Mandal Commission Case
Supreme Court of India1992 Supp (3) SCC 217Bench: 9-judge bench: Sawant J, Kuldip Singh J, Pandian J, Thommen J, Jeevan Reddy J, Agrawal J (majority); Mukherjee CJ, Venkatachaliah J, Ahmadi J (partial dissent on some aspects)
The 27% reservation for OBCs is constitutionally valid under Article 16(4). Total reservation cannot exceed 50% (the "50% rule"). The creamy layer — the socially advanced sections of OBCs — must be excluded from reservations. Reservations cannot apply to promotions in government service. Economic criterion alone cannot be the basis for reservations under Article 16(4). The 10% economic reservation for upper castes was struck down.