In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has introduced reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in its staff recruitment for the first time. This follows the recent inclusion of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) under its recruitment quota framework.
The new provisions also extend to other categories including physically challenged persons, ex-servicemen, and dependents of freedom fighters.
These changes have been formalised through an amendment to the Supreme Court Officers and Servants (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules, 1961. A notification dated July 3, 2025, issued by the Chief Justice of India under clause (2) of Article 146 of the Constitution, substitutes Rule 4A of the Rules.
The revised Rule 4A reads:
“Reservation in direct recruitment to various categories of posts specified in the Schedule, for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Physically Challenged, Ex-servicemen and dependant of Freedom Fighters shall be in accordance with the Rules, orders, and Notifications issued from time to time by the Government of India in respect of posts carrying the pay scale corresponding to the pay scale prescribed for the post specified in the Schedule, subject to such modification, variation or exception as the Chief Justice may, from time to time, specify.”
