(2). Instances of such individuals have been given earlier which need not be repeated here. There is, however, no need to make additional reservations for such individuals over and above those made under clause (4). The individuals can be accommodated in the quota reserved for the backward, or in the unreserved or general category depending upon the class to which they belong. For example, the defence personnel and the freedom fighters or their dependents, physically handicapped, etc., can be accommodated in the reserved quota under Art. 16(4) if they belong to the backward classes, and in the unreserved posts/ appointments if they belong to the unreserved categories. This is so because in their respective classes, they will be more disadvantaged than others belonging to those classes. Such a classification need not hit either clause (1) or clause (2) of Article 16 but would be justifiable. If this is done, there would be no occasion to keep extra posts/ appointments reserved for them under clause (1).

It is necessary to add here a word about reservations for women. Clause(2) of Article 16 bars reservation in services on the ground of sex. Article 15(3) cannot save the situation since all reservations in the services under the State can only be made under Article 16. Further, women come from both backward and forward classes. If reservations are kept for women as a class under Article 16(l), the same inequitous phenomenon will emerge. The women from the advanced classes will secure all the posts, leaving those from the backward classes without any. It will amount to indirectly providing statutory reservations for the advanced classes as such, which is impermissible under any of the provisions of Article 16. However, there is no doubt that women are a vulnerable section of the society, whatever the strata to which they belong. They are more disadvantaged than men in their own social class. Hence reservations for them on that ground would be fully justified, if they are kept in the quota of the respective class, as for other categories of persons, as explained above. If that is done, there is no need to keep a special quota for women as such and whatever the percentage limit on the reservations under Article 16, need not be exceeded.

446. Yet another aspect of the matter is whether the extent of reservations should be determined (i) on the basis of the total strength of the particular cadre or service, or on the basis of the appointments made for that cadre in a particular year and (ii) without determining the inadequacy of representation of each class indifferent categories and grades of the services under the State.

447. Both to avoid arbitrariness in appointments and to ensure the availability of the expected number of seats every year, for the reserved as well as the unreserved categories as per the pre-defined known norms, it is necessary that the reservations in appointments/posts are made yearwise. Any other practice would give the authorities complete freedom as to when and at what percentage the reservations should be kept. It may happen that in some years, they may not keep reservations at all whereas in other years, they may reserve all or majority of the posts. Secondly, the periodicity of reservations may also vary depending upon the will of the authorities which may be influenced by several unpredictable considerations. This would spell out uncertainties in the matter of appointments both for the reserved and unreserved categories. Hence the reservations will have to be kept and calculated on yearwise basis [See:C.A. Rajendran v. Union of India, [(1968) 1 SCR 721 at 732-33 ] and better still, on the basis of the roster system with suitable. number of points to correspond the average vacancies. To permit calculation, further, of the percentage of reservations on the basis of the total strength of the cadre and to enable the authorities concerned, as stated earlier, to keep either all the posts or a majority of them reserved from year to year till there is adequate representation of the reserved categories, will in the process deny to the unreserved categories completely or near completely, their due share in the appointments yearwise, thus obliterating clause (1) of Article 16 totally over a given period of time. Hence as pointed out earlier, the extent of the percentage of the reservation should be calculated yearwise with due allowance to the operation of the rule with regard to the backlog, if any. Still better method is to regulate and calculate the appointments on the roster basis as stated earlier.

448. As regards point (ii), since the provisions of Article 16(4) are meant for providing adequate representation in the services to the backward classes, the representation has to be in all categories and grades in the services. The adequacy does not mean a mere proportionate numerical or quantitative strength. It means effective voice or share in power in running the administration. Hence, the extent of reservations will have to be estimated with reference to the representation in different grades and categories. [See:The General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari [(1962) 2 SCR 5861].

To summarise, the question may be answered thus. There is no legal infirmity in keeping the reservations under clause (4) alone or under clause (4) and clause (1) of Article 16 together, exceeding 50%. However, validity of the extent of excess of reservations over 50% would depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case including the field in which and the grade or level of administration for which the reservation is kept. Although, further, legally and theoretically the excess of reservations over 50% may be justified, it would ordinarily be wise and nothing much would be lost, if the intentions of the framers of the Constitution and the observations of Dr. Ambedkar, on the subject in particular, are kept in mind. The reservations should further be kept category and gradewise at appropriate percentages and for practical purposes the extent of reservations should be calculated category and gradewise.

Question V:

Does Article 16(4) permit the classification of ‘Backward Classes’ into backward Classes and Most Backward Classes or permit classification among them based on economic or other considerations?

449. This question is really in two parts and the two do not mean and refer to the same classification. The first part refers to the classification of the backward classes into backward and most backward classes while the second speaks of internal classification of each backward class, into backward and more backward individuals or families. Both classifications are to the made on economic or other considerations. Whereas the first classification will place some backward classes in their entirety above other backward classes, the second will place some sections in each backward class internally above the other sections in the same class. The second classification aims at what has popularly come to be known as weeding out of the so-called “creamy” or “advanced sections” from the backward classes. Although it is not that clear, the second order probably seeks to do it. We may first deal with the second classification.

450. Society does not remain static. The industrialisation and the urbanisation which necessarily followed in its wake, the advance on political, social and economic fronts made particularly after the commencement of the Constitution, the social reform movements of the last several decades, the spread of education and the advantages of the special provisions including reservations secured so far, have all undoubtedly seen at least some individuals and families in the backward classes, however small in number, gaining sufficient means to develop their capacities to compete with others in every field. That is an undeniable fact. Legally, therefore, they are not entitled to be any longer called as part of the backward classes whatever their original birth mark. It can further hardly be argued that once a backward class, always a backward class. That would defeat the very purpose of the special provisions made in the Constitution for the advancement of the backward classes, and for enabling them to come to the level of and to compete with the forward classes, as equal citizens. On the other hand, to continue to confer upon such advanced sections from the backward classes the special benefits, would amount to treating equals unequally violating the equality provisions of the Constitution. Secondly, to rank them with the rest of the backward classes would equally violate the right to equality of the rest in those classes, since it would amount to treating the unequals equally. What is more, it will lead to perverting the objectives of the special constitutional provisions since the forwards among the backward classes will thereby be enabled to lap up all the special benefits to the exclusion and at the cost of the rest in those classes, thus keeping the rest in perpetual backwardness. The object of the special constitutional provisions is not to uplift a few individuals and families in the backward classes but to ensure the advancement of the backward classes as a whole. Hence, taking out the forwards from among the backward classes is not only permissible but obligatory under the Constitution. However, it is necessary to add that just as the backwardness of the backward groups cannot be measured in terms of the forwardness of the forwared groups, so also the forwardness of the forwards among the backward classes cannot be measured in terms of the backwardness of the backward sections of the said classes. It has to be judged on the basis of the social capacities gained by them to compete with the forward classes. So long as the individuals belonging to the backward classes do not develop sufficient capacities of their own to compete with others, they can hardly be classified as forward. The moment, however, they develop the requisite capacities, they would cease to be backward. It will be a contradiction in terms to call them backward and others more or most backwards. There will always be degrees of backwardness as there will be degrees of forwardness, whatever the structure of the society. It is not the degrees of backwardness or forwardness which justify classification of the society into forward and backward classes. It is the capacity or the lack of it to compete with others on equal terms which merits such classification. The remedy therefore, does not lie in classifying each backward class internally into backward and more backward, but in taking the forward from out of the backward classes altogether. Either they have acquired the capacity to competent with others or not. They cannot be both.

451. The mere fact further that some from the backward classes who are more advanced than the rest in that class or score more in competition with the rest of them and thus gain all the advantages of the special provisions such as reservations, is no ground for classifying the backwards into backwards and most backwards. This phenomenon is evident among the forward classes too. The more advantaged among the forwards similarly gain unfair advantage over others among the forwards and secure all the prizes. This is an inevitable consequence of the present social and economic structure. The correct criterion for judging the forwardness of the forwards among the backward classes is to measure their capacity not in terms of the capacity of others in their class, but in terms of the capacity of the members of the forward classes, as stated earlier. If they cross the Rubicand of backwardness they should be taken out from the backward classes and should be made disentitled to the provisions meant for the said classes.

452. It is necessary to highlight another allied aspect of the issue, in this connection. What do we mean by sufficient capacity to compete with others? Is it the capacity to compete for Class-IV or Class-III or higher class posts ? A Class-IV employee’s children may develop capacity to compete for Class III posts and in that sense, he and his children may be forward compared to those in his class who have not secured even Class-IV posts. It cannot, however, be argued that on that account, he has reached the “creamy” level. If the adequacy of representation in the services as discussed earlier, is to be evaluated in terms of qualitative and not mere quantitative representation, which means representation in the higher rungs of administration as well, the competitive capacity should be determined on the basis of the capacity to compete for the higher level posts also. Such capacity will he acquired only when the backward sections reach those levels or at least, near those levels. Till that time, they cannot be called forwards among the backward classes, and taken out of the backward classes.

453. As regards the second part of the question, in Balaji (supra) it is observed that the backward classes cannot be further classified in backward and more backward classes. These observations, although made in the context of Article 15 (4) which fell for consideration there, will no doubt be equally applicable to Article 16(4). The observations were made while dealing with the recommendations of the Nagan Gowda Committee appointed by the State of Karnataka which had recommended the classification of the backward communities into two divisions, the Backward and the More Backward. While making those recommendations the Committee had applied one test, viz., “was the standard of education in the community in question less than 50% of the State average? If it was, the community was regarded as more backward; if it was not, the community was regarded as backward”. The Court opined that the sub-classification made by the Report and the order based thereupon was not justified under Article 15(4) which authorises special provision being made for ‘really backward classes’. The Court further observed that in introducing two categories of backward classes, what the impugned order in substance purported to do was to devise measures “for the benefit of all the classes of citizens who are less advanced compared to the most advanced classes in the State”. That, according to the Court, was not the scope of Article 15(4). The result of the method adopted by the impugned order was that nearly 90% of the population of the State was treated as Backward and that, observed the Court, illustrated how the order in fact divided the population of the State into most advanced and the rest, putting the latter into two categories of the Backward and the More Backward. Thus, the view taken there against the sub-classification was on the facts of that case which showed that almost 90% of the population of the State was classified as backward, the backwardness of the Backward (as against that of the More Backward) being measured in comparison to the most advanced classes in the State. Those who were less advanced than the most advanced, were all classified as Backward. The Court held that it is the More Backward or who were really backward who alone would be entitled to the benefit of the provisions of Article 15(4). In other words, while the More backward were classified there rightly as backward, the Backward were not classified rightly as backward.

454. It may be pointed out that in Vasanth Kumar (supra), Chinnappa Reddy, J. after referring to the aforesaid view in Balaji (supra) observed that “the propriety of such test may be open to question on the facts of each case but there was no reason why on principle there cannot be a classification into backwards and More backwards if both classes are not merely a little behind, but far far behind the most advanced classes. He further observed that in fact, such a classification would be necessary to help the More Backward classes; otherwise those of the backward classes who might be a little more advanced than the more backward classes, would walk away with all the seats just as if reservation was confined to the More Backward classes and no reservation was made to the slightly more advanced of the backward classes, the backward classes would gain no seats since the advanced classes would walk away with all the seats available for the general category”. With respect, this is the correct view of the matter. Whether the backward classes can be classified into Backward and More Backward, would depend upon the facts of each case. So long as both backward and more backward classes are not only comparatively but substantially backward than the advanced classes, and further, between themselves, there is a substantial difference in backwardness, not only it is advisable but also imperative to make the sub-classification if all the backward classes are to gain equitable benefit of the special provisions under the Constitution. To give an instance, the Mandal Commission has, on the basis of social, educational and economic indicators evolved 22 points by giving different values to each of the three factors, viz., social, educational and economic. Those social groups which secured 22 points or above have been listed there as “socially and educationally backward” and the rest as “advanced”. Now, between 11 and 22 points some may secure, say, 11 to 15 points while others may secure all 22 points. The difference in their backwardness is, therefore, substantial. Yet another illustration which may be given is from Karnataka State Government order dated 13th October, 1986 on reservation issued after the decision in Vasant Kumar where the backward classes are grouped into five categories, viz., A, B, C, D and E. In category A, fall such castes or communities as that of Bairagi, Banjari and Lambadi which are nomadic tribes, and Bedaru, Ramoshi which were formerly stigmatised as criminal tribes whereas in category D fall such castes as Kshatriya and Rajput. To lump both together would be to deny totally the benefit of special provisions to the former, the latter taking away the entire benefits. On the other hand, to deny the status of backwardness to the latter and ask them to compete with the advanced classes, would leave the latter without any seat or post. In such circumstances, the sub-classification of the backwad classes into backward and more or most backward is not only desirable but essential. However, for each of them a special quota has to be prescribed as is done in the Karnataka Government order. If it is not done, as in the present case, and the reserved posts are first offered to the more backward and only the remaining to the backward or less backward, the more backward may take away all the posts leaving the backward with no posts. The backward will neither get his post in the reserved quota nor in the general category for want of capacity to compete with the forward.

455. Hence, it will have to be held that depending upon the facts of each case, sub-classification of the backward classes into the backward and more or most backward would be justifiable provided separate quotas are prescribed for each of them,

Question VI:

Would making “any provision” under Article 16 (4) for reservation “by the State” necessarily have to be by law made by the legislatures of the State or by law made by Parliament? Or could such provisions be made by an exercutive order ?

456. The language of Article 16(4) is very clear. It enables the State to make a “provision” for the reservation of appointments to the posts. The provision may be made either by an Act of legislature or by rule or regulation made under such Act or in the absence of both, by executive order. Executive order is no less a law under Article 13(3) which defines law to include, among other things, order, by-laws and notifications. The provisions of reservation under Article 16(4) being relatable to the recruitment and conditions of service under the State, they are also covered by Article 309 of the Constitution. Article 309 expressly provides that unit provision in that behalf is made by or under an Act of the appropriate legislature, the rules regulating the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to Services under the Union or a State may be regulated by rules made by the President or the Governor as the case may be. Further, wherever the Constitution requires that the provisions may be made only by an Act of the legislature, the Constitution has in express terms stated so. For example, the provisions of Article 16(3) speak of the Parliament making a law, unlike the provisions of Article 16 (4) which permit the State to make “any provision”. Similarly, Articles 302, 304 and 307 require a law to be enacted by the Parliament or a State legislature as the case may be on the subjects concerned. Those are but some of the provisions in the Constitution, to illustrate the point.

457. The impugned orders are no doubt neither enactments of the legislature nor rules or regulations made under any act of the legislature. They are also not rules made by the President under Article 309 of the Constitution. They are undoubtedly executive orders. It is not suggested that in the absence of an Act or rules, the Government cannot make provisions on the subject by executive orders nor is it contended that the impugned orders made in exercise of the executive powers, have transgressed the limits of legislative powers of the Parliament. What is contended by Shri Venugopal is that the power to make provisions on such vital subject must be shared with, and can only be exercised after due deliberations by, the Parliament. The contention, in essence, questions the method of exercising the power and not the absence of it. The method should be left to the discretion and the policy of the Government and the exigencies of the situation. It may be pointed out that, so far the reservations made by the Central Government in favour of the SCs/ STs and the State Governments in favour of all backward classes, have been made by executive instructions, or by rules made under Article 309 of the Constitution. No reservations have been made by Acts of legislatures. There is, therefore, no illegality attached to the impugned orders merely because the Government instead of enacting 4 statute for the purpose, has chosen to make the provisions by executive orders. Such executive orders having been made under Article 73 of the Constitution have for their operation an equal efficacy as an Act of the Partliament or the rules made by the President under Article 309 of the Constitution.

458. If any authority is needed for the otherwise self-evident proposition, one may refer to the following decisions of this Court where reservations made by executive orders were upheld:See Balaji (supra), Mangal Singh v. Punjab State Chandigarh (supra), Comptroller and Auditor General of India v. Mohan Lal Mehrotra ((1992) 1 SCC 20).

Question VII:

Will the extent of judicial review be limited or restricted in regard to the Identification of Backward Classes and the percentage of reservations made for such classes, to a demonstrably perverse identification or a demonstrably unreasonable percentage ?

459. The answer to the question lies in the question itself. There are no special principles of judicial review nor does the scope of judicial review expand when the identification of backward classes and the percentage of the reservation kept for them is called in question. So long as correct criterion for the identification of the backward classes is applied, the result arrived at cannot be questioned on the ground that other valid criteria were also available for such identification. It is possible that the result so arrived at may be defective marginally or in marginal number of cases. That does not invalidate the exercise itself. No method is perfect particularly when sociological findings are in issue. Hence, marginal defects when found may be cured in individual cases but the entire finding is not rendered invalid on that account.

460. The corollary of the above is that when the criterion applied for identifying the backward classes is either perverse or per se defective or unrelated to such identification in that it is calculated to give the result or is calculated to give, by the very nature of the criterion, a contrary or unintended result, the criterion is open for judicial examination.

461. The validity of the percentage of reservation for backward classes would depend upon the size of the backward classes in question. So long as it is not so excessive as to virtually obliterate the claims of others under Clause 16(l), it is not open to challenge. However, it is not necessary, and Article 16(4) does not suggest, that the percentage of reservation should be in proportion to the percentage of the population of the backward classes to the total population. The only guideline laid down by Article 16 (4), as pointed out elsewhere, is the adequacy of representation in the services. Within the said limits, it is in the discretion of the State to keep the reservations at reasonable level by taking into consideration all legitimate claims and the relevant factors. In this connection, the law laid down directly on the subject in the following decisions is worth recounting:

In Balaji (supra), the Court struck down the impugned order of reservations on the ground that it had categorised the backward classes on the sole basis of caste and also on the ground that the reservations made were to the extent of 68% which the Court held was inconsistent with the special provision and authorised by Article 15(4). The Court further held that for these two reasons the impugned order was a fraud on the constitutional power conferred on the State by Article 15(4). It may be pointed out at the cost of repetition, that the second reason was based on the premise that clause (4) was an exception to clauses (1) and (2) of Article 15, and that the exception had a numerical relationship with the rule.

In Devadasan (supra) the majority held that the ‘carry forward’ rule which resulted in the particular year in reserving 65% of the posts for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, was unconstitutional since the reservations exceeded 50% of the vacancies. According to the Court, though under Article 16(4), reservation of reasonable percentage of posts for the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes was within the competence of the State, the method evolved must be such as to strike reasonable balance between the claims of the backward classes and those of the other employees in order to effectuate the guarantee contained in Article 16(l), and that for this purpose each year of recruitment would have to be considered by itself. With respect, the majority decision was based on the reasoning of Balaji to which a reference has already been made. Justice Subba Rao from this line of reasoning and it is his reasoning which came to be accepted later both in Thomas (supra) and Vasanth Kumar (supra).

In P. Sagar ((1968) 3 SCR 595), the Court upheld the decision of the High Court and dismissed the State’s appeal on the ground that there was no material placed before the Court to show that the list of backward classes was prepared in conformity with the requirements of Article 15(4). The Court held that the list prepared was ex facie based on castes or communities, and was substantially the same which was struck down by the High Court in P. Sukhadev v. The Government of Andhra Pradesh ((1966) 1 Andhra WR 294).

In Periakaruppan, (supra) it was observed that the list of backward classes is open to judicial review and the Government should always keep under review the question of reservations of seats, and only those classes which are really socially and educationally backward should be allowed to have the benefit of reservation. The reservation of seats should not be allowed to become a vested interest and since in that case the candidates of backward classes had secured 50% of the seats in the general pool, it, according to the Court, showed that the time had come for a de novo comprehensive examination of the question. In other words, it is laid down in this case that if some backward classes which are advanced continue to be, or are included in the list of, backward classes, the list can be questioned and a judicial scrutiny of the list will be permissible.

In Hira Lal (supra), it is observed that if the reservations made under Article 16(4) make the rule in Article 16(l) meaningless, the decision of the State would be open to judicial review. But the burden of establishing that a particular reservation is offensive to Article 16(l), is on the person who takes the plea.

462. To sum up, judicial scrutiny would be available (i) if the criterion inconsistent with the provisions of Article 16 is applied for identifying the classes for whom the special or unequal benefit can be given under the said Article; (ii) if the classes who are not entitled to the said benefit are wrongly included in or excluded from the list of beneficiaries of the special provisions. In such cases, it is not either the entire exercise or the entire list which becomes invalid, so long as the tests applied for identification are correct and the inclusion or exclusion is only marginal; and (iii) if the percentage of reservations is either disproportionate or unreasonable so as to deny the equality of opportunity to the unreserved classes and obliterates Article 16(l). Whether the percentage is unreasonable or results in the obliteration of Article 16(l), so far as the unreserved classes are concerned, it will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case, and no hard and fast rule of general application with regard to the percentage can be laid down for all the regions and for all times.

Question VIll:

Would reservation of appointments or posts “in favour of any Backward Class” be restricted to the initial appointment to the post or would it extend to promotions as well ?

463. None of the impugned government memoranda provide for reservations in promotions. Hence, the question does not fall for consideration at all and any opinion expressed by this Court on the said point would be obiter. As has been rightly contended by Shri Parasaran, it is settled by the decisions of this Court that constitutional questions are decided only if they arise for determination on the facts, and are absolutely necessary to be decided. The Court, does not decide questions which do not arise. The tradition is both wise .and advisable. There is a long line of decisions of this Court on the point. The principle is so well-settled and not disputed before us that it is not necessary to quote all the authorities on the subject. To mention only two of them, see The Central Bank of India v. Their Workmen ((1960) 1 SCR 200) and Harsharan Verma v. Union of India AIR 1987 SC 1969.

