Why SC said ‘creamy layer’ verdict can’t reopen past appointments

The Indian Express · Amaal Sheikh · 2026-11-06 13:30 UTC

Those included in the “creamy layer” are not entitled to OBC reservation benefits. In March 2026, the Supreme Court had ruled that income cannot be the sole criterion to decide the OBC creamy layer.

The Supreme Court on Friday (November 6) said its March verdict on the “creamy layer” among Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will not reopen selections and appointments already concluded but will apply to the pending Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 service allocation.

The “creamy layer” is a term used in India’s reservation system to describe wealthier, more advanced members of OBCs. Those included in the creamy layer are not entitled to OBC reservation benefits.

In March, the court had ruled that income cannot be the sole criterion to decide the OBC creamy layer, and settled the long-pending question of equivalence between public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private sector employees and those in the government sector.

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