DR. CHAKRADHAR PASWAN vs STATE OF BIHAR & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that Article 16(4) of the Constitution permits reservation of posts for backward classes, but excessive reservation that effectively negates equal opportunity under Article 16(1) is impermissible. The Court found that reserving the only post in a cadre for a scheduled caste candidate constituted 100% reservation, which is excessive. Consequently, the Court upheld the High Court's decision that the reservation of the Deputy Director (Homeopathic) post was invalid as it violated the principles of equal opportunity enshrined in the Constitution.