Supreme Court of India Admits PIL on Income-Based Reservation Priority
New Delhi : A division bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on Tuesday admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) under Article 32 of the Constitution in Rameshankar Prajapati vs Union of India & Others (Court No. 2, Item 30).
The petition, filed by advocate Reena N. Singh, seeks a constitutionally compatible reform to prioritize reservation benefits within eligible communities on the basis of income—ensuring that the poorest individuals receive opportunities first. This proposal aims to strengthen Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution by promoting equal opportunity without altering the existing quota structure.
During arguments, advocate Singh stated:
“Justice is not just in the law—it is in ensuring that the first help reaches the hand that needs it the most.”
The bench observed that the petition could have far-reaching consequences and cautioned the counsel to be “prepared to face considerable opposition.”
The PIL highlights that despite decades of reservation policies, the most economically disadvantaged often remain left out, while benefits go to relatively better-off sections. An income-based prioritization, the petition argues, would ensure that assistance begins exactly where it is most needed.
