Source: Supreme Court 

Why in News? 

For the first time in its history, the Supreme Court of India has introduced reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in its staff recruitment. This historic move, introduced under the leadership of Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, aligns the Apex Court’s internal administration with the constitutional principles of equality and social justice it has long upheld in its judgments. 

• The decision comes after decades of delay in implementing the post-based roster system mandated by the Supreme Court itself in the R.K. Sabharwal case (1995). 
• The reform applies to non-judicial posts and encompasses both direct recruitment and promotions, setting a precedent for other institutions to follow. 

What are the Major Highlights of this Reservation Policy? 

Key Policy Details:  

• Reservation Percentages: The policy allocates 15% quota for SC employees and 7.5% quota for ST employees in both direct recruitment and promotions. 
• Implementation Date: The Model Reservation Roster and Register became effective from 23rd June, 2025. 
• Coverage Scope: The reservation policy applies to both fresh appointments and promotional opportunities for existing staff members. 
• Alignment with Central Norms: The reservation percentages mirror the central government's established reservation framework for scheduled communities. 

Leadership and Historical Context: 

• Chief Justice's Role: This historic policy was introduced during the tenure of CJI B.R. Gavai, who holds the distinction of being the second Chief Justice from the Scheduled Caste community. 
• First-of-its-Kind Initiative: This represents the Supreme Court's maiden attempt at implementing affirmative action policies in its internal staff recruitment processes. 
• Administrative Origin: The policy emanates from the Court's administrative wing rather than through judicial pronouncements. 
• Symbolic Significance: CJI Gavai emphasized that "our actions must reflect our principles," highlighting the Court's commitment to practicing the equality it preaches. 

Positions Covered under the Policy: 

• Senior Administrative Roles: Senior Personal Assistant positions with reserved quotas. 
• Library Services: Assistant Librarian posts included in the reservation framework. 
• Court Operations: Junior Court Assistant positions with dedicated SC/ST allocation. 
• Technical Positions: Junior Court Assistant cum Junior Programmer roles covered. 
• Support Staff: Junior Court Attendant and Chamber Attendant positions included. 
• Comprehensive Coverage: The policy extends across various administrative and technical roles within the Supreme Court structure. 

Implementation Mechanism: 

• Model Roster System: A comprehensive Model Reservation Roster and Register has been developed and uploaded on the Supreme Court's internal network (Supnet). 
• Official Documentation: The policy was formalized through an official circular dated 24th June, 2025, issued by the Supreme Court Registrar. 
• Transparency Measures: Clear guidelines have been provided for implementing the reservation policy across different designation levels. 
• Grievance Mechanism: Staff members can raise objections or representations regarding any mistakes or inaccuracies in the roster through the Registrar (Recruitment). 

Administrative Framework: 

• Competent Authority Direction: The policy implementation follows directions from the competent authority within the Supreme Court administration. 
• Systematic Approach: The reservation system follows a structured model roster approach ensuring systematic implementation. 
• Staff Notification: All concerned personnel have been formally notified about the new policy through official channels. 
• Monitoring System: Provisions for addressing staff concerns and queries about the implementation process have been established. 

Broader Implications: 

• Judicial Leadership: Demonstrates the Supreme Court's proactive approach to ensuring diversity and inclusion within its own institutional framework. 
• Constitutional Alignment: Reflects the Court's commitment to upholding constitutional principles of equality and social justice in its internal operations. 
• Precedent Setting: May influence other judicial institutions to adopt similar affirmative action policies. 
• Social Impact: Represents a significant step toward creating more inclusive representation in India's highest judicial institution. 

Policy Monitoring and Feedback: 

• Error Correction Mechanism: Established procedures for staff members to report discrepancies or inaccuracies in the reservation roster. 
• Continuous Review: Framework for ongoing monitoring and adjustment of the policy implementation. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Provisions for addressing concerns and representations from affected staff members. 
• Quality Assurance: Built-in mechanisms to ensure accurate and fair implementation of the reservation policy.