SC questions 100% quota for tribals in scheduled tribe areas

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has questioned the wisdom of setting aside 100% teachers’ posts for tribals in Andhra Pradesh’s identified Scheduled Tribal Areas. A Constitution Bench comprising justices Arun Mishra, Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran, MR Shah and Aniruddha Bose wanted to know if the 100% quota was meant to benefit teachers or students and demanded studies to show that reservations benefits had percolated to those who needed them and had improved their economic condition.

“How can you keep out other qualified persons? Does it help the quality of teachers being recruited? Does it help the students,” the bench asked. The state of Andhra, also now Telangana, through senior advocates Rajeev Dhavan and R Venkataramani argued there were few takers for the jobs from non-tribals in the areas. Dhavan argued the affinity in language and culture with locals helped children in studies and discipline.

Even if the posts were not filled up soon, more tribal candidates would get higher qualifications to apply in the long run, he contended. The bench also wanted to know if the reservations would continue forever. It had observed on Monday that even if one person needed, reservations must continue but a day later pointed out the flip side of maintaining such cultural homogeneity in appointments. The hearing will continue on Thursday.


Scheduled tribal areas are certain geographical areas in states (except areas in four northeastern states covered in the Sixth Schedule) identified and placed in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. The Centre identifies the areas in consultation with each state. The Andhra Pradesh government had set aside all teachers’ posts for STs in the areas within the state. Parliament can change the location of scheduled areas by enacting a law.