Article 335 of Indian Constitution: Claims of SC's and ST’S to services and posts

Article 335 of Indian Constitution plays a vital role in balancing two important principles : fair representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in government jobs and maintaining administrative efficiency . The article highlights the need to consider the claims of SCs and STs in public employment while ensuring that governance and service delivery do not suffer .

In simpler terms, article 335 acts as a bridge between reservation policy and merit. It gives weight to affirmative action but ensures public administration stays competent and effective. Explore in-depth analysis of other Constitutional Articles.

Download 5 Key takeaways on Article 335 of Indian Constitution

Article 335 of Indian Constitution

Claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to services and posts

“The claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State:

Provided that nothing in this article shall prevent in the making of any provision in favour of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes for relaxation in qualifying marks in any examination or lowering the standards of evaluation, for reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of services or posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.”

Note: "The information provided above has been sourced from the official website, i.e., Indian Code. While the content has been presented here for reference, no modifications have been made to the original laws and orders"

Under Indian Constitution, Article 335 mandates that while appointing candidates to Union or State posts, the government must consider the claims of SCs and STs. But this must not come at the cost of administration quality. The phrase “maintenance of efficiency of administration” shows the importance of performance standards.

The 82nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000, inserted a proviso to this article. It allowed the government to relax qualifying marks or evaluation standards for SCs and STs in promotions. This amendment was introduced to improve representation in higher ranks of government jobs where these communities were underrepresented.

So, art 335 ensures inclusion without compromising capability. It gives both social justice and merit equal footing in governance.

Article 335 of Indian Constitution :Landmark Cases

• Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992)
• This was a landmark judgment that discussed the scope of reservations. The court ruled that efficiency should not be compromised and introduced a 50% cap on reservations. Though it primarily dealt with OBCs, it laid the foundation for understanding reservation through the lens of efficiency, relevant to article 335.
• M. Nagaraj v. Union of India (2006)
• The Supreme Court upheld reservations in promotions but laid down three conditions: the backwardness of the class, inadequate representation, and overall administrative efficiency. The judgment is directly related to article 335 of Indian Constitution which is about balancing representation and administration.
• Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta (2018)
• This case relaxed one of the conditions set in M. Nagaraj, stating that SCs and STs need not prove backwardness for promotions. The judgment helped strengthen affirmative action under 335 article while still maintaining checks on efficiency.
• State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2020)
• The Court allowed sub-categorization of SCs for more focused reservation. While not directly on article 335, it supported better representation and effective use of reservation policy, linking back to the purpose of this article.

Article 335 of Indian Constitution is significant because it tries to balance two critical objectives:

• Upliftment of historically marginalized communities.
• Ensuring a competent and efficient administrative system.

This article acknowledges that while social justice is necessary, public services should not suffer due to compromised efficiency. It legitimizes reservation policies especially in promotions and sets a framework for their implementation with accountability.

It also serves as a constitutional safeguard ensuring that merit is not ignored in the name of representation. Art 335 protects the core of India’s administrative machinery while promoting inclusive governance.

Article 335 of Indian Constitution :Developments and Amendments

The most notable development in article 335 was through the 82nd Amendment Act, 2000. Before this amendment, the balance heavily tilted toward efficiency, making it difficult for SCs and STs to climb to higher administrative posts.

Post the amendment:

• The government can relax qualifying marks.
• Standards of evaluation can be lowered for promotions.
• This does not violate the principle of administrative efficiency.

Over the years, several Supreme Court rulings have clarified how reservations should work under this article. The article 335 of Indian Constitution which part belongs to Part XVI of the Constitution, which deals with special provisions for certain classes, including SCs and STs.

This Part, along with amendments and judicial interpretation, ensures that reservation policy stays updated with social and political realities.

Conclusion

Article 335 of Indian Constitution is a constitutional checkpoint. It ensures that in the quest for justice and equality, the administrative backbone of India does not weaken. By requiring governments to consider both representation and efficiency, it offers a balanced and dynamic framework.

As India grows, the role of 335 article will only become more relevant. Its principles must be interpreted carefully by policymakers and courts to ensure fair and effective governance. With frequent debates over merit vs. reservation, article 335 stands as a guiding light that encourages inclusivity without sacrificing competence.