C. A. RAJENDRAN vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The Supreme Court examined the constitutional validity of the Central Government's office memorandum dated November 8, 1963, which discontinued reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Class I and II services. The Court held that Article 16(4) of the Constitution does not confer a fundamental right but is an enabling provision, allowing the state to make reservations as a matter of public policy. The Court dismissed the petitioner's challenge, affirming that the government's decision was not discriminatory under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.