Article 15(4) and 16(4) — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
Supreme Court upholds EWS reservation in NEET admissions
October 2022The Supreme Court's validation of 10% EWS reservation in medical admissions relates directly to Articles 15(4) and 16(4) by expanding the scope of positive discrimination beyond traditional caste-based categories. This development challenges the conventional understanding of 'backward classes' and introduces economic criteria as a valid basis for reservation, potentially requiring reinterpretation of these constitutional provisions.
UPSC Angle: UPSC may test the constitutional validity of EWS reservations, their relationship with existing reservation policies, and whether economic backwardness alone can justify special provisions under Articles 15(4) and 16(4).
Karnataka implements internal reservation within SC category
March 2023Karnataka's decision to provide internal reservation within the SC category for more marginalized sub-castes raises important questions about the scope and application of Articles 15(4) and 16(4). This policy challenges the traditional understanding of these articles as providing uniform benefits to entire categories and introduces the concept of gradations within reserved categories.
UPSC Angle: Questions may focus on the constitutional validity of sub-categorization within reserved categories, the principle of equality among SCs, and whether Articles 15(4) and 16(4) permit such internal differentiation.