In a move that could reshape the contours of India’s affirmative action framework, the Supreme Court recently issued notice to the Centre on a petition demanding an income-based filter within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) reservation system.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by Ramashankar Prajapati from the OBC community and Yamuna Prasad from the SC community, contends that the existing quota structure fails to distinguish between the affluent and the impoverished within SC and ST groups — allowing a privileged few to monopolise opportunities for decades while millions remain mired in deprivation.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi agreed to hear the plea, but cautioned the petitioners to “be ready for strong opposition from both sides” given the deep political and social sensitivities involved.

Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Reena S Singh clarified they were “not disturbing the percentage of reservation” but seeking to prioritise benefits “based on economic criteria so that those most in need are helped first.”

‘Select few cornering gains’

The petition argues that over the past 75 years, the gains of reservation have disproportionately flowed to a “small but influential” segment of SC/ST families who, through access to quality education, stable jobs, and political clout, have secured a generational advantage.

Meanwhile, the majority of SC/ST households — still struggling for basic education, healthcare, and dignified livelihoods — remain excluded from the transformative impact that affirmative action was designed to deliver.

The petitioners cite persistent poverty levels and intra-community economic stratification as evidence that the current system, without an income cap, is “insufficient to achieve holistic upliftment.” They propose a ‘creamy layer’ model similar to that applied in OBC reservations, which would bar families above a certain income and asset threshold from availing quota benefits.

Call for structural overhaul

The PIL also recommends targeted measures such as financial aid for the poorest students, specialized skills training, and entrepreneurship support to ensure sustainable livelihoods beyond government jobs.

The plea draws strength from an August 2024 Constitution Bench ruling that held SCs can be sub-classified for reservation purposes — a judgment the petitioners say opens the door to economic prioritization.

Whether the court will endorse an “income filter” for SC/ST quotas — a politically fraught reform that could redraw the map of social justice — now hinges on the Centre’s response.