1990 Reservations Decision

The 1990 Reservations Decision was a Supreme Court case that addressed whether affirmative action policies, which reserve a certain percentage of government jobs and educational seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, violate the principle of equality. The Court upheld these reservations, recognizing their importance for social justice and remedying historical discrimination. However, it also emphasized that such reservations should not exceed 50% of the available positions and must be implemented fairly, balancing the need for affirmative action with overall merit and efficiency. This decision affirmed the constitutionality of reservations as a means to promote equality and social inclusion.