---
title: "Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992): Mandal Case"
description: "Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) is the Mandal Commission verdict that upheld 27% OBC reservation, set the 50% ceiling, and created the creamy layer rule."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/indra-sawhney-v-union-of-india"
---

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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 upholding 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes while capping total reservations at 50% and barring the creamy layer.
- What is the 50% reservation ceiling established in Indra Sawhney?
- What is the creamy layer doctrine and whom does it exclude?
- Did Indra Sawhney permit reservation in promotions?

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

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## Timeline

1. 13 August 1990

   Singh's government issued an Office Memorandum on reserving 27% of vacancies in central government services and public-sector undertakings for the Other Bac…

2. 16 November 1992

   The 6:3 judgment delivered on remains the single most authoritative pronouncement on reservation in Indian constitutional law.

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Example

In May 2021 the Supreme Court struck down Maharashtra's Maratha reservation in Jaishri Laxmanrao Patil v. Chief Minister, holding that exceeding the 50% ceiling fixed in Indra Sawhney (1992) was impermissible.

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