In Brief
The Court addressed whether physically handicapped (PH) candidates from the OBC category are entitled to proportionally increased Civil Services Examination attempts. In 2007, the Government increased PH General Category attempts from 4 to 7, but left OBC PH at 7 (equal to non-disabled OBC). The Madras and Delhi High Courts ruled this discriminatory under Article 14. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that horizontal (disability-based) and vertical (caste-based) reservations operate independently. Both PH General and PH-OBC receive 7 attempts—equal treatment of equally situated disabled persons. The Court found no discrimination and held reservation policy is a governmental matter immune from judicial interference unless arbitrary.
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