464. The reservations in the services under Article 16(4), except in the case of SCs/STs, are in the discretion of the State. Whether reservations should at all the kept and if so, to which field and at what levels and in which mode of recruitment – direct or promotional — and at what percentage, are all matters of policy. Each authority is required to apply its mind to the facts and circumstances of the case before it and depending upon the field, the post, the extent of the existing representation of different classes, the need, if any, to balance the representation, the conflicting claims etc., decide upon the measures of reservations. The reservations, as stated earlier, cannot be kept mechancically even where it is permissible to do so. For some reasons, if Central Government, in the present case, has not thought it prudent and necessary to keep reservations in promotions, the decision of the Central Government should not be probed further. it is for the Government to frame its policy and not for this Court to comment upon it when it is not called upon to do so.

465. However, if it becomes necessary to answer the question, it will have to be held that the reservations both under Article 16(l) and 16(4) should be confined only to initial appointments. Except in the decision in Rangachari (supra), there was no other occasion for this Court to deliberate upon this question. In that decision, the Constitution Bench by a majority of three took the view that the reservations under Article 16(4) would also extend to the promotions on the ground that Articles 16(l) and 16(2) are intended to give effect to Articles 14 and 15 (1). Hence Article 16(l) should be construed in a broad and general, and not pedantic and technical way. So construed, “matters relating employment” cannot mean merely matters prior to the act of appointment nor can ‘appointment to any office’ mean merely the initial appointment but must also include all matters relating to the employment, that are either incidental to such employment or form part of its terms and conditions, and also include promotion to a selection post. The Court further observed that:

“Although Art. 16(4), which in substance is an exception to Arts. 16(l) and 16(2) and should, therefore, be strictly construed, the court cannot in construing it overlook the extreme solicitude shown by the Constitution for the advancement of socially and edcuationally backward classes of citizens.

The scope of Art. 16(4), though not as extensive as that of Art. 16(l) and (2), – and some of the matters relating to employment such as salary, increment, gratuity, pension and the age of superannuation, must fall outside its non-obstante clause, there can be no doubt that it must include appointments and posts in the services. To put a narrower construction on the word ‘posts’ would be to defeat the object and the underlying policy. Article 16 (4), therefore, authorises the State to provide for the reservation of appointments as well as selection posts.”

The majority has, however, added that in exercising the powers under the Article, it should be the duty of the State to harmonise the claims of the backward classes and these of the other employees consistently with the maintenance of an efficient administration as contemplated by Article 335 of the Constitution.

Justice Wanchoo, one of the two Judges who differed with the majority view held that Article 16(4) implies, as borne out by Article 335, that the reservation of appointments or posts for backward classes cannot cover all or even a majority of the appointments and posts and the words “not adequately represented”, do not convery? any idea of equality but mean sufficiency of numerical representation in a particular service, taken not by its grades but as a whole. Appointments, according to the learned Judge, must, therefore, mean initial appointments and the reservation of appointments means the reservations of a percentage of initial appointments. The other learned Judge, viz., Ayyangar, J., forming the minority held that Article 16 (4) has to be read and construed in the light of other provisions relating to services and particularly with reference to Article 335. So construed, the word “post” in that Article must mean posts not in the services but posts outside the services. Even assuming that it was not so, according to the learned Judge, the inadequacy of representation sought to be redressed by Article 16 (4) meant quantitative deficiency of representation in a particular service as a whole and not in its grades taken separately, nor in respect of each single post in the service. By this reasoning the learned Judge held that Article 16(4) can only refer to appointments to the services at the initial stage and not at different stages after the appointment has taken place.

466. It has been pointed out earlier that the reservations of the backward classes under Article 16 (4) have to be made consistently with the maintenance of the efficiency of administration. It is foolhardy to ignore the consequences to the administration when juniors supersede seniors although the seniors are as much or even more competent than the juniors. When reservations are kept in promotion, the inevitable consequence is the phenomenon of juniors, however low in the seniority list, stealing a march over their seniors to the promotional post. When further reservations are kept at every promotional level, the junior not only steal march over their seniors in the same grade but also over their superiors at more than one higher level. This has been witnessed and is being witnessed frequently wherever reservations are kept in promotions. It is naive to expect that in such circumstances those who are superseded, (and they are many) can work with equanimity and with the same devotion to and interest in work as they did before. Men are not saints. The inevitable result, in all fields of administration, of this phenomenon is the natural resentment, heartburning, frustration, lack of interest in work and indifference to the duties, disrespect to the superiors, dishonour of the authority and an atmosphere of constant bickerings and hostility in the administration. When, further, the erstwhile subordinate becomes the present superior, the vitiation of the atmosphere has only to be imagined. This has admittedly a deleterious effect on the entire administration.

It is not only the efficiency of those who are. thus superseded which deteriorates on act. count of such promotions, but those superseding have also no incentive to put in their best in work. Since they know that in any case they would be promoted in their reserved quota, they have no motivation to work hard. Being assured of the promotion from the beginning, their attitude towards their duties and their colleagues and superiors is also coloured by this complex. On that account also the efficiency of administration is jeopardised.

467. With respect, neither the majority nor the minority in the Constitution bench has noticed this aspect of the reservations in promotions. The later decisions which followed Rangachari (supra) were also not called upon to and hence have not considered this vital aspect. The efficiency to which the majority has referred is with respect to the qualifications of those who would be promoted in the reserved quota.

The expression “consistently with the maintenance of efficience of administration” used in Article 335 is related not only to the qualifications of those who are appointed, it covers all consequences to the efficiency of administration on account of such appointments. They would necessarily include the demoralisation of those already in employment who would be adversely affected by such appointments, and its effect on the efficiency of administration. The only reward that a loyal, sincere and hard-working employee expects and looks-forward to in his service career is promotion. If that itself is denied to him for no deficiency on his part, it places a frustrating damper on his zeal to work and reduces him to a nervous wreck. There cannot be a more damaging effect on the administration than that caused by an unreasonable obstruction in the advancement of the career of those who run the administration. The reservations in promotions are, therefore, inconsistent with the efficiency of administration and are impermissible under the Constitution.

468. There is also not much merit in the argument that the adequacy of representation in the administration has to be judged not only on the basis of quantitative representation but also on the basis of qualitative representation in the administration and, hence, the reservation in promotions are a must. There is no doubt, as stated earlier, that the adequacy of representation in administration has also to be judged on the basis of the qualitative representation in it. However, the qualitative representation cannot be achieved overnight or in one generation. Secondly, such representation cannot be secured at the cost of the efficiency of the administration which is an equally paramount consideration while keeping reservations. Thirdly, the qualitative representation can be achieved by keeping reservations in direct recruitment at all levels. It is true that there is some basis for the grievance that when reservations are kept only in direct recruitment, on many occasions the rules for appointment to the posts particularly at the higher level of administration, are so framed as to keep no room for direct recruits. However, the remedy in such cases lies in ensuring that direct recruitment is provided for posts at all levels of the administration and the reservation is kept in all such direct recruitment.

469. It must further be remembered that there is a qualitative difference in the conditions of an individual who has entered the service as against those of one who is out of it, though both belong to the backward classes. The former joins the mainstream of all those similarly employed. Although it is true that he does not on that account become socially advanced at once, in some respects, he is not dissimilarly situated. The handicaps he suffers on account of his social backwardness can be removed, once employed, by giving him the necessary relaxations, exemptions, concessions and facilities to enable him to compete with the rest for the promotional posts where the promotions are by selection or on merit-cum-seniority basis. A provision can also be made to man the selection committees with suitable persons including those from the backward classes and to devise methods of assessment of merits on impartial basis. The selection committee should also ensure that the claims of the backward class employees are not superseded. These measure, instead of the exclusive quota, will go a long way in instilling self-confidence and self-respect in those coming into the service through the reserved quotas. They may not have to face work in a hostile and disrespectful atmosphere since they would have won their promotional posts by dint of their seniority and/or merit no less commendable than those of others. The urge to show merit and shine would also contribute to overall efficiency of the administration.

470. There is no doubt that the meaning of the various expressions used in Article 16, viz., “matters relating to employment or appointment to any office”, “any employment or office” and “appointments or posts” cannot be whittled down to mean only initial recruitment and hence the normal rule of service jurisprudence of the loss of the birth marks cannot be applied to the appointments made under the Article. However, as pointed out earlier, the exclusive quota is not the only form of reservation and where the resort to it such as in the promotions, results in the inefficiency of the administration, it is illegal. But that is not the end of the road nor is a backward class employee helpless on account of its absence. Once he gets an equal opportunity to show his talent by coming into the main-stream, all he needs is the facility to achieve equal results. The facilities can be and must be given to him in the form of concessions, exemptions etc. such as relaxation of age, extra attempts for passing the examinations, extra training period etc. along with the machinery for impartial assessment as stated above. Such facilities when given are also a part of the reservation programme and do not fall foul of the requirement of the efficiency of the administration. Such facilities, however, are imperative if, not only the equality of opportunity but also the equality of results is to be achieved which is the true meaning of the right to equality.

Question 9:

Whether the matter should be sent back to the Five-Judge Bench ?

471. The attacks against the impugned orders as formulated in the aforesaid either questions, have been deal with above. The only other attack against the impugned orders is that they are based on the Mandal Commission Report which suffers in the findings on some counts.

In the first instance, it must be remembered that the Government could have passed the impugned orders without the assistance of any report such as the Mandal Commission Report. Nothing prevents the Government from providing the reservations if it is satisfied even otherwise that the backward classes -have inadequate representation in the services under the State. It is however, a different matter that in the present case the Government had before it an investigation made by an independent Commission appointed under Article 340 of the Constitution to enable it to come to its conclusions that certain social groups which are socially and educationally backward are inadequately represented in the services and therefore, deserved reservation therein. The Commission has given its own list of such backward classes and that is based primarily on the lists prepared by the States. It is true that in certain States, there are no lists and the Commission has, therefore, made its own lists for such States. However, while issuing the impugned orders the Government has taken precaution to see that the socially and educationally backward classes would comprise in the first phase the castes and communities which are common to the lists prepared by the Mandal Commission and the States. The result is that it is the State Government lists of SEBCs which would prevail for the time being and those SEBCs mentioned in the lists of the Mandal Commission which are not in the State lists would not get the benefit of the impugned orders. It is not seriously contended before us that the State lists are prepared without application of mind or without any basis. It is dount urged that in certain States some castes and communities have come to be introduced in the lists of backward classes on the eve of the elections and thus the lists have expanded from time to time. Assuming that there is some grain of truth in this allegation, the grievance in that behalf can be redressed by a fresh appraisal of the State lists by an independent machinery. The further attack against the lists prepared by the Mandal Commission is that they are prepared without an adequate and a proper survey with the result that some social groups which ought not to be in the SEBC lists have been included therein whereas others which ought to be there have been excluded. The third attack against the Commission lists is that since there are States where there exist no lists of SEBCs, the SEBCs in those States would suffer and that would be a discrimination against them. The last attach is that the Commission has exaggerated the number of castes. While there, are allegedly only 1051 backward castes, the Commission has given a list of about 3743 castes. Assuming that all these contentions are correct, all that they come to is that certain social groups which ought not to be in the SEBC lists are found there whereas others which ought to be there are not there. Such defects can be expected in any survey of this kind since it is difficult to have a cent per cent accurate result in any sociological survey. In any case although the Mandal Commission on its survey has found the total population of SEBCs as 52 per cent, the reservation it has recommended is only 27 per cent which is almost half of the population of SEBCs according to its survey. The impugned orders have also restricted the reservations to 27 per cent. It is not suggested that the margin of error of the survey is as high as 50 per cent population-wise. Assuming, however, that the population of the SEBCs is not even 27% of the total population, even this defect can be cured by another independent survey. For the present, the list as envisaged in the impugned orders may be given effect to and in the meanwhile, a new Commission as suggested earlier may be appointed for preparing an accurate list of the backward classes. No harm would be done if in the meanwhile, at least half of those who are found backward are given the benefit of the impugned orders. If, therefore, the only purpose of sending the matter to the Five Judge bench now, is to find out the validity of the lists of the SEBCs, that purpose can hardly be fulfilled since the bench cannot on its own and without adequate material invalidate the lists. The Bench would also have to direct a fresh inquiry into the matter, if it comes to the conclusion that the grievance made in that behalf is correct. The purpose would be better served if this bench itself directs that the matter be examined afresh by a Commission newly appointed for the purpose. In any view of the matter, it is unnecessary to send the case back to the Five Judge Bench.

472. The answers to the questions may now be summarised as follows:

Question 1:

Clause (4) of Article 16 is not an exception to clause (1) thereof. It only carves out a section of the society, viz., the backward class of citizens for whom the reservations in services may be kept. The said clause is exhaustive of the reservations of posts in the services so far as the backward class of citizens is concerned. It is not exhaustive of all the reservations in the services that may be kept. The reservations of posts in the services for the other sections of the society can be kept under clause (1) of that Article.

Question 2:

The backward class of citizens referred to in Article 16(4) is the socially backward class of citizens whose educational and economic backwardness is on account of their backwardness. A caste by itself may constitute a class. However, in order to constitute a backward class the caste concerned must be socially backward and its educational and economic backwardness must be on account of its social backwardness.

The economic criterion by itself cannot identify a class as backward unless the economic backwardness of the class is on account of its social backwardness.

The weaker sections mentioned in Article 16 are a genus of which backward class of citizens mentioned in Article 16(4) constitute a species. Article 16(4) refers to backward classes which are a part of the weaker sections of the society and it is only for the backward classes who are not adequately represented in the services, and not for all the weaker sections that the reservations in services are provided under Article 16(4).

Question 3:

No reservations of posts can be kept in services under the State based exclusively on economic criterion either under Article 16(4) or under Article 16(1).

Question 4:

Ordinarily, the reservations kept both under Arts. 16(1) and 16(4) together should not exceed 50 per cent of the appointments in a grade, cadre or service in any particular year. It is only for extraordinary reasons that this percentage may be exceeded. However, every excess over 50 per cent will have to be justified on valid grounds which grounds will have to be specifically made out.

The adequacy of representation is not to be determined merely on the basis of the over all numerical strength of the backward classes in the services. For determining the adequacy, their representation at different levels of administration and in different grades has to be taken into consideration. It is the effective voice in the administration and not the total number which determines the adequacy of representation.

Question 5:

Article 16(4) permits, classification of backward classes into backward and more or most backward classes. However, this classification is permitted only on the basis of the degrees of social backwardness and not on the basis of the economic consideration alone.

If backward classes are classified into backward and more or most backward classes, separate quotas of reservations will have to be kept for each of such classes. In the absence of such separate quotas, the reservations will be illegal.

It is not permissible to classify backward classes or a backward class social group into an advanced section and a backward section either on economic or any other consideration. The test of advancement lies in the capacity to compete with the forward classes. If the advanced section in a backward class is so advanced as to be able to compete with the forward classes, the advanced section from the backward class no longer belongs to the backward class and should cease to be considered so and denied the benefit of reservations under Article 16(4).

Question 6:

The provisions for reservations in the services under Article 16(4) can be made by an executive order.

Question 7:

There is no special law of judicial review when the reservations under Article 16(4) are under scrutiny. The judicial review will be available only in the cases of demonstrably perverse identification of the backward classes and in the cases of unreasonable percentage of reservations made for them.

Question 8:

It is not necessary to answer the question since it does not arise in the present case. However, if it has to be answered, the answer is as follows:

The reservations in the promotions in the services are unconstitutional as they are inconsistent with the maintenance of efficiency of administration.

However, the backward classes may be provided with relaxations, exemptions, concessions and facilities etc. to enable them to compete for the promotional posts with others wherever the promotions are based on selection or merit-cum-seniority basis.

Further, the committee or body entrusted with the task of selection must be representative and manned by suitable persons including those from the backward classes to make an impartial assessment of the merits.

To ensure adequate representation of the backward classes which means representation at all levels and in all grades in the service, the rules of recruitment must ensure that there is direct recruitment at all levels and in all grades in the services.

Question 9:

The matter should not be referred back to the Five-Judge Bench since almost all the relevant questions have been answered by this Bench. The grievance about the excessive, and about the wrong inclusion and exclusion of social groups in and from the list of backward classes can be examined by a new Commission which may be set up for the purpose.

473. Hence the following order:                                             ORDER

1. The benefit of clause 2(i) of the first order dated 13th August, 1990 cannot be given to the advanced sections of the socially and educationally backward classes because they no longer belong to the socially and educationally backward classes although they may be members of the caste, occupational groups or other social groups which might have been named as socially and educationally backward classes in the lists which are issued or which may be issued under clause 2(iv) of the said order. This clause if so read down, is valid.

The rest of the said order is valid.

The Government may evolve the necessary socio-economic criterion-to define the advanced sections of the backward classes to give effect to the order.

2. Clause 2(i) of the second order dated 25th September, 1991 is valid only if it is read down as under:

(a) No distinction can be made in the backward classes as poor and poorer sections thereof. The distinction can be made only between the advanced and the backward sections of the backward classes. The advanced sections are those who have acquired the capacity to compete with the forward classes. Such advanced sections no longer belong to the backward classes and as such are disentitled to the reservations under Article 16(4). The reservations can be made only for the benefit of the backward or the non-advanced sections of the backward classes.

(b) When backward classes are classified into backward and more or most backward classes as stated above on the basis of the degrees of social backwardness (and not on the basis of the, economic criterion alone), exclusive quotas of reservations will have to be kept separately for the backward and the more or most backward classes. It will be impermissible to keep a common quota of reservation for all the backward classes together and make available posts for the backward classes only if they are left over after satisfying the requirements of the more or most backward classes. That may virtually amount to a total denial of the posts from the reserved quota to the backward classes.

(c) Clause 2(i) of the order dated 25th September, 1991 is, therefore, invalid, unless it is read, interpreted and implemented as above.

3. Clause 2(ii) of the said order is invalid since no reservations can be kept on economic criterion alone.

474. The writ petitions and transfer cases are disposed of in the above terms. No costs.

475. In view of the reasons given and the conclusions arrived at by me above, I agree with the conclusions recorded in paragraphs 122 and 124 and the directions given in paragraph 123(A), (B) and (C) of the judgment being delivered by brother Jeevan Reddy, J. on behalf of himself, and on behalf of the learned Chief Justice and brothers Venkatachaliah and Ahmadi, JJ.

476. Thommen, J—The petitioners challenge O.M. No. 36012/31/90-Esst(SCT) dated 13th August, 1990 as amended by O. M. No. 36012/31/90-Esst(SCT) dated 25th September, 25th September, 1991 providing in civil posts and services under the Government of India for reservation of 27% of the vacancies for the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) and 10% of the vacancies for other economically backward sections of the people. The Office Memorandum dated 13th August, 1990, in so far as it is material, reads:

“…………………… 2(i) 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved for SEBC.

(ii) The aforesaid reservation shall apply to vacancies to be filled by direct recruitment …..

(iii) Candidates belonging to SEBC recruited on the basis of merit in an open competition on the same standard prescribed for the general candidates shall not be adjusted against the reservation quota of 27%. (iv) The SEBC would comprise in the first phase the castes and communities which are common to both the list in the report of the Mandal Commission and the State Governments’ lists. A list of such castes/ communities is being issued separately.

(v)……………………………………….”

The amended Office Memorandum dated 25th September, 1991 provides:

“…………………………………….2(i) Within the 27% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India reserved for SEBCs, preference shall be given to candidates belonging to the poorer sections of the SEBCs. In case sufficient number of such candidates are not available, unfilled vacancies shall be filled by the other SEBC candidates.

(ii) 10% of the vacancies in civil posts and services under the Government of India shall be reserved for other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservation.

(iii) The criteria for determining the poorer sections of the SEBCs or the other economically backward sections of the people who are not covered by any of the existing schemes of reservations are being issued separately.

**********”

The reservation postulated in these orders for the socially and educationally backward classes and also for the economically backward sections of the people in the Central Government services to the extent of 27% and 10% respectively is in addition to the reservation already made for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes to the extent of 22.5%.

These orders are made pursuant to the Report submitted by the Backward Classes Commission appointed by the President of India under Art. 340 of the Constitution. This Report is generally known by the name of the Chairman of the Commission, the Late B. P. Mandal. The petitioners submit that the Report leading to the impugned Government Orders is not based on any scientific or objective study of backwardness in the country, and any attempt to make reservation on the basis of the data supplied in the Report is irrational, unconstitutional and invalid. They say that the Report is conceived in caste prejudices and motivated by caste hatred. The Report does not address itself to a proper identification of true backwardness for the redressal of which the Constitution permits reservation by quota for the backward classes of citizens to the exclusion of all other persons. On the other hand, the sole criterion on the basis of which backwardness is purportedly identified is caste and nothing but caste. Any order resulting in reservation or other affirmative action on the basis of the wrong conclusions drawn by the Commission is bound to be the very antithesis of equality.

477. The respondents, supporting the impugned Government orders, contend that the Constitution guarantees liberty, equality and fraternity for all classes of people irrespective of their religion, community, caste, occupation, residence or the like. Every citizen is entitled to equal opportunities. For centuries, large sections of our countrymen have been discriminated against on account of their birth. As a result of such inequity, they have been steeped in poverty, ignorance and squalor. To alleviate their misery and elevate them to positions of equality with the more fortunate, affluent and enlightened sections of our countrymen, the Founding Fathers of the Constitution made special provisions for their uplift. These provisions are meant to protect the trully backward people of this country, namely, members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes. They contend that the Mandal Report is a scientific and serious study rationally addressed to the problem of backwardness by identifying it where it is most acutely felt and loudly present, namely, amongst the lowest of the lowly citizens of this country. Those are the members of the low castes as traditionally recognised and identified by the State and Central Governments. The various classes of people belonging to such castes are identified as socially, educationally and economically backward and it is in respect of those people that the Government have made the impugned reservations.

