Holding

The Office Memoranda are illegal and inconsistent with the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995; the Government must extend 3% reservation to PWD in all identified Group A and B posts irrespective of recruitment mode.

Summary

The petitioners, who are persons with disabilities (PWD) employed by Prasar Bharati, challenged two Government of India office memoranda that denied them the statutory 3% reservation in identified Group A and B posts when such posts were filled by promotion. The core issue was whether the memoranda, which limited reservation to direct recruitment and excluded promotions, were consistent with Sections 32 and 33 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, and whether the rule in Indira Sawhney barring reservation in promotions applied to PWD. The Court held that the memoranda were illegal and contrary to the 1995 Act, emphasizing that once a post is identified as suitable for PWD, reservation must apply irrespective of the mode of recruitment. It further clarified that the Indira Sawhney principle concerning backward‑class reservations does not extend to PWD, whose classification is based on physical disability, not prohibited criteria under Article 16(1). Consequently, the Government was directed to extend the 3% reservation to all identified Group A and B posts, and the writ petition was allowed. The related civil appeal was disposed of.

Issues considered

The legality of the Office Memoranda that denied 3% reservation to PWD in identified Group A and B posts when filled by promotion.
Whether the prohibition on reservation in promotions under Indira Sawhney applies to reservations for persons with disabilities under the 1995 Act.
Interpretation of Sections 32 and 33 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 in relation to identified posts and mode of recruitment.

Legislation cited

Subjects

reservationpersons with disabilitiesidentified postspromotionIndira SawhneyArticle 16employment equalityPrasar BharatiPersons with Disabilities Act

Judgment

[2016) 3 S.C.R. 407

RAJEEV KUMAR GUPTA & OTHERS A

v.
UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS
(Writ Petition (Civil) No.521 of2008)
8
JUNE 30, 2016
[J. CHELAMESWAR AND ABHAY MANOHAR SAPRE, JJ.)
Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of
Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 - s. 2(t) 32, 33 - Office
Memoranda No.36035116191-Estt. (SCT) dated 18.02.1997 and C
No.360351312004-Estt. (RES) dated 29.12.2005 by the Department
of Personnel and Training, Government of India wherein disabled
deprived of the statutory benefit of 3% reservation in identified
post falling in Group A and B posts in Prasar Bharati Corporation
- Legality of--' Held: Memoranda is illegal and inconsistent with D
the 1995 Act -.Once a post is identified, it means that persons with
disability-PWD is fully capable of discharging the functions
associated with the identified post, reservation u/s. 33 to an extent
of not less than three per cent must follow - Post must be reserved
for PWD irrespective of the mode of recruitment adopted by the
State for filling up of the said post - Tlws, the Government directed E
to extend three percent reservation to PWD in all IDENTIFIED
POSTS in Group A and Group B, irrespective of the mode offilling
up of such posts - Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of
India) Act. 1990 - Office Memoranda No.36035116191-Estt. (SCT)
dated 18.02.1997 and No.360351312004-Estt. (RES) dated F
29.12.2005.
Allowing the Writ petition and disposing of the Civil appeal,
the Court
HELD: 1. The impugned memoranda as illegal and
inconsistent with the Persons with Disabilities (Equal G
Opportunities, Protection of. Rights and Full Participation) Act,
1995. The Government is directed to extend three percent
reservation to PWD in all IDENTIFIED POSTS in Group A and
Group B, irrespective of the mode of fiIJing up of such posts.
[Para 25) [418-G]
H
407
408 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2016] 3 S.C.R.

