Breaking News : Supreme Court Calls for Major Overhaul of SC/ST Reservation Policy | By Krati Mam

SSC Wallah

2 Aug 202407:13

Summary

TLDRThe script discusses the Supreme Court's judgment on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reservation in India. It highlights the evolution of the reservation policy, starting from the Mandal Commission's recommendations in 1990 to the 2004 Andhra Pradesh case. The Supreme Court's recent review emphasizes the need for rational classification within the reservation system, maintaining the 15% quota but allowing for the addition of more communities if needed. The script also touches on the role of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the importance of the Article 341 in empowering the President to include communities within these classifications.

Takeaways

📜 The script discusses a burning session about the Supreme Court's judgment on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reservation and their categorization within the community.
🏛 The Supreme Court has the power under Article 341 to include any person or community within the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, which is a significant aspect of the judgment.
📊 There is a distinction made between criminal and non-criminal layers within the reservation system, with certain income limits also playing a role in determining eligibility for reservation benefits.
📋 The Andhra Pradesh case of 2004, I.V. Chinnaya vs State of Andhra Pradesh, is highlighted as a pivotal moment in the evolution of the reservation policy for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
🏛️ The Supreme Court's judgment in 2004 stated that there was no need to create separate categories within the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, emphasizing that they are large communities in themselves.
🔄 A review of the 2004 case has been undertaken by the Supreme Court, with the new judgment suggesting a reevaluation of the categorization within the reservation system.
🗳️ The Supreme Court's new judgment emphasizes the principle of rational classification and the need for a clear rationale for any classification made within the Scheduled Castes and Tribes reservation.
📈 It is clarified that the percentage of reservation will remain at 15%, but there will be a detailed categorization within this percentage to include all communities that require reservation.
🏢 The states have been given the authority to make divisions within the reservation categories, adding any new categories as needed.
👥 The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes are constitutional bodies that will play a role in overseeing the implementation of these reservation policies.
📝 The script also mentions Articles 338 and 338A, which provide the framework for these commissions and their responsibilities in the reservation system.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?
-The main topic discussed in the video script is the Supreme Court's judgment on the reservation system for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India.
What does the term 'Scheduled Caste' refer to in the context of the Indian reservation system?
-In the context of the Indian reservation system, 'Scheduled Caste' refers to the historically disadvantaged groups that are officially recognized and given special provisions, including reservations in education and public sector employment.
What is the significance of Article 341 in the script?
-Article 341 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to specify the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which are eligible for reservation benefits.
What was the case that brought the reservation issue to the Supreme Court in 2004?
-The case that brought the reservation issue to the Supreme Court in 2004 was 'I.V. Chinnaya vs State of Andhra Pradesh'.
What was the Supreme Court's judgment in the 2004 case regarding the reservation categories?
-The Supreme Court's judgment in the 2004 case stated that there was no need to create separate categories within the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as they already constitute large communities that require reservation.
What is the principle of 'Rational Classification' mentioned in the script?
-The principle of 'Rational Classification' mentioned in the script refers to the need for any classification made for the purpose of providing benefits, such as reservations, to be based on logical and reasonable criteria.
What is the role of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as discussed in the script?
-The role of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as discussed in the script, is to serve as a constitutional body that oversees the welfare and rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, including the implementation of reservation policies.
What is the significance of the 'Right to Equality' in the context of the reservation system discussed in the script?
-The 'Right to Equality' is significant in the context of the reservation system as it is a fundamental right in the Indian Constitution that aims to prevent discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for all citizens, including those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding the division of categories within the reservation system in the recent judgment mentioned in the script?
-The Supreme Court's recent judgment decided that all categories within the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reservation system should be divided, and if any community requires reservation, it should be included within this system.
What is the role of the state in the reservation system according to the script?
-According to the script, the state has the responsibility to divide the reservation system into different categories, add any new categories if needed, and ensure that the reservation system is implemented effectively.
What is the 'Majority Ruling' principle mentioned in the script in relation to the Supreme Court's decision?
-The 'Majority Ruling' principle mentioned in the script refers to the decision-making process in the Supreme Court where the majority opinion among the judges determines the final judgment, which in this case was a 6:1 voting in favor of the new classification within the reservation system.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Supreme Court's Judgment on Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes

This paragraph discusses the Supreme Court of India's deliberation on the reservation system for Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/ST). It mentions the initial judgment related to the Andhra Pradesh case from 2004, which involved the categorization of SC/ST into different groups and the provision of reservations. The paragraph highlights the debate on whether to maintain separate categories within the reservation system to avoid infringing on the fundamental rights of equality. It also touches upon the power vested in the President under Article 341 to include any community within the SC/ST category. The Supreme Court's recent review of the 2004 case and the decision to further classify the SC/ST reservation into different categories without altering the percentage of reservation are also discussed.

