SC Upholds Article 341 Order: SC Status & Reservation Limited to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist Converts Only

Bombay HC Upholds SC Order: Scheduled Caste Status Only for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists

The Bombay High Court rejected a Muslim man's plea to be declared a Scheduled Caste, upholding the 1950 Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order which restricts SC status to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. The Court ruled it is bound by existing Supreme Court precedent under Article 141, even while a constitutional challenge is pending in the apex court. This decision reinforces the legal position that religious conversion can lead to loss of SC status.

Kerala HC Upholds 4% Disability Quota in Promotions, Sets Aside Contempt Interim Order

Kerala High Court has upheld the 4% disability quota in promotions, confirming the Kerala Administrative Tribunal's 2022 order in favour of an employee with 40% benchmark disability. It, however, set aside the tribunal's 2024 interim contempt order, ruling that positive directions cannot be issued in contempt proceedings. The judgment reinforces Supreme Court precedents in Siddaraju and Leesamma Joseph.

SC Directs Uniform Policy for Demolition & Rehabilitation of Unauthorised Homes Under Article 21

The Supreme Court has ruled that the state's power to demolish unauthorised constructions must be balanced with the duty to rehabilitate affected families, invoking Article 21 (right to dignity, shelter, livelihood). The court directed the Union and State governments to consider formulating a uniform demolition and rehabilitation policy.

Madras HC Rules Child Can Claim Reservation Through Mother, Rejects Patrilineal Caste Tracing

The Madras High Court has ruled that a child can claim Scheduled Caste (SC), Most Backward Class (MBC), or Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation benefits through their mother's nativity if the child is born and brought up in that community, rejecting the 'patriarchal society' argument. This landmark judgment links the core of reservation to social disadvantage, not lineage, and has direct implications for the interpretation of equality under Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution.

Supreme Court Invokes Article 142 to Quash FIRs Against NEET-UG 2026 Protesters

The Supreme Court used its extraordinary power under Article 142 to quash FIRs against NEET-UG 2026 protesters, raising questions about the scope of 'complete justice' and judicial overreach. For aspirants: understand Article 142's expansive power and its constitutional limits.

SC Upholds EC's SIR, Citizenship Under MHA; 13 Crore Deletions, Aadhaar Alternative Proposed

The Supreme Court upheld the EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which deleted over 13 crore names, but clarified that citizenship determination is solely under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This raises critical debates on voter rights, due process, and the viability of Aadhaar-based verification as a cost-effective, inclusive alternative to house-to-house surveys.

SC Proposes Exempting Current Class 6 from Three-Language Policy; Centre Seeks More Time

The Supreme Court has proposed exempting the current Class 6 batch from the mandatory three-language policy, suggesting implementation from January 1, 2027. The Centre has sought more time to decide, while the court has asked for details on teacher availability and infrastructure.

SC's 76-Year Journey: Reforms at Magistracy Level Needed for Judicial Overhaul

A former Delhi High Court judge critiques the Indian judiciary's performance over 76 years, highlighting issues like eviction of poor without rehabilitation, failure to curb extra-legal punishments, and delay in upholding progressive judgments. The article argues that meaningful judicial reform must begin at the magisterial level, focusing on mentoring, mental health support, and performance evaluation reforms.