The Supreme Court of India has rejected petitions asking for a review of its November 7, 2022, decision to introduce a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in admissions and government jobs. The court stated that there were no errors on the record and dismissed the review petitions. The five-judge bench that made the decision was presided over by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and also included Justices Dinesh Maheshwari, S Ravindra Bhat, Bela M Trivedi, and J B Pardiwala.
The November 7, 2022, ruling upheld the 10% quota by a 3:2 majority. Three justices agreed that the amendment does not violate the Constitution’s basic structure, while two dissented. The majority view saw reservation as a tool for inclusion of socially and educationally backward classes to mainstream society, while the minority view argued that the EWS quota contradicts equal opportunity principles. Justices Trivedi and Pardiwala suggested it is necessary to re-examine and refine the concept of reservation in line with current realities, without allowing it to become a vested interest.
Several parties, including Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK, filed petitions to review the ruling.
