Punjab & Haryana High Court Upholds Scheduled Caste Reservation in Promotions, Excludes 'Creamy Layer'

The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld the Haryana government's policy granting reservation in promotions to Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates in Group A and B posts.  

However, Justice Jagmohan Bansal clarified that individuals belonging to the 'creamy layer', those who are socially and economically advanced, must be excluded from such benefits.  

The Court ruled that the state had met the constitutional requirement under Article 16(4A) by presenting quantifiable data showing inadequate SC representation in higher posts. (Deepak Bamber v. State of Haryana and Ors)