Indra Sawhney Case — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

For Prelims preparation on Indra Sawhney case, focus on memorizing specific factual details: 50% ceiling rule, creamy layer exclusion, exclusion of promotional reservations, 9-judge constitutional bench, 1992 judgment year, and constitutional articles 14, 15, 16, 340.

Create memory aids for the three cardinal principles and their rationale. Practice elimination techniques by understanding common traps - confusing creamy layer with reservation ceiling, mixing up promotional inclusion/exclusion, and incorrectly attributing certain principles to other cases like Balaji.

Pay special attention to the constitutional interpretation aspect - Article 16(4) as enabling provision rather than exception. Study the case's connection with Mandal Commission recommendations and subsequent constitutional amendments (77th, 81st, 85th).

Focus on contemporary applications including EWS reservations and lateral entry debates as these are likely to appear in current affairs-based questions. Use comparative analysis with other reservation cases to strengthen conceptual clarity and avoid confusion during elimination.