A 2.1 The submission that majority opinion in *Indra Sawlmey
must also apply to bar reservation in promotions to IDENTIFIED
POSTS of Group A and Group B, cannot be accepted. The *Indra
Sawlmey ruling arose in the context of reservations in favour of
backward classes of citizens falling within the sweep of Art. 16(4).
The principle laid down in *Indra Sawlmey is applicable only when
B
the State seeks to give preferential treatment in the matter of
employment under State to certain classes of citizens identified
to be a backward class. Art. 16(4) does not disable the State from
providing differential treatment (reservations) to other classes
of citizens u/Art. 16(1) if they otherwise deserve such treatment.
c However, for creating such preferential treatment under law,
consistent with the mandate of Article 16(1), the State cannot
choose any one of the factors such as caste, religion etc.
mentioned in Article 16(1) as the basis. The basis for providing
reservation for PWD is physical disability and not any of the
criteria forbidden u/Art. 16(1). Thus, the rule of no reservation
D
in promotions as laid down in *Indra Sawlmey has clearly and
normatively no application to the PWD. [Paras 15,16, 21] [415-
B; 416-A; 417-D-E; 418-A]
2.2 The 1995 Act was enacted to fulfill India's obligations
under the 'Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of
E the People with Disabilities in the Asia and Pacific Region'. The
objective behind the 1995 Act is to integrate PWD into the society
and to ensure their economic progress. The intent is to turn PWD
into 'agents of their own destiny'. PWD arc not and cannot be
equated with backward classes contemplated u/Art. 16(4). May
F be, certain factors are commoµ to both backward classes and
PWD snch as social attitudes and historical neglect etc. [Para 22]
[418-B-C]
2.3 Admittedly low numbers of PWD (much below 3 %) are
in government employment long years after the 1995 Act. Barriers
to their entry must, thus, be scrutinized by rigorous standards
G withiir1he legal framework of 1995 Act. [Para 23] [418-D]
2.4 A combined reading of Sections 32 and 33 of the 1995
Act explicates a fine and designed balance between requirements
of administration and the imperative to provide greater
opportunities to PWD. Therefore, the identification exercise
H under Section 32 is crucial. Once a post is identified, it means
RAJEEV KUMAR GUPTA & OTHERS v. UNION OF INDIA & 409
OTHERS

that a PWD is fully capable of discharging the functions associated A
with the identified post. Once found to be so capable, reservation
under Section 33 to an extent of not less than three per cent
must follow. Once the post is identified, it must be reserved for
PWD irrespective of the mode of recruitment adopted by the .
State for filling up of the said post. [Para 24) [418-D-F]
8
*Indra Sawhney & Others v. Union of India & Others
1992 Supp (3) SCC 215; General Manage1; Southern
Railway & Another v. Rangachari AIR 1962 SC 36 :
1962 SCR 586; T. Devadasan v. Union of India and
Anr. AIR 1964 SC 179 : 1964 SCR 680; State of Kera/a c
v. N.M Thomas 1976 (1) SCR 906 : (1976) 2 SCC 31!)
- referred to.

Case Law Reference

1992 Supp (3) sec 215 referred to Para 8 D
1962 SCR 586 referred to Para 14

- 1964 SCR 680 referred to Para 17

1976 (1) SCR 906 referred to Para 17
E
CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION : Writ Petition (Civil) No.
521 of2008

WITH

C. A. No. 5389 of2016 F
Basava Prabhu Patil; S. K. Rongta, Sr. Advs., Ms. Reena Singh,
AAG, Rajan Mani, Moses Raj G. S., lrshad Ahmad, Dr. Mani sh Singhvi,
Devanshli Kumar Devesh, Irshad Ahmad, Purushottam Sharma Tripathi,
Mukesh Kumar Singh, Ravi Chandra Prakash, Luv Kumar, L. Nidhi
Ram Sharma, Ranvir Singh Chillar, Sanjeev K. Saroha, Ms. Kirti Kumar, G
Prashant Singh, Rameshwar Prasad Goyal, Rajeev Sharma, Ms.
Aishwarya Bhati, Dilip Kumar Nagar, T. Gopal, Anshul Sharma, Gp.
Capt. Karan Singh Bhati, Sudeep Kumar, C. D. Singh, Udit Deshpandey,
Saurabh Prakash, Mohinder Jit Singh, Yadav Narender Singh, Nikhil
Maj ithia, Ad vs. for the appearing parties.
H
410 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2016] 3 S.C.R.

A The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

J. CHELAMESWAR, J. I. Leave granted in SLP (Civil) No.
244of2016.

2. The petitioners are employed with Prasar Bharati Corporation
B oflndia (hereinafter, "Prasar Bharati"), a statutory corporation brought
into existence b) the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation oflndia)
Act, 1990 (hereinafter "the 1990 Act"). The petitioners are 'persons
with disability' (hereinafter, "PWD") as defined under Section 2(t) of
the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Oppo1iunities, Protection of Rights
and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (hereinafter "the 1995 Act"). They
c filed this writ petition aggrieved by two office memoranda No.36035/16/
91-Estt. (SCT) dated 18.02.1997 and No.36035/3/2004-Estt. (RES) dated
29.12.2005 (hereinafter impugned memorandum I and II respectively)
issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of
India. The petitioners' grievance is thatthe impugned memoranda deprive
D them of the statutory benefit of reservation under the 1995 Act w.r. t.
Group A and Group B posts in Prasar Bharati.

