ANALYTICAL STUDY OF RESERVATIONS AND ITS CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY AND ITS CHALLENGES

AUTHOR – N. VELMURUGAN* & KK. NAKSHATHRA**

• STUDENT AT VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED STUDIES

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED STUDIES

BEST CITATION – N. VELMURUGAN & KK. NAKSHATHRA, ANALYTICAL STUDY OF RESERVATIONS AND ITS CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY AND ITS CHALLENGES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (4) OF 2026, PG. 435-468, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I444

ABSTRACT

This dissertation examines India’s reservation policy from historical origins to modern challenges, confirming its constitutional validity only under strict conditions like data-backed quotas and creamy layer exclusions.

India’s reservation system, evolved from colonial safeguards to a 59.5% quota framework via seven amendments, faces constitutional scrutiny amid 14 states breaching the 50% ceiling (Indra Sawhney, 1992) and persistent issues like SC/ST creamy layer gaps (Jarnail Singh, 2018) and EWS exclusions. Employing doctrinal analysis of primary sources (Constitution Articles 14-16, 330-342; 26 judgments) and secondary literature (Mandal, Rohini reports), this LLB dissertation traces pre-colonial roots, legislative expansions, judicial doctrines (50% rule, proportionality), implementation failures (dynastic capture, data voids), and comparative models (US strict scrutiny ban, South African BEE sunset).

Key findings validate hypotheses: Reservations endure only with quantifiable data, sub-50% limits, and uniform creamy layers, while judicial expansions risk basic structure violations (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973).

Recommendations include a 2026 caste census, SC/ST creamy layer enforcement, Ninth Schedule Ninth Schedule reforms for Tamil Nadu’s 69% quota, Rohini sub-categorization, and hybrid caste-economic weighting with 10-year sunsets—restoring Ambedkar’s temporary equity vision while preserving merit (Article 335).

Keywords: Reservation, Constitution of India, Kesavananda Bharati, Social Impact, Article 15, Article 16, Article 46, Article 335, Article 338, DPSP, Indra Sawhney, Mandal Commission, South Africa’s BEE, Five Reform Pillars, Economic Criterion Era, Article 338, Sunset clause, Creamy Layer Refinement, Directive Principles.