478. The ‘indicators’ or ‘criteria’ adopted in the Mandal Report are broadly grouped as social, educational and economic on the basis of castes/ classes. The Commission has identified classes with castes and backwardness with particular castes. Castes which are socially, educationally and economically backward are characterised as backward classes entitled to the benefit of reservation. Persons are grouped on the basis of caste either because they are members of it by reason of their being Hindus or because they were members of it in the past prior to their conversion to other religions. Identification of backwardness is thus made with reference to the present or past caste affiliations of the people. The Report says:-

“12.4. In fact, caste being the basic unit of social organisation of Hindu Society, castes are the only readily and clearly ‘recognisable and persistent collectivities’ “.

“12.6 . …..the Commission has also applied some other tests like stigmas of low occupation, criminality, romadism, beggary and untouchability to identify social backwardness. Inadequate representation in public services was taken as another important test”.

In regard to non-Hindus, the Report says:–

“ 12.11 There is no doubt that social and educational backwardness among non-Hindu communities is more or less of the same order as among Hindu communities. Though caste system is peculiar to Hindu society yet, in actual practice, it also pervades the non-Hindu communities in India in varying degrees ……. even after conversion, the ex-Hindus carried with them their deeply ingrained ideas of social hierarchy and stratification ………”

“ 12.14 …….even after conversion, the lower caste converts were continued to be treated as Harijans by all sections of the society ……..

“ 12.18 ….. the Commission has evolved the following rough and ready criteria for identifying non-Hindu OBCs:-

(i) All untouchables converted to any non-Hindu religion; and

(ii) Such occupational communities which are known by the name of their traditional hereditary occupation and whose Hindu counterparts have been included in the list of Hindu OBCs. (Examples:Dhobi, Teli Dheemar, Nai, Gujar, Kumhar, Lohar, Darji, Badhai, etc.)”.

The Report has thus treated all persons who belong, or who had once belonged, to what had been regarded as untouchable or other traditionally backward castes or communities or who belong to certain low occupations as socially, educationally and economically backward.

479. The particulars of the Mandal Report and other material relied on by the Government in making the impugned orders do not directly arise for our consideration, at this juncture as this Bench has been constituted to examine the concept of equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, as enshrined in Art. 16 and other provisions of the Constitution, ‘and settle the legal position relating to reservation’ and thus lay down the guidelines by which the validity and the reasonableness of Government Orders on reservation can be tested in appropriate cases.

The Concept of Reservation:

480. The fundamental question is, what is the raison d’etre of reservation and what are its limits. The Constitution permits the State to adopt such affirmative action as it deems necessary to uplift the backward classes of citizens to levels of equality with the rest of our countrymen. The backward classes of citizens have been in the past denied access to Government services on account of their inability to compete effectively in open selections on the basis of merits. It is, therefore, open to the Government to reserve a certain number of seats in places of learning are public services in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes to the exclusion of all others, irrespective of merits. The impugned Government orders have made reservation by setting aside quotas in Government services exclusively for backward classes of candidates.

481. Referring to the concept of equality of opportunity in public employment, as embodied in Article 10 of the draft Constitution, which finally emerged as Art. 16 of the Constitution, and the conflicting claims of various communities for representation in public administration, Dr. Ambedkar emphatically declared that reservation should be confined to ‘a minority of seats’, lest the very concept of equality should be destroyed. In view of its great importance, the full text of his speech delivered in the Constituent Assembly on the point is appended to this judgment. But I shall now read a few passage from it. Dr. Ambedakar stated:

“…….firstly, that there shall be equality of opportunity, secondly that there shall be reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a ‘proper look-in’ so to say into the administration Supposing, for instance, we were to concede in full the demand of those communities who have not been so far employed in the public services to the fullest extent what would really happen is, we shall be completely destroying the first proposition upon which we are all agreed, namely, that there shall be an equality of opportunity ….. Therefore the seats to be reserved, if the reservation is to be consistent with sub-clause (1) of Art. 10, must be confined to a minority of seats. It is then only that the first principle could find its place in the Constitution and effective in operation ……. we have to safeguard two things, namely, the principle of equality of opportunity and at the same time satisfy the demand of communities which have not had so far representation in the State ……..”

Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. 7, pp. 701-702 (1948-49).

(Emphasis supplied)

These words embody the raison d’etre of reservation and its limitations. Reservation is one of the measures adopted by the Constitution to remedy the continuing evil effects of prior inequities stemming from discriminatory practices against various classes of people which have resulted in their social, educational and economic backwardness. Reservation is meant to be addressed to the present social, educational and economic backwardness caused by purposeful societal discrimination. To attack the continuing ill effects and perpetuation of such injustice, the Constitution permits and empowers the State to adopt corrective devices even when they have discriminatory and exclusively effects. Any such measure, in so far as one group is preferred to the exclusion of another, must necessarily be narrowly tailored to the achievement of the fundamental constitutional goal.

482. What the Constitution permits is the adoption of suitable and appropriate remedial measures to correct the continuing evil effects of prior discrimination. Over-inclusiveness in such measures by unduly widening the net of reservation to unjunstifiably protect the ill deserved at the expense of the others would result in invidious discrimination offending the Constitutional objective. Benign classification for affirmative action by reservation must stay strictly within the narrow bounds of remedial actions. Any such programme must be consistent with the fundamental objective of equality. Classes of people saddled with disabilities rooted in history of purposeful unequal treatment and consequently relegated to social, educational, economic and political powerlessness particularly qualify to demand the extraordinary and special protection of reservation.

483. Reservation is meant to remedy the handicap of prior discrimination impeding the access of classes of people to public administration. It is for the State to determine whether the evil effects of inequities stemming from prior discrimination against classes of people have resulted in their being reduced to positions of backwardness and consequent under representation in public administration. Reservation is a remedy or a cure for the ill effects of historial discrimination.

484. While affirmative action programmes by preferential treatment short of reservation in favour of disadvantaged classes of citizens may be justified as benign redressal measures based on valid classification, the more positive affirmative action adopting reservation by quota or other ‘set aside’ measures or geals in favour of certain classes of citizens to the exclusion of others must be narrowly tailored and strictly addressed to the problem which is sought to be remedies by the Constitution. Any such action by the State must necessarily be subjected to periodic administrative review by specially constituted authorities so as to guarantee that such policies and actions are applied correctly and strictly to permitted constitutional ends.

485. Reservation is not an end in itself. It is a means to achieve equality. The policy of reservation adopted to achieve that end must, therefore, be consistent with the objective in view. Reservation must not outlast its constitutional object, and must not allow a vested interest to develop and perpetuate itself. There will be no need for reservation or preferential treatment once equality is achieved. Achievement and preservation of equality for all classes of people, irrespective of their birth, creed, faith or language is one of the noble ends to which the Constitution is dedicated. Every reservation founded on benign discrimination, and justifiably adopted to achieve the constitutional mandate of equality, must necessarily be a transient passage to that end. It is temporary in concept, limited in duration, conditional in application and specific in object. Reservation must contain within itself the seeds of its termination. Any attempt to perpetuate reservation and upset the constitutional mandate of equality is destructive of liberty and fraternity and all the basic values enshrined in the Constitution. A balance has to be maintained between the competing values and the rival claims and interests so as to achieve equality and freedom for all.

486. The makers of the Constitution were fully conscious of the unfortunate position of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. To them equality, liberty and fraternity are but a dream; an ideal guaranteed by the law, but far too distant to reach far too reach far too illusory to touch. These backward people and others in like positions of helplessness are the favoured children of the Constitution. It is for them that ameliorative and remedial measures are adopted to achieve the end of equality. To permit those who are not intended to be so specially protected to compete for reservation is to dilute the protection and defeat the very constitutional aim.

487. The victims of prior injustice are the special favourites of the laws. Their plight is a shameful scar on the national conscience. It is a constitutional command that prompt measures are adopted by the State for the promotion of these unfortunate classes of people specially to positions of comparative enlightenment, culture, knowledge, influence affluence and prestige so as to place them on levels of equality with the more fortunate of our countrymen.

488. Reservation must one day become unnecessary and a relic of an unfortunate past. Every such action must be a transient self-liquidating programme. That is the hope and dream cherished by the Constitution Makers and that is the end to which the State has to address itself in making special provisions for the chosen classes of people for special constitutional protection, so that “persons will be regarded as persons, and discrimination of the type we address today will be an ugly feature of history that is instructive but that is behind us”; Per Justice T. Marshall, Regents of the University of California v. Allan Bakke, (1978) 438 US 265, 57 L Ed. 2d 750. See also H. Earal Fullilove v. Philip M. Klutznick, (1980) 448 US 448, 65 L Ed. 2d 902; Metro Broadcasting, Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission, (111 Law Ed 2d 445) (Decided on 27-6-1990); Oliver Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, (1953) 347 US 483, 98 L Ed. 2d 873; City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co., 488 US 469; Wendy Wygant v. Jackson Board of Education, (1986) 476 US 267, 90 L Ed. 2d 260.

Reservation under the Constitution:

489. The Constitution seeks to secure to all its citizens Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. These are the basic pillars on which the grand concept of India as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic rests. This splendour that is India rests on these magnificent concepts, each of which, supporting the other, upholds the dignity and freedom of the individual and secures the integrity and unity of the nation.

490. Equalility is one of the magnificent cornerstones of Indian democracy:Smt. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Shri Raj Narain, (1976) 2 SCR 347, 659; Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India, (1981) 1 SCR 206,241 ; Waman Rao v. Union of India, (1981) 2 SCR 1, 19. Arts. 14, 15 and 16 embody facets of the many-sided grandeur of equality:The General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari, (1962) 2 SCR 586, 597; State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas, (1976) 1 SCR 906,956. Art. 14 prohibits the State from denying to any person within the territory of India equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws. All persons in like circumstances must be treated equally. Equality is between equals. It is parity of treatment under parity of conditions. The Constitution permits valid classification founded on an intelligible differentia distinguishing persons or things grouped together from others left out of the group. And such differentia must have a rational relation to the object sought to be achieved by the law:State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas,(1976) I SCR906. See also Shri Ram Krishna Dalmia v. Shri Justice S. R. Tendolkar, (1459) SCR 279 .

491. Any State action distinguishing classes of persons is liable to be condemned as invidious and unconstitutional unless justified as a benign classification rationally addressed to the legitimate aim of qualitative and relative equality by means of affirmative action programmes of protective measures with a view to uplifting identified disadvantaged grounds. All such measures must bear a reasonable proportion between their aim and the means adopted and must terminate on accomplishment of their object. Any legitimate affirmative action rationally and reasonably administered is an aid to the attainment of equality. In the words of Judge Tanaka of the International Court of Justice:

“……..The principle is that what is equal is to be treated equally and what is different is to be treated differently, namely proportionately to the factual difference. This is what was indicated by Aristotle as justitia commutativa and justitia distrubutiva”.

“……the principle of equality before the law does not mean the absolute equality, namely equal treatment of men without regard to individual, concrete circumstances, but it means the relative equality, namely the principle to treat equally what are equal and unequally what are unequal”.

“…….To treat unequal matters differently according to their inequality is not only permitted but required …….”

South West Africa Cases (Second Phase), ICJ Rep. p. 6, 305-6.

492. While Art. 14 prohibits the State from denying equality to any person, Arts. 15 and 16 are specially concerned with citizens. Art. 15(1) prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. Cl. (4) of Art. 15 provides that despite the prohibition contained in Art. 29(2) against denial of admission to any citizen into any educational institution maintained or aided by the State on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them, the State is nevertheless free to make ‘any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes’.

493. These provisions of Art. 15 have been construed by this Court in a number of decisions. It is no longer in doubt that, in order to receive the protection of Cl. (4), the classes of people in favour of whom special provisions are made should necessarily be both socially and educationally backward (and not either socially or educationally backward) or should have been notified by the President as the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes in terms of Art. 341 o4 342. M. R. Balaji v. State of Mysore, (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439.

494. Apart from the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes to whom the special provisions, once notified by the President under Arts. 341 and 342, undoubtedly apply, the other ‘backward classes’ of citizens to whom the special provisions can be extended are not merely backward but are socially and educationally so backward as to be comparable to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. As stated by this Court in M. R. Balaji v. State of Mysore, (1963) Suppl. SCR 439 at 458:

“………the Backward classes for ‘whose improvement special provision is contemplated by Art. 15(4) are in the matter of their backwardness comparable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes”.

See also Kumari K. S. Jayasree v. State of Kerala, (1977) 1 SCR 194, 198; Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (1973) 3 SCR 236, 252 ; State of Uttar Pradesh v. Pradip Tandon, (1975) SCR 761, 766; State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas, (1976) 1 SCR 1906, 997 ; State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sagar, (1968) 3 SCR 595, 600; K. C. Vasanth Kumar v. State of Karnataka,(1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 352,376.

495. In the Constituent Assembly during the discussions on draft Art. 10 (Art. 16), several members belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled” Tribes expressed serious apprehension that the expression ‘backward’ was not precise and large sections of people who did not belong to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes were likely to claim the benefit of reservation at the expense of the truly backward classes of people. They sought clarification that the expression ‘backward’ applied only to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. (See B. Shiva Rao, The Framing of India’s Constitution -A Study, (1968) pp. 198-199). K. M. Munshi, in his reply to this criticism, pointed out:

“……..What we want to secure by this clause are two things. In the fundamental right in the first clause we want to achieve the highest efficiency in the services of the State -highest efficiency -which would enable the services to action effectively and promptly. At the same time, in view of the conditions in our country prevailing in several Provinces, we want to see that backward classes, classes who are really backward should be given scope in State services; for it is realised that State services give a status and an opportunity to serve the country, and this opportunity should be extended to every community, even among the backward people. That being so, we have to find out some generic term and the word ‘backward class’ was the best possible term. When it is read with Art. 301 it is perfectly clear that the word ‘backward’ signifies that class of people does not matter whether you call them untouchables or touchables, belonging to this community or that,- a class of people who are so backward that special protection is required in the services and I see no reason why any member should be apprehensive of regard to the word ‘backward’.”                                                                             (Emphasis supplied)

Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. 7, (1948-49), p. 697

Dr. Ambedakar, in his general reply to the debate on the point, stated thus:

“…….If honourable Members understand this position that we have to safeguard two things, namely, the principle of equality of opportunity and at the same time satisfy the demand of communities which have not had so far representation in the State, then, I am sure they will agree that unless you use some such qualifying phrase as ‘backward’ the exception made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule altogether. Nothing of the rule will remain ……..”

(Emphasis supplied)

Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. 7, (1948-49), p. 702.

496. The President of India issued the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 relating to the States, and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Union Territories Order, 1951 relating to the Union Territories. Para (2) of the 1950 Order speaks of ‘castes, races or tribes which are to be deemed Scheduled Castes in the territories of the States mentioned in the Order”. Para(3) of the Order (as amended by Act 108 of 1976 w.e.f. 27-7-1977) provides “notwithstanding anything contained in para(2), no person professing a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of the Scheduled Castes”. See Manual of Election Law, Vo. I (1991) p. 141[9].

497. The 1950 Order of the President (as amended) shows that in the territories of the States mentioned in the Order no person who is not a Hindu or a Sikh or a Buddhist can be regarded as a member of the Scheduled Castes. Art. 15(4) speaks of ‘socially and educationally backward classes of citizens’ and ‘the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes’ while Art. 16(4) speaks only of ‘any backward class of citizens’. The ‘backward class’ mentioned in Art. 16(4) is a synonym for the classes mentioned in Art. 15(4); M. R. Balaji, (supra); Janki Prasad Parimoo, (supra). These two provisions read with the President’s Order of 1950 (as amended in 1976) show that the benefit of Art. 15(4) and Art. 16(4) extends to the Scheduled Castes (which expression is confined to those professing the Hindu, the Sikh or the Bladdhist religion) and the Scheduled Tribes as well as the backward classes of citizens who must necessarily be such backward classes of citizens who would have, but for their not professing the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion, qualified to be notified as members of the Scheduled Castes. This means, all those depressed classes of citizens who suffered the odium and isolation of untouchability prior to their conversion to other religions and whose backwardness continued despite their conversion come within the expression ‘backward classes of citizens’ in Arts. 15(4) and 16(4). Untouchability is a humiliating and shameful malady caused by deep-rooted prejudice which does not disappear with the change of faith. To say that it does would imply that faith is the ultimate cause of untouchability. This is, of course, not true. If backwardness caused by historical discrimination and its consequential disadvantages are the reasons for reservation the Constitution mandates that all backward classes of citizens, who are the victims of the continuing ill effects of prior discrimination, whatever be their faith or religion, or whether or not they profess any religion, receive the same benefits which are accorded to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Backward class is composed of persons whose backwardness is in degree and nature comparable to that of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, whatever be their religion. There can be no doubt about the identity of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Nor can there be any doubt about the identity of backward classes other than the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, if this identifying characteristic, bearing the stamp of prior discrimination and its continuing ill effects, is borne in mind. M. R. Balaji v. State of Mysore, (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439, 458 ; State of Uttar Pradesh v. Pradip Tandon, (1975) 2 SCR 761, 766; Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (1973) 3 SCR 236,252.

498. What is sought to be identified is not caste, religion and the like, but social and educational backwardness, generally manifested by disabilities such as illiteracy, humiliating isolation, poverty, physical and mental degeneration, incurable diseases, etc. Living in abject poverty and squalor, engaged in demeaning occupations to keep body and soul together, and bereft of sanitation, medical aid and other facilities, these unfortunate classes of citizens bearing the badges of historical discrimination and naked exploitation are generally traceable in the midst of the lowest of the low classes euphemistically described as Harijans and in fact treated as untouchables. To deny them the constitutional protection of reservation solely by reason of change of faith or religion is to endanger the very concept of secularism and the raison d’etre of reservation.

499. No class of citizens can be classified as backward solely by reason of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them. But any one or all of these factors mentioned in Art. 15(1) or Art. 16(2) can be taken into account along with other relevant factors in identifying classes of citizens who What is significant is that such identification should not be made solely with reference to are socially and educationally backward. the criteria specified in Art. 15(1) or Art. 16(2), but with reference to the social and educational backwardness of classes of citizens. Referring to the words “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” appearing in Art. 15(4), this Court stated in State of Uttar Pradesh v. Pradip Tandon, (1975) 2 SCR 761 at 767:

“The expression ‘classes of citizens’ indicates a homogeneous section of the people who are grouped together because of certain likeliness and common traits and who are identifiable by some common attributes. The homogeneity of the class of citizens is social and educational backwardness. Neither caste nor religion nor place of birth will be the uniform element of common attributes to make them a class of citizens”.

It may, however, be true that backwardness is associated specially with people of a particular religion or race or caste or place of birth or residence or any other category mentioned in Art. 15(1) or Art. 16(2). In that event, any one or more of such criteria, along with other relevant factors, may be taken into consideration to reach the conclusion as to social and educational backwardness. Hard and primitive living conditions in remote and inaccessible areas, where the inhabitants have neither the means of livelihood nor facilities for education, health service or other civic amenities, are some such relevant criteria. Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (1973) 3 SCR 236, 259; State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sagar, (1968) 3 SCR 595, 600.

500. The city slum dwellers, the inhabitants of the pavements, afflicted and disfigured in many cases by diseases like leprosy, caught in the vicious grip of grinding penury, and making a meagre living by begging besides the towering mansions of affluence, transcend all barriers of religion, caste, race, etc. in their degradation, suffering and humiliation. They are the living monument of backwardness and a shameful reminder of our national indifference, a cruel betrayal of what the preamble to the Constitution proclaims. No matter what caste or religion they may claim, their present plight of animal like existence, living on crumbs picked from garbage cans or coins flung from moving cars – a common painful sight in our metropolis – entitles them to every kind of affirmative action to redeem themselves from the inequities of past and continuing discrimination. Rehabilitation and resettlement of these unfortunate victims of societal indifference and Governmental neglect and appropriate and urgent measures for State aided health care, education and special technical training for their porgeny with a view to their employment in public services are the primary responsibility of a welfare State. These are the classes of people specially chosen by the law for prompt and effective affirmative action, not by reason of their caste or religion, but solely by reason of their backwardness in tracing which any relevant criterion is a useful tool.

501. In identifying backwardness, caste, religion, residence etc. are of course relevant factors, but none of them is a dominant or much less an indispensable factor. What is of ultimate relevance is the social and educational backwardness of a class of citizens, whatever be their caste, religion” etc.

502. Identification of the backward classes for the purpose of reservation ‘must be with reference to their social and educational backwardness resulting from the continuing ill effects of prior discrimination or exploitation; and not solely with reference to any one or more of the prohibited criteria mentioned in Art. 15(1) or Art. 16(2), although any one or more of such criteria may have been the ultimate cause of such discrimination or exploitation and the resultant poverty and backwardness. As stated by this Court in R. Chitralekha v. State of Mysore, (1964) 6 SCR 368 at 388:

“……..the expression classes’ is not synonymous with castes ……. caste may have some relevance, but it cannot be either the sole or the dominant criterion for ascertaining the class to which he or they belong”.

503. What is sought to be identified for the purpose of Art. 15(4) or Art. 16(4) is a socially and educationally backward class of citizens. A class means ‘a homogeneous section of the people grouped together because of certain likeliness or common traits, and who are identifiable by some common attributes’. Triloki Nath v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (1969) 1 SCR 103, 105. They must be a class of people held together by the common link of backwardness and consequential disabilities. What binds them together is their social and educational backwardness, and not any one of the prohibited factors like religion, race or caste. What chains them, what incapacitates them, what distinguishes them, what qualifies them for favoured treatment of the law is their backwardness:their badges of poverty, disease, misery, ignorance and humiliation. It is conceivable that the entire caste is a backward class. In that event, they form a class of people for the special protection of Arts. 15(4) and 16(4), not by reason of their caste, which is merely incidental, but by reason of their social and educational backwardness which is identified to be the result of prior or continuing discrimination and its ill effects and which is comparable to that of the Scheduled Castes and , the Scheduled Tribes. It is also conceivable that a class of people may be identified as backward without regard to their caste, provided backwardness of the nature and degree mentioned above binds them as a class. M. R. Balaji, (supra) at pp. 458, 474; Minor P. Rajendran v. State of Madras, (1968) 2 SCR 786 ; State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sagar, (1968) 3 SCR 595; A. Peeriakaruppan v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1971) 2 SCR 430; State of Andhra Pradesh v. U.S.V. Balram, (1972) 3 SCR 247, 280, 285 ; Triloki Nath v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (1969) 1 SCR 103; State of Uttar Pradesh v. Pradip Tandon, (1975) 2 SCR 761; Kumari K. S. Jayasree v. State of Kerala, (1977) 1 SCR 194 ; Akhil Bharatiya Soshit Karanichari Sangh (Railway) v. Union of India, (1981) 2 SCR 185; R. Chitralekha v. State of Mysore, (1964) 6 SCR 368.