3. Posts in Prasar Bharati are classified into four groups -A to
D. Each group consists of a number of classes of posts and in each
class there are a number of posts. Certain posts were identified by the
E Government of India vide notification No. 16-70/2004-DD.Ill dated
18.01.2007 (hereinafter, "NOTIFICATION") as posts suitable for being
filled up with PWD (hereinafter "IDENTIFIED POSTS"); an exercise
in compliance with the mandate under Section 32 of the 1995 Act 1•
1
Section 32- ··Identification of posts 11·hich can be rese1Ted for persons 11ith disabilities.
F -Appropriate Governments shall-
(a) identity posts. in the establishments. which can be reserved for the persons
with disability;
(b) at periodical intervals not exceeding three years. review the list ot"posts
identified and up-date the list taking into consideration the developments
in technology,"
The 1995 Act was enacted on 01.01.1996 pursuant to the Proclamation on the Full
G
Participation and Equality of the People with Disabilities in the Asia and Pacific Region
adopted in the meeting convened by the Economic and Social Commission for Asian
and Pacific Region at Beijing in December 1992 to launch the Asian and Pacific Decade
of Disabled Persons 1993-2002. The proclamation was to ensure "opportunities for
full participation and equality for people with disabilities. especially in the fields of
rehabilitation. education and employment". As a signatory to this proclamation, India
H passed the 1995 Act.
RAJEEV KUMAR GUPTA & OTHERS v. UNION OF INDIA & 411
OTHERS [J. CHELAMESWAR, J.]

After such identification, the 'appropriate Govermnent' 2 is mandated A
under Section 33' to reserve not less than three per cent ofIDENTIFIED
POSTS in favour of PWD.

4. Under the regulations framed under the 1990 Act, various
posts (falling in groups A to D) in Prasar Bharati are to be filled up by
three different modes i.e. direct recruitment, promotion and some posts B
partly by direct recruitment and partly by promotion.

5. Memorandum II provide.s for reservation in favour of PWD to
the extent of three per cent in all the IDENTIFIED POSTS in Prasar
Bharati, when these are filled up by direct recruitment. However, it
provides for three per cent reservation in IDENTIFIED POSTS falling c
in Groups 'C' and 'D' irrespective of the mode of recruitment i.e. whether
by direct recruitment or by promotion. As a consequence, the statutory
benefit of three per cent reservation in favour of PWD is denied insofar
as IDENTIFIED POSTS in Groups 'A' and 'B' are concerned, since
these posts, under relevant regulations of Prasar Bharati are to be filled D
up exclusively through direct recruitment.

6. The crux of the issue before us is legality of denial by the
impugned memoranda of the statutory benefit of three per cent reservation
in IDENTIFIED POSTS falling in Groups A and B. Such denial, the
petitioners contend, violates the State's obligation under Sections 32 and E
33 of the 1995 Act and subverts of the object of the said Act enacted by
Parliament inter alia to secure opportunities for full pm1icipation of PWD
in matters of employment.
2 The term 'appropriate Government' is defined under Section 2(a) of the 1995 Act.

3
Section 33 - "Reservation of posts. - Every appropriate Government shall appoint F
in every establishment such percentage of vacancies not less than three per cent for
persons or class of persons with disability of which one per cent' shall be reserved.for
persons suffering from-
(i) blindness or low vision;
(ii) hearing impairment;
(iii) locomotor disability or cerebral palsy;
in the posts identified for such disability: G
Provided that the appropriate Government may, having regard to the type of work
carried on in any department or establishment, by notification subject to such conditions,
if any, as may be specified in such notification, exempt any establishment from the
provisions of this section."
The term "establishment" as referred to in Section 33 is defined in Section 2(k) of the
1995 Act. H
412 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2016] 3 S.C.R.

