The confusion over ‘creamy layer’ students in the implementation of 27 per cent OBC seat reservation in centrally funded higher educational institutions of India has finally been cleared. It has been decided by the Indian government that it will exclude those OBC students from the ambit of 27 per cent quota in higher educational institutions who are socially and economically advanced.  

 

India’s External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee has remarked that attempt will be made to implement whatever verdict the Supreme Court has made pertaining to the OBC quota in institutions of higher education. Pranab Mukherjee further said that the view of the government was clear as it wanted to make a distinction between opportunities of higher education and those available for job reservation.

 

The Indian minister said that the creamy layer concept was intended for job reservation. He said the 93rd amendment is for educational opportunities, which is to be open to all OBCs including those from the creamy layer. The External Affairs Minister reiterated the apex court’s stance saying that the creamy layer among OBCs was not entitled to the benefit of quotas in higher educational institutions.

 

This verdict of the SC will now assist the HRD ministry in guiding the higher educational institutions in India on the issue of OBC quota implementation, as they had earlier decided to put on hold the admission process. The Supreme Court of India had upheld the controversial law last week providing 27 per cent quota for OBCs in IITs and other educational institutions, but excluded the creamy layer from its ambit.