(1.) Leave granted.
(2.) Reservation of 27 per cent in favour of backward classes was the subject matter of dispute in Indra Sawhney and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. 1992 Supp (3) SCC 217. This Court was of the opinion that Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India does not provide for reservation in the matter of promotions. It was clarified that the judgment shall have prospective operation and shall not affect the promotions already made, whether made on regular or on any other basis. Reservation provided in the matter of promotions in the Central services or State services were directed to be continued for a period of five years from the date of the judgment.
(3.) By the Constitution (Seventy-seventh Amendment) Act, 1995, which came into force on 17.06.1995, Article 16 of the Constitution was amended by insertion of Article 16(4-A), which then read as below:-