Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
3. Trace the evolution of the concept of ‘creamy layer’ with respect to identifying a Backward Class for reservation. Do you think the concept should be applied to reservation among Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes communities? Critically Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , The Hindu
Why the question:
During the Monsoon Session, MPs have raised questions about revising the criteria for defining the creamy layer among OBCs.
Key Demand of the question:
To trace the development of the concept of creamy layer and reason if its should be extended to SC/ST communities.
Directive word:
Critically analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining the creamy layer with respect to identifying a Backward Class for reservation.
Body:
To trace the development of the concept of creamy layer from the beginning up till the present times. Mandal Commission report, Indra Sawhney judgment (1992), Nagaraj case (2006) and Jarnail Singh vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta case (2018).
Next, argue for the need for a creamy layer to reservation among Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes communities. Also, mention the central governments stand and other reasons why creamy layer is not need therefore.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced view regarding creamy layer for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes communities.
