Supreme Court implements SC/ST reservation for staff recruitment

The Supreme Court of India has introduced reservation in the direct appointment and promotion of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) in its staff.

A circular was issued to this effect on June 24 to all Supreme Court employees and Registrars saying, “As per the directions of the Competent Authority, it is to notify for the information of all concerned that the Model Reservation Roster and Register has been uploaded on the Supnet (Court’s internal email network) and it is made effective from June 23, 2025".

This aligns the Supreme Court with other public institutions and several High Courts, which already have such policies in place.

As per the policy posts have been reserved as follows: 15% of posts for SC candidates and 7.5% for ST candidates and they apply exclusively to administrative and support staff roles.

On this historic measure, CJI Gavai has stated, "If SC-ST reservations are already in place in other government institutions and many High Courts, why should the Supreme Court be an exception? Our judgments have long supported affirmative action; it's time we reflect that principle in our administration."