A 7. It is relevant to notice the history and background of the
impugned memoranda. After enactment of the 1995 Act, impugned
memorandum-I was issued purporting to extend the benefit of reservation
to certain IDENTIFIED POSTS falling in Groups A and B, which under
relevant regulations of Prasar Bharati are to be filled only through direct
recruitment. This memorandum was followed by several others
B
(examination of each of them is not necessary for our present purpose)
leading to significant confusion regarding the intendment of the
Government of India with respect to reservation to PWD candidates.
The impugned memorandum II was issued to clarify government's
understanding of the problem. The legality (correctness of the
c government's understanding of the law) of impugned memorandum-II is
the issue for our consideration.

8. The petitioners argued,

(i) A large number of IDENTIFIED POSTS in Groups A and B
D are filled only through promotion. Because of the impugned
memoranda, the benefit ofreservation under Section 33 of the
1995 Act is denied w.r.t. those posts. Petitioners therefore
lose out on a significant amount of opp011unity at the upper
end of the organizational hierarchy. It cannot be the
respondent's case that the petitioners are unfit by virtue of
E their disability to perform the functions of office in the
IDENTIFIED POSTS. Such posts are already identified to
be suitable to be filled up with PWD. Classification among the
PWD on the basis of the mode ofrecruitment is discriminatory
and the same has no nexus to the objects sought to be achieved
F either by the 1995 Act or the recruitment. Government of
India has created an arbitrary and irrational distinction by
excluding IDENTIFIED POSTS in Groups A and B from the
benefit of three per cent reservation.

(ii) That the embargo on reservation in promotions laid down by
G this court in Indra Sawlmey & Otlters v. Unio11 of I11tlia &
Otlters, 1992 Supp (3) SCC 215 (hereinafter, referred to as
the 'l11tlra Smvlmey case') is not applicable to PWD.

9. The respondents argued'
'All the respondents adopted the counter affidavit filed on 9.7.20 I 0 by respondents 4
H to 8
RAJEEV KUMAR GUPTA & OTHERS v. UNION OF INDIA & 413
OTHERS [J. CHELAMESWAR, J.]

(i) that the mandate of Section 33 of the 1995 Act applies only A
when the identified posts are sought to be filled up by direct
recruitment. Impugned memorandum-II only contains a policy
decision of the Government of India by which reservation is
granted to Group C and Group D posts even when they are
sought to be filled up by the mode of promotion. Since the
B
policy decision restricted the reservation in promotion to
identified Group C and Group D posts, the petitioners have no
right to demand reservation in promotion to identified Group A
and Group B posts.

(ii) The respondents further argued that Indra Sawlmey case
clearly ruled that reservations be confined to recruitment at
c
the initial level ofrecruitment into government service and not
at the stage of promotions. Providing for reservation in higher
level posts is constitutionally impermissible. The respondents,
therefore, argued that.in light of the law laid down in Indra
Sawlmey, it is constitutionally impermissible that petitioners to D
be given three per cent reservation in promotions for identified
Group A and Group B posts.

I 0. Whether any post under the State is to be reserved for being
filled up exclusively by some persons belonging to any "constitutionally
deserving" class of persons or otherwise is a matter of policy choice of E
the State. Such a policy is either laid down by a statute or executive
orders. Various factors are to be taken into consideration for framing
any policy such as the nature of responsibilities which a particular post
carries, the number of posts available in that class and the representation
already existing in that class of posts for persons of the class to which F
reservation is sought to be provided and myriad other things.

11. But such factors ought to be germane to purposes sought to
be achieved by the policy apart from being relevant in the context of the
scheme of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. The same principles
oflaw apply even to the question, as to the mode of fil Iing up of any post G
or class of posts.

12. The policy of the State w.r.t. the issue on hand is regulated by
the 1995 Act. It authorises (under Section 32) the appropriate Government
to identify the posts suitable to be filled up by PWD. The Government of
India has exercised the power and identified the posts vide the H
414 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2016] 3 S.C.R.