504. Historically:backwardness has been the curse of people most of whom are characterised as the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. These are not castes as such, but classes of people composed of castes, races or tribes or tribal communities or parts or groups thereof and classified as such as by means of presidential notifications owing to their extreme backwardness and other disadvantages (see Articles 341 and 342). State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas (1976) 1 SCR 906, 932 ; Akhil Bharatiya Soshit Karmachari Sangh (Railway) v. Union of India(1981) 2 SCR 185,234. There are many other persons falling outside these groups, but comparable to them in their backwardness.

505. Any identification made for the purpose of Art. 15 or Art. 16 solely with reference to caste or religion, and without regard to the real issue of backwardness, will be an impermissible classification resulting in invidious reverse discrimination. The fact that identification of backwardness may involve a reference to religion, race, caste, occupation, place of residence or the like in respect of classes of people does not mean that any one of these factors is the sole or the dominant or the indispensable criterion. Backwardness may be the result of a combination of two or more of these factors. Persons of a particular place or occupation may have been enslaved as bonded labourers, or otherwise held in serfdom and exploited and discriminated against, and may have over a period of time degenerated to such social and educational backwardness as to qualify for the special protection of the Constitution. No matter to what caste or community or religion they belonged or from what place they came, their present plight stemming from prior inequities and continuing over a period of time and thus placing them in a state of total helplessness qualifies them for the special protection of reservation.

506. Historically, backwardness, as stated above, has been most acute at the lowest levels of our society and it has been invariably identified with low castes and demeaning occupations. But if, as a matter of fact, classes of citizens of higher castes have suffered continuously by reason of discrimination or exploitation by persons having authority and power over them and have consequently been reduced to poverty, ignorance and isolation resulting in social and educational backwardness, whatever be the caste of the exploiters or of the victims, the constitutional protection has to be extended to such classes of victims. They must be helped out of their present plight resulting from prior or continuing discrimination or exploitation. Proof of their backwardness is not in their caste or religion, but in their poverty, ignorance and consequential disabilities.

507. It is generally a combination of factors such as low birth and demeaning occupation, or lack of any occupation, that has historically subjected classes of people to invidious discrimination and humiliating isolation and consequential poverty and social and educational backwardness. These are questions of fact which must be ascertained before the qualifying backwardness is identified. To disregard any one of these factors, particularly the most compelling reality of Indian life originating in low castes and demeaning occupations generally associated with them, such as that of scavenger, sweeper, fisherman, dhobi, barber and the like and resulting in abject poverty, is to ignore the relevant criteria in identifying backwardness warranting reservation. What is sought to be identified for the purpose of reservation is not caste or religion, but poverty and backwardness caused by historical discrimination and its continuing evil effects. Caste may be a guide in this search, just as occupation or residence may be a guide, but what is sought to be identified is none but backwardness stemming from historical discrimination. If caste is more often than not a guide in the search for backwardness and if the lowest of the low castes has for historical reasons become the indicium of backwardness of the kind attracting reservation, caste in the absence of any better guide is a factor to be taken into account along with other factors such as poverty, illiteracy, physical and mental disabilities and other diseases caused by malnutrition, unhygienic conditions and the like. What the Constitution prohibits is not caste or non-discriminatory and inoffensive customs and practices based on castes; or ameliorative measures to uplift the downtrodden poverty striken members of low castes, what it prohibits is exclusionary discrimination based solely on caste or any other criterion enumerated in Art. 15(1) or Art. 16(2). Any one or all of such criteria along with any other relevant criterion, such as poverty, illiteracy, disease, etc. may be legitimately used to identify backwardness for the purpose of reservation.

508. To contend that caste, and caste alone, is the criterion for identification of backwardness is to disregard the innumerable reasons for backwardness. At the same time, to ignore caste as a factor in identifying backwardness for the purpose of reservation is to shut one’s eyes to the realities and ignore the cause of injustice from which large sections of people in this country have for generations suffered and still suffer, namely, naked exploitation and discrimination by those in positions of power and affluence. The realities of life in India militate against total exclusion of consideration based on caste or total concentration on caste in identifying backwardness caused by past inequities.

509. The Constitution is neither caste-blind nor caste-prejudiced nor caste-over-charged, but fully alive to caste as one of the relevant criteria to be reckoned in the process of identification of backward classes of citizens. India is not a nation of castes but of people with roots in divergent castes. What the Constitution seeks to identify is not the backward caste, but the backward class of citizens who may in many cases be partly or in some cases predominantly or even solely identified with particular castes. See Minor P. Rajendran v. State of Madras (1968) 2 SCR 786, 790.

510. The question is not whether the Constitution is caste-blind or caste-prejudiced; the question really is who are the backward classes of citizens intended to be protected by reservation under Art. 15 or Art. 16. If reservation is limited solely to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and other comparably backward classes of citizens, as it must be under the Constitution, then the Harijans, the Girijans, the Adivasis, the Dalits, and other like backward classes of citizens, once known as the “untouchables” or the “outcastes” or the “depressed classes” by reason of their “low” birth and “demeaning” occupation, or any other class of citizens afflicted by like degree of degeneration and deprivation caused by prior and continuing discrimination, exploitation, neglect, poverty disease, isolation, bondage and humiliation, whatever be their caste, religion or place of origin, will alone qualify for reservation. Call them a class or a caste or a race or a tribe or whatever nomenclature is appropriate, they are the only legitimately intended beneficiaries of reservation. Their roots of origin in the lowest of the low segments of society; their affiliation with what is traditionally regarded as demeaning occupations; their humiliating and inescapable segregation and chronic isolation from the rest of the population; their social and educational deprivation and helplessness; their abysmal poverty and degenerating backwardness; all this and more most humiliatingly branded them in the past as ‘outcastes” or “untouchables” or “depressed classes” or whatever other nomenclauture one might ascribe to describe them. It is their present plight of continuing poverty and backwardness stemming from identified historical discrimination, whatever be the religion or faith they presently profess, that the Constitution entitles them to the special protection of reservation. The fact that the search to identify backwardness for the purpose of reservation will invariably lead one to these so called outcastes or the lowest of the low castes or untouchables does not vitiate identification so long as what is sought to be identified is not caste but backwardness.

511. Poverty by itself is not the test of backwardness, for if it were so, most people in this country would be in a position to claim reservation. Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1973) 3 SCR 236, 285. Reservation for all would be reservation for none, and that would be an ideal condition if affluence and not poverty, was its basis. But unfortunately the vast majority of our people are not blessed by affluence but afflicted by poverty. Poverty is a disgrace to any nation and the resultant backwardness is a shame. But the Constitution envisages reservation for those persons who are backward because of identified prior victimisation and the consequential poverty. Poverty invariably results in social and educational backwardness. In all such cases the question to be asked, for the purpose of reservation, is whether such poverty is the result of identified historical or continuing discrimination. No matter what caused the discrimination and exploitation; the question is, did such inequity and injustice result in poverty and backwardness.

512. It is possible that poverty to which classes of citizens are reduced making them socially and educationally backward is the ultimate result of prior discrimination and continuing exploitation on account of their religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or residence. Identification of their social and educational backwardness with reference to their poverty is valid, if the ultimate cause of poverty is prior discrimination and its continuing evil effects, albeit, by reason of their religion, race, caste etc. Members of religious minorities or low castes or persons converted from amongst tribals or harijans to other religions, but still suffering from the stigma of their origin, or persons of particular areas or occupations subjected to discrimination rooted in religious or caste prejudices and the like or to economic exploitation, forced labour, social isolation or other victimisation may find themselves sinking deeply into inescapable and abysmal poverty, disease, bondage and helplessness. ‘The classes of citizens who are deplorably poor automatically become socially backward’. M.R. Balaji v. State of Mysore, (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439 at 460. In all these cases, if classes of victims afflicted by poverty and disease are identified as socially and educationally backward, as in the case of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, by reason of past societal or Governmental or any other kind of discrimination or exploitation, they qualify for reservation. See Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1973) 3 SCR 236, 299 .

513. Poverty reduces a man to a state of helplessness and ignorance. The poor have no social status. They have no access to learning. Over the years they invariably become socially and educationally backward. They may have no place in society and no education to improve their conditions. For them, employment in services on the basis of merits is a far cry. All these persons, along with other disadvantaged groups of citizens, are the favourites of the law for. affirmative action without recourse to reservation. What is required for the further step of reservation is proof of prior discrimination resulting in poverty and social and educational backwardness. It is not every class of poverty stricken persons that is chosen for reservation, but only those whose poverty and the resultant backwardness are traceable to prior discrimination, and whose backwardness, furthermore, is comparable to that of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. This is a fair and equitable adjustment of constitutional values without placing any undue burden on particular classes of citizens. State of Uttar Pradesh, v. Pradip Tandon, (1975) 2 SCR 761 ; State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas (1976) 1 SCR 906, 960, 997 ; Kumari K.S. Jaysree v. State of Kerala, (1977) 1 SCR 194; K. C. Vasanth Kumarv. State of Karnataka, (1985) 1 Suppl. SCR 352, 399, 400.

514. Article 16 deals with equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. The kind of backwardness which is required to attract the special provisions protecting the backward classes of citizens under Art. 16 in respect of public employment is identical to the social and educational backwardness mentioned in Art. 15(4). M.R. Balaji v. State of Mysore, (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439, 474 ; Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1973) 3 SCR 236 . These two Articles are facets of equality specially guaranteed to citizens, while Art. 14 prohibits the State from denying to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws. State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas (1976) 1 SCR 906, 956. Clause (1) of Art. 16 guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment or appointment to any office under the State. The very concept of equality implies recourse to valid classification for preferences in favour of the disadvantaged classes of citizens to improve their conditions so as to enable them to raise themselves to positions of equality with the more fortunate classes of citizens. Clause (2) prohibits discrimination against any citizen in respect of any public employment ‘on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth residence or any of them’. Article 16 thus guarantees equality of opportunity and prohibits discrimination of any kind solely on any one or more of the grounds mentioned in clause (2). Nevertheless, clause (4) of this Article provides that it is open to the State to make ‘any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State’.

515. It is an enabling provision conferring a discretionary power on the State, and ameliorative harmonisation of conflipting norms to stretch to the utmost extent the frontiers of equality; and emphatic assertion of equality between equals and inequality between unequals so as to achieve the maximum degree of qualitative and relative equality by means of affirmative action even to the point of reservation. It is in the nature of an exception or a proviso to the general rule of equality:The General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari, (1962) 2 SCR 586, 599; M. R. Balaji, (supra); State of Andhra Pradesh v. P. Sagar, (1968) 3 SCR 595 ; State of Kerala v. N. M. Thomas, (1976) 1 SCR 906; Akhil Bhartiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (Railway) v. Union of India, (1981) 2 SCR 185 ; Triloki Nath v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, (1969) 1 SCR 103, 104 ; C. A. Rajendran v. Union of India,(1968) 1 SCR 721,730,733; State of Punjab v. Hiralal, (1971) 3 SCR 267, 272 ; T. Devadasan v. Union of India, (1964) 4 SCR 680 . Dr. Ambedkar called it an exception; see Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. 7 (1948-49) p.702 (quoted above).

516. The twin conditions to warrant reservation under Art. 16(4) are:backwardness of the chosen classes of citizens and their inadequate representation in the public services. The backwardness of the classes of citizens mentioned in Article 16(4) is as stated earlier, of the same degree and kind of social and educational backwardness postulated in Art. 15(4). Article 16(4) is meant for the protection of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and, other comparably backward classes of citizens who are the unfortunate victims of continuing ill effects of identified prior discrimination.

517. Whether the conditions postulated for reservation are satisfied or not is a matter on which the State has to form an opinion. But the opinion of the State must be founded on reason. The satisfaction on the basis of which an opinion has been formed by the State must be rationally supported by an objective consideration. The State must take into account all relevant matters and eschew from its mind all irrelevant matters, and make a proper assessment of the competing claims of classes of citizens and evaluate their respective backwardness before it comes to the conclusion that particular classes of citizens are so backward and so inadequately represented in the public services as to be worthy of special protection by means of reservation. This must be an objective evaluation of the competing claims for reservation. Any such conclusion must be subject to periodic administrative review by a permanent body of experts with a view to adjustment and readjustment of the State action in accordance with the changing circumstances of the beneficiaries of such action. The conclusion thus periodically arrived at by such administrative reviewing body must necessarily pass the test of judicial review whenever challenged. A Peeriakaruppan v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1971) 2 SCR 430 . No matter whether such orders are regarded as legislative or executive or whichever nomenclature one may ascribe to it, the test for juidicial review laid down in Shri Sitaram Sugar Company Ltd. v. Union of India, (1990) 1 SCR 909 must necessarily govern consideration of such questions. After an exhaustive review of authorities on the point, a Constitution Bench of this court stated:

“The true position, therefore, is that any act of the repository of power, whether legislative or administrative or quasi judicial, is open to challenge if it is in conflict with the Constitution or the governing Act or the general principles of the law of the land or it is so arbitrary or unreasonable that no fair minded authority could ever have made it.” p. 946. See also the principle discussed in Supreme Court Employees’ Welfare Association v. Union of India, (1989) 4 SCC 187.

518. Identification of backwardness is an ever continuing process of inclusion and exclusion. Classes of citizens entitled to the constitutional protection of reservation must be constantly and periodically identified for their inclusion and for the exclusion of those who do not qualify. To allow the undeserved to benefit by reservation is to deny protection to those who are meant to be protected. As stated by this Court in A. Peeriakaruppan v. State of Tamil Nadu, (1971) 2 SCR 430 at 444:

“……………But all the same the Government should not proceed on the basis that once a class is considered as a backward class it should continue to be backward class for all times. Such an approach would defeat the very purpose of the reservation because once a class reaches a stage of progress which some modern writers call as take off stage then competition is necessary for their future progress. The Government should always keep under review the question of reservation of seats and only the classes which are really socially and educationally backward should be allowed to have the benefit of reservation. Reservation of seats should not be allowed to become a vested interest…. It must be remembered that the Government’s decision in this regard is open to judicial review”.

519. Any affirmative action must be supported by valid classification and must have a rational nexus with the object of redressing backwardness. It is much more so where such programmes totally exclude from consideration persons outside the chosen classes without regard to merits because of the set aside quotas. It does not matter whether clause (4) of Art. 16, like clause (4) of Art. 15, is seen as a proviso or an exception or, in the words of Mathew, J., a legislative device to emphasise the ‘extent to which equality of opportunity could be carried, viz., even up to the point of making reservation’. State of’ Kerala v. N.M. Thomas, (1976) 1 SCR 906, 956, N.M. Thomas apart, this Court has generally treated clause (4) as an exception or a proviso to the general rule of equality enshrined in Art. 16(1). Rangachari (supra); M. R. Balaji (supra), (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439) at page No. 473; P. Sagar (supra)., Akhil Bhartiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (Railway), (supra); Triloki Nath (supra); C. A. Rajendran, (supra); Hiralal (supra); T. Devadasan, (supra); Dr. Ambedkar called it an exception; see Constituent Assembly Debates Vol. 7 (1948-49) p. 702 (quoted above). Call it what one will – an exception or proviso or what — and semantics apart, reservation by reason of its exclusion of the generality of candidates competing solely on merits must he narrowly tailored and strictly construed so as to be consistent with the fundamental constitutional objectives. Clause (4), seen in whatever colour, is a very powerful and potent weapon which causes lasting ill effects and damage unless justly and appropriately used. It is not a remedy for all kinds of ‘disadvantages and disabilities and for all classes of people. It is a special and powerful weapon to wield which with less than the very special. care and caution and otherwise than in the most exceptional situations, peculiar to extreme cases of backwardness, that the Constitution envisages is to give rise to invidious reverse discrimination exceeding the strict bounds of Art. 16(4) and to create hateful caste-prejudices and divisions between classes of people.

520. Articles 15(4) and 16(4) refer to the same classes of backward citizens. But they do not refer to identical remedies. While Article 15(4) speaks of special provisions for the advancement of backward classes, Article 16(4) expressly permits the State to make reservation of appointments or posts in public services in favour of such classes. It is true that both are enabling provisions allowing the State to adopt such affirmative action programmes as are necessary including reservation of seats or posts. But, unlike Art. 16(4), Art. 15(4) is not so worded as to suggest that it is exclusionary in character. The ‘special provision’ contemplated in Art. 15(4) is an emphatic reference to the affirmative action which the State may adopt to improve the conditions of the disadvantaged members of the backward classes of citizens. Significantly, Art. 15(4) does not specifically speak of reservation, but it has been generally understood to include that power. M.R. Balaji V. State of Mysore, (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439 . While the State may adopt all such affirmative action programmes as it deems necessary for all disadvantaged persons, any special provision amounting to reservation and consequent exclusion from consideration of all the others in respect of the reserved quota in matters falling outside Art. 16(4) must be subjected to even greater scrutiny than in the case of those falling under it.

521. The concept of equality is not inconsistent with reservation in public services because the Constitution specially says so, but, in view of its exclusion of others irrespective of merits, it can be resorted to only where warranted by compelling State interests postulated in Art. 16, The State must be satisfied that in order to achieve equality in given cases, reservation is unavoidable by reason of the nature and degree of backwardness. Reservation must be narrowly tailored to that end, and subjected to strict scrutiny.

522. Affirmative action to redress the conditions of backward classes of citizens may be adopted either by a programme of preferential treatment extending certain special advantages to them or by reservation of quotas in their favour to the total exclusion of everybody outside the favoured groups. The validity of both these measures depends on classification founded on intelligible differentia having rational and substantial nexus with the object to be achieved, i.e., the redressal of backwardness. And such differentiation or classification for special preference must not be unduly unfair to the persons left out of the favoured groups.

523. While preferential treatment without reservation merely aids the backward classes of citizens to compete more effectively, with the more meritorious and forward classes of citizens, the more drastic measure of reservation totally excludes all classes of people falling outside the backward classes of citizens from competing in the reserved quota of seats or posts. No matter what qualifications they possess and how superior are their merits, these persons not belonging to the preferred groups are prevented from competing with those of the preferred groups in respect of the reserved seats or posts, while candidates belonging to the preferred groups are entitled to compete for any seat or post, whether in the general category or in the reserved quota.

524. Preference without reservation may be adopted in favour of the chosen classes of citizens by prescribing for them a longer period for passing a test or by awarding additional marks or granting other advantages like relaxation of age or other minimum requirements. (See the preferential treatment in State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas (1976) 1 SCR 906. Furthermore, it would be within the discretion of the State to provide financial assistance to such persons by way of grant, scholarships, fee concessions etc. Such preferences or advantages are like temporary crutches for additional support to enable the members of the backward and other disadvantaged classes to march forward and compete with the rest of the people. These preferences are extended to them because of their inability otherwise to compete effectively in open selections on the basis of merits for appointment to posts in public services and the like or for selection to academic courses. Such preferences can be extended to all disadvantaged classes of citizens, whether or not they are victims of prior discrimination. What qualifies persons for preference is backwardness or disadvantage of any kind which the State has a responsibility to ameliorate. The blind and the deaf, the dumb and the maimed, and other handicapped persons qualify for preference. So do all other classes of citizens who are at a comparative disadvantage for whatever reason, and whether or not they are victims of prior discrimination. All these persons may be beneficiaries of preferences shot of reservation. Any such preference, although discriminatory on its face, may be justified as a benign classification for affirmative action warranted by a compelling state interest.

525. In addition to such preferences, quotas may be provided exclusively reserving posts in public services or seats in academic institutions for backward people entitled to such protection. Reservation is intended to redress backwardness of a higher degree. Reservation prima facie is the very antithesis of a free and open selection. It is discriminatory exclusion of the disfavoured classes of meritorious candidates:M. R. Balaji (supra). It is not a case of merely providing an advantage or a concession or preference in favour of the backward classes and other disadvantaged groups. It is not even a handicap to disadvantage the forward classes so as to attain a measure of qualitative or relative equality between the two groups. Reservation which excludes from consideration all those persons falling outside the specially favoured groups, irrespective of merits and qualifications, is much more positive and drastic a discrimination albeit to achieve the same end of qualitative equality – but unless strictly and norrowly tailored to a compelling constitutional mandate, it is unlikely to qualify as a benign discrimination. Unlike in the case of other affirmative action programmes, backwardness by itself is not sufficient to warrant reservation. What qualifies for reservation is backwardness which is the result of identified past discrimination and which is comparable to that of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Reservation is a remedial action specially addressed to the ill effects stemming from historical discrimination. To ignore this vital distinction between affirmative action short of reservation and reservation by a predetermined quota as a remedy for past inequities is to ignore the special characteristic of the constitutional grant of power specially addressed to the constitutionally recognised backwardness.

