New Delhi, July 7, 2025:
In a landmark move towards *inclusive employment, the *Supreme Court of India has officially announced the implementation of reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in staff appointments. This is the first time OBC quota is being introduced in recruitment within India’s apex judicial institution.
The decision has been welcomed by OBC communities, political leaders, and social justice advocates across the country.
What’s in the New Reservation Policy?
The new notification expands the scope of reservation in the Supreme Court’s administrative appointments. Until now, only Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) had reservations in staff hiring and promotions.
Now, the policy has been broadened to include:
- OBC (Other Backward Classes)
- Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
- Ex-Servicemen
- Families of Freedom Fighters
This change aligns the Supreme Court’s employment practices with broader constitutional values of equity and representation.
Legal Foundation of the Move
The implementation was formalized under Article 146(2) of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to make rules regarding conditions of service for court employees.
A notification issued on July 4 modifies the Supreme Court Officers and Servants (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules, 1961, thereby extending reservation to eligible categories.
As per the official policy:
- 15% reservation will be given to SCs
- 7.5% reservation will go to STs
- Additional quotas will now apply to OBCs, PwDs, ex-servicemen, and freedom fighter families, as per Government of India norms.
The policy is applicable across various designations such as *Registrars, Senior Personal Assistants, Librarians, Junior Court Assistants, and *Chamber Attendants, among others.
Empowerment Through Opportunity
Legal experts believe this development marks a *progressive shift in India’s judicial employment ecosystem, aligning it more closely with the principles of social justice outlined in the Constitution. The *Chief Justice retains the right to make exceptions or amendments to this policy as needed.
Why This Decision Matters:
- Historic first: OBC quota introduced in Supreme Court staffing.
- *Expanded representation: Now includes *PwDs, ex-servicemen, and freedom fighter families.
- *Constitutionally backed: Enforced under *Article 146(2) by the Chief Justice of India.
- Applies to various court-level administrative posts.