A NOTIFICATON. The NOTIFICATION includes some of the posts in
Group A and Group B.;

13. For some_ of these IDENTIFIED POSTS in Group A and
Group B, the mode of recruitment is only through promotions.' The
purpose underlying the statutory exercise of identification under Section
B
32 of the 1995 Act would be negated if reservation is denied to those
IDENTIFIED POSTS by stipulating that either all or some of such posts
are to be filled up only through the mode of promotion. It is demonstrated
before us that PWD as a class are disentitled to some of the IDENTIFIED
POSTS in Groups A and Group B because of the impugned memoranda
c and the relevant regulations, under which the only mode of appointment
to those IDENTIFIED POSTS is through promotion. Once posts are
identified under Section 32, the purpose behind such identification cannot
be frustrated by prescribing a mode of recruitment which results in denial
of statutory reservation. It would be a device to defraud PWD of the
statutory benefit.under Section 33 of the 1995 Act.
D
14. We now examine the applicability of the prohibition on
reservation in promotions as propounded by Indra Saw/111ey. Prior to
Indra Sawlmey, reservation in promotions were permitted under law as
interpreted by this Court in General Mmw1:er, Southern Railway &
E Another v. Rangac/wri, AIR 1962 SC 36. Indra Smvlmey specifically
overruled Rangaclwri to the extent that reservations in promotions were
held in Rai1gac/wri to be permitted under Article 16( 4) of the
Constitution. Indra Sawlmey specifically addressed the question
whether reservations could be permitted in matters of promotion unde_r

F 'The following entries in the identification notification are indicative of this fact- entry
nos. 285, 289, 291, 363, 366, 379, 535, 547, 555 and 72 in the Group A list and entry
nos. 67. 70 and 120.

''The petitioner annexed replies obtained through RT! at pages 119-122 of the writ
petition. A perusal of the annexed documents leaves no doubt that there are several
identified posts for which the only possible mode of recruitment under the regulations
G of Prasar Bharati is promotion.

The recruitment mode of several posts such as s~nior engineering assistant (Group B
post). Assistant engineer (Group B post), Station engineer (Group A post):
Superintending engineer (Group A post) and Chief engineer (Group A post) is thr9ugh
100% promotion. There are some other posts such Assistant station engineer (Group
A post) for which rccruitmen.t is 50% by direct recruitment and 50% by promotions.
H
RAJEEV KUMAR GUPTA & OTHERS v. UNION OF INDIA & 415
OTHERS [J. CHELAMESWAR, J.]

Article 16(4 )7. The majority held' that reservations in promotion are not A
permitted under our constitutional scheme.
15. The respondent argued that the answer to Q.7 in Indra
Sawhney squarely covers the situation on hand and the reasons outlined
by the majority opinion in Indra Sawhney at para 828 must also apply to
bar reservation in promotions to IDENTIFIED POSTS of Group A and B
Group B.
7
See Question No. 7 framed in Hon'ble B.P. Jeevan Reddy, J. 's Judgment in Indra
Sawhney case;
"7. Whether clause (4) of Article 16 provides reservation only in the
matter of initial appointments/direct recruitment or does it contemplate
and provide for reservations being rnade in the matter of promotion as
c
well?"
' Para 828. ··we see no justification to multiply ·the risk ·. which would be the
consequence of holding that reservation can be provided even in the matter of promotion.
While it is certainly just to say that a handicap should be given to backward class of
citizens at ihe stage of initial appointment, it would be a serious and unacceptable
inroad into the rule of equality of opportunity to say that such a handicap should be D
provided atevery stage of promotion throughout their career. That would mean creation
of a permanent separate category apart from the mainstream - a vertical division of
the administrative apparatus. The members of reserved categories need not have to
compete with others but only among themselves. There would be. no will to work,
compete and excel among them. Whether they work or not. they tend to think, their
promotion is assured. This in turn is bound to generate a feeling of despondence and
'heart-burning' among open competition members. All this is bound to affect the E
efficiency of administration. Putting the members of backward classes on a fast-track
would necessarily result in leap-frogging and the deleterious effects of"leap-frogging"
need no illustration at our hands. At !he initial stage of recruitment reservation can be
niade in favour of backward class of citizens but once they enter the service. efficiency
of administration demands that these members too compete with others and earn
promotion like all others; no further distinction can be made thereafter with reference
to their "birth-mark'', as one of the learned Judges of this Court has said in another
F
connection. They are expected to operate on equal footing with others. Crutches cannot
be provided throughout one's c.areer. That woul.d not be in the interest of efficiency of
administraticm nor in the larger interest of the nation. It is wrong to think that by
holding so, we are confining the backward class of citizens to the lowest cadres. It is
well-known that direct recruitment takes place at several higher levels of administration
and not merely at the level of Class IV and Class Ill. Direct recruitment is provided G
even at the level of All India Services. Direct recruitment is provided at the level of
District Judges, to give an example nearer home. It may also be noted that during the
debates in the Constituent Assembly, none referred to reservation in promotions; it
does not appear to have been within their contemplation".
Para 829, •·1t is true that Rangachari [( 1962) 2 SCR 586: AIR 1962 SC 36] has been the
law for more than 30 years and that attempts to re-open the issue were repelled in
Karamchari Sangh [( 1981) 1 SCC 246, 289: 1981 SCC (L&S) 50: ( 1981) 2 SCR 185, H
416 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2016] 3 S.C.R.

