---
title: "Article 16: Equality in Public Employment | Model Diplomat"
description: "Article 16 guarantees equal opportunity in public employment and authorises reservation under clauses (4), (4A) and (4B). See how courts capped quotas at 50%."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/article-16-equality-of-opportunity-in-public-employment"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Article 16 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment while permitting reservation for backward classes.
- Is reservation under Article 16(4) a fundamental right that a citizen can compel the State to provide?
- Does the 50 percent ceiling on reservation apply to the EWS quota under Article 16(6)?
- How does Article 16 differ from Article 15 on reservation?
- What did the M. Nagaraj judgment add to reservation in promotions?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992), a nine-judge Supreme Court bench upheld 27% OBC reservation under Article 16(4), capped total reservations at 50%, and mandated exclusion of the creamy layer.

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