ORDERS SINCE THE NAGARAJ VERDICT

OCTOBER 2006: The Supreme Court rules that the creamy layer exclusion principle, applicable in grant of reservation to OBCs, cannot be applied to SC and ST categories for promotions in government jobs. ‘Creamy layer’ pertains to better-off individuals among OBCs who are ineligible for Mandal reservations AUGUST 2017: The Delhi high court sets aside an August 1997 office memorandum issued by the DoPT on the issue of reservation in promotion. The HC restrains the Centre from granting reservation in promotion without first collecting data on inadequate representation NOVEMBER 2017: The SC says a five-judge Constitution bench will examine the limited issue of whether the 2006 verdict delivered in M Nagaraj and others versus Union of India case is required to be looked at again JUNE 2018: The Supreme Court allows the central government to go ahead with reservations in promotion for employees belonging to the SC and ST categories in “accordance with the law”

JULY 2018: The SC refuses to pass an interim order against its 2006 verdict. It says a seven-judge Constitution bench is needed to consider the matter