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Topic 034 · Law, Judiciary & Landmark Judgments

SC on creamy layer and open-category merit

10 MCQs · tap an option to check it · All answers

Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA
  1. Core Trigger: On 11 March 2026, in Union of India v Rohith Nathan, the Supreme Court held that salary income alone cannot decide OBC creamy-layer status.
  2. Parents' Post: The Court held parents' post and social standing must also be weighed, and addressed equivalence of government, PSU and private posts.
  3. Current Head: The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, heads the Supreme Court that delivered both 2026 rulings.
  4. Key Term: Creamy layer means advanced sections among backward classes, excluded from reservation benefits.
  5. Open Seats: In Airports Authority of India v Sham Krishna (2026), a reserved candidate above the general cut-off was held eligible for an open seat.
  6. Principle: Open category is merit-based, not a caste compartment.
  7. India Link: These rulings decide how seats are filled in public recruitment.
  8. Venue: The Supreme Court of India sits at Tilak Marg, New Delhi.
  9. Founded: The Supreme Court was inaugurated on 28 January 1950, two days after the Constitution commenced.
  10. Landmark: Indra Sawhney v Union of India (1992): nine judges upheld 27 per cent OBC reservation, introduced creamy-layer exclusion and capped reservation at 50 per cent.
  11. Articles: Article 16(4) permits reservation for inadequately represented backward classes; Article 16(1) guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment.
  12. Doctrine: Meritorious reserved candidates migrate: one qualifying on general merit is counted in the open list, not the reserved quota.
Question 1 of 10

In Union of India v Rohith Nathan (11 March 2026), the Supreme Court held that what alone cannot decide OBC creamy-layer status?

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Answer: (D) Salary income

Core Trigger: On 11 March 2026, in Union of India v Rohith Nathan, the Supreme Court held that salary income alone cannot decide OBC creamy-layer status.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 1

Question 2 of 10

Besides government posts, the Court addressed the equivalence of which other posts for creamy-layer purposes?

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Answer: (B) PSU and private posts

Parents' Post: The Court held parents' post and social standing must also be weighed, and addressed equivalence of government, PSU and private posts.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 2

Question 3 of 10

Who is the Chief Justice of India heading the Supreme Court that delivered both 2026 rulings?

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Answer: (D) Surya Kant

Current Head: The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, heads the Supreme Court that delivered both 2026 rulings.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 3

Question 4 of 10

Consider: 1. Creamy layer means advanced sections among backward classes. 2. Creamy-layer members receive reservation benefits. Which of the statements is/are correct?

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Answer: (A) Only 1

Key Term: Creamy layer means advanced sections among backward classes, excluded from reservation benefits.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 4

Question 5 of 10

In Airports Authority of India v Sham Krishna (2026), a reserved candidate above the general cut-off was held eligible for what?

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Answer: (D) An open seat

Open Seats: In Airports Authority of India v Sham Krishna (2026), a reserved candidate above the general cut-off was held eligible for an open seat.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 5

Question 6 of 10

The creamy-layer and open-seat rulings decide how seats are filled in what?

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Answer: (A) Public recruitment

India Link: These rulings decide how seats are filled in public recruitment.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 7

Question 7 of 10

At which New Delhi address does the Supreme Court of India sit?

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Answer: (B) Tilak Marg

Venue: The Supreme Court of India sits at Tilak Marg, New Delhi.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 8

Question 8 of 10

On which date was the Supreme Court inaugurated?

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Answer: (B) 28 January 1950

Founded: The Supreme Court was inaugurated on 28 January 1950, two days after the Constitution commenced.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 9

Question 9 of 10

In Indra Sawhney v Union of India (1992), reservation was capped at what percentage?

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Answer: (D) 50 per cent

Landmark: Indra Sawhney v Union of India (1992): nine judges upheld 27 per cent OBC reservation, introduced creamy-layer exclusion and capped reservation at 50 per cent.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 10

Question 10 of 10

Consider: 1. Article 16(4) permits reservation for inadequately represented backward classes. 2. Article 16(1) guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment. Which of the statements is/are correct?

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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Articles: Article 16(4) permits reservation for inadequately represented backward classes; Article 16(1) guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 034, point 11

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