Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (Mandal Case)

50% ceiling on reservations, creamy layer exclusion, no reservations in promotions, backwardness is the criterion.

Challenge to the implementation of 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs based on the Mandal Commission report.

Constitutional validity of OBC reservations, ceiling on reservations, and the creamy layer concept.

The petitioners argued that caste-based reservations violate the right to equality. The government defended reservations as affirmative action.

Upheld 27% OBC reservation with conditions: 50% ceiling on total reservations, exclusion of creamy layer, and no reservations in promotions.

Reservations cannot exceed 50% in normal circumstances. Creamy layer must be excluded from OBC reservations. No reservations in promotions.

This judgment significantly shaped India's affirmative action framework, establishing limits and conditions for reservations.

This judgment continues to guide reservation policies in India. The creamy layer concept has been applied to various reservation schemes.