526. The object of the special protection guaranteed by Articles 15(4) and 16(4) is promotion of the backward classes. Only those classes of citizens who are incapable of uplifting themselves in order to join the mainstream of upward mobility in society are intended to be protected. The wealthy and the powerful, however socially and educationally backward they may be by reason of their ignorance, do not require to be protected, for they have the necessary strength to lift themselves out of backwardness. The rich and the powerful are not the special favourites of the Constitution. Backward they may be socially and educationally but that is a shame which they have the steam to remove and the Constitution does not extend to them the special protection of reservation. It is not sufficient that the persons meant to be protected are backward merely by reason of illiteracy, ignorance and social backwardness. If they have, in spite of such handicaps, the necessary financial strength to raise themselves, the Constitution does not extend to them the protection of reservation. The chosen classes of persons for whom reservation is meant are those who are totally unable to join the mainstream of upward mobility because of their utter helplessness arising from social and educational backwardness and aggravated by economic disability.

527. Any State action resulting in reservation must, therefore, be so tailored as to .weed out and exclude all persons who have attained a certain predetermined economic level. Only persons falling below that level must qualify for reservation. This economic level has of course to be varied from time to time in accordance with the changing value of money. See the Govt. Order upheld by this Court in Kumari K. S. Jayasree v. State of Kerala, (1977) 1 SCR 194 .

528. The directive principle contained in Article 46 emphasises the overriding responsibility and compelling interest of the State to promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. They have to be protected from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. This principle must necessarily guide the construction of Articles 15 and 18. All affirmative action programmes must be inspired by that principle and addressed to that end. Whether such action should be in the nature of preferences or by recourse to reservation is a matter on which the State must, by an objective evaluation of the degree and nature of backwardness and with reference to other constitutional principles, come to a conclusion.

529. The State has a vital interest to uphold the efficiency of administration. To ignore efficiency is to fail the nation. Any step taken by the State in considering the claims of members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes for appointment to public services and posts must be consistent with the maintenance of efficiency of administration. This principle, as stated in. Article 335, must necessarily guide all affirmative action programmes for backward and other disadvantaged classes of people in matters of appointment to public services and posts. Likewise, efficiency being a compelling State interest, it must strictly guide affirmative action in matters of admission to academic institutions, and more so in specialised institutions of higher learning, for in the final analysis efficiency of public administration is governed by the quality of education and the skill of the scholars. To weaken efficiency is to injure the nation. Any reservation made without due regard to the command, of Article 335 is invidious and impermissible. The General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari, (1962) 2 SCR 586; Akhil Bhartiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (Railway) v. Union of India, (1981) 2 SCR 185 .

530. Dr. Ambedkar was unequivocal when he declared that reservation must be confined to a minority of the available posts, lest it should destory the very concept of equality and thus undermine democracy. Any excessive reservation or any unnecessarily prolonged reservation will result in invidious discrimination. What exactly is the total percentage of reservation at a given time is a matter for the State to decide, dependent on the need of the time. But in no case shall reservation overstep the strict boundaries of minority of seats or posts or outlast the reason for it. It must remain well below 50% of available seats or posts. Every reservation must be made with a view to its early termination on the successful accomplishment of its object.

531. It has been contended that reservation can be made not only at the time of initial appointment to a service, but also at the time of promotion to a higher post. Although this point does not directly arise from the impugned orders, it is too vital an aspect of the concept of reservation under Article 16(4) to be overlooked, and it requires, therefore, to be dealt with, albeit briefly, and particularly in deference to the submissions at the bar. This important question must be considered with reference to the overriding principle of fairness and efficiency of administration.

532. To be overlooked at the time of promotion in favour of a person who is junior in service and having no claim to superior merits is to cause frustration and passionate prejudice, hostility and ill will not only in the mind of the overlooked candidate, but also in the minds of the generality of employees. Any such discrimination is unfair and it causes dissatisfaction, indiscipline and inefficiency.

533. Article 335 requires that “in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State” the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes must be considered ‘consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, If that is the constitutional mandate with regard’ to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, the same principle must necessarily hold good in respect of all backward classes of citizens. The requirement of efficiency is an overriding mandate of the Constitution. An inefficient administration betrays the present as well as the future of the nation.

534. ‘Reservation of appointments or posts’ mentioned in Article 16(4) is with reference to appointments ‘in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State’. The condition precedent to making any such reservation is the satisfaction of the State as to the inadequate representation of any backward class of citizens in the services under the State. In respect of any such class, it is open to the State to make ‘any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts’.

535. An appointment is necessarily to a post, but every appointment need not necessarily be to a post in a service. An appointment to an ex-cadre post is as much an appointment to a post as it is in the case of a cadre post. The words ‘appointments or posts’ used in the alternative, and in respect of which reservation can be made, indicate that the .appointment contemplated in Article 16(4) is not necessarily confined to posts in the services, but can be made to any post whether or not borne on the cadre of a service. Inadequate representation of any backward class of citizens enables the State to make provisions for the reservation of ‘appointments’or posts’.

536. The word ‘post’ is often used in the Constitution in the wider sense for various purposes (see for example, Articles 309, 310(1) and 335). It is in that sense that the words ‘appointments or posts’ in Article 16(4) should be understood. The reasoning to the contrary in The General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari, (1962) 2 SCR 586 was partly influenced by certain concessions made by the respondents’ counsel as to the nature of the post contemplated in Article 16(4) and the applicability of reservation to selection posts.

537. The object of reservation is to maintain numerical and qualitative or relative equality by ensuring sufficient representation for all classes of citizens. In whichever service a backward class of citizens is inadequately represented, it is open to the State to create sufficient number of posts for direct appointments. No matter whether the appointment is made to a cadre post or an ex-cadre post, the State action is beyond reproach so long as the constitutional objective of numerical and qualitative equality of opportunity is maintained by making direct appointments at the appropriate levels whenever inadequate representation of any backward class in the services is noticed by the State.

538. The initial appointments may be made at various levels or grades of the hierarchy in the service. There is no warrant in Article 16(4) to conclude from the expression ‘reservation of appointments or posts’ that reservation extends not merely to the initial appointment, but to every stage of promotion. Once appointed in a service, any further discrimination in matters relating to conditions of service, such as salary, increments, promotions, retirement benefits, etc. is constitutionally impermissible, it being the very negation of equality, fairness and justice.

539. To Construe the expression ‘post’ so as to make reservation applicable at the stage of promotion by selection or otherwise is to unduly and unfairly discriminate against persons who are already in the service and are senior and no less meritorious in comparison to the reserved candidates. Promotion by selection, though based on merits, is ultimately governed by seniority, for the concerned rules generally provide that, where merits are equal, officers will be ranked according to their seniority. In the case of promotion by seniority subject to fitness, merit,, are not entirely disregarded, for even a senior officer can be overlooked in favour of a junior officer, if the former is found to be unfit for promotion. In all promotions, whether by selection or otherwise, merits and seniority are both significantly relevant and reservation of such posts in disregard of these two elements will result in invidious discrimination.

540. In whichever post that a member of a backward class is appointed, reservation provisions are attracted at the stage of his initial appointment and not subsequently. Further promotions must be governed by common rules applicable to all employees of the respective grades. Reasoning to the contrary in decisions, such as The General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari, (1962) 2 SCR 586; State of Punjab v. Hiralal, (1971) 3 SCR 267; Akhil Bharatiya Soshit Karmachari Sang (Railway) v. Union of India, (1981) 2 SCR 185 , is not warranted by the language of the Constitution.

541. The Constitution does not permit any citizen to be treated unfairly or unequally. To maintain numerical and qualitative equality and thus ensure adequately effective representation of the backward classes in the services, it is open to the State to make direct appointments at various level or grade of the service, and make appropriate provisions for reservation in respect of such initial appointments. Once appointed to a post, any further discrimination by reservation in regard to conditions of service including promotion is impermissible. Any deviation from this golden rule of justice and equality is unconstitutional.

542. Reservation is the extreme limit to which the doctrine of affirmative action can be extended. Beyond the strict confines of clause (4) of Article 16, reservation in public employment has no warrant in the law for it then becomes the very antithesis of equality. While reservation is impermissible for appointment to higher posts by promotion from lower posts, any other legitimate affirmative action in favour of disadvantaged classes of citizens by means of valid classification is perfectly in accordance with the mandate of Article 16(1). It is within the discretion of the State to extent to all disadvantaged groups, including any backward class of candidates, preferences or concessions such as longer period of minimum time to pass qualifying tests etc. [See N. M. Thomas, (supra)].

543. Reservation affords backward classes of citizens a golden opportunity to serve the nation and thus gain security, status, comparative affluence and influence in decision making process. But it is wrong to see it as a mere weapon to capture power, as suggested at the bar. In a democracy, real power lies in the ballot and it is exercised by the majority. Any attempt to project the concept of reservation under clause (4) as a weapon of aggrandisement to gain power will result in the creation of a meaningless myth and a dangerous illusion which will ultimately distort the constitutional values.

544. It is possible that large segments of population enjoying well entrenched political advantages by reason of numerical strength may claim “backward class” status, when, on correct principles, they may not qualify to be so regarded. If such claims were to be conceded on extraneous consideration, motivated by pressures of expediency, and without due regard to the nature and degree of backwardness, the very evil of discrimination which is sought to be remedied by the Constitution would be in danger of being perpetuated in the reverse at the expense of merit and efficiency and contrary to the interests of the truly backward classes of citizens who are the constitutionally intended beneficiaries of reservation. In the words of Krishna Iyer, J.

“……To lend immortality to the reservation policy is to defeat its raison de’etre; to politicise this provision for communal support and party ends is to subvert the solemn undertaking of Art. 16(1) ……..” Akhil Bharatiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (Railway) v. Union of India (1981) 2 SCR 185 at 203 .

545. The sooner the need for reservation is brought to an end, the better it would be for the nation as a whole. The sooner we redressed all disabilities and wiped out all traces of historical discrimination, and stopped identifying classes of citizens by the stereotyped, stigmatised and ignominious label of backwardness, the stronger, healtheir and better united we have emerged as a nation founded on diverse custom, practices, religions and languages but knitted together by innumerable binding strands of common culture and tradition.

General Observations:

546. It is wrong and unwise to see affirmative action merely as a penance or an atonement for the sins of past discrimination. It is not retributive justice on wrong doers. It is corrective and remedial justice to compensate the victims of prior injustice. It is not merely focussed on reparation for past inequities. It is a forward looking balancing act of reformative social engineering; an architecture of a better future of harmonious relationship amongst all classes of citizens; an equitable redistribution of community resources with a view to the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people.

547. It is true that an important aspect of State interest in initiating affirmative action is to correct or remedy the evil effect of inequities stemming from prior discrimination, but the focus in any such action must be on the victims and not on the wrong doers. The constitutional mandate is to rescue the victims of prior discrimination and not to punish the wrong doers. The sins of the past shall not visit upon the present either by allowing its ill effects to continue or by taking retributive action as retaliation upon the wrong doers. The task of nation building is not to open up the wounds of the past, but to allow them to heal by negativing its ill effects and wiping off injustice stemming from it. Any present or continuing discrimination is, of course, remediable or punishable under the law. Removal of inequities is the raison d’etre of any affirmative action.

548. Discrimination in any form hurts as there is an element of deprivation of the legitimate expectations of classes of people upon whom the inevitable consequences of any such action must necessarily fall. Any unfair and undue deprivation of any class of people is constitutionally impermissible .

549. Reservation of posts or seats for benefit of some and to the exclusion of others is inherently unjust and unfair unless strictly brought within reasonable limits. The only legitimate object of excluding the generality of people and conferring a special benefit upon the chosen classes is to redeem the latter from their backwardness.

550. Reservation should be avoided except in extreme cases of acute backwardness resulting from prior discrimination as in the case of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and other classes of persons in comparable positions. In all other cases, preferential treatment short of reservation can be adopted. Any such action, though in some respects discriminatory, is permissible on the basis of a legitimate classification rationally related to the attainment of equality in all its aspects.

551..Any attempt to view affirmative action as merely retributive or to unduly overemphasise its compensatory aspect and widen the scope of reservation beyond minority of posts or seats is to practice excessive and invidious reverse discrimination. To project particular castes as legitimate claimants for such compensatory discrimination, without due regard to the nature and degree of their backwardness, is to invite the public wrath of stigmatising prejudice against them, thereby promoting caste hatred and separatism. Any such streotyped and stigmatised approach to this soul searching sociological problem is to distort the fairness of the political and constitutional process of adjustment and readjustment amongst classes of people in our country.

552. Affirmative action is not merely compensatory justice, which it is, but it is also distributive justice seeking to ensure that community resources are more equitably and justly shared among all classes of citizens. Furthermore, from the point of view of social utility, affirmative action promotes maximum well-being for the society as a whole and strengthens forces of national integration and general economic prosperity.

553. Any benign affirmative action with a view to equality amongst classes of citizens is a constitutionally permitted programme, but the weapon of reservation must be carefully and sparingly used in order that, while the victims of past discrimination are appropriately compensated, the generality of persons striving to progress on their own merits do not become victims of excessive, unfair and invidious reverse discrimination. Affirmative action must find justification in the removal of disadvantages and not in their imposition. See Tribe, American Constitutional Law, 2nd Edn., (1988) pp. 1521-1554; Kathleen M. Sullivan, Sins of Discrimination; Last Term’s Affirmative Action Cases, Harvard Law Review, Vol. 100, p. 78 (1986-87); Marc Galanter, Competing Equalities, (1984); Myrl L. Duncan, The Future of Affirmative Action; A Jurisprudential/ legal Critique, Harvard Civil Rights Civil Liberties Law Review, Vol. 17, 1982, p. 503; The Rights of Peoples, Edited by James Crawford, Oxford (1988).

Summary:

554. (1) It is open to the State to adopt valid classification and make special provisions for the protection of classes of citizens whose comparative backwardness the State has a mandate to redress by affirmative action programmes. Any such programme must be strictly tailored to the constitutional requirement that no citizen shall be excluded from being considered on the basis of merits for any public employment except to the extent that a valid reservation has been made in favour of backward classes of citizens.

(2) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them. Any discrimination solely on any one or more of these prohibited grounds will result in invidious reverse discrimination which is impermissible. None of these grounds is the sole or the dominant or the indispensable criterion to identity backwardness which qualifies for reservation. But each of them is, in conjunction with factors such as poverty, illiteracy, demeaning occupation, malnutrition, physical and intellectual deformity and like disadvantages, a relevant criterion to identify socially and educationally backward classes of citizens for whom reservation is intended.

(3) Reservation contemplated under Article 16 is meant exclusively for backward classes of citizens who are not adequately represented in the services under the State.

(4) Only such classes of citizens who are socially and educationally backward are qualified to be identified as backward classes. To be accepted as backward classes for the purpose of reservation under Article 15 or Article 16, their backwardness must have been either recognised by means of a notification by the President under Article 341 or Article 342 declaring them to be Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, or, on an objective consideration, identified by the State to be socially and educationally so backward by reason of identified prior discrimination and its continuing ill effects as to be comparable to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes. In the case of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, these conditions are, in view of the notifications, presumed to be satisfied. In the case of the other backward classes of citizens qualified for reservation, the burden is on the State to show that these classes have been subjected to such discrimination in the past that they are reduced to a state of helplessness, poverty and the consequential social and educational backwardness -as in the case of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. In other words, reservation is meant exclusively for the Harijans, the Girijans, the Adivasis, the Dalits or other like “depressed” classes or races or tribes most unfortunately referred to in the past as the untouchables” or the “outcastes” by reason of their being born in what was wrongly regarded as low castes and associated with what was equally wrongly treated as demeaning occupations, or any other class of citizens’ afflicted by like degree of poverty and degradation caused by prior and continuing discrimination and exploitation, whatever be their professed faith, religion or caste. These classes of citizens, segregated in slums and ghettos and afflicted by grinding poverty, disease, ignorance, ill health and backwardness, and haunted by fear and anxiety, are the constitutionally intended beneficiaries of reservation, not because of their castes or occupations, which are merely incidental facts of history, but because of their backwardness and disabilities stemming from identified past or continuing inequities and discrimination.

(5) Members of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes do not lose the benefits of reservation and other affirmative action programmes intended for backward clases merely by reason of their conversion- from the Hindu or the Sikh or the Buddhist religion to any other religion, and all such persons shall continue to be accorded all such benefits until such time as they cease to be backward.

(6) Identification of backward classes for the purpose of reservation with reference to historical discrimination and its continuing ill effects is, however, subject to the overriding condition that no person whose means exceeded a predetermined economic level should he entitled to the protection of reservation, however backward he may be socially and educationally. He may, however, be considered for the benefits of other affirmative action programmes, but in doing so his comparative affluence in relation to other backward class candidates may be a relevant consideration to exclude him.

(7) Once a class of citizens is identified on correct principles as backward for the purpose of reservation, the “means test’ must be strictly and uniformly applied to exclude all those persons in that class reaching above the predetermined economic level.

(8) Reservation in all cases must be confined to a minority of available posts or seats so as not to unduly sacrifice merits. The number of seats or posts reserved under Article 15 of Article 16 must at all times remain well blow 50% of the total number of seats or Posts.

(9) Reservation has no application to promotion. It is confined to initial appointment, whichever be the level or grade at which such appointment is made in the administrative hierarchy, and whether or not the post in question is borne on the cadre of the service.

(10) Once reservation is strictly confined to the constitutionally intended beneficiaries, as aforesaid, there will probably be no need to disappoint any deserving candidate legitimately seeking the benefit of reservation, for there will then be sufficient room well within the 50% limit for all candidates belonging to the backward classes as properly determined on correct principles. In that event, question such as caste or religion will become merely academic and the competing maddening rush for “backward” label will vanish.

(11) A periodic administrative review of all affirmative action programmes, including reservation of seats or posts, must be conducted by a specially constituted Permanent Authority with a view to adjustment and readjustment of such programmes in proportion to the nature, degree and extent of backwardness. All such programmes must stand the test of judicial review whenever challenged. Reservation being exclusionary in character must necessarily stand the test of heightened administrative and judicial solicitude so as to be confined to the strict bounds of constitutional principles.

(12) Whenever and wherever poverty and backwardness are identified it is the constitutional responsibility of the State to initiate economic and other measures to ameliorate the conditions of the people residing in those regions. But economic backwardness without more does not justify reservation.

(13) Poverty demands affirmative action. Its eradication is a constitutional mandate. The immediate target to which every affirmative action programme contemplated by Article 15 or Article 16 is addressed is poverty causing backwardness. But it is only such poverty which is the continuing ill-effect of identified prior discrimination, resulting in backwardness comparable to that of the Scheduled caste or the Scheduled Tribes, that justifies reservation. (14) While reservation is a remedy for historical discrimination and its continuing ill-effects, other affirmative action programmes are intended to redress discrimination of all kinds, whether current or historical.

(15) Any legitimate affirmative action must be supported by a valid classification based on an intelligible differentia distinguishing classes of citizens chosen for the protective measures from the generality of citizens excluded from such measures, and such differentia must bear a reasonable nexus with the object sought to be achieved, namely, the amelioration of the backwardness of the chosen classes of citizens; which implies a reasonable proportion between the aim of the action and the means employed for its accomplishment, and its discontinuance upon the accomplishment of the object.

(16) In the final analysis, poverty which is the ultimate result of inequities and which is the immediate cause and effect of backwardness has to be eradicated not merely by reservation as aforesaid, but by free medical aid, free elementary education, scholarships for higher education and other financial support, free housing, self-employment and settlement schemes, effective implementation of land reforms, strict and impartial operation of the law-enforcing machinery, industrialisation, construction of roads, bridges, culverts, canals, markets, introduction of transport, free supply of water, electricity and other ameliorative measures particularly in areas densely populated by backward classes of citizens.

555. CONCLUSIONS:

A. The validity of the impugned Government providing for reservation of posts depends on convincing proof of proper identification of backward classes of citizens by recourse to relevant criteria, such as poverty, illiteracy, disease, unhygienic living conditions, low caste and consequential isolation, and in accordance with correct principles, i.e., with reference to the continuing ill effects of historical discrimination resulting in social and educational backwardness comparable to that of the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, and inadequate representation of such classes of citizens in the services under the State, but subject to the overriding condition that all those persons whose means have exceeded a predetermined economic level shall be denied reservation. Amongst the aforementioned backward classes of citizens correctly identified to be qualified for reservation, preference may be legitimately extended to the comparatively poorer or more disadvantaged sections.

B. Reservation of seats or posts solely on the basis of economic backwardness, i.e. without regard to evidence of historical discrimination, as aforesaid, finds no justification in the Constitution.

C. Reservation of seats or posts for backward classes of citizens, including those for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, must remain well below 50% of the total seats or posts.

D. Reservation is confined to initial appointment to a post and has no application to promotion.

E. It is open to the State to adopt any valid affirmative action programme, otherwise than by reservation, for amelioration of the disabilities of all disadvantaged persons, including backward classes of citizens.

556. Neither the impugned orders of the Government of India (O. M. No. 36012/ 31 / 90-Estt(SCT) dated 13th August, 1990 and O .M. No. 36012/31/90-Estt(SCT) dated 25th September, 1991) nor the material relied upon by it nor the affidavits filed in support of the said orders disclose proper application of mind by the concerned authorities to the principles stated above for valid identification of the backward classes of citizens qualified for reservation in terms of Article 16 of the Constitution of India. The impugned orders are, therefore, unsustainable. The respondent-Government is accordingly directed to reconsider the question of reservation contemplated by Article 16(4) in the light of the aforesaid principles and pass appropriate orders.

557. We have delivered our separate judgments. In the light of the reasons stated by us, the impugned orders (O.M. No. 36012/31/90-Estt(SCT) dated l3thAugust, 1990 and O .M. No. 36012/31/90-Estt(SCT) dated 25th September, 1991) issued by the Government India are declared unenforceable for want of valid identification of backward classes of citizens qualified for reservation under Article 16 of the Constitution of India. In the circumstances, we direct the Union of India to re-examine the question of identification of the backward classes of citizens in accordance with the principles and directives contained in our respective judgments and pass appropriate orders providing for reservation under Article 16(4).