A 16. We do not agree with the respondent's submission. The Indra
Sawhney ruling arose in the context of reservations in favour of backward
classes of citizens falling within the sweep of Article 16(4 ).
17. Backward classes contemplated under A1ticle 16(4) are the
socially and educationally backward classes of citizens. In Devadasa11 9 ,
B it was held by this Court that Article 16(4) is an exception to the principle
contained in Article 16( I). However, Subba Rao, J., in his dissent opined
that Article 16(4) is not an exception to Article 16( I) but an emphatic
way of expressing the principle inherent in Article 16( I). This dissenting
opinion later found approval in the majority decision in State ofKera/a
v. N.M. Thomas, ( 1976) 2 SCC 310. Finally, in Indra Sawl111ey, a 9-
c judge Bench by majority (speaking through Jeevan Reddy, J .) confirmed
that Article 16(4) is not an exception to the Rule in Article 16( I) but it is
an "instance of(such) classification" 10
18. The principle is that the State shall not discriminate (which
normally includes preference) on the basis of any one of the factors
D mentioned in A1ticle 16(1 ). Though under the doctrine of "reasonable
classification", it has always been held that State can identify classes of
people who have distinct characteristics or disadvantages and treat them

234]. It may equally be true that on the basis of that decision, reservation may have
E been provided in the matter ofpron1otion in some of the Central and State services but
we are convinced that the majority opinion in Rangachari [( 1962) 2 SCR 586: AIR 1962
SC 361 to the extent it holds, that Article 16(4) permits reservation even in the matter
of promotion, is not sustainable in principle and ought to be departed from. However,
taking into consideration all the circumstances, we direct that our decision on this
question· shall operate only prospectively and shall not affect promotions
alreadymade. whether on temporary. officiating or regular/permanent basis. It is futther
F directed that wherever reservations are already provided in the matter ofpromotion-
bc it Central Services or State Services. or for that matter services under any corporation,
authority or body falling under the definition of "State' in Article 12- such reservations
shall continue in operation for a period of five years from this day. Within this period.
it would be open to the appropriate authorities to revise, modify or re-issue the
relevant Rules to ensure the achievement of the objective of Article 16( 4 ). If any
authority thinks that for ensuring adequate representation of 'backward class of citizens'
G in any service. class or c~tegory, it is necessary to provide for direct recruitment
therein, it shall be open to it do so'".
9
T. De\'adasan v. Union of India and Anr.. AIR 1964 SC 179
10
IDdra Sawhney's case.
Para 741. ... We too belie\'e that Article 16( I) does permit reasonable classification for
H ensuring attainment of the equality of opportunity assured by it. For assuring equality
RAJEEV KUMAR GUPTA & OTHERS v. UNION OF INDIA & 417
OTHERS [J. CHELAMESWAR, J.]

