STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH vs PRADIP TANDON & ORS.

The Supreme Court examined the constitutional validity of reservations for medical college admissions under Articles 15(1) and 29(2) of the Constitution of India. It held that while reservations for hill and Uttrakhand areas are valid, those for rural areas are unconstitutional. The Court clarified that backwardness under Article 15(4) pertains to socially and educationally backward classes, and cannot be based solely on geographical location or caste, as this would violate the non-discrimination principle established in Article 15(1).