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SC Examines Creamy Layer Exclusion for OBC Reservation Citing ₹8 Lakh Income Threshold in Karnataka Case

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
22 May 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:₹8,00,000August 2024
Bodies:Supreme CourtKarnataka High CourtDistrict Caste and Income Verification Committee
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Supreme Court bench (Justices B.V. Nagarathna & Ujjal Bhuyan) questioned reservation for children of economically/educationally advanced parents within backward classes, emphasizing social mobility.

2.The case stems from Karnataka High Court upholding exclusion of a petitioner (parents both govt employees) from reservation based on ₹8 lakh creamy layer income threshold.

3.The SC referenced the August 2024 Davinder Singh case where a seven-judge Constitution Bench expressed a 'view' on creamy layer exclusion for SC/ST quotas, but stated legislature must decide.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Supreme Court has questioned the rationale of extending reservation benefits to children of affluent families within backward classes, highlighting the creamy layer concept. This case, involving a Karnataka petitioner whose parents' combined income exceeded ₹8 lakh, touches upon the core constitutional debate of balancing social mobility with equitable affirmative action.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

SC BenchJustices B.V. Nagarathna & Ujjal Bhuyan
Creamy Layer Income Threshold₹8,00,000 (mentioned in case)
Key Constitutional Bench CaseState of Punjab vs Davinder Singh (August 2024)
Petitioner's CommunityKuruba (OBC)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›SC Bench: Justices B.V. Nagarathna & Ujjal Bhuyan
  • ›Creamy Layer Income Threshold: ₹8,00,000 (mentioned in case)
  • ›Target this Data: ₹8,00,000 income threshold for creamy layer in Karnataka case
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: District Caste and Income Verification Committee (State-level)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Indra Sawhney case (1992) as the origin of creamy layer concept for OBCs

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional articles empower the State to make special provisions for backward classes?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court's observations in the news:

1. The Court remarked that children of IAS officers should not get reservation benefits if parents are economically empowered.

2. The Court upheld the Karnataka High Court's decision to exclude the petitioner based on the creamy layer income threshold of ₹8 lakh.

3. The Court stated that the Davinder Singh case's view on creamy layer exclusion for SC/ST quotas is binding and must be implemented immediately.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the Karnataka authorities in the case, what was the combined income threshold that classified the petitioner's family under the creamy layer?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary constitutional principle underlying the Supreme Court's questioning of reservation for children of advanced families within backward classes?

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