R.C.POUDYAL & SOM NATH POUDYAL vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the reservation of seats for the Sikkimese of 'Bhutia-Lepcha' origin under Sections 7(1-A) and 25A of the Representation of People Act, 1950, and Section 5A(2) of the Representation of People Act, 1951, as amended. The Court ruled that such reservations do not violate Articles 14, 15, 170(2), and 371-F, affirming that the provisions are consistent with the principles of Indian constitutionalism and republicanism. The Court emphasized that the terms of admission of a new State into the Union are justiciable and clarified the meaning of 'as it thinks fit' in Article 2.