UTTARKHAND JAN MORCHA vs STATE OF U.P.

The Supreme Court, in a public interest litigation under Article 32, addressed the issue of reservation for socially and educationally backward classes in Uttarakhand. The Court recognized the applicability of Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution, affirming that residents of Uttarakhand are entitled to a 27% reservation as per the U.P. Public Services (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) Act, 1994. The Court held that the State's inconsistent application of this reservation policy constituted discrimination against Uttarakhand residents, thereby reinforcing the need for adherence to the statutory scheme of reservation.