05:01

📜 Detailed Analysis of the Supreme Court's Reservation Review

The second paragraph delves deeper into the Supreme Court's review of the reservation system, emphasizing the decision to classify the 15% reservation for SC/ST into various categories. It explains that this classification will not increase the percentage of reservation but will rather divide it among different communities within the SC/ST category that require it. The paragraph also discusses the 'creamy layer' concept within the OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation, which excludes the economically well-off sections from availing reservation benefits. It mentions the role of the state in further dividing the reservation categories and the constitutional bodies, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which are tasked with overseeing these matters. The paragraph concludes with a call for viewers to share their thoughts on the judicial review of the Supreme Court's judgment in the comments section.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Reservation

Reservation in the context of the video refers to the policy of setting aside a certain percentage of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for historically disadvantaged groups, such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India. It is a form of affirmative action to promote equality and is central to the video's discussion on the Supreme Court's judgment and its implications.

💡Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in India, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and adjudicating on matters of national importance. In the video, the Supreme Court's judgment on the reservation policy is a key focus, illustrating how its decisions shape the country's social policies.

💡Scheduled Castes (SC)

Scheduled Castes are a group of historically disadvantaged communities in India, recognized by the Constitution for special protection and affirmative action measures. The video discusses the reservation policy for SCs, emphasizing their inclusion and the legal framework supporting it.

💡Scheduled Tribes (ST)

Scheduled Tribes are another group of indigenous communities in India that face social and economic disadvantages. The video mentions the reservation policy for STs, highlighting the government's efforts to uplift these communities through special provisions.

💡Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is a state in India where a significant case related to the reservation policy was filed. The video refers to a case from Andhra Pradesh that reached the Supreme Court, indicating the state's role in the broader national discourse on reservations.

💡Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

Economically Weaker Sections refer to a category of individuals who, despite not being part of the Scheduled Castes or Tribes, are economically disadvantaged and may be eligible for certain reservations. The video touches on the EWS as part of the broader classification within the reservation policy.

💡Article 341

Article 341 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to specify the socially and educationally backward classes, which may be eligible for reservation benefits. The video mentions this article to underline the legal basis for the classification of communities under the reservation policy.

💡Rational Classification

Rational Classification is a principle in constitutional law that requires any classification made by law to be based on a reasonable basis and serve a legitimate state interest. The video discusses the Supreme Court's application of this principle in reviewing the reservation policy.

💡Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights are the basic rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution to all citizens, including the right to equality. The video mentions the potential conflict between the reservation policy and the fundamental right to equality, indicating a key constitutional debate.

💡National Commission for Scheduled Castes

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body established to safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Castes. The video refers to this commission to highlight the institutional mechanisms in place to monitor and implement reservation policies.

💡Review

In the context of the video, 'review' refers to the process by which the Supreme Court re-examines its previous judgments or decisions. The video discusses the review of the 2004 case related to reservations, indicating the ongoing judicial engagement with this policy.

Highlights

Supreme Court discusses the judgment for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reservation.

The Mandal Commission recommended 27% reservation for OBCs.

Supreme Court initially ruled that subcategories within SC/ST reservations were unnecessary.

In 2004, the EV Chinnaiah vs. State of Andhra Pradesh case questioned subcategorization within SC/ST reservations.

Supreme Court's 2004 judgment ruled against subcategories to maintain the right to equality.

Recent Supreme Court judgment revisits the 2004 decision, allowing for subcategories within SC/ST reservations.

New judgment emphasizes rational principles for subcategorization to meet specific purposes.

Supreme Court's Chief Justice DY Chandrachud formed a seven-judge bench for the review.

The new decision does not increase the total reservation percentage but allows division within the existing 15% for SC/ST.

The power to create subcategories within SC/ST reservations is given to the state governments.

States can now decide on subcategories and divisions within SC/ST reservations.

Supreme Court ruling includes support for creamy layer and non-creamy layer distinctions within SC/ST, similar to OBCs.

Justice Bela M. Trivedi was the sole dissenter in the seven-judge bench ruling.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes are constitutional bodies under Articles 338 and 338A.

Judicial review of Supreme Court judgments is addressed under specific articles in the Constitution.