UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC and the OBC creamy layer test

Q1. With reference to the determination of creamy layer status among Other Backward Classes (OBCs) under the framework upheld by the Supreme Court in 2026, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A candidate may fall in the creamy layer because of the post held by a parent, even if the family's income from other sources is below the prescribed ceiling.
  2. After the ruling, parental income has become irrelevant to deciding whether a candidate belongs to the creamy layer.
  3. A rise in a parent's salary, without any change in the parent's post or service category, does not by itself push the candidate into the creamy layer.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. In Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992), the Supreme Court required the creamy layer to be excluded from the benefit of reservation for Other Backward Classes.
  2. Article 16(4) of the Constitution permits reservation in public posts only for those classes of citizens who are economically weaker, irrespective of their social standing.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Like OBC reservation, EWS reservation rests on the premise that the beneficiary class is socially and educationally backward.
  2. EWS eligibility looks at the gross annual income of the family, whereas the OBC income/wealth test leaves out salary and agricultural income.
  3. In upholding the EWS quota, the Supreme Court majority held that reservation on a solely economic basis does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q4. With reference to the doctrine of prospective overruling in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under this doctrine, the Court declares the law but limits its operation to the future so that transactions already concluded are not unsettled.
  2. The doctrine was first applied in India in the Golak Nath case.
  3. Any High Court may apply this doctrine while interpreting an ordinary statute enacted by a State Legislature.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q5. Consider the following facts. In March 2026 the Supreme Court held that OBC creamy layer status cannot be decided solely on parental income. The Union government then sought clarification, arguing that applying the ruling to past selections would disrupt recruitment, cadre allocation, seniority and admissions. In November 2026 the Court said the Union had erred in that assumption and held that the ruling applies to service allocation from the Civil Services Examination 2025. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The Court did not confine its March 2026 ruling to candidates who appear in examinations held after the judgment.
  2. Every appointment made since 2004 in which salary income was counted against an OBC candidate now stands automatically set aside.
  3. The Court has directed the Union government to raise the income ceiling used in the income/wealth test.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q6. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The Supreme Court upheld the 10 per cent EWS reservation even though it takes total reservation beyond fifty per cent of the available seats.
  2. The 103rd Amendment extends EWS reservation to admissions in educational institutions as well as to appointments in civil posts and services.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q7. Consider the following assertion: Excluding the creamy layer is necessary for reservation for backward classes in public employment to serve its constitutional purpose. Which of the statements given below support/supports the above assertion?

  1. Reservation in public posts is meant for those backward classes that are not adequately represented in the services of the State.
  2. If socially advanced members of a backward class are kept within the reserved pool, they tend to capture benefits meant for the class as a whole.
  3. The limit of fifty per cent on total reservations applies to reservations made for backward classes.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3