K. Nirmala vs Canara Bank

The Supreme Court ruled that individuals employed in Nationalized Banks or Government undertakings based on Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates are entitled to retain their positions even if their caste/tribe is later de-scheduled by the State. This decision is grounded in Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution of India, which confer exclusive authority to the Parliament regarding the classification of SC/ST. The Court reaffirmed the precedent set in State of Maharashtra v. Milind, emphasizing that state governments lack the power to alter the SC/ST list, thereby upholding the appellants' rights to their employment status.