Abstract

This study examines the evolution of affirmative action in India, with a focus on sub classification within the reservations of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), as seen through the lens of the historic Davinder Singh case. The article traces the history of caste-based affirmative action, from the communal award and the Poona Pact to the post-independence constitutional provisions that attempted to address the socioeconomic disparities faced by SCs and STs. Examining the arguments for and against homogeneous versus heterogeneous classification within SC/ST groups highlights significant court decisions that have influenced the conversation, such as those issued by Chinnaiah and Indra Sawhney. The Davinder Singh case can serve as a focal point for discussions about the constitutional and legal implications of reservation sub classification, the impact of empirical data on affirmative action policies, and India’s overall pursuit of social democracy.

Keywords: Affirmative action, Reservation, Scheduled caste, Scheduled tribe