558. The above cases are disposed of accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs.

ANNEXURE

DR. AMBEDKAR’S SPEECH IN

THE CONSTITUTENT ASSEMBLY

ON 30-11-1948

Now, Sir, to come to the other question which has been agitating the members of this House, viz., the use of the word ‘backward” in clause (3) of Article 10, I should like to begin by making some general observations so that members might be in a position to understand the exact import; the significance and the necessity for using the word “backward” in this particular clause. If members were to try and exchange their views on this subject, they will find that there are three points of view which it is necessary for us to reconcile if we are to produce a workable proposition which will be accepted by all. Of the three points of view, the first is that there shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens. It is the desire of many Members of this House that every individual who is qualified for a particular post should be free to apply for that post, to sit for examinations and to have his qualifications tested so as to determine whether he is fit for the post or not and that there ought to be no limitations, there ought to be no hindrance in the operation of this principle of equality of opportunity. Another view mostly shared by a section of the House is that, if this principle is to be operative – and it ought to be operative in their judgment to its fullest extent – there ought to be no reservations of any sort for any class or community at all, that all citizens, if they are qualified, should be placed on the same footing of equality so far as the public services are concerned. That is the second point of view we have. Then we have quite a massive opinion which insists that although theoretically it is good to have the principle that there shall be equality of opportunity, there must at the same time be a provision made for the entry of certain communities which have so far been outside the administration. As I said, the Drafting Committee had to produce a formula which would reconcile these three points of view, firstly, that there shall be equality of opportunity, secondly that there shall be reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a ‘proper look-in’ so to say into the administration. If honourable Members will bear these facts in mind —- the three principles, we had to reconcile,— – they will see that no better formula could be produced than the one that is embodied in sub-clause(3) of Article 10 of the Constitution; they will find that the view of those who believe and hold that there shall be equality of opportunity, has been embodied in sub-clause (1) of Article 10. It is a generic principle. At the same time, as I said, we had to reconcile this formula with the demand made by certain communities that the administration which has now — for historical reasons —- been controlled by one community or a few communities, that situation should disappear and that the others also must have an opportunity of getting into the public services. Supposing, for instance, we were to concede in full the demand of those communities who have not been so far employed in the public services to the fullest extent, what would really happen is, we shall be completely destroying the first proposition upon which we are all agreed, namely, that there shall be an equality of opportunity. Let me give an illustration. Supposing, for instance, reservations were made for a community or a collection of communities, the total of which came to something like 70 per cent of the total posts under the State and only 30 per cent are retained as the unreserved. Could anybody say that the reservation of 30 per cent as open to general competition would be satisfactory from the point of view of giving effect to the first principle, namely, that there shall be equality of opportunity ? It cannot be in my judgment. Therefore the seats to be reserved, if the reservation is to be consistent with sub-clause (1) of Article, 10, must be confined to a minority of seats. It is then only that the first principle could find its place in the Constitution and effective in operation. If honourable Members understand this position that we have to safeguard two things, namely, the principle of equality of opportunity and at the same time satisfy the demand of communities which have not had so far representation in the State, then, I am sure they will agree that unless you use some such qualifying phrase as “backward” the exception made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule altogether. Nothing of the rule will remain. That I think, if I may say so, is the justification why the Drafting Committee undertook on its own shoulders the responsibility of introducing the word “backward” which, I admit, did not originally find a place in the fundamental right in the way in which it was passed by this Assembly. But I think honourable Members will realise that the Drafting Committee which has been ridiculed on more than one ground for producing sometimes a loose draft, sometimes something which is not appropriate and so on, might have opened itself to further attack that they produced a Draft Constitution in which the exception was so large, that it left no room for the rule to operate. I think this is sufficient to justify why the word “backward” has been used.

With regard to the minorities, there is a special reference to that in Article 296, where it has been laid down that some provision will be made with regard to the minorities. Of course, we did not lay down any proportion. That is quite clear from the section itself, but we have not altogether omitted the minorities from consideration. Somebody asked me:”What is a backward community”? Well, I think any one who reads the language of the draft itself will find that we have left it to be determined by each local Government. A backward community is a community which is backward in the opinion of the Government. My honourable Friend Mr. T. T. Krishnamachari asked me whether this rule will be justiciable. It is rather difficult to give a dogmatic answer. Personally I think it would be a justiciable matter. If the local Government included in this category of reservations such a large number of seats:I think one could very well go to the Federal Court and the Supreme Court and say that the reservation is of such a magnitude that the rule regarding equality of opportunity has been destroyed and the Court will then come to the conclusion whether the local Government or the State Government has acted in a reasonable and prudent manner. Mr. Krishnamachari asked; “who is a reasonable man and who is a prudent man? These are matters of litigation”. Of course, they are matters of litigation, but my honourable Friend, Mr. Krishnamachari will understand that the words “reasonable persons and prudent persons” have been used in very many laws and if he will-refer only to the Transfer of Property Act the will find that in very many cases the words “a reasonable person and a prudent person” have very well been defined and the Court will not find any difficulty in defining it. I hope, therefore that the amendments which I have accepted, will be accepted by the House.

[Constituent Assembly Debates Vol. 7 (1948-49), pp. 701-702.]

559. KULDIP SINGH,.:- JThe Government action on the Mandal Report evoked spontaneous reaction all over the country. The controversy brought to the fore important constitutional issues for the determination of this Court. Nine-Judge Bench, specially constituted, has had a marathonhearing on various aspects of Article 16 of the Constitution of India. There are five judgments, from Brother Judges on Mandal Bench, in circulation. I have the pleasure of carefully reading these erudite expositions on various facets of Article 16 of the Constitution of India. I very much wanted to refrain from writing a separate judgment but keeping in view the importance of the issues involved and also not being able to persuade myself to agree fully with any of the judgments I have ventured to express myself separately. I may, however, say that on some of the vital issues I am in complete agreement with R.M. Sahai, J. The historical background and the factual matrix have been succinctly narrated by’ Brother Judges and as such it is not necessary for me to cover the same.

I propose to deal with the following issues in seriatim;

A. Whether “class” in Article 16(4) of the Constitution means “caste”? Can caste be adopted as a collectivity to identify the backward clases for the purposes of Article 16(4)?

B. Whether the expression “any backward class of citizens” in Art. 16(4) means “socially and educationally backward classes” as it is in Art. 15(4)?

C. What is meant by the expression “any backward class of citizens ……. not adequately represented in the Services under the State” in Art. 16(4)?

D. Whether Art. 16(4) permits reservation of appointments or posts at the stage of initial entry into Government Services or even in the process of promotion?

E. Whether Art. 16(4) is exhaustive of the State-power to provide job-reservations?

F. If Art. 16(1) does not permit job-reservations, can protective discrimination as a compensatory measure permissible, in any other form under Art. 16(1)?

G. To what extent reservations are permissible under Art. 16(4)? Below 50% or to any extent?

H. When a “backward class” has been identified, can a means-test be applied to skim-off the affluent section of the “backward class”?

I. Can poverty be the sole criterion for identifying the “backward class” under Art. 16(4).

J. Is it mandatory to provide reservations by a legislative Act or it can be done by the State in exercise of its executive power?

K. Whether the identification of 3743 castes as a “backward class” by Mandal Commission is constitutionally valid?

A

560. Mr. Ram Jethmalani appearing for the State of Bihar has advanced an extreme argument that the ‘class’ under Art. 16(4) means ‘caste’. Mr. P. P. Rao on the other hand vehemently argued that the Constitution of India, with secularism and equality of opportunity as its basic features, does not brook an argument of the type advanced by Mr. Jethmalani. According to him caste is a closed door. It is not a path – even if it is – it is a prohibited path under the Constitution.

561. We may pause and have afresh-look at the socio-political history of India prior to the independence of the country.

562. Caste-system in this country is sui generis to Hindu religion. The Hindu-orthodoxy believes that an early hymn in the Rigveda (the Purusasukta:- 10.90) and the much later Manava Dharma Sastra (law of Manu), are the sources of the caste-system. Manu, the law-giver cites the Purusasukta as the source and justification for the caste division of his own time. Among the Aryans the priestly caste was called the Brahmans, the warriors were called the Kshatriyas, the common people divided to agriculture, pastoral pursuits, trade and industry were called the Vaishyas and the Dasas or non-Aryans and people of mix-blood were assigned the status of Shudras. The Chaturvarna-system has been gradually distorted in shape and meaning and has been replaced by the prevalent caste-system in Hindu society. The caste system kept a large section of people in this country outside the fold of the society who were called the untouchables. Manu required that the dwellings of the untouchables shall be outside the village – their dress, the garments of the dead —–their food given to them in a broken dish. We are proud of the fact that the Framers of the Constitution have given a special place to the erstwhile untouchables under the Constitution. The so-called untouchable-castes have been named as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and for them reservations and other benefits have been provided under the Constitution. Even now if a Hindu-caste stakes its claim as high as that of Scheduled Castes it can be included in that category by following the procedure under the Constitution.

563. The caste system as projected by Manu and accepted by the Hindu society has proved to be the biggest curse for this country. The Chaturvarna-system under the Aryans was more of an occupational order projecting the division of labour. Thereafter, in the words of Professor Harold A. Gould in his book “The Hindu Caste System”, the Brahmins “sacralized the occupational order, and occupationalised the sacred order”. With the passage of time the caste-system became the cancer-cell of the Hindu Society.

564. Before the invasions of the Turks and establishment of Muslim rule the caste-system had brought havoc to the social order. The Kshtriyas being the only fighters, three fourth of the Hindu society was a mute witness to the plunder of the country by the foreigners. Mahmud Ghazni raided and looted India for seventeen times during 1000 AD to 1027 AD. In 1925 AD Mahmud Ghazni raided the famous temple of Somanath. How he plundered the shrine is a matter of history. Thereafter between 1175 AD and 1195 AD Mahmud Ghazni invaded India several times. According to the historians one of the causes of the defeat of the Indians at the hands of Turks was the prevalent social conditions especially the caste system of Hindus.

565. Mr. L. P. Sharma in his book ‘Ancient History of India’ writes that the prevalent social conditions, practice of untouchability and division of society by the caste-system among others were the causes of defeat of Rajputs at the hands of Turks. Mr. Sharma quotes various other historians in the following words:

“Dr. K. A. Nizami, has also pointed out that the caste system weakened the Rajputs militarily because the responsibility of fighting was left to a particular section of the society i.e. the Kshatriyas. He writes, “The real cause of the defeat of the Indians lay in their social system and their invidious caste distinctions, which rendered the whole military organisation rickety and weak. Caste taboos and discriminations killed all sense of unity-social or political.” Dr. K. S. Lal also writes that, “It was very much easy for the Muslims to get traitors from a society which was so unjustly divided. This was one of the reasons why all important cities of north India were lost to the invader (Muhammad of Ghur) within fifteen years”. Dr. R. C. Majumdar writes, “No public upheavel greets the foreigners, nor are any organised efforts made to stop their progress. Like a paralysed body, the Indian people helplessly look on, while the conquerors march on their corpse.”

566. The Hindus did not learn lesson from the invasions of the Turks and continued to perpetuate the caste system. In the middle of 15th century major part of north India including Delhi came to be occupied by the Afghans of Lodi. Ultimately Babar established the Moghul rule in India in 1526. After the Mughals the Britishers came and ruled this country till 1947.

567. This country remained under shackles of slavery for over one thousand years. The reason for our inability to fight the foreign rule was the social degeneration of India because of the caste-system. To rule this country it was not necessary to divide the people, the caste-system conveyed the message “Divided we are – come and rule us”.

568. It was only in the later part of 19th century that the national movement took birth in this country. With the advent of the 20th century Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru along with other leaders infused national and secular spirit amongst the people of India. For the first time in the history of India caste, creed and religion were forgotten and people came together under one banner to fight the British rule. The caste-system was thrown to the winds and people from all walks of life marched together under the slogan of ‘Quit-India’. It was not the Kshatriyas alone who were the freedom fighters — whole of the country fought for freedom. It was the unity and the integrity of the people of India which brought freedom to them after thousand years of slavery. The Constitution of India was drafted in the background of the freedom struggle.

569. Secularism is the basic feature of the Indian Constitution. It envisages a cohesive, unified and casteless society. The Constitution has completely obliterated the caste-system and has assured equality before law. Reference to caste under Art. 15(2) and 16(2) is only to obliterate it. The prohibition on the ground of caste is total, the mandate is that never again in this country caste shall raise its head. Even access to shops on the ground of caste is prohibited. The progress of India has been from casteism to egalitarianism – from feudalism to freedom.

570. The caste system which has been put in the grave by the framers of the Constitution is trying to raise its ugly head in various forms. Caste poses a serious threat to the secularism and as a consequence to the integrity of the country. Those who do not learn from the events of history are doomed to suffer again. It is, therefore, of utmost importance for the people of India to adhere in letter and spirit to the Constitution which has moulded this country into a sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic and has promised to secure to all its citizens justice, social economic and political, equality of status and of opportunity.

571. Caste and class are different ethymologically. When you talk of caste you never mean class or the vice-versa. Caste is an iron frame into which people keep on falling by birth. M. Weber in his book ‘The Religion of India’ has described India as the land of ‘the most inviolable organisation by birth’. Except the aura of caste there may not be any common thread among the caste-fellows to give them the characteristic of a class. On the other hand a class is a homogeneous group which must have some live and visible common traits and attributes.

572. Professor Andre Beteille, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi in his book “The Backward Classes in Contemporary India” has succinctly brought out the distinction between ‘caste’ and ‘class’ in the following words:

“Whichever way we look at it, a class is an aggregate of individuals (or, at best, of households), and, as such, quite different from a caste which is an enduring group. This distinction between an aggregate of individuals and an enduring group is of fundamental significance to the sociologist, and, I suspect, to the jurist as well. A class derives the character it has by virtue of the characteristics of its individual members. In the case of caste, on the other hand, it is the group that stamps the individual with its own characteristics. There are some affiliations which an individual may change, including that of his class; he cannot change his caste. At least in principle a caste remains the same caste even when a majority of its individual members change their occupation, or their income, or even their relation to the means of production; it would be absurd from the sociological point of view to think of a class in this way. A caste is a grouping sui generis, very different from a class, particularly when we define class in terms of income or occupation.”

573. Article 16(2) of the Constitution of India in clear terms states that “no citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any employment or office under the State.” In Juxtaposition Article 16(4) states that “Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any provisions for the reservations of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State”. On a bare reading of the two sub-clauses of Article 16 it is obvious that the Constitution forbids classification on the ground of caste. No backward class can, therefore, be identified on the basis of caste.

574. We may refer to some of the judgments of this Courts on the subject.

In R. Chitralekha v. State of Mysore, (1964) 6 SCR 368 this Court observed as under:

“The important factor to be noticed in Art. 15(4) is that it does not speak of castes, but only speaks of classes. If the makers of the Constitution intended to take castes also as units of social and educational backwardness, they would have said so as they have said in the case of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Though it may be suggested that the wider expression “classes” is used in cl. (4) of Art. 15 as there are communities without castes, if the intenteion was to equate classes with castes, nothing prevented the makers of the Constitution from using the expression “backward classes or castes”. The juxtaposition of the expression “backward classes” and Scheduled Castes” in Art. 15(4) also leads to a reasonable inference that the expression “classes” is not synonymous with castes ….. This interpretation will carry out the intention of the Constitution expressed in the aforesaid Articles …… If we interpret the expression “classes” as “castes”, the object of the Constitution will be frustrated and the people who do not deserve any adventitious aid may get it to the exclusion of those who really deserve. this anomly will not arise if, without equating caste with class, castes is taken as only one of the considerations to ascertain whether a person belongs to a backward class or not. On the other hand, if the entire sub-caste, by and large, is backward, it may be included in the Scheduled Castes by following the appropriate procedure laid down by the Constitution…. But what we intend to empahsize is that under no circumstance a “class” can be equated to a “caste”, though the caste of an individual or a group or individual may be considered along with other relevant factors in putting him. in a particular class. We would also like to make it clear that if in a given situation caste is excluded in ascertaining a class within the meaning of Art. 15(4) of the Constitution, it does not vitiate the classification if it satisfied other tests.”

In Triloki Nath v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1969) 1 SCR 103 this Court observed as under:

“Article 16 in the first instance by cl. (2) prohibits discrimination on the ground, inter alia, of religion, race, caste, place of birth, residence and permits an exception to be made in the matter of reservation in favour of backward classes of citziens. The expression “backward class” is not used as synonymous with “backward caste” or “backward community …… In it ordinary connotation the expression “class” means a homogeneous section of the people grouped together because of certain likenesses or common traits, and who are identifiable by some common attributes such as status, rank, occupation, residence in a locality, race, religion and the like. But for the purpose of Art. 16(4) in determining whether a section forms a class, a test solely based on caste, community, race, religion, sex, descent, place of birth or residence cannot be adopted, because it would directly offend the Constitution.”

In State of Uttar Pradesh v. Pradip Tandon (1975) 2 SCR 761 the following observations of this Court as relevant:

“The expression ‘classes of citizens’ indicates a homogeneous section of the people who are grouped together because of certain likeliness of and common traits and who are identificable by some common attributes. The homogeneity of the class of citizens is social and educational backwardness. Neither caste nor religion nor place of birth will be the uniform element of common attributes to make them a class of citizens.”

Finally in Kumari K. S. Jayasree v. The State of Kerala (1977) 1 SCR 194 this Court held as under: “It is not necessary to remember that special provision is contemplated for classes of citizens and not for individual citizens as such, and so though the caste of the group of citizen may be relevant, its importance should not be exaggerated. If the classification is based solely on caste of the citizen, it may not be logical. Social backwardness is the result of poverty to a very large extent. Caste and poverty are both relevant for determining I the ackwardness.”

575. It is, thus, obvious that this Court has firmly held that ‘class’ under Article 16(4) cannot mean ‘caste’ Chitralekha’s case (supra) is an authority on the point that caste can be totally excluded while identifying a ‘backward class’. This Court in Pradip Tandon’s case (supra) has held that caste cannot be the uniform element of common attributes to make it a class.

576. Secular features of the Constitution is its basic structure. Hinduism, from which the caste-system flows, is not the only religion in India. Caste is an anathema to Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. Even Arya Samajis, Brahmo Samjis, Lingyats and various other denominations in this country do not believe in caste-system. If all these relgions have to co-exist in India – can ‘class’ under Article 16(4) means ‘caste? Can a caste be given a gloss of a ‘class? Can even the process of identifying a ‘class’ begin and end with ‘caste? One may interpret the Constitution from any angle the answer to these questions has to be in the negative. To say that in practice caste-system is being followed by Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists in this country, is to be oblivious to the basic tenants of these religions. The prophets of these religions fought against casteism and founded these religions. Imputing castesystem in any form to these religious is impious and sacrilegious. This Court in M. R. Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439 held as under:

“……………..Besides, if the caste of the group of citizens was made the sole basis for determining the social backwardness of the said group, that test would inevitably break down in relation to many sections of Indian society which do not recognise castes in the conventional sense known to Hindu society. How is one going to decide whether Muslims, Christians or Jains, or even Lingayats are socially backward or not? The test of castes would be inapplicable to those groups.”

577. I, therefore, hold that ‘class’ under Article 16(4) cannot be read as ‘caste’. I further hold that castes cannot be adopted as collectivities for the purpose of identifying the “backward class” under Article 16(4). I entirely agree with the reasoning and conclusions reached by R. M. Sahai, J. to the effect that occupation (plus income or otherwise) or any other secular collectivity can be the basis for the identification of “backward classes”. Caste-collectivity is unconstitutional and as such not permitted.

B

578. The expression “………any backward class of citizens ……”in Article 16(4) of the Constitution as understood till date means ‘socially and educationally backward class’. In Janki Prasad Parimoo v. State of Jammu and Kashmir (1973) 3 SCR 236 Palekar, J. observed as under:-

“Article 15(4) speaks about “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens”. While Article 16(4) speaks only of “any backward class of citizens”. However, it is now settled that the expression “backward class of citizen” in Article 16(4) means the same thing as the expression “any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” in Article 15(4)”.

Mr. N. A. Palkiwala contended that the above quoted assumption by Palekar, J. was without any basis and wholly unjustified. According to him it was no settled by any judgment of this Court that the two expressions in Articles 15(4) and 16(4) mean the same thing. Far from being “settled”, no judgment of this Court had even suggested prior to 1973 that the expressions in the two Articles meant the same thing. He further contended that unfortunately, in subsequent cases it was not pointed out to this Court that the assumption of Palekar, J. was not correct and the wrong assumption of the learned Judge passed as correct. According to him an erroneous assumption, even by a Judge of this Court, cannot and does not make the law. This Court in M. R. Balaji v. State of Mysore (1963) 1 Suppl. SCR 439 speaking through Gajendragadkar, J. observed as under:

“Therefore, what is true in regard to Art. 15(4) is equally true in regard to Art. 16(4). There can be no doubt that the Constitution-makers assumed, as they were entitled to, that while making adequate reservation under Art. 16(4), care would be taken not to provide for unreasonable, excessive or extravagant reservation, for that would, by eliminating general competition in a large field and by creating wide-spread dissatisfaction amongst the employees, materially affect efficiency. Therefore, like the special provision improperly made under Art. 15(4), reservation made under Art. 16(4) beyond the permissible and legitimate limits would be liable to be challenged as a fraud on the Constitution. In this connection it is necessary to emphasise that Art. 15(4) is an enabling provision; it does not impose an obligation, but merely leaves it to the discretion of the appropriate government to take suitable action, if necessary.”

Although in Balaji’s case (supra) this Court observed “what is true in regard to Article 15(4) is equally true in regard to Art. 16(4)” but this was entirely in different context. In the said case reservations made in the educational institutions under Article 15(4) were challenged on the ground that the same were void being violative of Articles 15(1) and 29(2) of the Constitution. In the above quoted observations this Court indicated that the reservations made under Article 16(4) can also be challenged on the same or similar grounds as the reservations under Article , 15(4) of the Constitution of India. This Court did not examine the question as to whether the expression “backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4) means the same thing as the expresssion “any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” under Article 15(4).

