Creamy Layer Concept — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

Indra Sawhney v. Union of India

1992

This landmark nine-judge bench judgment introduced the creamy layer concept to Indian jurisprudence and fundamentally shaped the country's reservation policy. The Court held that…

M. Nagaraj v. Union of India

2006

This judgment reaffirmed the creamy layer principle while addressing reservations in promotions for SCs and STs. The Court clarified that while the creamy layer concept doesn't…

Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta

2018

This judgment clarified that the creamy layer concept applies to promotions as well as initial appointments for OBC candidates. The Court addressed a long-standing ambiguity about…