Why goverment doesn't want to extend 'creamy layer' principle for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe categories

The Indian government has informed the Supreme Court that the "creamy layer" principle should not be extended to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories under the reservation policy. The government contends that this doctrine has only been applied to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) historically. While opposing a plea for an income-based sub-quota within reserved categories, the Centre emphasized that the reservation policy is based on historical, social, and caste-based criteria rather than solely economic ones.

The government stated that any modifications, particularly introducing income-based preferences for reserved categories, require a comprehensive review and thorough empirical study, including socio-economic data of beneficiaries, as per Bar and Bench. Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment pointed out in a reply on June 15, 2026, that only the Parliament can decide on extending the creamy layer principle to SC and ST categories.

The Ministry urged the court to avoid petitions seeking judicial directions to alter the country's reservation policy. The creamy layer concept, originally introduced for OBCs by the Sattanathan Commission in 1971 and later by the Justice Ram Nandan Committee in 1993, excludes wealthy and educated members with a family income above ₹8 lakhs (excluding agricultural income) from reservation benefits.

The Supreme Court directed states to identify and exclude the creamy layer within SCs/STs from receiving reservation benefits in August 2024, but the government argued that this cannot be extended to SC and ST categories because their discrimination is not based on economic conditions.