# Centre Opposes Income-Based Sub-Quota in SC, ST, OBC Reservations 2026-08-07T11:52:09+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Union government has told the Supreme Court it will not tweak caste-based reservation rules to favour the economically weaker among SC, ST, OBC and EWS groups. In a counter-affidavit filed in the case Ramashankar Prajapati vs Union of India, the Centre dismissed the petition as "misconceived" and argued it seeks to direct executive policy through courts, LiveLaw reported. The government said reservation lists rest on historical, social and educational backwardness, not economic status alone. Scheduled Castes face the historical disadvantage of untouchability; Scheduled Tribes show distinct cultures and geographical isolation. Only Parliament can amend these lists under Articles 341, 342 and 342A. The Centre also clarified that the "creamy layer" principle applies only to OBCs, not SCs or STs. It urged the court to dismiss the plea and impose costs. ## Coverage - livemint.com Tags: caste, creamy layer, OBC, reservation, social justice, Supreme Court Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/centre-opposes-income-based-sub-quota-in-sc-st-obc-reservations/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/centre-opposes-income-based-sub-quota-in-sc-st-obc-reservations/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.