579. Articles 340 and 16(4) were in the original Constitution. Article 15(4) was inserted a year later by the Constitution First Amendment Act, 1951. Article 340 refers to “socially and educationally backward classes”. The Framers of the Constitution did not, however, use the expression “socially and educationally backward” in Article 16(4). The definition of ‘backward classes’ as socially and educationally backward in Article 340, may have given rise to the assumption that it was not necessary to re-define the expression ‘backward class’ in Article 16(4). Be that as it may the fact remains that there is no reasoned judgment of this Court holding that the two expressions mean the same thing.

580. The same Constituent Assembly, which drafted the original Constitution, drafted Article 15(4) and brought it into the Constitution by way of Constitution First Amendment Act, 1951. Article 340 defining ‘backward classes’ was already in the original Constitution but in spite of that the Constituent, Assembly defined the ‘backward classes’ for the purpose of Article 15(4) as “socially and educationally backward”. It was, therefore, not the intention of the Framers of the Constitution to follow the definition given in Article 340, whereever the expression ‘backward class’ occurs in the Constitution. On the other hand it is plausible to assume that wherever the Framer of the Constitution wanted the ‘backward classes’ to be defined as “socially and educationally backward”, they did so, leaving Article 16(4) to be interpreted in its context.

581. Articles 340 and 15(4) are part of the same Constitutional-Scheme. Socially and educationally backward classes may be identified by a commission appointed under Article 340 and the said commission-after investigation may make recommendations, including the sanctioning of grants, for the uplift of the backward classes. Article 15(4) makes it possible to implement the recommendations of the commission and for that purpose permits protective discrimination by the State. Since there is identity of purpose between the two Articles the ‘backward class’ in the context of these Articles has been defined identically. But that is not true of Article 15(4) and 16(4). When these two Articles of Constitution in juxtaposition enacted in consecutive years use markedly different phraseology, well established canons of interpretation dictate that such meanings should be assigned to the words as are indicated by the difference in phraseology. Article 16(4) has different purpose than Article 15(4). The subject-matter of Article 16(4) is the service under the State. It is a special provision enabling the State to make any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of the backward section of any class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State. The expression “backward” in the context of Article 16(4) is entirely different than the expression “socially ,and educationally backward class” in Article 15(4). Under Article 16(4) the backward class has to be culled-out from amongst the classes which are not adequately represented in the State Services. Any species of backwardness in relevant in the context of Article 16(4). By contrast, any special provisions to be made under Article 15(4) – e.g grants out of the public exchequer – can only be made for “socially and educationally backward classes”. What is to be identified under Article 16(4) is not the “backward class” but a “class of citizens” which is inadequately represented in the State-services. On the other hand it is the “backward class” which is to be identified under Article 15(4). When the two classes to be identified in the two articles are different the question of giving them the same meaning does not arise.

582. Constituent Assembly debates Volume 7 (1948-1949) pages 684 to 702 contains the speeches of stalwarts like R.M. Nalavade, Dr. Dharma Prakash, Chandrika Ram, V.I. Muniswamy Pillai, T. Channiah, Santanu Kumar Das, H. J. Khandakar, Mohd. Ismail Sahib, Hukum Singh, K.M. Munshi, T.T. Krishnamachari, H.V. Kamant and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on the draft Article 10(3) [corresponding to Article 16(4)]. In a nut-shell the discussion projected the following view-points:

(1) The original draft Article 10(3) did not contain the word ‘backward’. The original Article only contained the expression “any class of citizens”. The word “backward” was inserted by the Drafting Committee at a later stage.

(2) The opinion of the members of the Constituent Assembly was that the word “backward” is vague, has not been defined and is liable to different interpretations. It was even suggested that ultimately the Supreme Court would Interpret the same. Mr. T.T. Krishnamachari even stated in lightertone that the loose drafting of the chapter on fundamental rights would be a paradise for the lawyers.

(3), Not a single member including Dr. Ambedkar gave even a suggestion that “backward class” in the said Article meant “socially and educationally backward”.

(4) The purpose of Article 10(3) according to Dr. Ambedkar was that “there must at the same time be a provision made for the entry of certain communities which have so far been outside the Administration……….. that there shall be reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a proper “look-in” so to say into the Administration”.

(5) According to Dr. Ambedkar the said Article was enacted to safe guard two things namely the principle of equality of opportunity and to make provision for the entry of certain communities which have so far been outside the Administration. Dr. Ambedkar further stated:

“Unless you use some such qualifying phrase as “backward” the exception made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule altogether. Nothing of the rule will remain. That I think, if I may say so, is the justification why the Drafting Committee undertook on its own shoulders the responsibility of introducing the word “backward” which, I admit, did not originally find a place in the fundamental rights in the way in which it was passed by this Assembly”.

583. The reading of the Constituent Assembly Debates makes it clear that the only object of enacting Art. 16(4) was to give representation to the classes of citizens who are inadequately represented in the services of the State. The word “backward” was inserted later on only to reduce the number of such classes who are inadequately represented in the services of the State. The intention of the Framers of the Constitution, gathered from the Constituent Assembly Debates, leaves no manner of doubt that the two “classes” to be identified in the two articles are different and as such the expressions used in the two articles cannot mean the same. Article 16(4) enables the State to make reservations for any backward section of a class which is inadequately represented in the services of the State. Almost every member who spoke on the draft Article 10(3) in the Constituent Assembly complained that the word “backward” in the said Article was vague and required to be defined but in spite of that. Dr. Ambedkar in his final reply did not say that the word “backward” meant “socially and educationally backward”, rather he gave the explanation, quoted above which supports the reasoning that the word “backward” was inserted in Article 16(4) to identify the backward section of any class of citizens which is not adequately represented in the State Services and for no other purpose.

584. I, therefore, hold that the expression “backward class of citizens” under Article 16(4) does not mean the same thing as the expression “any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” in Article 15(4). The judgments of this Court wherein it is assumed that the two expressions in Articles 15(4) and 16(4) mean the same thing do not lay down correct law and are overruled to such extent.

C

585. Over a period of four decades this Court under a mistaken view read the expression “any backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4) to mean the same as “backward classes of citizens” in Article 15(4). Having held that the two Articles operate in different fields, the crucial question which falls for consideration is what is meant by the expression “Any backward class of citizens………….not adequately represented in the services under the State” in Article 16(4).

586. A layman’s look at Article 16(4) gathers the impression that the reservation under the said Article is permissible for the backward classes of citizens who are not adequately represented in the services under the State. But on closer scrutiny and examination it is clear that the reservations under Article 16(4) are provided for classes of citizens which are not adequately represented in the State Services. The original draft article 10(3) (corresponding to Article 16(4)) was as under:

“10(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or -posts in favour of any class of citizens who, in the opinion of the State, are not adequately represented in the services under the State.”

587. Reading the original draft Article 10(3) leaves no manner of doubt that the manifest intention of the Framers of the Constitution was to provide reservation for those classes of citizens who are not adequately represented in the State services. It is common knowledge that during the British regime the State services were packed from amongst the person’s who were on the right side of the regime. Mass of the Indian people who were active in the freedom struggle were kept out of State services. Article 16(4) was enacted with the sole purpose of giving representation to the classes of citizens who are not adequately represented therein. The sine qua non for providing reservation is the inadequate representation of the class concerned in the State services.

588. The word “backward” was inserted in the draft Article 10(3) by the Drafting Committee before the draft was finalised. The insertion of the word “backward” at a later stage did not change the intention with which the original draft Article 10(3) was brought into existence. Fortunately, for the people of this country, there are lengthy deliberations in the, Constituent Assembly Debates which show the purpose and the object of adding the. word “backward” in the draft Article 10(3). Dr. Ambedkar in his speech before the Constituent Assembly gave the object and purpose of enacting original draft Article 10(3) and also gave elaborate reasons for inserting the word “backward” in the said Article. The said speech is reproduced hereunder

“Then we have quite a massive opinion which insists that, although theoretically it is good to have the principle that there shall be equality of opportunity, there must at the same time be a provision made for the entry of certain communities which have so far been outside the administration. As I said, the Drafting Committee had to produce a formula which would reconcile these three points of view, firstly, that there shall be equality of opportunity, secondly that there shall be reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a ‘proper look-in’ so to say into the administration. If honourable Members will bear these facts in mind – the three principles, we have to reconcile, – they will see that no better formula could be produced than the one that is embodied in sub-clause (3) of Article 10 of the Constitution; they will find that the view of those who believe and hold that there shall be equality of opportunity, has been embodied in sub-clause (1) of Article 10. It is a generic principle. At the same time, as I said, we had to reconcile this formula with the demand made by certain communities that the administration which has now – for historical reasons – been controlled by one community or a few communities, that situation should disappear and that the others also must have an opportunity of getting into the public services. Supposing, for instance, we were to concede in full the demand of those communities who have not been so far employed in the public services to the fullest extent, what would really happen is, we shall be completely destroying the first proposition upon which we are all agreed, namely, that there shall be an equality of opportunity. Let me give an illustration. Supposing, for instance, reservations were made for a community or a collection of communities, the total of which came to something like 70 per cent. of the total posts under the State and only 30 per cent. are retained as the unreserved. Could anybody say that the reservation of 30 per cent. as open to general competition would be satisfactory from the point of view of giving effect to the first principle, namely, that there shall be equality of opportunity? It cannot be in my judgment. Therefore the seats to be reserved, if the reservation is to be consistent with sub-clause (1) of Article 10, must be confined to a minority of seats. It is then only that the first principle could find its place in the Constitution and effective in operation. If honourable Members understand this position that we have to safeguard two things, namely, the principle of equality of opportunity and at the same time satisfy the demand of communities which have not had so far representation in the State, then, I am Sure they will agree that unless you use some such qualifying phrase as “backward” the exception made in favour of reservation will ultimately eat up the rule .altogether. Nothing of the rule will remain. That I think, if I may say so, is the justification why the Drafting Committee undertook on its own shoulders the responsibility of introducing the word “backward” which, I admit, did not originally find a place in the fundamental right in the way in which it was passed by this Assembly”. (Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. 7, 1948-49 pages 701-702).

589. Dr. Ambedkar stated in clear terms that draft Article 10(3) now Article 16(4) was brought in by the framers of the Constitution to provide “reservations in favour of certain communities which have not so far had a ‘proper look-in’ so to say into the adminitration”. He nowhere stated that the reservations were meant for backward classes. According to him, the Article was enacted with the object of providing reservation to those classes of citizens who are not adequately represented in the State-Services. Dr. Ambedkar further elaborated the point when he stated “the administration which has now – for historical reasons – been controlled by one community or a few communities, that situation should disappear and that the others also must have an opportunity of getting into the public services”. Dr. Ambedkar was not referring to backward or non-backward communities, he was only referring to the communities which were dominating the public services and those which were not permitted to enter the said services. While making it clear that the reservations are meant for those classes of citizens who are inadequately represented in the State-Services, Dr. Ambedkar visualised that conceding in full the demand of such communities, reserving majority of the seats for them and leaving minority of the seats unreserved, would render the guarantee under Article 16(1) nugatory. He illustrated the point by giving figures and stated that a safeguard was to be provided so that majority of the appointments/ posts in the State-services are not consumed in the process of reservation. It was for that purpose, according to Dr. Ambedkar, the expression “backward” was inserted in the draft Article 10(3). The object of adding the word “backward” was only to reduce the number of claimants for the reserve posts. Instead of the whole class having inadequate representation in the State-services only the backward section of that class is made eligible for the reserve posts. in a nutshell, the reservation under Article 16(4) is not meant for backward classes but for backward sections of the classes which are not adequately represented in the State-services. There may be a class which is inadequately represented in the State-services and it may be backward as a whole, like the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Such a class as a whole is eligible for the reserve Posts.

590. “Not adequately represented in the services under the State” is the only test for the identification of a class under Article 16(4). Thereafter the ‘Backward class’ has to -be culled-out from out of the classes which satisfy the test of inadequacy.

591. Under the Constitution the “backward class’ which has been identified for preferential treatment is the “socially and educationally backward” class. The Constitutional-scheme is explicit. Articles 340 and 15(4) make it clear that wherever the Constitution intended to provide special compensatory treatment for the “backward classes” they have been defined as ‘socially and educationally backward’. Article 16(4) is not in line with Articles 340 and 15(4). Article 16(4) does not provide job-reservations for the backward classes. That is why the expression “socially and educationally backward” has not been used therein. The classes of citizens to be identified under Article 16(4) are those who are not adequately represented in the services under the State.

592. Examine it from another angle. If the job-reservations under Article 16(4) are meant for “any backward class” then the expression “…not adequately represented”‘ has to be read in relation to the said class. Can it be done? Is it possible to classify the backward classes into those who are adequately represented in the State-services and those who are not? Can a class which is adequately represented in the State-services be considered backward? Negative is the answer to all these questions. A class which is adequately represented in the State-services cannot be considered a backward class. A class may not be backward even if it has inadequate representation in the State-services but once it secures adequate representation in the State-services it no longer remains backward. It is not possible to read the expression “not adequately represented” in Article 16(4) in relation to “any backward class”. If you do so then the said expression is rendered redundant. To make every word of Article 16(4) meaningful and workable the said expression can only be read in relation to “class of ‘citizens”.

593. Yet another way to examine. Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes are a ‘class’ by themselves and the Constitution permits protective discrimination to compensate them. Reservation of seats in the House of People and the Legislative Assemblies have been provided for them. Article 335 is special provision for taking into consideration their claims in the appointments to State-services.. Had there been an intention to provide job reservations in favour of weaker sections of society or for the ‘socially and educationally backward classes’ then scheduled castes and scheduled tribes would have been the first to be provided for by specific mention in Article 16(4). It is idle to say that the expression ‘backward class of citizens’ would. include them. Article 15(4) uses the expression” …………. any special provision for advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the scheduled castes ,and the scheduled tribes”. Similarly Article 46 provides “The State shall promote weaker section of the people, and, in particular, of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes …….” Thus whereever in the Constitution special protection has been provided for socially and educationally backward classes the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes have been specifically mentioned along with. Article 16(4) does not give protection to either of the two, it only provides for those who are inadequately re-presented in the State services. If the ‘scheduled caste and scheduled tribes’ and “socially and educationally backward classes” qualify the test of inadequacy they are eligible for the reserved seats under Article 16(4). The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes being the weakest of the weak per se satisfy the test.

594. The condition precedent for a class to get benefit under Article 16(4) is not its backwardness but its inadequacy in State-services. Once inadequacy is established and the classes on that test. are identified then the backward sections of those classes become eligible to the benefit of reservation. Classes, which are inadequately represented, can be identified by occupation, economic criterion, family income or from political sufferers, border areas, backward areas, communities kept out of State-services by the British or by any other method which the State may adopt. Once a class which is inadequately represented, is identified it is only the backward section of that class which is eligible for job reservations. Backward section can be culled-out by adopting a means test, or on the basis of social, educational or economic backwardness. Once the classes are identified there can be no difficulty for the State to find out the backward-parts of those classes.

595. Mandal has identified 52% population of this country as backward. 22% have already been identified as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In a country with a population of 850 million people—74% of which is backward —–job reservation can hardly be the source of reducing social and economic disparities in the society. Even the Mandal Report has characterised the job reservations as “Palliatives”. The Framers of the Constitution with secularism, egalitarianism, integrity and unity as their avowed objects could not have permitted horizontal division of the country into backward and non-backward for the sake of job-reservations.

596. I, therefore, hold that Article 16(4) permits reservation of appointments/ posts in favour of classes of citizens which in the opinion of the State are not adequately represented in the services under the State Once such classes are identified then the reserve posts are offered to the backward sections of those classes.

597. Before parting with the subject I may say that the successive Governments, whether in the States or at the Centre, have been remiss in the discharge of their obligations, under the Constitution, towards the poor and backward people of the country. Job-reservations as a dole has been the vote-catching platter. Neither the job-reservations nor the reservation of seats in the educational institutions are of material help. Unless illiteracy and poverty are removed, the backward classes cannot be benefitted by the reservations alone. Affirmative-Action Programme on war footing is needed to uplift the backwards. Liberal grants and subsidised schemes under Article 340 read with Articles 15(4) and 46 are needed to remove illiteracy and poverty. Housing, sanitation and other necessities of life are to be provided. Illiteracy is the root cause of backwardness. “Free and compulsory education” is nowhere within reach even 45 years after the independence. The legislations enabling free education are only on paper. A poor father, whose child is earning and contributing towards the family income, may not send the child to school even if the education is free. The State may consider compensating the father for the loss in income due to child’s stopping work for going to school. It is not for this Court to suggest what the Government should do, we only say that the State has not done what it is required to do under the Constitution. Job-reservation is not the answer to the problem. Prof. Andre Beteille in his book (supra) has summed up the issue in the following words

“What has gone wrong with our thinking on the backward classes is that we have allowed the problem to be reduced largely to that of job reservation. The problems of the backward classes are too varied, too large and too acute to be solved by job reservation alone. The point is not that job reservation has contributed so little to the solution of these problems but, rather, that it has diverted attention from the masses of harijans and Adivasis who are too poor and too lowly even to be candidates for the jobs that are reserved in their names. Job reservation can attend only to the problems of middle class Harijans and Adivasis:the overwhelming majority of Adivasis and Harijans, like the majority of the Indian people, are outside this class and will remain outside it for the next several generations. Today, job reservation is less a way of solving age-old problems than one of buying peace for the moment. It would be foolish to blame only the government for wanting to buy peace in a country in which everyone wants to buy peace. It would be foolish also to recommend an intransigent attitude to a government which has neither the will to impose its power nor the imagination to think of alternatives. But unless it is able to offer something better to the backward classes than it has done so far, reservation will continue to bedevil it… In assessing any scheme of reservations today, we have to keep in mind the distinction between those schemes that are directed towards advancing social and economic equality, and those that are directed towards maintaining a balance of power. Reservations for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are, for all their limitations, directed basically towards the goal of greater equality overall. Reservations for the Other Backward Classes and for religious minorities, whatever advantages they may have, are directed basically towards a balance of power. The former are in tune with the spirit of the Constitution; the latter must lead sooner or later to what Justice Gajendragadkar has called a ‘fraud on the Constitution”.

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598. The next question for consideration is whether Article 16(4) provides reservation of appointments or posts at the stage of initial entry to Government services or even in’ the process of promotion. As at present the question is not res integra. A Constitution Bench of this Court, in The General Manager, Southern Railway v. Rangachari, (1962) 2 SCR 586, by a majority of three to two, has held that promotion to a selection post is covered by Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India.:Rangachari’s case (supra) has been followed by this Court in State of Punjab v. Hiralal, (1971) 3 SCR 267 and Akhil Bharatiya Soshit Karamchari Sangh (Railway) v. Union of India, (1981) 2 SCR 185. This Court has also referred to Rangachari’s case (supra) in various other judgments. The reasoning of the majority in Rangachari’s case (supra) has, however, been followed in the subsequent judgments of this Court without adding any further reason. Mr. Venugopal and Ms. Shyamla Pappu, learned counsel for the petitioners have contended that majority judgment in Rangachari’s case (supra) does not laydown correct law.

599. The point in dispute in Rangachari’s case (supra) was “is promotion to a selection post which is included in Article 16(1) and (2) covered by Article 16(4) or is it not?” The majority in Rangachari’s case (supra) interpreted Articles 16(1), 16(2) and 16(4) as under:

(1)The matters relating to employment must include all matters in relation to employment both prior and subsequent to the appointment which are incidental to the employment and form part of the terms and conditions of such employment. Thus promotion to selection posts is included both under Articles 16(1) and (2).

(2) Article 16(4) does not cover the entire field covered by Article 16(1) and (2). Some of the matters relating to employment in respect of which equality of opportunity has been guaranteed by Article 16(1) and (2) do not fall within the mischief of Article 16(4). For instance the conditions of service relating to employment such as salary, increment, gratuity, pension and the age of superannuation are matters relating to employment and as such they do not form the subject matter of Article 16(4).

(3) Both “appointments” and “posts” to which the operative part of Article 16(4) refers to and in respect of which the power to make reservation has been conferred on the State must necessarily be appointments and posts in the service. The word “posts” in Article 16(4) cannot mean ex-cadre posts in the context.

(4) The condition precedent for the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 16(4) is the inadequate representation of any backward class in the State services. The inadequacy may be numerical or qualitative. In the context the expression “adequately represented” imports considerations of “size” as well as “values”, numbers as well as the nature of appointments held and so it involves not merely the numerical test but also the qualitative one. It would not be reasonable to hold that the inadequacy of representation can and must be cured only by reserving a proportionately higher percentage of appointments at the initial stage. In a given case the State may well take the view that a certain percentage of selection posts should also be reserved.

(5) The word “Posts’ under Article 16(4) includes selection posts and as. such reservation can be made not only in regard to appointments which are initial appointments but also in regard to selection posts which may be filled by promotion thereafter.

600. The first three findings of the majority in Rangachari’s case (supra) reproduced above are unexceptionable, how-ever, findings 4 and 5, with utmost respect, do not flow from the plain language of Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India.

601. There is no doubt that the backward classes should not only have adequate re-presentation in the lowest cadres of services but they should also aspire to secure adequate representation in the higher services as well. Article 16(4) permits reservation for backward classes by way of direct recruitment to any of the cadres in the State services. Reservation can be made in direct recruitment to any cadre or service from Class-IV to Class-I of the State services. The majority in Rangachari’s case (supra) has read in Article 16(4), what is not there, to support the element of qualitative representation.