separately under law. Having regard to the history, the social and A
demographic context of our nation, the Constitution framers thought it
appropriate to enable the State under Article 16(4) to identify citizens
for preferential treatment for the purpose of employment under the State.
· 19. This Court in Indra Sawhney was dealing with the action of
the State in providing reservation in employment under the State to various B
classes of citizens, identified by theS.tate to be backward classes. The
process of such identification and the nature and extent of reservations
that could be provided under Article 16(4) were the main issues before
this Court. It is in this context, this Court held that reservation in the
context of promotions to higher posts under the State are constitutionally
impermissible. c
20. To remove the basis of the rule propounded in Indra Sawhney
case, Parliament enacted the Constitution (Seventy-Seventh
Amendment) Act, 1995. By inserting Article 16(4A), an exception is
created in favour of citizens belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled tribes, from the rule laid down in Indra Sawhney. D
21. The principle laid down in Indra Sawhney is applicable only
when the State seeks to give preferential treatment in the matter of
employment under State to certain classes of citizens identified to be a
backward class. A1iicle 16(4) does not disable the State from providing
differential treatment (reservations) to other classes of citizens under E
Article 16( I ) 1i if they otherwise deserve such treatment. However, for
creating such preferential treatment under law, consistent with the
mandate of Article 16(1 ), the State cannot choose any one of the factors
such as caste, religion etc. mentioned in Article 16( I) as the basis. The
of opportunity. it may well be necessary in certain situations to treat unequally situated
persons unequally. Not doing so. would perpetuate and accentuate inequality. Article
F
16(4) is an instance of such classification, put in to place the matter beyond controversy.
The ··backward class of citizens"' are classified as a separate category deserving a
special treatment in the nature of reservation of appointments/posts in the services of
the State. Accordingly, we hold that Clause (4) of Article 16 is not exception to Clause
( 1) of Atticle 16. lt is an instance of classification implicit in and permitted by clause
( 1).... It is a provision which must be read along with and in harmony with clause (I). G
Indeed. even without Clause (4), it would have been permissible for the State to have
evolved such a classification and made a provision for reservation of appointments/
posts in their favour. Clause (4) merely puts the matter. beyond any doubt in specific
terms.
A Constitution Bench of this Court in M. Nagaraj & Ors. v. U11io11 of llulia &
Ors. (2006) 8 SCC 212 reiterated the position in /11<lra Saw/111e1'. See Para 112.
11
As per the Indra Sawhney case. Atticle 16( 4) is a subset of Article 16( I) H
418 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2016] 3 S.C.R.

A basis for providing reservation·for PWD is physical disability and not
any of the criteria forbidden under Article 16(1 ) ..Therefore, the rule of
no reservation in promotions as laid down in Indra Sawhney has clearly
and normatively no application to the PWD.
22. The 1995 Act was enacted to fulfill India's obligations under
B the 'Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of the People
with Disabilities in the Asia and Pacific Region'. The objective behind
the I 995 Act is to integrate PWD into the society and to ensure their
economic progress." The intent is to turn PWD into 'agents of their
own destiny'." PWD are not and cannot be equated with backward
classes contemplated under Article 16(4). May be, certain factors are
c common to both backward classes and PWD such as social attitudes
and historical neglect etc.
23. It is disheartening to note that (admittedly) low numbers of
PWD (much below three per cent) are in government employment long
years after the I 995 Act. Barriers to their entry must, therefore, be
D scrutinized by rigorous standards within the legal framework of the I 995
Act.
2.4. A combined reading of Sections 32 and 33 of the 1995 Act
explicates a fine arid designed balance between requirements of
administration and the imperative to provide greater opportunities to PWD.
E Therefore', as detailed in tli~ first part of our analysis, the identification
exe.rCi~e, under Section 32 is crucial. Once a post is identified, it means
that a PWD is fully capable of discharging the functions associated with
th.e identified post. Once found to be so capable, reservation under Section
33 t~ an extent ofnot less than three per cent must follow. Once the post .
F is identified, it must be reserved for PWD irrespective of the mode of
recruitment adopted by the State for filling up of the said post.
25. In light of the preceding analysis, we declare the impugned
·memoranda as illegal and inconsistent with the 1995 Act. We further
direct the Government to extend three percent reservation to PWD in
all IDENTIFIED POSTS in Group A and Group B, irrespective of the
G
mode of filling up of such posts. This writ petition is accordingly allowed.

12 See Para 3, 4 and 5 of the Proclamation of the Full Participation and Equality
of the People ";ith Disabilities in tlie Asia and Pacific Region.
" Id at Para 2.
H
RAJEEV KUMAR GUPTA & OTHERS v. UNION OF INDIA & 419
OTHERS [J. CHELAMESWAR, J.]

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 5389 OF 2016 A
(Arising out ofSLP (C) No.244 of2016)
In view of our decision in Writ Petition (Civil) No.521 of2008, this
Civil Appeal is also disposed of, with no order as to costs.

B
Nidhi Jain Writ petition al101Yed and Civil appeal disposed of.