Centre opposes creamy layer in SC/ST reservations, tells Supreme Court policy needs empirical studyThe Centre has opposed the implementation of the creamy layer principle in SC/ST reservations before the Supreme Court, arguing that such a policy requires a comprehensive empirical study and falls within the executive's domain rather than judicial intervention. It also cited subsequent rulings to contend that the creamy layer principle has not been held applicable to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Centre and all state governments on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking implementation of the creamy layer principle in reservations for SCs and STs. The petitions relied upon the Constitution Bench decision in State of Punjab vs. Davinder Singh, delivered on August 1, 2024, in which a majority of judges favoured application of the creamy layer principle while permitting sub-classification within Scheduled Castes. However, soon after the verdict, the Union government maintained that the Constitution does not provide for a creamy layer within SC/ST reservations.