602. The reservation permissible under Article 16(4) can only be ‘in favour of any backward class of citizens” and not for individuals. Article 16(1) guarantees a right to an individual citizen whereas Article 16(4) permits protective discrimination in favour of a class. It is, therefore, mandatory that the opportunity to compete for the reserve posts has to be given to a class and not to the individuals. When direct recruitment to a service is made the ‘backward class’ as a whole is given an opportunity to be considered for the reserve posts. Every member of the said class has a right to compete. But that is not true of the process of promotion. The backward class as a collectivity is nowhere in the picture; only the individuals, who have already entered the service against reserved posts, are considered. In the higher echelons of State services – cadre strength being small – there may be very few or even a single ‘backward class’ candidate to be considered for promotion to the reserve post. An individual citizen’s right guaranteed under Article 16(1) can only be curtailed by providing reservations for a ‘backward class and not for backward individuals. The promotional posts are not offered to the backward class. Only the individuals are benefitted. The object, context and the plain language of Article 16(4) make it clear that the job reservation can be done only in the direct recruitment and not when the higher posts are filled by way of promotion.

603. Examine from another angle. Article 16(4) provides for reservation of appointments or posts. Promotion is an incident of service which comes after appointment., ‘Appointment’ simpliciter means initial appointment to a service. Even the majority in Rangachari’s case (supra) did not dispute this proposition of law. But interpreting the word “posts” to include selection posts it has been held that reservation can be made in the initial appointments as well as in regard to selection posts to be filled there- after. With respect, it is not possible to construe the word “posts” in the manner the majority judgment in Rangachari’s case (supra) has done. The expression “reservation of ……… posts in favour of any backward class of citizens” only means that the posts in any cadre or service can be reserved by the State Government. It is not possible to read in these lines the permissibility of reservation even in the process of promotion. This is the only interpretation which can be given in’ the context and also in conformity with the service jurisprudence.

604. It has been rightly held in Rangachari’s case (supra) that Article 16(4) does not cover the entire field covered by Article 16(1) and (2). The conditions of service which are matters relating to employment are protected by the doctrine of equality of opportunity and do not form the subject matter of Article 16(4). It is settled proposition of law that right to promotion is a condition of service. Once a person is appointed he is governed by the conditions of service applicable thereto. Appointment and conditions of service are two separate incidents of service. Conditions of service exclusively come within the expression “matters ‘relating to employment” and are covered by Article 16(1) and not by 16(4). When all other conditions of service fall out-side the purview of Article 16(4) and are exclusively covered by Article 16(1) then where is the justification to bring promotion within Article 16(4) by giving strained-meaning to the expression ‘posts’. The only conclusion by reading Articles 16(1), 16(2) and 16(4) which can be drawn is that all conditions of service including promotion are protected under Articles 16(1) and (2). Article 16(4) makes a departure only to the extent that it permits the State Government to make any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts at the initial stage of appointment and not in the process of promotion.

605. Constitution of India aims at equality of status and opportunity for all citizens including those who are socially, economically and educationally backward. If members of backward classes can maintain minimum necessary requirement of administrative efficiency not only representation but also preference in the shape of reservation may be given to them to achieve the goal of equality enshrined under the Constitution. Article 16(4) is a special provision for reservation of appointments and posts for them in Government services to secure their adequate representation. The entry of backward class candidates to the State services through an easier ladder is, therefore, within the concept of equality. When two persons one belonging to the backward class and another to the general category enter the same service through their respective channels then they are brought at par in the cadre of the service. A backward class entrant cannot be given less privileges because he has entered through easier-ladder and similarly a general class candidate cannot claim better rights because he has come through a ladder. After entering the service through their respective sources they are placed on equal footing and thereafter there cannot be any discrimination in the matter of promotion. Both must be treated equally in the matters of employment after they have been recruited to the service. Any further reservation for the backward class candidate in the process of promotion is not protected by Article 16(4) and would be violative of Article 16(1).

606. Although there is no factual material before us but it would not be hypothetical to assume that the reservation in promotion based on roster points – can lead to various anomalies such as the person getting the benefit of the reservation may jump over the heads of several of his seniors not only in his basic cadre but even in the higher cadres to which he is promoted out of turn. Even otherwise when once a member of the backward class has entered service via reserve post it would not be fair to keep on providing him easier ladders to climb the higher rungs of the State services in preference to the general category. Instead of reserving the higher posts for in-service members of the backward class the same should be filled by direct recruitment so that those members of backward class who are not in the State services may get an opportunity to enter the same.

607. For the reasons indicated above I hold that the interpretation given by the majority in Rangachari’s ‘s case (supra) to Article 16(4), to the effect that it permits reservations in the process of promotion, is not permissible and as such cannot be sustained. Rangachari’s case (supra) to that extent is overruled. I hold that Article 16(4) permits reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens only at the initial stage of entry into the State services. Article 16(4) does not permit reservation either to the selection posts or in any other manner in the process of promotion.

608. Article 16(1) provides equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to State-services. Equals have to be treated equally whereas the unequals ought not to be treated equally. For effective implementation of the right guaranteed under Article 16(1) classification is permissible. Such classification has to be reasonable having regard to the object of the right. Article 16(4) is another facet of Article 16(1). It exclusively provides for reservation which is one of the forms of classification. Article 16(4)being a special provision regarding reservation it completely takes away such classification from the purview of Article 16(1). Thus the State power to ,provide job reservations is wholly exhausted under Article 16(4). No reservation of any kind is permissible under Article 16(1). Article 16(4) completely overrides Article 16(1) in the matter of job-reservations.

609. Article 16(4) thus exclusively deals, with reservation and it cannot be invoked for any other form of classification. Article 16(1), however, permits protective discrimination, short of reservation, in-the matters relating to employment in the State-services. On these issues I entirely agree and adopt the reasoning and the conclusions reached by R. M. Sahai, J. and hold as under:

1. Articles 16(1) and 16(4) operate in the same field.

2. Article 16(4) is exhaustive of the State power to provide reservations in State-services.

3. Protective discrimination, short of reservations, which satisfy the tests of reasonableness, is permitted under Article 16 (1).

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610. I have carefully read the reasoning and the conclusions reached by R. M. Sahai, J. on this issue. Agreeing with him I hold as hold:

(i) that the reservations under Article 16(4) must remain below 50% and under no circumstance be permitted to go beyond 50%. Any reservation beyond 50% is constitutionally invalid.

(ii) It is for the State to adopt the methodology of providing reservations below 50%. The State may provide the said reservation id respect of the substantive vacancies arising in a year or in the cadre or service. It would be permissible to carry forward the reserve vacancies of one year to the next year. It is reiterated that the vacancies reserved in a year including those which are carried forward shall not exceed 50%.

(iii) No reservation of any kind can be made for any class or category whether backward or non backward under Article 16(1).

H

611. The protective discrimination in the shape of job-reservations has to be programmed in such a manner that the most deserving section of the backward class is benefited. Means-test ensures such a result. The process of identifying backward class cannot be perfected to the extent that every member of the said class is equally backward. There are bound to be disparities in the class itself / some of the members of the class may have individually crossed the barriers of backwardness but while identifying the class they may have come within the collectivity. It is often seen that comparatively rich persons in the backward class —-though they may not have acquired any higher level of education – are able to move in the society without being discriminated socially. The members of the backward class are differentiated into superior and inferior. The discrimination which was practiced on them by the superior class is in turn practiced by the affluent members of the backward class on the poorer members of the said class. The benefits of special privileges like job-reservations are mostly chewed up by the richer or more affluent sections of the backward classes and the poorer and the really backward sections among them keep on getting poorer and more backward. It is only at the lowest level of the backward class where the standards of deprivation and the extent of backwardness may be uniformed. The jobs are so very few in comparison to the population of the backward classes that it is difficult to give them adequate representation in the State -services. It is, therefore, necessary that the benefit of the reservation must reach the. poorer and the weakest section of the backward class. Economic ceiling to cut off the backward class for the purpose of job-reservations is necessary to benefit the needy sections of the class. I, therefore, hold that means test is imperative to skim-off the ‘affluent sections of the backward classes.

I

612. Whether a group of citizens living below poverty line or under poverty-conditions can be considered a backward class under Article 16(4)? In other words can a class of citizens be identified as backward solely on the basis of economic criterion? Emphatic yes, is my answer.

613. Poverty is the culprit – cause of all kinds of backwardness. A poor man has no money. He lacks ordinary means of subsistence. Indigence keeps him away from education. Poverty breeds backwardness all around the class into which it strikes. It invariably results in social, economic and educational backwardness. It is difficult to perceive on what reasoning one can say that a class of citizens living under poverty-conditions is not a backward class under Article 16(4). The main reason advanced in this respect is that social backwardness being the mandatory criterion for the identification of backward class under Article 16(4), poverty alone cannot be the basis for backwardness in relation to Article 16(4). The other reason advanced is that in this country except for a small percentage of the population, the people are generally poor. The argument is that reservation for all is reservation for none. It is necessary to examine the two reasons on the anvil of logic.

614. This Court, over a period of four decades, has been interpreting the expression “backward class” in Article 16(4) to mean “socially and educationally backward” on the mistaken assumption that the expression “any backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4) means the same thing as “socially and educationally backward classes” in Article 15(4).

615. Based on elaborate reasoning I have held in Part B of this judgment that the expression “any backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4) cannot be confined to “socially and educationally backward classes”. The concept of “any backward class of citizens” in Article 16(4) is much wider than the “backward classes” defined under Article 15(4). It is not correct to say that social backwardness is an essential characteristic of the ‘backward class’ under, Article 16(4). The object of Art. 16(4), as held by me in Part C of this judgment, is to provide job-reservations for the backward sections of those classes of citizens which are not adequately represented in the State-services. In the context of Article 16(4) the economic criterion is essentially relevant. On the interpretation of Article 16(4) as given by me in Parts B and C of this judgment, social backwardness is not the sine qua non for being a “backward class” under Article 16(4).

616. Even if it is assumed that a backward class under Art. 16(4) means socially backward, any class of citizens living below poverty line would amply qualify to be a ‘backward class’. Poverty has a direct nexus to social backwardness. It is an essential and dominant characteristic of poverty. A rich belonging to backward caste ——– depending upon his disposition ——- may be or may not be socially backward, but a poor Brahmin struggling for his livelihood invariably suffers from social backwardness. The reality of present-day life is that the economic standards confer social status on individuals. A poor person, howsoever honest, has no social status around him whereas a rich smuggler moves in a high society. No statistics can hide the fact that there are millions of people, who belong to the so-called elite castes, are as poor and often a great deal poorer than a very large proportion of the backward classes. It is a fallacy to think that a person, though earning thousands of rupees or holding higher posts is still backward simply because he happen to belong to a particular caste or community whereas millions of people living below poverty line are forward because they were born in some other caste, or communities. Poverty never discriminates, it chooses its victims from all religions, castes and creeds. The pavement dwellers and the slum dwellers, belonging to different castes and religions, have a common thread of poverty around them. Are they not the backward classes envisaged under Article 16(4)? Poverty binds them together as a class. Classes of citizens living in chronic-cramping poverty are per se socially backward. Poverty runs into generations. It may be a result of the social or economic inequality of the past. During the British regime several communities who fought the Britishers and those who actively participated in the freedom struggle, were deliberately kept below the poverty line. There are vast areas in India, like Kalahandi in Orissa, which are perennially poverty stricken. By and large poverty in this country is a historical factor. Looked from any angle it is not possible to hold that the citizens of India who are living under poverty-conditions or below poverty line are not socially backward. It would be doing violence to the object, purpose and the language of Article 16(4) to say that the poor of the country are not eligible for job-reservations under the said Article.

617. Simply because the. bulk of the population of this country is poor and there may be a large number of claimants for the reserved-jobs that is no ground to deny the, poor their right under Article 16(4). This reasoning will apply to the other backward classes with much more force. Mandal has identified 52% of the population as backward. Apart from that 22% are scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Those who are canvassing reservations for 74% of the so-called backward classes have no basis whatsoever to say that 40% poor of the country be denied the benefit of job-reservations. The poor can be classified on the basis of income, occupation, conditions of living such as slum dwellers, pavement dwellers etc. and priorities worked out. They can be operationally defined, categorised, sub-categorised and thereafter the backward sections can be identified for the purposes of Article 16(4). It is high time that we leave the dogmatic approach of making reservation in public services on the basis of caste as a symbol of social backwardness. We must adopt A practical measure to confining it only to low income groups of people having unremunerative occupations whose talents and abilities are subdued under the weight of poverty. I, therefore, hold that a backward class for the purposes of Article 16(4) can be identified solely on the basis of economic criteria.

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618. This question has been examined by Brother Judges and they have held that the reservations can be provided by the Parliament, State Legislatures, statutory rules as well as by way of Executive Instructions issued by the Central Government and the State Governments from time to time. The Executive Instructions can be issued only when there are no statutory provisions on the subject. Executive Instructions can also be issued to supplement the statutory provisions when those provisions are silent on the subject of reservations. These propositions of law are unexceptionable and I reiterate the same. I however, make it clear that any Executive Instruction (issued under Articles 16(4), 73 or 162 providing reservations, which goes contrary to statutory provisions or the rules under Article 309 or any other statutory rules, shall not be operative to the extent it is contrary to the statutory provisions/ rules.

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619. Legal aspects arising out of Article 16(4) have been discussed and decided. Finally we have to examine the process of identification of the backward classes and test he same at the anvil of Article 16(4) as interpreted by us. Mandal Commission was set up on January 1, 1979 under Article 340 to identify the classes for the purposes of Article 164). The Commission identified 3743 backward castes and submitted its report on December 31, 1980. No action was taken on the Mandal Report by the successive governments for a decade. The Mandal Report was finally lifted from the Morgue by the government of the day which accepted the report and issued Memorandum dated August 13, 1990 providing reservations for 3743 backward castes identified by the Mandal Commission:Later on the successor government amended the reservation policy by the Memorandum dated September 25 , 1991. These Memoranda have been reproduced in the judgments proposed by brother Judges. Both the Memoranda are based on the Mandal’ Report. The reservations provided under the two Memoranda are to be extended to, 3743 castes identified by the Mandal Commission. It is, therefore, necessary to find out whether the backward classes to which reservations under the Memoranda are being extended, have been constitutionally and validly identified. I do not agree with the theory – apparently without logic – that the Memoranda can be adjudicated dehors Mandal Report. Elaborate arguments were addressed before us challenging the validity of Mandal Report by M/s. Palkhiwala, Venugopal, Shyamala Pappu and other learned counsel appearing for the petitioners. Agreeing with the learned counsel, I hold that the identification of 3743 castes as the ‘beneficiary-class’ for job reservations under Art. 16(4), is wholly unconstitutional, invalid and cannot be acted upon. My reasons for holding so are as under:

i) The terms of reference require the Commission “to determine the criteria for defining the socially and educationally backward classes”. Assume that Mandal has done so. The reference and the Mandal Commission’s investigation is based on the legal fallacy that the expression “backward class of citizens” means the same thing as “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” in Article 15(4). That is why the Commission was asked to identify socially and educationally backward classes. We have held that two expressions in Articles 16(4) and 15(4) do not mean the same thing. The classes to be identified under Article 16(4) cannot be confined only to social and educational backwardness. The definition therein is much wider and is not limited as under Article 15(4). It is thus, evident that the identification of the “backward classes” under Article 16(4) cannot be based only on the criteria of social and educational backwardness. Other classes which could have been identified on the basis of occupation, economic standards, environments, backward area residence, etc. etc. have been left out of consideration The identification done by Mandal is thus violative of Article 16(4) and as such cannot be sustained.

ii) It has been held by me that the backward classes for the purpose of Article 16(4) are the backward sections of the classes who are inadequately represented in the State-services. Admittedly, this exercise was not done. Mandal identified the castes on the criteria of social and educational backwardness.

iii) The Terms of Reference further required the Commission “to examine the desirability or otherwise of making provision for the reservation of appointments or tests ………. in public services”. This most vital part of the Terms of Reference was wholly ignored by the Commission. Before making its re – commendations the Commission was bound, by the Terms of Reference, to determine the desirability or otherwise of such reservations. The Commission did not at all investigate this essential part of the Terms of Reference.

iv) Mandal has not done any survey to find out as to whether 3743 castes which according to him are the backward classes, under Article 16(4), had inadequate representation ‘in the State services. There is no material on the record to show that 3743 castes identified by Mandal are not adequately represented in the State services. The condition of inadequacy is a condition precedent under Article 16(4) of the Constitution. This having not been established, the identification of the so-called “backward classes”, is wholly unconstitutional and inoperative.

v) Para 12.7 of the report indicates that the list of backward castes was prepared from the following sources:

1. Socio-educational field survey;

2. Census report of 1961;

3. Personal knowledge gained through extensive touring and from the evidence; and

4. Lists. of other backward classes notified by various State Governments.

The so-called “socio-educational field survey”, was an eye-wash. Only two villages and one urban block in each district of the country was taken into consideration. According to the petitioners only .06% of the total villages in the country were surveyed. Mr.Venugapal relied on a chart showing the sources from which the list of castes was prepared by the Mandal Commission. The contents of chart were not disputed before us by the Union of India. Mr. Venugopal pointed out that out of 3743 castes only 406 were subjected to the socio-educational field survey. To be precise the chart shows that only 10.85% castes were subjected to survey and the remaining castes were picked up from other sources. The Commission set up for the purposes of identifying backward classes is under an obligation to conduct comprehensive survey. A backward class, identified on the sole test of caste and that also with only 10.85% socio-educational survey, cannot be constitutionally valid under Article 16(4).

620. Large number of castes were picked up by the Mandal Commission from the State lists. It was illustrated before us that out of 260 castes identified from the Union Territory of Pondicherry only 14 were subjected to socio-educational survey. One was identified on personal assessment of the Commission and the remaining 245 castes were picked up from the State list. These facts are not denied by the Union of India in the affidavit filed in writ petition 930/90. Similarly large number of castes were taken from the lists of other backward classes operating in the States. It was wholly illegal for the Commission to adopt the State lists without any investigation and survey. It is not disputed that no Commission was ever set-up in Pondicherry to identify the backward classes. There is nothing in the Mandal Report to show that the State lists which were adopted were ever prepared as a result of any survey, investigation or scrutiny. Mandal Report in Paras 2.63 and 2.64 specifically states that Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, Orissa, Meghalaya and Delhi have notified lists of Other Backward of backward Classes without their being any enquiry into their conditions. In Para 2.65 it is mentioned that Andaman and Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal have never prepared a list of OBCs. If the State lists were to be declared as Other Backward Classes by the Central Government then no Commission under Article 340 was required an- Administrator could do the job. When 90% of the castes selected were not Subjected to the socio-educational survey it is impermisible to treat the said castes as backward classes.

621. 1961 census. was also taken as a source for preparing the list of backward castes. There is nothing on the record to show as to why Mandal relied on 1961 census when the 1971 census was available. A statement filed by Mr. Venugopal after examining the government records shows that the castes were also picked up from the Kaka Kalelkar Commission Report. In Para 1.13 Mandal condemns Kaka Kalelkar’s Report, even otherwise the said report was rejected by the Government of India in 1955 but still Mandal adopts castes from the said Report.

622. It is, thus, obvious that hardly any investigation was done by the Mandal Commission to find out the backward classes for the purposes of Article 16(4). A collection of so-called backward castes by a clerical-act. based on drawing-room investigation cannot be the backward classes envisaged under Article 16(4). If the castes enlisted by Mandal are permitted to avail the benefit of job-reservations, thereby depriving half the country’s population of its right under Article 16(l) the result would be nothing but a fraud on the Constitution.

vi) The Mandal Report virtually re-writes Article 16(4) by substituting caste for class. The caste has been made the sole and exclusive test for determining the backward classes. Every other test-economic or non-economic has been wholly rejected. Para 1.21 of Mandal Report states “the substitution of caste, by economic tests will amount to ignoring the genesis of social backwardness in the Indian society”. Paras 11.5 and 11.25 of the Mandal Report indicate that the caste was taken as a collectivity for the purposes of socio-educational survey. The “indicators” for determining social and educational backwardness were also applied to the castes alone. Every single piece of evidence and other material adverted to by the Commission was only for the purpose of determining whether a caste was backward. There was no investigation at all to find out whether a member or family in the caste was backward. The “Indicators” invoked to determine backwardness were invariably applied to the castes and not to the individuals. What emerges is that in the first instance only a caste was taken as a collectivity. Thereafter no individual or a family of that caste was subjected to the “indicators”. Only the castes were tested through the “indicators” and the result obtained. Thus the caste has been made the sole, paramount, overriding and decisive factor. The methodology based on caste alone is unconstitutional as it violates Articles 16(2) and 16(4) of the Constitution of India.

vii) The Mandal Report invents castes even for non-Hindus. The obsession with casteism and the desire to apply the same yardstick to all Indians impelled the Commission to identify backward classes among non-Hindus also by the exclusive test of caste (Paras 12.11 to 12.18) regardless of the fact that caste is anathema to Christianity, Islam and Sikhism. There are various other denominations and religions in the country like Buddhist, Jains, Arya Samajis, Lingayats etc. Who do not believe in casteism. The net-result is that almost 25% of the population was not taken into consideration by the Mandal. Commission. The approach was anti-secular and against the basic features of the Constitution.

viii) The Mandal Commission has estimated the population of other backward classes in the country as 52%. To say the least the exercise to reach the figure of 52% is wholly imaginary. It is in the realm of conjecture. The conclusion arrived at in Para 12.22 of the Mandal Report to the effect that backward classes constitute nearly 52% of the Indian population is based on 1931 census. It is wholly arbitrary to count the population of backward classes in the country on the basis of census which took place fifty years before the report was submitted. In order to reach the conclusion of 52% Mandal has added up the population of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, non-Hindu communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains) and the forward Hindu castes and communities (Brahmans, Rajputs, Marathas, Jats, Vashya – Baniya etc., Kayastha, other forward Hindu caste/ groups) which make 56.30% of the total’ population. Mandal has assumed that th