---
title: "Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) Explained"
description: "Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) upheld 27% OBC reservation and capped total reservations at 50%, shaping India's quota law for policy researchers."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/indra-sawhney-case"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Indra Sawhney v.
- Union of India (1992) is the Supreme Court of India judgment that upheld 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes while capping total reservations at 50%.
- What is the 50% ceiling established in Indra Sawhney?
- What is the creamy layer doctrine?
- Did Indra Sawhney allow reservation in promotions?

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

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## Timeline

1. 16 November 1992

   Union of India\*\* is the nine-judge Supreme Court decision delivered on that remains the definitive constitutional pronouncement on reservation in India.

2. 13 August 1990

   Singh government's Office Memorandum of , which implemented the Second Backward Classes Commission report — the Mandal Commission, chaired by B.P.

3. 25 September 1991

   A subsequent memorandum of added a 10% reservation for the economically backward among other communities.

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Example

In 1992 the Supreme Court of India, in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, upheld the V.P. Singh government's 27% OBC reservation while capping total reservations at 50% and mandating exclusion of the creamy layer.

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