The Crossbill News Desk
In a significant first, the Supreme Court of India has introduced reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the recruitment of its staff.
This move comes alongside a formalisation of post-wise quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), marking a comprehensive shift in the top court’s recruitment policy.
According to a gazette notification dated July 3, the Chief Justice of India, exercising powers under clause (2) of Article 146 of the Constitution, amended Rule 4A of the Supreme Court Officers and Servants (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules, 1961. The amendment now brings the Supreme Court’s staff recruitment in line with government norms for reservation.
The updated Rule 4A states that reservations in direct recruitment for various categories of posts—covering SCs, STs, OBCs, Persons with Disabilities, ex-servicemen, and dependants of freedom fighters—will adhere to rules and notifications issued by the Government of India. However, it also provides the Chief Justice the discretion to introduce modifications as necessary.
This is the first time that OBCs have been included in the reservation framework of the Supreme Court.
While quotas existed for SC/ST categories earlier, the rules had no mention of OBCs until now. The inclusion has taken place under the leadership of Chief Justice B R Gavai.
The announcement comes after the Supreme Court recently formalised a roster for SC/ST quotas in line with the 1995 Constitution Bench ruling in R K Sabharwal vs State of Punjab. The ruling mandated that reservations in government services should be based on the total number of sanctioned posts (post-based) rather than the number of annual vacancies (vacancy-based).
It also called for separate rosters for direct recruitment and promotions, ensuring that a post earmarked for a specific category remains so even after the incumbent retires or vacates it.
The move is being seen as a step towards greater inclusivity and compliance with constitutional equality mandates within the judiciary's administrative structure.
This move comes alongside a formalisation of post-wise quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), marking a comprehensive shift in the top court’s recruitment policy.
According to a gazette notification dated July 3, the Chief Justice of India, exercising powers under clause (2) of Article 146 of the Constitution, amended Rule 4A of the Supreme Court Officers and Servants (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules, 1961. The amendment now brings the Supreme Court’s staff recruitment in line with government norms for reservation.
The updated Rule 4A states that reservations in direct recruitment for various categories of posts—covering SCs, STs, OBCs, Persons with Disabilities, ex-servicemen, and dependants of freedom fighters—will adhere to rules and notifications issued by the Government of India. However, it also provides the Chief Justice the discretion to introduce modifications as necessary.
This is the first time that OBCs have been included in the reservation framework of the Supreme Court.
While quotas existed for SC/ST categories earlier, the rules had no mention of OBCs until now. The inclusion has taken place under the leadership of Chief Justice B R Gavai.
The announcement comes after the Supreme Court recently formalised a roster for SC/ST quotas in line with the 1995 Constitution Bench ruling in R K Sabharwal vs State of Punjab. The ruling mandated that reservations in government services should be based on the total number of sanctioned posts (post-based) rather than the number of annual vacancies (vacancy-based).
It also called for separate rosters for direct recruitment and promotions, ensuring that a post earmarked for a specific category remains so even after the incumbent retires or vacates it.
The move is being seen as a step towards greater inclusivity and compliance with constitutional equality mandates within the judiciary's administrative structure.
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