A seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court (SC) of India will deliver its judgement in State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh, on a question of law that carries with it enormous significance for the future of affirmative action and reservations under the Constitution. Research and data indicate that while Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are often treated as uniform categories, there exist significant disparities within these groups, with certain castes facing more discrimination than others.  

Shouldn’t state governments be empowered to address these intra-group differences? The forthcoming judgement in the Davinder Singh case aims to address this issue, potentially bringing much-needed clarity to a legal area that has long needed a reform. The Union government has formed a high-level committee of secretaries, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, to evaluate and work out a method for the equitable distribution of benefits, schemes and initiatives to the most backward communities.