Centre Seeks Two-Year Window to Implement OBC Creamy Layer Verdict

The Union government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a two-year window to implement its verdict on the creamy layer within Other Backward Classes, arguing that applying the ruling with immediate effect could disrupt recruitment already under way.

The government has asked for what it describes as a "limited prospective overruling" of the judgment. Under this approach, the ruling would apply only to future cases rather than reaching back to earlier or ongoing recruitment processes.

In its submission, the Centre contended that immediate application of the verdict could unsettle the seniority, cadre allocation and appointments of candidates who were not parties to the litigation. It said these candidates would be affected by a decision taken in proceedings they had no role in.

The request effectively seeks breathing room to work out how the judgment is to be operationalised across recruitment and promotion processes, while shielding existing appointments from disruption.

The matter now rests with the top court, which will decide whether to grant the window and the limited prospective application sought by the government.