Story perspectives

Supreme Court upholds 2018 SC/ST Act amendment

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 4:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

India’s Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the 2018 SC/ST Act amendment.
Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana ruled the amendment stands.
Petitioners Brijbhushan Saini and 18 others contested Sections 3, 4, 8, 18, 18A and 19 of the Act.
Court cited the 2020 Prathvi Raj Chauhan decision upholding the amendment.
Bench said existing safeguards and case-by-case judicial review prevent misuse of the law.

History

Historical Context

India’s affirmative-action program began in 1950 and widened after the 1979 Mandal Commission, which proposed a 27 % OBC quota. The 1992 Indra Sawhney ruling upheld that quota, introduced the “creamy layer” and capped reservations at 50 %. Later cases—2022’s Janhit Abhiyan (adding 10 % EWS, total 59.5 %) and the 2024 SC/ST sub-quota decision—rely on this precedent, shaping the challenge to the 2018 amendment.

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Story summary

India’s Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the 2018 SC/ST Act amendment.
Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana ruled the amendment stands.
Petitioners Brijbhushan Saini and 18 others contested Sections 3, 4, 8, 18, 18A and 19 of the Act.
Court cited the 2020 Prathvi Raj Chauhan decision upholding the amendment.
Bench said existing safeguards and case-by-case judicial review prevent misuse of the law.

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