The Supreme Court’s judgment in Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992) is one of the most significant constitutional decisions in Indian legal history. Commonly known as the Mandal Case, it examined the constitutional validity of 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public employment. The case laid down key principles on affirmative action, equality, social justice, and reservation policy, and continues to guide India’s legal and political discourse on reservations.
Table of Contents
📌 Background of the Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992) Case
In 1990, Prime Minister V.P. Singh announced the implementation of the Mandal Commission Report (1980), recommending 27% reservation for OBCs in central government jobs. This raised total reservations to 49.5%, including 22.5% for SCs and STs.
The announcement led to widespread protests, particularly from upper-caste student groups, sparking a national debate on merit vs. social justice. Petitions were filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of this reservation policy, culminating in the Indra Sawhney case.
⚖️ Key Constitutional Questions
- Is caste a valid criterion to determine backwardness?
- Can reservations exceed 50% of total vacancies?
- Are economic criteria alone sufficient for reservation?
- Can reservation be applied to promotions?
- What is the definition of “social and educational backwardness” under the Constitution?
🧑⚖️ Supreme Court Verdict
On 16 November 1992, a 9-judge Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court delivered the judgment, with a majority upholding OBC reservations but subject to several limitations and guidelines.
✅ Key Highlights:
- OBC Reservation is Constitutional: Article 16(4) is a facet of Article 16(1), and reservations for OBCs are legally valid.
- Caste as Backwardness Criteria: Caste can be a valid indicator of social and educational backwardness.
- 50% Reservation Cap: Total reservations should not exceed 50%, except in exceptional circumstances.
- Economic Criteria Insufficient Alone: Backwardness must be social and educational, not just economic.
- No Reservation in Promotions for OBCs: Article 16(4) does not allow reservation in promotions (unlike for SC/STs later through constitutional amendments).
- Introduction of ‘Creamy Layer’ Doctrine: Socially advanced individuals among OBCs (the ‘creamy layer’) must be excluded from reservation benefits.
🏛️ Constitutional Provisions Involved
- Article 14 – Equality before the law
- Article 15(4) – Special provisions for SEBCs
- Article 16(1) – Equality of opportunity in public employment
- Article 16(4) – Reservation for backward classes in government jobs
- Article 335 – Consideration of SC/ST claims in services
🔍 Significance of the Judgment
- Created a judicial framework for reservations under Article 16(4)
- Established creamy layer exclusion to ensure justice within the OBC category
- Balanced merit and social justice in public employment
- Legitimized the Mandal Commission recommendations
- Influenced subsequent constitutional amendments and reservation debates
📚 Relevance for UPSC Aspirants
- GS Paper II: Indian Constitution, governance, social justice, reservation policies
- Essay Paper: Topics on equity, justice, caste, and constitutional values
- Ethics Paper: Issues of fairness, representation, and public policy ethics
- Current Affairs: Contemporary debates on caste census, OBC politics, and reservation reforms
🧾 Conclusion
The Indra Sawhney judgment remains a landmark in the constitutional history of India. It struck a balance between the right to equality and the need for affirmative action, and continues to influence policy, law, and public discourse. For UPSC aspirants, it offers crucial insights into the working of India’s democracy, the principle of substantive equality, and the evolving nature of the State’s role in promoting social justice.
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