Creamy layer: SC to hear Centre’s plea on CSE 2025 candidates

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will hear on September 17 the Centre’s plea seeking clarification on the applicability of its March 11 judgment on OBC creamy-layer criteria to candidates who appeared for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025.

In its March 11 judgment, the court ruled that OBC creamy-layer status should not be determined solely on the basis of a candidate’s parents’ income. It said their social status and other relevant criteria should also be taken into account.

The Centre has pointed to practical difficulties in applying the judgment to CSE 2025 candidates, who are awaiting service allocation. It has sought permission to proceed with the allocation based on the creamy-layer criteria that were in force before the March 11 judgment.

A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan issued notice to the respondents. The matter will be taken up for hearing on September 17.