In Brief
This case challenged a 1986 notification by the Andhra Pradesh Governor reserving all teacher posts in Scheduled Areas exclusively for Scheduled Tribe candidates, effectively 100% reservation. The Supreme Court held such total reservation unconstitutional. The Court clarified that the Governor's power under Schedule V is limited to modifying or excluding existing laws in Scheduled Areas, not creating new ones. A 100% reservation violates Article 14 (equality) and Article 16 (fair employment), is arbitrary, and conflicts with Presidential Orders protecting inter-district job mobility. The Court emphasized that while protective discrimination for backward classes is constitutional, it must be reasonable and cannot deprive all other candidates of employment. The appeal was allowed, and the Court directed States not to exceed constitutional reservation limits in future.
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