# Centre Opposes Creamy Layer Exclusion for SC, ST Quotas

2026-08-06T20:40:42+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the creamy layer principle does not apply to reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs and educational institutions. It opposed public interest litigations seeking income-based preferences within reserved categories, saying any policy change needs a holistic review, socio-economic data and legislative action. The Times of India reports that a seven-judge Supreme Court verdict on August 1, 2024, allowed states to sub-categorise SC communities and asked governments to frame criteria to exclude the creamy layer. The Centre’s affidavit cites an earlier Constitution bench ruling, saying the principle applies to OBCs and SEBCs, not SCs or STs. It also said Parliament alone can alter the notified SC and ST lists.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/creamy-layer-principle-not-applicable-to-quotas-for-scheduled-castes-scheduled-tribes-centre-affidavit-to-supreme-court-article-155325585>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cant-exclude-sc/st-creamy-layer-from-quotas-government-to-supreme-court/articleshow/133016849.cms>

Tags: creamy layer, SC reservation, social justice, ST reservation, Supreme Court
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/centre-opposes-creamy-layer-rule-for-sc-st-quotas/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/centre-opposes-creamy-layer-rule-for-sc-st-quotas/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.