Supreme Court Protects PSU Employees From Job Loss Due to Caste De-scheduling

The Indian Supreme Court has intervened to safeguard the employment of central government and PSU bank employees who faced potential termination due to changes in the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) lists. The Karnataka government had de-scheduled certain castes previously included in the SC and ST lists, leading to notices issued to affected employees. However, the Supreme Court ruled that these individuals are entitled to retain their positions based on government circulars and a 2005 finance ministry communication. The court emphasized that the state government lacks the authority to modify the national SC and ST lists, and therefore, the de-scheduling was deemed invalid. This decision provides crucial protection for employees who secured their jobs under reserved categories based on SC/ST certificates issued before the de-scheduling occurred.