Supreme Court To Hear Centre's Plea On OBC Creamy Layer Rules

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider setting up a special bench to hear the Centre's plea regarding the application of OBC creamy-layer criteria to candidates selected through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025.

The Centre has approached the top court seeking permission to proceed with service allocation for 958 candidates recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) using the OBC creamy-layer criteria that were in force before the March 11 judgement.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was informed that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had filed a miscellaneous application in a matter that had already been disposed of. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, requested that the application be considered by the bench that had delivered the March 11 judgement.

The March 11 judgement held that a 2004 clarification issued by the DoPT could not override the framework laid down in the 1993 Office Memorandum for identifying members of the OBC creamy layer. The court clarified that the salary or income of a parent working in a private company or public sector undertaking cannot, by itself, determine whether a candidate falls within the creamy layer.

The CSE 2025 notification was issued on January 22, 2025, and the preliminary examination was held on May 25, 2025. The main examination took place from August 22 to 31, and the UPSC declared the final result on March 6, 2026, recommending 958 candidates for appointment to the IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services.

The Centre has argued that candidates participated in the examination based on the interpretation of the rules that existed at that time. The government has told the court that applying the March 11 ruling retrospectively could create unequal outcomes among candidates who made decisions based on the rules and administrative interpretation applicable during CSE 2025.

The Supreme Court's decision to consider the Centre's plea is significant, as it will have implications for the service allocation of the 958 candidates selected through the CSE 2025. The court's clarification on the OBC creamy-layer criteria will provide guidance on how to proceed with the allocation process.

The case highlights the complexities and challenges involved in implementing reservation policies and the need for clarity and consistency in their application. The Supreme Court's decision will be closely watched, as it will have a bearing on the careers of the candidates selected through the CSE 2025.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court's consideration of the Centre's plea on OBC creamy-layer rules for CSE 2025 candidates is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications for the candidates and the reservation policy. The court's decision will provide much-needed clarity and guidance on the application of the OBC creamy-layer criteria, ensuring that the service allocation process is fair and transparent.