Supreme Court Rejects Centre’s 2-Year Plea on OBC Creamy Layer Norms
Public Lokpal
November 06, 2026
Supreme Court Rejects Centre’s 2-Year Plea on OBC Creamy Layer Norms
The Supreme Court of India turned down the Union Government’s request for a two-year extension to establish post-equivalence criteria for determining the OBC “creamy layer” across Public Sector Undertakings and financial institutions.
Refusing the multi-year timeframe, a bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan granted a strict eight-week deadline to enforce compliance with its March 11, 2026 judgment.
The earlier verdict invalidated evaluating creamy layer status solely through parental income limits, directing the Centre to incorporate status-based post categories as originally framed in the 1993 Office Memorandum.
While directing swift compliance, the apex court clarified that the ruling will not apply retroactively to reopen selection processes or public employment appointments finalized prior to the March 11 judgment.